University of Cambridge Scholarships for International Students 2027
University of Cambridge offers access to scholarships that can reduce tuition burden and sometimes support additional costs. Below are top options prioritized by funding level.
When reviewing university scholarships connected to University of Cambridge, these are often the first awards worth checking due to the typical scale of support. With Prince Philip Scholarship, students may receive fully funded support, and coverage frequently includes £4,500 per year and 1 class return air ticket from Hong Kong to London for the Non means-tested part of the scholarship and full tuition fees and college fees and living allowance for Means-tested part of the scholarship. Cambridge Trust International Scholarship is a fully funded award, and the listed benefits often include tuition fees, living stipend, and health insurance. Gates Cambridge Scholarships is usually considered fully funded, and typical coverage can include full tuition coverage, monthly living stipend, and round-trip airfare. A strong option is Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme which is fully funded and often covers tuition fees, living allowance, and personal research allowance of up to £6,000 over the duration of your chosen program..
If you are building a wider scholarship strategy for University of Cambridge, external and government programs can be important additions. Here are a few to consider. A strong option is Commonwealth Shared Scholarships which is fully funded and often covers full tuition fees, thesis grant, and living allowance of up to £1,652 per month. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions is fully funded, and coverage often includes living stipend, mobility allowance, and special needs, leave, and and/or family allowance (if applicable). Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is fully funded and typically covers full tuition, accommodation, and travel allowance.
For more opportunities beyond these highlights, explore the scholarship listings below on this page.
University of Cambridge Scholarships for International Students
The scholarships at University of Cambridge can help fund your study expenses. There are currently 16 scholarships being offered to international students at the University of Cambridge, all with varying requirements, benefits, and application processes. We have compiled them in this list to help you find the scholarship that best fits you.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Scholarships
External Scholarships
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
University of Cambridge Admissions
Here are the official admission pages for University of Cambridge:
| Degree | Admissions Pages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | International Students Admissions Page |
| Master's | International Students Admissions Page |
University of Cambridge Application Deadlines
| Degree | Admission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | October 15, 2026 |
| Master's | February 3, 2026 Different Master's programs have different deadlines |
Tuition Fees at University of Cambridge for International Students
Indicative annual tuition fee ranges for international students at University of Cambridge. Exact fees vary by program, so always confirm the current cost on the university's official tuition fee pages.
| Degree Level | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Tuition | 27,024 – 41,124 GBP |
| Master's Tuition | 37,176 – 48,192 GBP |
Please note that tuition fees can vary based on the specific program you choose. For the most accurate and current fee information, consult the official tuition fee pages linked above.
University of Cambridge Scholarship Recipients
International students who received scholarships to study at University of Cambridge, documented by Global Scholarships.
Scholarship Recipient Insights at University of Cambridge
15 degree-study stories in the stories reviewed.
Featured Recipients
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Nigerian, Pakistani | 3 each |
| Brazilian, Indian | 2 each |
| Ghanaian, Lesotho, Pakistani, Singaporean, Spanish | 1 each |
Degrees and Subjects
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master's | 8 | Bioscience Enterprise; Development Studies (MPhil); Education, Globalisation and International Development; Law (LLM); Public Policy (MPhil); Scientific Computing (MPhil) |
| PhD | 7 | Astrophysics; Chemistry; Development Studies; Education; Materials Science and Metallurgy; Medical Science; Stem Cell Biology |
Funding Routes Used by Featured Recipients
| Funding route | Stories | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening | 2 | Oneir Raza, Ajita |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | 4 | McLeod Asare, Thato Katiba, Abraham Baba ZHIRI, Gift Adaugo Nwamadu |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | 4 | Olivia Kamsi Muoka, Arnab Sarkar, Usama Javed Mirza, José Ignacio Pérez López |
| MSCA doctoral-network funding | 1 | Min Gyu |
| Santander scholarship | 1 | Camila |
| Department scholarship | 1 | Camila |
| College grants | 1 | Aline Khoury |
Reported Funding Coverage
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Oneir Raza — Master's in Education, Globalisation and International Development | Chevening covered tuition, a living stipend, airfare and visa fees. |
| McLeod Asare — Master's in Development Studies (MPhil); 2024 intake | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: tuition, living costs, accommodation, visa and travel. |
| Thato Katiba — Master's in Law (LLM) | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: tuition, accommodation, return flights, monthly stipend, airport transport and a laptop allowance. |
| Olivia Kamsi Muoka — PhD in Medical Science; MPhil award in 2024; upgraded to PhD | Gates Cambridge Scholarship: tuition, living support, academic-development support, visa fees and travel, continued after her upgrade to PhD. |
| Maheera Abdul Ghani — PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy | Reported a fully funded PhD award of around £200,000, covering tuition, travel and a monthly stipend. |
| Aline Khoury — PhD in Development Studies | Combined smaller college grants, personal funds and part-time freelance consulting to complete the PhD. |
| Camila — Master's in Bioscience Enterprise | Combined Santander and departmental scholarships with crowdfunding of €10,000 from around 200 supporters. |
| Min Gyu — PhD in Stem Cell Biology | MSCA RESPIRE-EXCEL funding covers salary, research expenses and tuition. |
| Gift Adaugo Nwamadu — Master's in Public Policy (MPhil) | Reported a Mastercard Foundation award of £58,000. |
| José Ignacio Pérez López — PhD in Chemistry; funding secured in 2024 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship package worth approximately £60,000 per year, mostly university fees, with a stipend, visa/IHS costs and beginning/end travel. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Oneir Raza — Master's in Education, Globalisation and International Development | Chevening | International Relations bachelor’s, GPA 3.91, top-of-class and gold-medal recognition, plus three years in education and development. |
| McLeod Asare — Master's in Development Studies (MPhil); 2024 intake | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Geography and Rural Development GPA 3.72/4.00, research/teaching-assistant work and community-NGO administration. Developed a proposal on climate-smart agriculture in Ghana. |
| Olivia Kamsi Muoka — PhD in Medical Science; MPhil award in 2024; upgraded to PhD | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Medical Laboratory Science CGPA 4.73/5.00 and research on lung-cancer biomarkers among woodworkers informed her cancer-immunology goals. |
| Arnab Sarkar — PhD in Astrophysics | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Physics GPA 9.4/10 and multiple research projects; worked on a project with his future Cambridge supervisor before applying. |
| Usama Javed Mirza — PhD in Education | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Physics/philosophy and education training, about a decade in education/policy and founding Saving 9. Sought feedback on the research methodology before contacting supervisors. |
| Gift Adaugo Nwamadu — Master's in Public Policy (MPhil) | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | First-Class History and International Studies degree, GPA 4.80, and more than three years at Clean Technology Hub. Connected gender-inclusive climate finance to a clear research question. |
| José Ignacio Pérez López — PhD in Chemistry; funding secured in 2024 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Biochemistry average 9.07/10 and Molecular Genetics master’s average 9.49/10. Cambridge research placements built experience in NMR, protein research and simulations. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 1/15 | Oneir Raza — Master's in Education, Globalisation and International Development: 8.5 |
| TOEFL taken for the application | 3/15 | Arnab Sarkar — PhD in Astrophysics; Min Gyu — PhD in Stem Cell Biology: Followed by a university assessment; José Ignacio Pérez López — PhD in Chemistry; funding secured in 2024: Prepared with discounted teaching and paid practice materials; could afford one attempt |
| University English-language assessment | 2/15 | Abraham Baba ZHIRI — Master's in Scientific Computing (MPhil); 2024/2025 admissions cycle: Passed Cambridge Language Testing Centre examination; Min Gyu — PhD in Stem Cell Biology: Passed a Cambridge assessment after narrowly missing the TOEFL requirement |
| English proficiency test | 1/15 | Thato Katiba — Master's in Law (LLM): Overall band 8; component scores 8.5, 8.5, 8 and 7 |
| English test not required | 1/15 | McLeod Asare — Master's in Development Studies (MPhil); 2024 intake: Explicitly described applying without IELTS or TOEFL |
| Cambridge English Test | 1/15 | Gift Adaugo Nwamadu — Master's in Public Policy (MPhil): Taken for the application |
Academic and University Experiences
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported experience |
|---|---|
| Olivia Kamsi Muoka — PhD in Medical Science; MPhil award in 2024; upgraded to PhD | Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute research, lab mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration supported her cancer-immunology work. The Nigerian Society and college pastoral care helped her settle. |
| Aline Khoury — PhD in Development Studies | Combining doctoral research with freelance consulting was difficult, though she completed the programme. |
| Ajita — Master's in Development Studies (MPhil); 2022–2023 | Core and elective courses helped connect philanthropic work, participatory policy and social movements; returning after over five years in development created space for reflection. |
| Camila — Master's in Bioscience Enterprise | Praised the department, while describing tense financial discussions and less welcoming interactions at college level. |
| Min Gyu — PhD in Stem Cell Biology | The Stem Cell Institute provided a collaborative environment for computational research on immune-cell variation. |
| Gift Adaugo Nwamadu — Master's in Public Policy (MPhil) | Intensive public-policy work was supported by mentorship and resources; Newnham formal dinners, talks and a weekly minority-student gathering provided community. |
| José Ignacio Pérez López — PhD in Chemistry; funding secured in 2024 | Uses simulations to study chromatin organisation, histone variants, epigenetic modifications and phase separation. |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Usama Javed Mirza — PhD in Education | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Began preparation four months before applying → drafted proposal and CV → obtained methodology feedback → emailed supervisors with the documents and mapped funding deadlines. |
| José Ignacio Pérez López — PhD in Chemistry; funding secured in 2024 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | 2023: admission offer without funding → pursued a Molecular Genetics master’s in Seville and returned for thesis research → 2024: secured full PhD funding. |
What Recipients Pursued After Studying at University of Cambridge
| Recipient | Degree/program at University of Cambridge | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Zara Qaiser | Master's in Development Studies (MPhil) | After the MPhil, worked in research, policy analysis and programme design, later pursued a PhD in Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University. |
| Camila | Master's in Bioscience Enterprise | Pursued an MSCA-funded Chemistry PhD at University of Strasbourg, hosted at Elvesys in Paris, and remained with the company for three years after the PhD. |
| Gift Adaugo Nwamadu | Master's in Public Policy (MPhil) | After completing the MPhil, reported exploring international-development and sustainability roles. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Olivia Kamsi Muoka | Fully funded Mastercard Foundation Cambridge and Mastercard Foundation AfOx awards; declined both. | Accepted Gates Cambridge funding and continued from MPhil to PhD. |
| Arnab Sarkar | PhD offer from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. | Chose Cambridge for its research environment and the Gates community. |
| Usama Javed Mirza | Cambridge Trust Scholarship offering tuition and living-cost support. | Pursued the PhD with Gates Cambridge funding. |
| José Ignacio Pérez López | Fully funded Department of Chemistry and Cambridge International Trust offers. | Pursued Chemistry as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. |
| Gift Adaugo Nwamadu | University of East Anglia funding offer of £5,000. | Did not accept the offer; completed Public Policy at Cambridge. |
Applicants Who Chose Another University
| Applicant and intended degree/program | Offer from University of Cambridge | University/program chosen | Reason described in the story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucimar Prata — Master’s study in human rights | Admission offer | University of Sussex — master’s study in human rights | Preferred its Indigenous-people focus, human-rights clinics and proximity to the sea. |
| Fidelity Ndali — Master’s study in global health | Beit Trust full-funding offer in 2024 | University of Oxford — MSc Modelling for Global Health | Preferred that programme’s strengths and AfOx’s comprehensive support. |
| Williamkery Gaddam — Master’s study in public policy | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for an MPhil | University College London — planned MSc Public Policy with Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship | Chose UCL for its public-policy, political-science and evidence-based policymaking reputation. |
| Era Robbani — Master’s study in criminology | Admission offer | University of Edinburgh — MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security | N/A |
What Scholarship Recipients Say
Advice and insights from international students who successfully secured funding to study at University of Cambridge.
"The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, and flight costs to and from the UK. They also give recipients a monthly stipend for their living expenses."
"I highly recommend starting the application process early, as it often takes multiple drafts to perfect your responses."
"I am pursuing an MPhil in Scientific Computing at the University of Cambridge,"
"The exchange of ideas with scholars, professors, and peers from across the world made the experience deeply enriching, both academically and emotionally."
"Cambridge was intellectually demanding but immensely rewarding."
"My experience at the University of Cambridge has been both intellectually challenging and deeply rewarding."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about scholarships, admissions, and studying at University of Cambridge.
Most scholarships offered at the University of Cambridge are for in-person degrees.
Cambridge scholarships can cover a very wide range of subjects, including STEM, engineering, business, humanities, and medicine, depending on the scholarship and the course. In the recipient stories, you can see that range in action: Olivia Kamsi Muoka pursued Medical Science (medicine-related research), Maheera Abdul Ghani completed a PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy (engineering/STEM), Abraham Baba ZHIRI pursued MPhil in Scientific Computing (STEM), and Ajita completed an MPhil in Development Studies (humanities/social sciences). For medicine, international students can be eligible for medicine-related postgraduate programmes and funding: Olivia, an international student, was “currently pursuing a PhD in Medical Science” at Cambridge with full funding.
Cambridge funding spans many nationalities, and some scholarships are explicitly international. In GlobalScholarships recipient stories, scholarship winners studying at Cambridge include applicants from Pakistan (Usama Javed Mirza, Maheera Abdul Ghani, Oneir Raza), Nigeria (Olivia Kamsi Muoka, Abraham Baba ZHIRI), Ghana (McLeod Asare), Lesotho (Thato Katiba), and India (Ajita). Some awards are global (e.g., scholarships for applicants from outside the UK), while others are region-focused; Thato describes the Cambridge–Mastercard Foundation programme as sponsoring “a wide range of Master’s courses” for African students.
It depends on your course and your background: Cambridge may require proof of English, but some applicants can be exempt if they’ve studied in English. In recipient stories, you can see both paths: Maheera Abdul Ghani says, “I took the TOEFL for language proficiency and scored 110/120 overall,” and Thato Katiba shares, “I scored Band 8 with 8.5 in 2 components.” On the other hand, McLeod Asare notes, “Because the program is delivered in English, I did not need to take language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL.”
Cambridge doesn’t publish a single universal “minimum GPA” for everyone; entry requirements are course-specific and often described in degree-class terms (or international equivalents). In the scholarship recipient stories, successful candidates typically had very strong academics: Abraham Baba ZHIRI graduated as best student with a “perfect CGPA of 5.00/5.00,” and McLeod Asare reports “First-Class Honours and a GPA of 3.72 out of 4.00.” A practical rule is: aim for the strongest possible equivalent of at least an upper-second-class level (and many courses want higher), then let your course page define the exact bar.
A strong Cambridge scholarship profile usually combines academic excellence (top grades, strong transcripts), evidence you can thrive in rigorous study/research, and a clear reason for your course plus impact/leadership. The recipients illustrate this well: Olivia Kamsi Muoka highlights graduating “with a CGPA of 4.73/5.00 as the best student,” while McLeod Asare ties academics to real-world work and notes his scholarship supports “academically talented and community-driven” applicants. For many major awards, references matter a lot too; Thato Katiba puts it bluntly: “References can make your application weak or strong.”
Document requirements depend on your programme (taught master’s vs research degree), but commonly include transcripts/certificates, references, a CV, and a personal statement (plus a research proposal or writing sample for some courses). Thato’s Cambridge Mastercard Foundation pathway is a good real-world example: he says required documents “include: a CV, official transcripts, and English proficiency results,” and he adds that applicants should submit a personal statement and secure strong references. Similarly, Maheera Abdul Ghani describes polishing the written components: “I refined my personal statement through several drafts” and emphasized “recommendation letters.”
Yes, Cambridge charges an application fee for most postgraduate applications (and some applicants may qualify for a waiver) and has UCAS fees for undergraduate applications.
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
About the Author: Hyun Lee
Hello, I got Master degree in English Literature from HEC recognized university from Pakistan. I have a plan to do Master in English Language from Cambridge University. Is there any opportunity on scholarship basis for this subject. The aforementioned subjects for scholarship did not give any opportunity for language degrees. Please tell me any other way.
Hello, the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship Scholarships seems to have no subject limitation and is for all degrees. That scholarship should be applicable to you.
Can I apply? I am from Nigeria
Yes, Nigerian students are eligible to apply to the University of Cambridge; in fact, all nationalities are.
how much is the amount for full scholarship for bachelor degree student?
Hello, there are several fully funded scholarships at the University of Cambridge for bachelor’s. They don’t specify the amount but says your tuition and living expenses. Some even cover airplane tickets.
Please kindly advise if there is any provision for PhD scholarship on Education or curriculum studies
Hello, please see Ph.D. in Education in Cambridge Page. It looks like there’s no specific scholarships for Ph.D. in Education, but you can apply to other general scholarships in this page. Feel free to go through the scholarships in this page that are directed towards Ph.D. students.
Hi, I want to do MBBS from this university what are the eligibility criteria?
Hello, for undergraduate medicine at Cambridge, the minimum requirements is A level: A*A*A or IB: 41-42 points. For more information, see their bachelor’s in medicine page.
Hi, I’m looking for a PhD in Sport Leadership. I am from Seychelles. Do I qualify for a scholarship?
Hello, I don’t think University of Cambridge offers Ph.D. in Sports Leadership
I want to get the necessary information on the scholarship
Hello, please check the individual scholarship pages as well as the admissions section!
Hello, I do have medical degree (MD) can I apply for master programmes in public health if so, what are the requirements?
Hello, they don’t have a “Master’s in Public Health” but they do have different kinds of courses. Check out the courses page and see which program interest you.
Hello, I’m looking for a PhD in Management Science specifically Marketing. I am from Pakistan. Do I qualify for a scholarship?
Yes, Pakistani students are eligible for scholarships such as Gates Cambridge. Cambridge offers a Marketing PhD pathway, but you normally need to begin with its MPhil or MRes program.