For more information on the scholarship website
TL;DR: An international leadership scholarship for graduate degrees at University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Where: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Fields of study: Master's degree or doctorate. The scholarship does not cover MBA / MFin programs. In each cycle, care is taken to ensure that two-thirds of the scholarships are for doctoral programs - the scholarship is also intended for master's degrees, but applicants must clearly explain in the submission why they prefer a master's degree over a doctoral degree.
Relevant dates: Applications open September 2nd and close either on December 2nd or January 6th, depending on the course of study.
The scholarship and Israel: Each year 80 scholars are accepted. 55 of the 80 scholarships are allocated to students who are not from the United States (25 scholarships are allocated to Americans). Israelis are regularly accepted to the scholarship.
Age: This scholarship has no age limit
Criteria for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship:
High intellectual capabilities
Explanation of your course choice - If you are applying for a doctoral program, you should usually contact a potential supervisor regarding the research you want to conduct
Commitment to improving the lives of others
Leadership potential
Submission requirements for the scholarship:
Personal statement - about 500 words long. Explain the reasons why you are applying for the scholarship, and how you meet the criteria mentioned above.
Research proposal (if you are applying for a doctoral degree)
Recommendation letters:
Two academic letters of recommendation
A personal / professional letter of recommendation written specifically for the scholarship - a more personal letter from someone who knows you beyond the academic world, such as a former boss, mentor, etc. The letter should detail your specific fit to the scholarship and its criteria.
Application process:
After submission (between September and December/January as mentioned above), answers for the first stage arrive in early March. If you have passed this stage, you will be scheduled for an online interview sometime during March, and you will receive a final answer by the end of the month. Once accepted, you must reply within 72 hours.
More general information:
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship opened in 2000, funded by Bill and Melinda Gates, as an international leadership scholarship for studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The scholarship soon became one of the most prestigious in the world, and its alumni network is extensive and diverse. The scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, one flight at the beginning and end of the course, and a visa to the UK. The scholarship also offers additional funding for families, field research, and additional scholar needs.
