Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2012 Dates:
Last Date of Application 2 December 2011 for International Students

About Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2012 2013
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

Gates Cambridge Scholarship are only available for full-time postgraduate degrees offered at the University of Cambridge.
Applicants apply simultaneously for admission as a graduate student to the University of Cambridge and a Gates Cambridge Scholarship using the one application pack

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 matter.

Application for Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2012 2013
Application materials for the 2012-13 academic year are now available from the University’s Graduate Studies Prospectus.
at : http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/gradstud/prospec/
Before submitting an application all applicants should:
Read through the entire ‘apply’ section of this website
Fully research their proposed degree at Cambridge via the Graduate Studies Prospectus
Consult the website of the department to which they are applying to ensure they are knowledgeable and up to date about the course, its requirements and any special application instructions
Submit a full application by the relevant deadline

Elgibility for Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2012 2013:
may be citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom
may apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study:
PhD (three year research-only degree)
One year postgraduate course (e.g. MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, MBA etc.)
MSc or MLitt (two year research-only degree)
may apply to study any subject available at the University of Cambridge
must be admitted to one of the degrees above at Cambridge through the University’s normal admission procedures – the Trust does not admit students
must be applying for a new course of study or research if they are already a student at Cambridge – e.g. those who have already started their PhD are not eligible to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship
who are – or have been – in receipt of a Gates Cambridge Scholarship may apply for a second scholarship; such candidates must apply by the second, international deadline and go through the same process of departmental ranking, shortlisting and interviewing as all other candidates

Is there an age limit for Gates Cambridge Scholarships?
There is no age limit.

I want to do a PhD. How do I select a research topic that fits in the research themes of a Department at Cambridge?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the University and departmental websites and familiarize themselves with the course and department to which they are applying. Knowing the strengths, research interests and current projects offered at the department will greatly help the applicant craft a targeted application.

Is there a bond between the Gates Scholars?
Yes, the facilities and the social activities described above contribute to a feeling of a community of scholars while in Cambridge.

Courses which are not eligible for Gates Cambridge Scholarships 2012 2013
BA (undergraduate)
BA affiliated (a second BA)
MBBChir Clinical Studies
Part-time degrees
Non-degree courses
Courses at Universities other than Cambridge

Interview Process for Gates Cambridge Scholarships 2012 2013
All candidates shortlisted for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship attend a 20 minute interview.
The interviews may be in person, by Skype or by telephone and are conducted by a panel of four members (a representative of the Trust, two academics and a Gates Cambridge alum) who are knowledgeable in a general way about the candidate’s field of study.
Candidates are asked about their work: why it excites them; what they know about the broader field of which it is part; why it is important; why coming to Cambridge will help them with their research or build on their earlier educational experiences. Also, do they understand that higher education brings privilege and opens opportunity for the future; what do they intend to do with the benefits they’ve had; how do they see themselves contributing in time. Candidates may also be asked questions of a probing intellectual or ethical dimension, to which there are no ‘right’ answers.
Interviews for US citizens normally residing in the USA are held in the USA at the beginning of February for entry in the following October. Interviews have been held in Annapolis, MD and in New York City in the past; in early February 2012 the interviews will be held in San Francisco, CA. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted before the Christmas break. Most candidates interview in person, but candidates who cannot attend an in person interview may interview by Skype or telephone.
Interviews for citizens of all countries other than the USA (except the United Kingdom) and US citizens normally residing outside of the USA are held in Cambridge in late March. About half of these candidates interview in person, while the other half interview by Skype or telephone (given their location). Shortlisted candidates will be contacted in early March.
All candidates are informed of the results of their interview within a week.

Value of Gates Cambridge Scholarships 2012 2013
A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge.

the University Composition Fee and College fees at the appropriate rate*
a maintenance allowance for a single student (£13, 000 for 12 months at the 2011-12 rate; pro rata for courses shorter then 12 months) one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course

Discretionary components
The Trust considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:
Family allowance – up to £7,775 for first child and up to £1,200 for second child; no funding for partner
Conference attendance – up to £500 p.a (must be presenting)

Fieldwork – Scholars may apply to keep up to their normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of their PhD
Some fourth year funding for PhD Scholars – termly maintenance allowance reduces per term for up to a year**
Hardship funding – where there are unforeseen difficulties

*The University Composition Fee varies for different types of students; applicants should see the Graduate Studies Prospectus for full details about precise amounts. Where a student from the European Union has been successful in gaining a fees award from public authorities, the Trust will not pay these fees.

** The PhD at Cambridge is a three year degree and Gates Scholars should are take on a research project that they and their supervisor think can be completed within three years. However, if there are unforeseen circumstances which means a Gates Scholars requires further funding during all or part of their fourth year, the Trust will consider an application on a discretionary basis. But Scholars should not rely on receiving any fourth year funding at the beginning of their PhD.
Receiving a salary or substantial other scholarship: the Trust reserves the right to reduce or not pay the standard maintenance allowance to Gates Scholars who are in receipt of a salary from their employer or a substantial other scholarship while a Gates Scholar.