Which documents do I need to prepare for a Cambridge scholarship application?
Indian applicants should generally prepare academic transcripts, degree certificates, an academic CV, a personal statement, recommendation letters, an English test score where required, and, depending on award or course, a scholarship statement and a passport. Most research courses need a proposal and two referees, and some need extra materials.
The exact paperwork depends on your course and scholarship, but you should plan to gather a core set of academic and identity documents early. Some courses and funding opportunities also ask for extra supporting material, so check your own course page.
Core documents to prepare
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Academic transcripts | Show your academic performance |
| Degree certificates | Confirm your earlier qualifications |
| Academic CV | Highlights academic, research and professional experience |
| Personal statement | Explains your motivation and goals |
| Research proposal | Needed for most research-based courses |
| Recommendation letters | Give evidence of your academic potential; most research courses ask for two referees |
| English test score | Shows English proficiency where required |
| Scholarship statement | Explains why you suit a specific award; depends on the award |
| Passport | Confirms identity and nationality; depends on the course or award |
Timing for your references
Cambridge expects referees to submit their references by the relevant application deadline, so their part of the process can hold up your whole application.
My Advice
Ask your referees early and tell them the deadline in writing. Waiting until the scholarship deadline is the easiest way to leave your file incomplete.
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