Current Scholars

Arrival

For information about getting to Cambridge from your arrival point in the UK the Visit Cambridge website.

To get your bearings once in Cambridge see the University’s map of Cambridge.

New Scholar Induction & Orientation

During the week before term starts, you will join Gates Cambridge’s one day Induction programme in Cambridge and a four-day Orientation in the Peak District. Both are fully funded by the Trust and delivered by the Scholars’ Council. New Scholars have consistently reported that Orientation was a highlight of the entire year and that the friendships they made lasted through the rest of the year. All Scholars are expected to attend Induction and Orientation is highly recommended. However, if you are not able to attend you should let the Scholars’ Council know and they will ensure you are provided with key information from Induction. The Scholars Council will send details of Induction and Orientation to new Scholars by email at the relevant time.

NOTE: if attending Orientation you should contact your College to arrange for your accommodation to be available earlier than normal.

An induction for Scholar’s family members will take place at the same time as the induction for Scholars. Information is shared via email prior to your arrival in Cambridge.

Welcome dinner

In late September, shortly after Scholars return from Orientation, the Trust holds a formal dinner to welcome the new class of Scholars. The Trust will send out details well in advance.

Settling in

Your first few weeks in Cambridge will be busy and may feel a little disorienting, but there are a range of activities and support mechanisms to help you settle in to life here.

The beginning of Michaelmas Term in Cambridge is often extremely busy as thousands of new students arrive, Colleges hold various events, societies and sports teams gear up, and degrees, classes, and courses get into full swing. You may feel overwhelmed and worry that you’ll never have any time to get work done—don’t worry, this is a very common feeling in these early days — relax and enjoy it. The University calendar does settle down considerably after October.

Funding your first week in Cambridge

The maintenance allowance will be paid to Scholars during the first week of term and it is hoped that the majority of new Scholars will be able to support themselves until funds are available in their bank accounts.

Advance funding of up to £1,000 will be made available to any Scholars who have no other funds with which to sustain themselves between arrival in Cambridge and maintenance being paid into their bank account. Application for and collection of advance funding can be arranged by emailing scholar.support@gatescambridge.org. Please note that your first term of maintenance allowance will be reduced by the amount of advance funding you receive.

College accommodation deposit

Some Colleges request a deposit, payable before your arrival in Cambridge, to guarantee your accommodation. The Trust is not able to pay this deposit on your behalf. However, if you let your College Accommodation Officer know you are a Gates Cambridge Scholar they may be able to add the deposit onto your first College bill which is usually due for payment after you have received your first maintenance grant from the Trust. However, please note the Trust has no authority in this area and some Colleges may still require an advance payment.

University and College events & information

You can find full details about advice and activities for new students on the Cambridge Students website and through your College website and Porter’s Lodge.

Scholars may apply for the discretionary funding listed below which is in addition to the core funding set out in the formal offer letter and which requires an application to be submitted.

• Academic development funding to attend activities such as conferences and courses related to your studies
• Dependant Children Allowance, DCA (for children under 16 yrs of age – or 18 yrs of age if in full-time education- NOT partners) should you bring your family with you to Cambridge
• Maternity/Paternity funding – should you or your partner become pregnant during your time at Cambridge
• Hardship funding – for unforeseen difficulties

Full details on each type of discretionary funding is provided below, including application forms.

When considering applying for any discretionary funding, firstly please investigate what funding is available.  You must apply to all sources of funding that are available to you – usually your Department and College and in some cases the Student Registry, University societies or external sources.  You should not assume the Trust is the first or only port of call for additional funding.

If any discretionary funding granted from the Trust is unspent you must return this to the Trust.  Please ensure you apply in good time. The Trust does not consider retrospective applications.

The Trust’s policies on additional funding will be reviewed regularly and the Trust reserves the right to amend or alter its policies at any time. The Trust reviews applications for discretionary funding on a case-by-case basis and retains final discretion over whether funding is awarded.

What the Trust does not fund

The Trust will not consider applications for:

• fieldwork related costs
• private medical treatment
• internships
• purchasing course or conference related items such as posters, textbooks or lab materials
• thesis printing & binding (all scholars have a printing allowance usable in the Scholars Common Room)

The above costs should either be covered by the course fees paid on your behalf, or purchased from your maintenance allowance.

If you wish to bring dependants (e.g. your spouse, partner and/or children) with you to Cambridge you will need to obtain prior permission from the Graduate Admissions Office and will be asked to prove you can cover their costs.

You can also apply to the Trust to help with the cost of supporting your child/children living with you in Cambridge through the Dependant Children Allowance Fund.  To be eligible, your child/children must be under 16 yrs of age (or 18 yrs of age if in full-time education). The Trust provides DCA at the following rates:

• One child: £10,944, per annum
• Two or more children: £15,612 per annum

These payments are significantly more generous than the University’s suggested funding guidelines for families and will therefore allow you to meet your financial offer condition with your total income. They are also maximum allowances and based on Scholars and their child/children residing in Cambridge. Scholars who go on fieldwork/LTWA or decide to write up their PhD thesis outside Cambridge with their children should contact the Trust about their plans well in advance; such applications are considered on a case by case basis and if awarded, different rates from the above may apply. The Trust reviews applications for all discretionary funding on a case by case basis and retains final discretion over whether funding is awarded.

Please note that the Trust does not provide any financial support for partners.

Apply for DCA

If you or your partner become pregnant during your time at Cambridge you may apply to the University formally to intermit your studies on non-medical grounds – see Intermission for Graduate students for full details.

If you are granted intermission by the University for maternity/paternity leave you may also apply to the Trust for a Maternity/Paternity Allowance. If this allowance is granted the Trust will continue to pay your maintenance allowance at the appropriate* rate for up to 2 quarters and will “suspend” your Scholarship until you return to your studies and extend your award finish date to reflect the Maternity/Paternity leave taken.

*Maternity/Paternity payments are made quarterly at the Trust’s standard maintenance rate if the Scholar and their partner remain in residence in Cambridge during the period of intermission.  In some cases the Trust may adjust the payment rate (e.g. if the Scholar and their partner reside outside Cambridge during the period of intermission). The Trust reviews applications for all discretionary funding on a case by case basis and retains final discretion over whether funding is awarded.

Please note: if you are a Tier 4 sponsored student intermitting your studies may have implications for your visa status. The Trust has been advised by the University’s International Student Team that Tier 4 visa holders can intermit for up to 4 months without affecting their existing visa; intermitting beyond 4 months will likely invalidate your current visa (in such circumstances the Trust will not cover the cost of a new visa).  For full, up to date information you are strongly advised to read the Student Registry’s web page regarding Intermission for Graduate students.

If you are on a one or two year programme of study there may be restrictions to the number of terms of intermission that can be applied for.

You are advised to first contact the Student Registry to ask for advice on intermitting for the purposes of maternity/paternity leave before completing this application form. The Trust will follow the University’s Maternity/Paternity policy.

Apply for Maternity/Paternity Funding

Applications for Fieldwork Funding are considered by Schools or departments. For further information please read the Student Registry’s web page for Graduate Students.

The Trust will continue to pay your fees whilst you are away on fieldwork so you are not eligible to apply to the Trust for additional fieldwork funding. However, you may apply to the Trust to continue to receive maintenance during your period of fieldwork (although this may be reduced if cost of living is significantly lower where your leave takes place or you will be receiving another source of income). In addition to the application for fieldwork to the University, you must also make an application to the Trust to seek permission to (a) leave Cambridge for the purpose of fieldwork and (b) to retain your maintenance allowance while away from Cambridge – this must include strong support from your Supervisor. The Trust will only provide the additional fieldwork funding above (i.e. fees and potentially maintenance) if you gain permission from the Student Registry for Leave to Work Away (LTWA). You should make all of the necessary advance arrangements for fieldwork in advance, including taking our travel insurance with the University.

You should apply to the University to work away 2-3 months before you plan to leave Cambridge, to allow time for your application to be reviewed. You should apply to the Trust for continued funding at a similar time and at least 6 weeks in advance of your planned departure date. The Trust reviews applications for all discretionary funding on a case by case basis and retains final discretion over whether funding is awarded.

Inform the Trust about your Leave to Work Away plans

Academic Progress

First and foremost, the Trust expects Scholars to fully dedicate themselves to their study and research while at Cambridge so as to successfully complete their degrees. As a Gates Cambridge Scholar, you have been nominated by your Cambridge department as one of their very best applicants to the University.

Your Supervisor/Course Director must complete a termly report about your academic progress for the University via CamSIS, the University’s student system. You can access these reports via your CamSIS self-service page and should read them.

In addition Scholars and their Supervisors must complete the Gates Cambridge annual report form during Easter Term each year. This is an on-line form completed by you and your Supervisor and used to track the progress of our Scholars. You will not receive your next quarterly maintenance payment until your annual report has been received. If your annual report suggests there is a cause for concern the Trust arrange for you and your Supervisor to submit quarterly progress reports. While your progress is under review, maintenance payments will only be issued where there is a demonstration of improved performance.

Residing in Cambridge

A founding purpose of Gates Cambridge Scholarships is to give you the opportunity to study in Cambridge and to be part of the Gates Cambridge community. Although the University does allow you to spend time away from Cambridge, the Trust does not look favourably upon extended periods of working away and our expectation is that Scholars will reside in Cambridge for the duration of their studies unless they have been given permission by the University and the Trust for any Leave To Work Away (e.g. for required fieldwork) or Intermission (e.g. for medical or compassionate reasons). You can find more information about residence on the University’s website.

Know the University Regulations

You must be aware of the regulations of the University and your College. It is a condition of the Gates Cambridge Scholarships that these regulations are observed. Due to the University’s federated nature you must not rely on one body (e.g. the Student Registry) to inform all other bodies (e.g. the Trust, your College, your Department) about any changes to your circumstances, so make sure you tell all relevant bodies, including the Trust. University policies may change throughout the year; it is your responsibility to be aware of them but the Trust will update you on these changes when it directly impacts upon our policies.

Code of Practice

Be sure to read the University’s Code of Practice for Graduate Students and Supervisors, which is issued and updated annually by the University and explains the role and obligations of Supervisors and Graduate Students. The Trust will send you a copy in October.

Receiving a salary or substantial other scholarship?

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are fully funded and we do not expect you to hold any other named Scholarships coincident with your Gates Cambridge funding. An exception to this is made for Scholars in receipt UK Research Council fees awards or the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program scholarship (at Gates Cambridge maintenance rates while in Cambridge).

If you will receive a salary from your employer, or receive substantial funding from any other source during the tenure of your Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Trust must be informed of this. In such circumstances it is likely that your award will be reduced to take account of substantial external income. For example, a Scholar in receipt of a salary which is equivalent to or more than the Trust’s maintenance allowance during their award will receive a fees only award.

The Trust will not normally reduce its levels of funding to Scholars who have won modest awards.

The Trust will always deal as sympathetically as possible with problems arising from illness and you may apply to the hardship fund if you are in financial difficulty. However, your College should be the first port of call in these cases as they are responsible for your pastoral care. If you develop a physical or other ailment while in Cambridge which might seriously impede academic progress, you must discuss your situation with your College Tutor and contact the Trust.

You should raise any illness-related issue that may impact your ability to complete your course with your College Tutor (initially, as well as others where appropriate) as soon as possible – this allows appropriate support to be sign-posted and offered in good time.

If you have an illness which prevents you from undertaking your studies/research you should discuss intermitting your studies with your supervisor and Graduate Tutor – and let the Trust know about these discussions.

De-registration

In very rare circumstances, de-registration from the list of graduate students may occur if a Scholar fails to perform academically at the standard expected by their Department, or breaches one of the University’s regulations.  More information is available from the University’s web pages.

The Trust would hope that no Gates Cambridge Scholar should become deregistered by the University. Any Scholar who is experiencing difficulties whilst at Cambridge should inform the Trust as soon as possible and well in advance of any action being taken.

In the event that a Scholar is de-registered they will retain the right to appeal under University regulations. There is no guarantee however that the Trust will support such an appeal, and it is unlikely that a Scholar will be funded by the Trust throughout the appeal process.  Should a Scholar be found to have been guilty of a serious breach of University regulations (such as undertaking full time paid employment whilst enrolled as a PhD student), then the Trust may seek to recover any maintenance and fees paid during the period of the breach.

Data Protection

For information about how we process your data please see our privacy notice.

Intellectual Property

The Trust places no condition on ownership of any intellectual property for its scholars, past or present.

If it is appropriate to do so, you are very welcome to acknowledge the support you have received from the Trust to undertake your studies/project/paper etc. You are welcome to use the Gates Cambridge logo and template PowerPoint presentation. Please email scholar.support@gatescambridge.org for these files.

Being a student at the University of Cambridge presents you with many opportunities for academic development alongside social and cultural activities.

In addition to University and College events, the Gates Cambridge community hosts a wide range of events to enable its diverse members to form a strong and vibrant community at and beyond Cambridge. Information about all events and opportunities are sent out via the weekly e-Bulletin (which is the best way to become acquainted with the Gates Cambridge community) and Scholars should subscribe to the Gates Cambridge Calendar for up-to-date information on all events. You can find a summary below:

Induction and Orientation (New Scholars only)

See Arrival and settling in above.

Welcome Dinner (New Scholars only)

After the Orientation, the Welcome Dinner is the first Trust event you will be invited to and usually takes place at the end of September, just before the start of term. It is a formal dinner hosted by the Provost. Beginning with a drinks reception, the dinner is an opportunity to get to know your fellow Scholars and to meet the Trust’s staff.

Annual lecture

At this Trust organised event, an eminent speaker is invited to talk to the Gates Cambridge community and wider University on a topic of importance and current interest.

Scholars’ Council events 

In addition to the many smaller events run throughout the year by the Scholars Council, there are “flagship” events for the entire Gates Cambridge community. These include:

• Gates Gala – this occurs in November each year and is the flagship event of Michaelmas Term. Gala is a ‘black tie’ evening and an opportunity for all current Scholars, families, alumni, members of the Trust, and their guests to converge for an evening of music, dancing, entertainment, and more.
• Day of Engagement – usually held in Lent Term and an opportunity for Scholars to utilize the traits we were selected for (outstanding intellectual ability and leadership potential) to act on our commitment to improving the lives of others.
• Day of Research – usually held in Easter Term, this has two primary aims: to showcase the research undertaken by members of the Gates community and to provide Scholars with the opportunity to gain experience in presenting their work.
• The Garden Party – this is a charity event, during which Gates Scholars raise money for a specified charity or trust while additionally enjoying an afternoon of music, food, and beverages. The Garden Party is typically held outside and occurs during May Week.
• In addition to the major events listed above, the Scholars Council and Scholar community organise a wide range of interesting and engaging activities throughout the year. These include social events (pub nights, potlucks, term trips, etc.), academic events (discussion groups, external speakers at Gates Conversations, and internal symposia at which Scholars share their work with one another), cultural events (e.g. trips to cultural and historic sites in the UK) and the many personal and professional development events under the Learning for Purpose programme.

Learning for Purpose

Learning for Purpose (LfP) is a unique component of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship with a focus on practical skill building through tailored learning. The programme seeks to support and equip Scholars in their personal and professional development as researchers and potential leaders striving to make a positive difference in the lives of others. LfP facilitates opportunities for Scholars to explore and reflect on questions pertaining to leadership, with the aim of fostering mindful leaders. LfP organises bespoke workshops by world experts and encourages peer-to-peer and informal learning through discussion panels and events amongst current Scholars. One critical outcome of LfP trainings is a set of transferable skills for each Scholar, which can be used across academic disciplines.

Visit the LfP website.

Graduation Dinner

The Graduation Dinner is a formal farewell to graduating Scholars. Held in summer, it is an opportunity to celebrate your hard work and achievements in the company of your peers, the Trustees and Trust staff. This event also acts as your official welcome to the Gates Cambridge Alumni community.

Member Directory

Social media

There are numerous social media channels, pages and groups which are available to members.

Public channels

• Facebook page (public, managed by the Trust) – www.facebook.com/gatescambridge
• Twitter page (public, managed by the Trust) – www.twitter.com/Gates_Cambridge
• YouTube (public, managed by the Trust) – www.youtube.com/GatesCambridge
• Instagram (public, managed by the Scholars Council) – www.instagram.com/gatescambridge.scholars

Member only groups

• Scholars-elect Facebook group (private, managed by the Scholars Council) – the Scholars’ Council send a link to all Scholars-elect
• Scholars Facebook group (private, managed by the Scholars Council) – the Scholars’ Council send a link to all Scholars
• Alumni Facebook group (private, managed by the Alumni Association) – details sent to Scholars about to graduate
• LinkedIn group (private, managed by the Trust) – search for “Gates Cambridge Scholars, Past and Present”

Whether you are a new Scholar arriving from overseas (for whom Cambridge may seem bewildering) or a current Scholar facing challenges, there are a range of options for help, support and well-being while you are a student at Cambridge.

Your College

Your College is responsible for your pastoral support and welfare while at Cambridge and is your first port of call for almost any difficulties you may be experiencing.  Each College has a dedicated College Tutor responsible for the welfare of its students; your College should provide details during College orientation. College MCR Welfare Officers can be contacted for advice, especially if you want to understand the options available before raising a formal issue with College Tutorial staff.

Your Department

Your Department is responsible for providing your education, progress and a academic support at Cambridge. You should contact the relevant person with any questions or concerns relating to your course, supervisor or Department. For general or administrative enquiries you may want to start with the Graduate Administrator of your Department; for specific questions or concerns relating to your course or research you should contact your Primary Supervisor (PhD Scholars) or Course Director (Masters degree Scholars).

The Trust

You should contact us with any questions or concerns related to your scholarship. In addition, you should contact the Trust if for any of the reasons listed in the section entitled “When to contact the Trust”. The Scholar Support team (currently made up of the Programme Manager and Progamme Officer) should be your first point of contact and you can contact them on scholar.support@gatescambridge.org.

The Scholars’ Council

The Scholars’ Council can provide information on anything related to activities and events organised them and the Scholars’ Room.

University and College services

Scholars are encouraged to contact the Trust about any difficulties they may be experiencing, particular if these will have an impact on their funding and ability to complete their degree on the agreed schedule.

However, while the Trust is able to provide financial support and community building activities for scholars, it does not directly deliver educational and support services. Instead, the Trust pays fees to the Collegiate University so Gates Scholars (who are members of the University and a College) can accesses these important services.  They include

• Mental health and wellbeing – e.g. the University’s Mental Health Change Programme and Counselling service, as well as College-based support. More details.
• Physical health – the Trust pays the International Health Surcharge to the UK government for all scholars so they have full access to NHS services. In addition, Colleges provide support to students who require support with physical health matters. More details.
• Academic support – this is provided by your Supervisor (PhD) or Course Director (masters) and your College Tutor. More details.
• Accessibility and disability – the University and Colleges support scholars with disabilities in various ways, including making reasonable adjustments and providing support through the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre. More details.

Scholars with disabilities can also contact the Trust where there is a need for financial support. The Trust will treat such requests confidentially and will review them on case-by-case basis.

• Sexual harassment and violence support

The University’s Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service (SHVSS) provides trauma-informed emotional and practical support. The service is for registered students who have been subjected to any form of sexual harassment or violence and/or intimate partner abuse, recently or in the past. More details.

• Support and information for student communities – The University provides support and signposting for members of various groups, including BME, LGBTQ+, disabled students, care-experienced, care-giving and student parents. More details.
• Complaints – the University provides a number of processes and services for students and staff to complain, including about inappropriate behaviour by other students or staff. The Trust does not have the expertise or resource to manage and adjudicate complaints from Gates Cambridge Scholars about the behaviour of other Gates Cambridge Scholars or other members of the collegiate University. Where such behaviour occurs, the Trust strongly encourages Scholars to engage with the University’s well established and professional processes. More details.

Where a scholar wishes to complain about a member of the Trust’s staff, they should write to the Provost or, in the case of the Provost, to the Chair of the Gates Cambridge Trustees.

How we contact you

The Trust and Scholars Council will always communicate with you via email. Make sure you check your email regularly and if you use spam-filters add Gates Cambridge related email addresses to your address book (@gatescambridge.org and @gatescouncil.org domains).

The Trust expects Scholars to respond to requests for information and complete any surveys which are sent out so that it can assess the success of the programme on an on-going basis.

How and when to can contact the Trust