Full Scholarships At Cambridge: International Students' Chances

does cambridge give full scholarships to international students

The University of Cambridge is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, attracting students from a diverse range of backgrounds. With annual fees of £30,000, not including living expenses, many students require financial assistance to attend. While full scholarships for international students are rare, Cambridge does offer several scholarship opportunities for international students, including the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and funding from the Cambridge Trust.

Characteristics Values
Scholarship provider Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Cambridge Trust, Jardine Foundation Scholarship, Carreras Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship type Full-cost and part-cost scholarships
Eligibility Postgraduate students, undergraduate students
Application process Direct application to Cambridge, application through the University’s Graduate Application Portal, submission of essays and reference letters
Selection criteria Intellectual ability, leadership capacity, academic achievement, financial need
Additional considerations Some scholarships may require maintaining academic standards, taking certain courses, or providing community service

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Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity for international students to pursue their academic ambitions at the University of Cambridge. Established in 2000 through a generous donation by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship programme has since awarded over 2,000 full-cost scholarships to outstanding scholars from more than 100 countries.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is open to applicants from any country outside the United Kingdom. It offers around 80 full scholarships annually for postgraduate degrees at Cambridge University across a diverse range of subjects. Approximately two-thirds of these awards are granted to PhD students, with the remaining one-third allocated to one-year postgraduate courses such as LLM, MRes, and MASt.

The scholarship selection process is highly competitive and based on four key criteria: intellectual ability, leadership capacity, choice of course, and a commitment to using one's knowledge to contribute to society. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and the potential for scholarly excellence at Cambridge. The application process involves ranking and nomination by the academic departments, followed by shortlisting and interviews conducted by the Gates Cambridge Trust.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, including tuition fees and a maintenance allowance for a single student, currently set at £21,000 for 12 months. It also provides additional discretionary funding for expenses such as airfare, visa costs, and the Immigration Health Surcharge. However, it is important to note that the scholarship does not cover bench fees or the costs of scientific equipment and similar academic resources.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is not just about financial support; it fosters a strong academic and social community. The Gates Scholars' Council, established in 2002, represents the scholars and organises various events in collaboration with the University and external organisations. The scholarship also boasts a global network of over 1,700 alumni, emphasising the programme's mission to nurture future leaders who are dedicated to positively impacting the world.

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Cambridge Trust

The University of Cambridge offers several scholarships for international students, one of the leading sources being the Cambridge Trust. The Trust typically offers full-cost and part-cost scholarships depending on the student's financial circumstances. These scholarships are highly competitive and are assessed based on the application submitted to the University. To be considered for financial aid, applicants need to indicate their wish for the same when submitting their UCAS application.

The Cambridge Trust scholarships usually cover the full cost of tuition fees and maintenance, although the specifics may vary based on the particular scholarship awarded. For undergraduate study, the Trust offers a maximum of £10,000 per year. The Trust offers scholarships based on a student's academic ability, leadership capacity, and desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society.

International students can also explore other scholarship opportunities, such as the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, primarily for postgraduate study. About 80 scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding applicants from outside the UK for any full-time postgraduate degree at the University. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, airfare, and visa costs.

Additionally, students from certain regions may be eligible for specific scholarships, like the Jardine Foundation Scholarship for students from certain Asian countries or the Carreras Foundation Scholarship for students from the Caribbean. It is also worth considering funding sources outside of Cambridge, such as governmental scholarships or private foundations in the applicant's home country, to support their studies at the University of Cambridge.

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College/university funding

The University of Cambridge offers several scholarships for international students, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. While full scholarships are rare, some options provide substantial funding for international students' studies at Cambridge.

Cambridge Trust

The Cambridge Trust is one of the leading sources of funding for international students at Cambridge. It offers full-cost and part-cost scholarships depending on the student's financial circumstances. These scholarships are typically very competitive and are awarded based on academic merit. While the Cambridge Trust scholarships usually cover the full cost of tuition and maintenance, specific awards may vary.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is another prestigious option for international students. This scholarship is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is open to outstanding applicants from outside the UK pursuing any full-time postgraduate degree at Cambridge. About 80 scholarships are awarded each year, covering tuition fees, a maintenance allowance (up to £21,000 for 12 months), travel expenses, and visa costs. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not require a formal university endorsement, and applicants can choose to submit their materials independently.

College-specific Scholarships

Individual colleges within Cambridge also offer scholarships and awards for international students. For example, Trinity College has full-ride scholarships, while Christ's College offers awards of up to £10,000 plus a fee waiver.

External Scholarships

In addition to scholarships offered by Cambridge and its colleges, international students can explore external scholarships from their home countries or private foundations. Many countries have governmental scholarships for studying abroad, and there may be specific scholarships for students from certain regions, such as the Jardine Foundation Scholarship for students from certain Asian countries or the Carreras Foundation Scholarship for students from the Caribbean.

Financial Planning

It is important to note that the cost of living in the UK, especially in cities like Cambridge, can be high. Even with scholarships, students may need to fund some of their expenses and living costs. Therefore, it is advisable to explore multiple funding sources, plan a budget, and consider saving money to ensure financial stability during your studies.

While Cambridge does not offer full scholarships in the traditional sense, combining various scholarships, financial aid, and external funding sources can significantly reduce the financial burden for international students.

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Government scholarships

The University of Cambridge is one of the world's most celebrated universities, regularly featuring at or near the top of global university rankings. The university is committed to contributing to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence. While the university offers financial support for international students, full scholarships are extremely rare and limited.

The Cambridge Commonwealth, European, and International Trust is the largest provider of funding for international students at Cambridge. The Trust works with partners worldwide and awards approximately 500 scholarships annually, supporting between 1100 and 1400 students in residence each year. The Trust offers awards, mostly part-cost, to overseas students who have been accepted for admission by a Cambridge college. The Cambridge Trust offers a maximum of £10,000 per year for undergraduate study.

College awards are another source of funding for international students at Cambridge. These awards are provided by individual colleges and vary in value. For example, Christ's College offers an award of up to £10,000 plus a fee waiver, totaling £20,000.

Country-specific scholarships are also available for international students at Cambridge. These scholarships are typically offered by organizations or governments in the student's home country. For example, students from Italy can apply for grants to study abroad, and permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are eligible to apply for the Prince Philip Scholarship, which offers cash awards and means-tested support for tuition fees and maintenance.

While full scholarships are rare, combining partial scholarships with financial aid from Cambridge or the student's college can help cover a substantial amount of the costs. Additionally, students can explore funding opportunities in their home countries, as international scholarships may be available to support their studies at Cambridge.

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Private foundation scholarships

The University of Cambridge offers a range of scholarships and financial support options for international students. While full scholarships are limited, there are various partial scholarships and awards available. Here is some information on private foundation scholarships for international students at Cambridge:

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a well-known and prestigious scholarship program for both national and international students. It offers scholarships for 1 to 4 years of graduate study at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship is open to applicants from any country outside the UK and has no formal requirement for a university endorsement process. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship focuses on students with intellectual ability, leadership capacity, and a commitment to changing the world for the better. The selection process considers applicants' academic achievement and their potential contribution to society.

Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust

The Cambridge Commonwealth, European, and International Trust is the largest provider of funding for international students at Cambridge. The Trust works with partners worldwide and awards approximately 500 scholarships annually, supporting a significant number of students in residence each year. The Trust offers awards, mostly contributing to part of the cost of study, to overseas students who have been accepted by a Cambridge College. These awards are means-tested, and applicants cannot apply for funding until they have received an offer from one of the Colleges.

College Awards and Country-Specific Scholarships

Individual colleges at Cambridge University may offer their own scholarships and awards for international students. For example, Christ's College is mentioned as providing international awards of up to £10,000 plus a fee waiver. Additionally, there are country-specific scholarships available, which can be browsed on the Cambridge Trust website.

International Disabled Students' Fund (IDS Fund)

The International Disabled Students' Fund is administered by the Disability Resource Centre at the University of Cambridge. The fund provides support for eligible international students with disabilities to meet the costs of academic-related disability support. The fund offers cash awards and means-tested support for tuition fees and maintenance (living costs).

While these scholarships may not cover the full cost of a degree, they can substantially reduce the financial burden. Combining these scholarships with other financial aid options, such as country-specific grants or funding from organisations in your home country, can further help to manage the costs of studying at Cambridge.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Cambridge University does offer full scholarships to international students. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to international students and covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, including tuition fees, maintenance allowance, and travel costs. The Cambridge Trust is another leading source of funding for international students, offering full-cost and part-cost scholarships based on financial circumstances.

To apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must complete the section to apply for admission to a course and a college place, as well as the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section. Applications are submitted through the University's Graduate Application Portal.

Yes, in addition to the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and the Cambridge Trust scholarships, there are other external scholarships available to international students. These include the Jardine Foundation Scholarship for students from certain Asian countries, the Carreras Foundation Scholarship for students from the Caribbean, and college-specific awards such as the one offered by Christ's College, which can be up to £10k plus a fee waiver.

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