Gates-Cambridge Scholarship

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About                  
A fairly recent endowment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge that allows outstanding  students to pursue advanced degrees at Cambridge. (Limited number of scholarships also available for second bachelor degrees).

Award                
The full cost of studying at Cambridge: Composition Fee and College fees (varies with program and college), a maintenance allowance for a single student (£12,250 for 12 months in 2008-2009), cost of airfare to/from U.K., and a discretionary contribution for cost of supporting dependents (upon application). Once in residence at Cambridge, scholars may also apply for financial assistance for cost of attending conferences, doing fieldwork, etc.

Time                     
Depends on length of degree program: most post-grad programs, such as MPhil and MBA are one year; MSc is two years.
 
Number               
Varies, around 100 per year, of which 45 are awarded to U.S. citizens.

Who’s Eligible
Any citizen outside of the U.K. who is admitted to Cambridge under its normal academic procedures, has an exemplary scholastic record, and is pursuing a full-time residential course of study. 

Selection  Process
Very competitive.  Candidates must first be admitted to Cambridge (one of the top three research universities in the world), ranked by their department, and then short-listed  by the Gates-Cambridge Trust to be interviewed.  About 250-300 candidates are interviewed for about 100 scholarships each year.

Pre-Application Process           
None required.  While the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship does not require institutional endorsement, like the Rhodes, the OES still wishes to assist you in the application process, so please make an appointment to discuss your application.

Application Process
Application due November 1, 2008.  Official application includes 3 letters of reference (2 academic, 1 other), transcripts, and degree certificates (if applicable). Other materials, such as a C.V. and writing samples may be required for certain departments.

Campus Contact
Office of External Scholarships, F101 Melrose Hall, (865)974-7825.  Call or email to schedule appointment early in the Spring semester.

Official Website           
http://www.gatesscholar.org/