International students planning to study at the University of Cambridge in 2027/28 can search for funding through the Cambridge Trust, which supports students at undergraduate, master’s and PhD level through a range of full-cost and part-cost scholarships.
The important point is that Cambridge funding is not one single scholarship. The Trust manages or supports multiple awards with different eligibility criteria, nationalities, subjects and funding levels.
What types of scholarships are available?
The Cambridge Trust’s 2027/28 scholarship search includes opportunities across:
- Undergraduate study
- Master’s programmes
- PhD programmes
- Country-specific awards
- Subject-specific scholarships
- Partnership scholarships funded jointly with colleges, foundations and external organisations
Some awards cover the full cost of study while others contribute only part of the total cost. Applicants should check each scholarship’s value carefully.
How do you apply?
For many postgraduate Cambridge Trust awards, applicants do not submit a completely separate scholarship application. Instead, they apply for admission to Cambridge by the relevant course funding deadline and complete the funding section of the admissions application where required.
Some scholarships may ask additional questions or have special eligibility rules, so applicants should not assume that one application route covers every award.
Why the funding deadline matters
A common mistake is to focus only on the final course admission deadline. Scholarship consideration may require a much earlier funding deadline. If your course has a December or early January funding deadline, submitting after that date can mean losing access to major scholarship opportunities even if the programme is still accepting applications.
How to use the Cambridge Trust scholarship search effectively
Start by filtering according to your nationality and study level. Then review each scholarship individually for academic requirements, financial-need criteria, subject restrictions and any college or programme conditions.
Do not apply only to awards described as “fully funded.” Part-cost scholarships can sometimes be combined with other university, college or external funding, depending on the terms of the awards.
Preparation checklist for international applicants
- Identify your Cambridge course and funding deadline.
- Check whether your chosen course requires a research proposal, written sample or portfolio.
- Request academic references well in advance.
- Prepare a concise CV focused on academic and professional evidence relevant to the programme.
- Write a clear statement explaining academic fit and future goals.
- Check English-language requirements early if they apply to you.
- Use the Cambridge Trust search to identify nationality- and subject-specific scholarships.
What makes a stronger funding application?
Competitive applicants connect their previous academic or professional work to the programme they want to study. A strong application explains not only what the applicant has achieved, but why Cambridge is the right environment for the next stage of their development.
For research degrees, clarity of research direction and evidence of preparation for independent research are especially important. For taught programmes, applicants should show how their background prepares them for advanced study in the chosen field.
Official scholarship search
Use the Cambridge Trust scholarship finder to review opportunities for courses beginning in 2027/28. Always confirm the exact funding deadline on the University of Cambridge course page before submitting.
JobScholarship.com tip: Build your funding list before you start writing. Knowing which scholarships you may qualify for can help you make sure the evidence in your academic application clearly demonstrates the qualities those awards value.