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Cambridge Trust funding is better understood as a collection of awards than as a single scholarship. International applicants need to identify which awards fit their nationality, study level and course before assuming they will be considered.
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.
Cambridge Trust: planning an application from Kenya
Start with the Cambridge degree you want to study, then check the Trust’s funding search for scholarships appropriate to your degree level, nationality and circumstances. Cambridge undergraduate and postgraduate admissions have different procedures. A scholarship appearing in a search result is not proof that a particular Kenyan applicant qualifies.
Prepare a Kenyan academic record
Ask your university for complete transcripts and a degree certificate or completion letter if you are applying for postgraduate study. Undergraduate applicants should check how their KCSE and any additional qualifications are assessed for their chosen Cambridge course; do not assume KCSE alone is sufficient. Where your university uses a different grading scale, keep an official explanation ready if requested.
Funding gaps and realistic budgeting
Some Trust awards cover only part of the costs. Compare the actual award value against tuition, college charges, accommodation, meals, visa requirements, insurance or immigration-health charges where applicable, travel and personal expenses. Work from current official cost figures, then convert to KSh at a current exchange rate. Do not label a partial scholarship fully funded.
How to plan your timeline
- Shortlist courses and document their admissions and funding deadlines separately.
- Confirm language and academic requirements before paying application fees.
- Prepare course-specific statements, academic references and supporting work in advance.
- Use official Cambridge application and funding instructions, including any funding boxes or separate forms.
- Save submission confirmations and monitor your official applicant account.
For writing support, see our personal statement guide. It is guidance, not a substitute for Cambridge’s instructions.
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.