About the Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is the University of Cambridge's flagship international postgraduate award, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is one of the most competitive scholarships in the world, and it is open to citizens of any country outside the UK, including Nepal.
Around 80 scholarships are offered each year. The only nationality restriction is that UK citizens cannot apply, so Nepali students compete in the international round.
What's Covered
The scholarship covers the full University Composition Fee (tuition) and a maintenance stipend of £22,050 per 12 months, with PhD funding available for up to four years. It also pays one return economy airfare, your UK visa costs, and the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge.
Additional discretionary funding is available for academic development and for scholars with dependent children. The award does not cover bench fees or equipment costs.
Eligibility for Nepali Students
Nepali citizens are eligible and apply through the international round. You must secure a place on an eligible Cambridge postgraduate course and be assessed against the four Gates criteria: intellectual ability, a reasoned case for the course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential.
English-language requirements are set by Cambridge for each course, so check the specific course page rather than assuming a single score.
How to Apply
There is no separate Gates Cambridge form. You complete one combined application through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal, fill in the Gates funding section, and submit your statement and reference by your course's December or early-January deadline.
Apply as early as the portal opens (usually September) because some courses have earlier deadlines than the scholarship round.
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official scholarship website to start your application.
Apply on official site