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Gates Cambridge Scholarships – at the University of Cambridge

The Scholarships

History

In October 2000 the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $210 million to the University of Cambridge, establishing the Gates Cambridge Trust. This is the largest single donation to a UK university. The Trust is an independent charity and manages all aspects of the Gates Cambridge Scholarships programme - selection of Scholars, Scholars in residence, alumni relations and all financial and administrative matters. The programme celebrated its ten year anniversary in 2010.

Facts & figures

  • First entry of scholars in 2001
  • Between 2001 and 2011 there have been 1,076 Gates Scholars from 94 countries
  • 90 new scholarships awarded each year, 40 to US citizens in the US round and 50 to citizens of all countries (except the UK) in the International round
  • c. 235 Scholars from c. 60 countries in Cambridge
  • c. 850 alumni spread throughout the world

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive full-cost scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time graduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded on the following criteria

  • intellectual ability
  • leadership capacity
  • a person's desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society throughout the world by providing service to their communities and applying their talents and knowledge to improve the lives of others
  • a good fit between the abilities and aspirations of the applicant and what the University of Cambridge can offer in its graduate programme

While at Cambridge Gates Scholars pursue the full range of academic disciplines and are spread throughout all 31 Colleges.

All applicants for the scholarship apply for – and must gain – admission to the University of Cambridge (see Apply)

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