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🇬🇧 United Kingdom — University of Cambridge

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

IELTS Requirement & Application Guide

Overall

7.5

Components

L 7 / R 7 / W 7 / S 7

Level

PG, PhD

Deadline

October–December

Country

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Coverage

Full cost of tuition fees, Maintenance allowance of £18,744 per year +3 more

About Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It supports outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. Around 80 scholars are selected annually from over 6,000 applicants.

Official Website

IELTS Required

OverallLRWS
7.57777

Accepts: Academic / General

Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 110, Cambridge C2 Proficiency Grade A

Coverage

  • Full cost of tuition fees
  • Maintenance allowance of £18,744 per year
  • Single economy airfare
  • Visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge
  • Academic development funding

Tips for Meeting the Requirement

  1. 1.Gates Cambridge requires IELTS 7.5 overall with no band below 7.0 — one of the highest requirements among UK scholarships. Start preparing at least 6 months in advance if you are currently scoring below 7.0.
  2. 2.Cambridge's English requirement applies to admission, not just the scholarship. Focus intensively on your weakest component, as even one band at 6.5 will disqualify you.
  3. 3.For the 7.0 minimum in Writing, practice constructing well-organized academic essays with clear thesis statements and cohesive paragraphs. Aim for a score of 7.5+ to have a comfortable margin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What IELTS score is required for Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship requires IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in each component. This is the standard University of Cambridge English language requirement for most graduate programmes.
Is IELTS 7.0 enough for Gates Cambridge?
No, IELTS 7.0 overall is not sufficient for Gates Cambridge. You need 7.5 overall and at least 7.0 in every individual component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Some Cambridge departments may have even higher requirements.
How long is the IELTS score valid for Gates Cambridge application?
Your IELTS score must be valid (within 2 years of the test date) at the time of your application. Since the application deadline is typically October–December, plan your IELTS test accordingly to ensure your score has not expired.

आपको विश्वविद्यालय IELTS आवश्यकता पूरा गर्नुहोस्

भर्नाको लागि Band 6.5, 7.0, वा 7.5 मा पुग्न निःशुल्क साप्ताहिक रणनीतिहरू।