Funding and scholarships

Application deadlines for the various scholarship schemes and funding opportunities available to support UK, EU and international students at the University of Cambridge run from October through to January each academic year. Full scholarships are highly competitive, and deadlines can be up to a year in advance of the proposed course start date, particularly for international students. Given the complexity of the various schemes on offer, it is best to visit the Funding page for more information about funding opportunities, eligibility criteria and how to apply. CamFunds is a useful database for searching the range of scholarships offered by the University of Cambridge (including by academic departments and colleges).

Applicants wishing to be considered for the main funding rounds should take note of the application deadlines listed on the Funding page.

Each year, two Philomathia Scholarships for the MPhil in African Studies are awarded to students normally resident in an African country, with preference given to those whose first degree is from an African university. These full scholarships are based at Trinity Hall, so students are advised to select Trinity Hall as one of their preferred colleges if they wish to apply for these scholarships.

Please note that due to the change in the UK Home Office rules from January 2024, spouses and children of students on one-year taught master's programmes are not eligible to apply for dependant visas.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Each year Gates Cambridge offers c.80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional, discretionary funding. Further details are available here.

Mastercard Foundation Scholarships

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge is designed to provide talented students from economically marginalised and hard-to-reach communities in Africa with fully-funded opportunities to complete their Master’s training, grow in transformative leadership, and contribute to climate resilience and sustainability in Africa. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers the cost of travel and visas, accommodation, meals, allowance for a laptop, health cover, and a living stipend – as well as tuition costs. It also provides an allowance for dependant children who may accompany a Scholar.

Prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars can apply to the majority of courses available at the University* - see available programmes - since addressing the climate crisis requires a range of expertise across both scientific/STEM disciplines and the arts, humanities and social sciences. The Program trains these scholars in a range of academic disciplines – from the creative arts and writing, through the social sciences, to more scientific and technical disciplines: because a multidisciplinary approach to climate action and response is critical.

In addition to full funding (fees and maintenance), the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge will provide scholars with support for travel to and from the UK (including visas, if needed). In addition, Scholars will benefit from a cohort-wide induction programme, likely to require early arrival in Cambridge before the start of the course.

As part of the application process, prospective Scholars will be required to provide a supplementary statement which indicates their personal commitment to contributing to climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa.

We are looking to support students with academic talent and a commitment to giving back to their community, in particular a desire and commitment to contribute to climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa and the world. African women, refugees and internally displaced people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Eligibility criteria

  • Must be a citizen of an African country* and demonstrate that they are from an economically marginalised, or economically disadvantaged, background.
  • Must be ordinarily resident * in an African country unless you can show temporary absence for study/work with an intention to return or unless you have been displaced.**
  • Must be applying for a Master’s course of up to one year in length, or part-time equivalent, at the University of Cambridge.

* evidence will be required at a later stage of the Scholarship selection process.

** see for further information about support available to refugees at Cambridge University.

Please consult the Mastercard Foundation website for further details.

UAC of Nigeria Travel Fund

Applications are invited from postgraduate students of the University of Cambridge for financial support towards travel to Africa (in particular Nigeria) for the purpose of research or study in 2026. It is expected that most grants will cover only part of the expenses incurred in the visit.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 20th March 2026.

Applicants should send a covering letter and a short proposal, including a financial statement that outlines the projected costs of their trip. Additionally they should ask their supervisor to send a separate letter in support of their research or study by the same date. Please address enquiries and completed applications to centre@african.cam.ac.uk.

The Charlie Bayne Travel Trust

The Charlie Bayne Travel Trust offers travel grants to undergraduate and postgraduate students with a disability in Cambridge, at the University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University. The Trust is intended to assist students who face extra costs in travelling as a result of their disability.

The Trust was set up in memory of Charlie Bayne (Trinity,1985 to 1989) to provide financial assistance to students with a disability who plan to travel abroad or within the United Kingdom. Grants shall be used to finance travel, educational in the broadest sense.

The Trustees award grants up to £500 a person. Open to students of the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University.

Details on how to apply can be found on the Charlie Bayne travel trust webpage.