Timeline

Applications for entry in the academic year 2026/7 are now closed. Applications will open again in September 2026 for entry in the academic year 2027/8.  

Gates Cambridge manages two selection rounds each year; full details are below.

If, after reading the details below, you are not sure in which round you should apply please email info@gatescambridge.org with details.

You may be eligible for other funding offered by the University of Cambridge. See www.student-funding.cam.ac.uk for more details.

  1. US citizens resident in the USA
  2. All other eligible applicants

US citizens resident in the USA

This is the earlier round for applicants who are both US citizens and currently resident in the United States; it is specific to Gates Cambridge.

Students meeting these criteria must apply by 15 October and submit all their documents by this date (including references). They are not eligible for the later round.

US citizens who are studying/working overseas at the time of application should apply in the later round (see below).

What stage? Date
Applications open* September 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
Application deadline October 2026 (Full application must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on the date given)
Departmental ranking late October to November 2026
All applicants notified of application outcome by December 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
Review and selection by panels late January 2027
Scholarships offered by early February 2026
Scholarships accepted 72 hours after offer

All other eligible applicants

The large majority of applicants will apply in this round, which is aligned with the University’s postgraduate funding competition. There are two possible application deadlines and these are based on the course to which you are applying.

Please apply by the Course Funding Deadline referenced in the University Course Directory (found in the column on the right of the web page).  All application documents should be submitted by 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on the stated date.

What stage? Date
Applications open* September 2026 (date to be confirmed)
Application deadline* Dependent on your course – either December 2026 or  early January 2027 (see Course Directory Full application must be submitted by 23:59 GMT)
Departmental ranking December – February
All applicants notified of application outcome by early March 2027
Review and selection by panels late March 2027 (dates to be confirmed)
Scholarships offered by early April 2027
Scholarships accepted 72 hours after offer

*These dates are set by the University of Cambridge postgraduate admissions office and may be subject to change.  Please refer to the postgraduate admissions web pages for up-to-date details.