What will Cambridge look at when deciding if I get a scholarship?
Cambridge scholarship committees typically weigh academic achievement, academic and research potential, references, research experience, leadership, career goals and community contribution. Some awards also consider financial need. Each scholarship has its own selection process, so the criteria for your chosen award can differ from another award.
Meeting Cambridge's entry requirements does not by itself win you funding. Each scholarship has its own selection process, so you should expect committees to look at your academic strength, research potential and references, plus extra criteria that depend on the award.
Factors scholarship committees may weigh
| Factor | What it tells the committee |
|---|---|
| Academic achievement | How well you have performed so far |
| Academic and research potential | How far you can go in your field |
| Quality of references | What your referees say about you |
| Research experience | Relevant where your course involves research |
| Course or research direction | How strong your proposed plan is |
| Leadership potential | Your ability to lead and influence others |
| Career objectives | Where you want the degree to take you |
| Contribution to society | Your impact on the wider community |
| Financial need | Considered only where a particular award requires it |
What full and part funding mean for your budget
Cambridge Trust postgraduate scholarships generally look at academic achievement and potential, while the Cambridge Trust International Scholarship specifically considers academic ability, research potential, exam results and references.
- Fully funded: can cover tuition and living costs, and some awards also cover visa, travel or other eligible expenses.
- Part-funded: covers only selected costs, such as some or all of tuition, so you pay the rest.
- Self-funded: you pay both tuition and living costs yourself.
My Advice
Read the criteria of each award separately and shape your application around them. Before you finalise your budget, confirm exactly what each award pays for, as Cambridge advises postgraduate applicants to do.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which UK universities you still qualify for.
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