Cambridge Trust Scholarships in UK, 2026
The Cambridge Trust Scholarships are among the most prestigious and globally inclusive funding opportunities for students who dream of studying at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Designed to support outstanding, high-potential learners from around the world, these scholarships provide financial assistance across undergraduate and postgraduate levels — enabling talented scholars to pursue degrees at one of the world’s most historic and respected universities. This guide breaks down what you need to know for the 2026 academic cycle.
What Is the Cambridge Trust and Its Scholarship Mission?
The Cambridge Trust is an independent charitable organization that works in partnership with donors, foundations, and international bodies to provide scholarships to academically excellent students from across the globe. Over its history, the Trust has supported more than 22,000 scholars from around 149 countries, awarding over 500 scholarships annually to students at Cambridge.
The goal of the Trust is simple yet powerful: to remove financial barriers for talented students and promote global leadership, research impact, and academic excellence across disciplines. Scholarships from the Trust aim not only to cover academic costs but also to foster global diversity within the university community.
Funding Opportunities
Cambridge Trust scholarships can be broadly grouped into two categories: Undergraduate Scholarships and Postgraduate Scholarships. Each category has its own eligibility requirements, benefits, and application pathways.
1. Undergraduate Scholarships
Undergraduate funding through the Cambridge Trust is available to students who have received an offer of admission to a University of Cambridge undergraduate course and who demonstrate both significant academic achievement and financial need.
Eligibility Criteria (Undergraduate)
To be eligible for Cambridge Trust undergraduate scholarships for 2026:
✔ You must have applied and received a conditional or unconditional offer of admission from Cambridge.
✔ You must be required to pay University fees at the Overseas rate (i.e., international fee status). UK and Irish citizens classified as overseas fee payers may also be eligible.
✔ You must demonstrate financial need — the Trust gives priority to students who cannot realistically afford to study at Cambridge without financial support.
✔ The scholarship applies only to full-time undergraduate degrees at Cambridge; part-time study is generally not supported.
✔ Applicants may study any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
Crucially, if you do not require financial support to attend Cambridge, you are not eligible for these Trust scholarships — need must be clearly demonstrated.
What Undergraduate Scholarships Cover
Cambridge Trust undergraduate funding can range from partial contributions to full financial support, often including:
- Tuition fee coverage (or significant contribution toward it)
- Living cost support or maintenance allowances
- College and university fees (as applicable)
- Additional allowances depending on specific awards and donor terms
Not every Trust scholarship covers all costs automatically. Some awards may be partial scholarships, whereas others — particularly those funded in partnership with external donors — may be full-cost awards covering fees and maintenance.
Special Undergraduate Awards
Examples of undergraduate-focused scholarships include:
- Prince Philip Scholarship — aimed at students from Hong Kong.
- Khazanah Cambridge Scholarship — for Malaysian undergraduate applicants.
- Other scholarships targeted at specific regions or criteria may appear in the Trust’s searchable database.
The list of available awards is regularly updated, so it’s important to check the official Cambridge Trust scholarship search page for current opportunities available for courses beginning in 2026.
Click here for more details about the undergraduate scholarship.
2. Postgraduate Scholarships
Cambridge Trust funding is especially rich for postgraduate students and represents the bulk of awards offered. These scholarships support students pursuing masters (e.g., MPhil, LLM) and research degrees (e.g., PhD).
Eligibility Criteria (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate scholarships are typically open to students of all nationalities provided they:
✔ Have applied and received an offer of admission to a full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge.
✔ Intend to start their studies at the University of Cambridge by the relevant funding deadline (specified per programme).
✔ Demonstrate academic excellence; some scholarships also consider financial need.
✔ Are not already part-way through a Cambridge programme (unless advancing to a higher degree).
Note that the Trust does not normally fund part-time postgraduate programmes or premium rate courses such as MBA, EMBA, or MFin, except where specific partners have provided funding for them.
What Postgraduate Scholarships Cover
Depending on the specific award, postgraduate Trust scholarships may cover:
- Full tuition fees
- Maintenance allowance (living stipend)
- College fees and other contributions
- Potential additional research or travel allowances (varies by scholarship)
Many awards are provided in partnership with external organizations or national scholarship schemes, which may further augment the benefit value.
Important Note on Number of Awards
Approximately 85% of Cambridge Trust scholarships awarded annually go to students at the postgraduate level, reflecting the Trust’s emphasis on supporting advanced study and research.
Click here for more details about the postgraduate scholarship.
How to Apply for a Cambridge Trust Scholarship
The application process for Cambridge Trust funding is tied to the University of Cambridge admissions process and differs slightly for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants.
Undergraduate Application Process
- Apply for admission to the University of Cambridge via UCAS by the deadline (typically mid-October).
- Receive a conditional or unconditional offer of place from Cambridge.
- Complete the section on the UCAS or college funding form indicating you wish to be considered for Cambridge Trust funding.
- Provide details of academic achievement and financial need as part of the funding section.
The Trust will then assess your profile along with other applicants and determine eligibility for available awards.
Click here for more details on how to apply.
Postgraduate Application Process
For postgraduate funding:
- Apply for admission to your chosen postgraduate course through the Cambridge Applicant Portal.
- Within the application form, indicate that you wish to be considered for Cambridge Trust funding in the funding or scholarship section.
- You do not need to submit a separate scholarship application — funding is considered with your admission request.
- Ensure your application and all necessary documentation (including evidence of financial need if required) are submitted by the funding deadline specific to your course — usually in early December or early January.
Cambridge Trust begins awarding funding from March through July each year, and because the process is ongoing throughout that period, results may come at different times depending on the specific scholarship and timing of your admission.
Click here for more details on how to apply.
Selection Criteria and What the Trust Looks For
Cambridge Trust awards are competitive, and applicants are evaluated holistically based on:
- Academic Achievement: Strong academic performance and evidence of excellence relevant to your chosen degree programme is a core requirement for all awards at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
- Financial Need: Several Trust scholarships prioritize candidates who tangibly need financial support to pursue study at Cambridge. Undergraduates, in particular, must clearly demonstrate that they otherwise could not afford to attend due to financial constraints.
- Nationality and Fee Status: Undergraduate awards are primarily for those with overseas fee status, though postgraduate awards are open to applicants of all nationalities.
- Academic fit and potential impact: While postgraduate awards may focus primarily on academic strength, undergraduate funding may also consider how the opportunity will impact a student’s future trajectory, including leadership potential and broader contributions.
Success Tips for Applicants
- Demonstrate Clear Need (Undergraduates): Provide detailed evidence of your financial circumstances — this greatly strengthens applications where need is a criterion.
- Highlight Academic Excellence: Ensure transcripts, references, and supporting documents clearly demonstrate your academic potential and fit with Cambridge’s rigorous standards.
- Complete Every Section Accurately: In the application form, explicitly indicate your interest in Cambridge Trust funding and provide accurate financial details if required.
- Respect Deadlines: Funding deadlines differ from admission deadlines — double-check the specific cutoffs for your course and scholarship cycle.
Conclusion
The Cambridge Trust Scholarships 2026 represent an incredible opportunity to earn world-class education at the University of Cambridge with financial support that can cover tuition, living costs, and additional allowances for eligible students. These scholarships are competitive but highly impactful — empowering students from all backgrounds to pursue academic excellence at one of the world’s leading universities.
If you’re an aspiring student with strong academic credentials and a desire to contribute meaningfully to your field or community, securing a Cambridge Trust scholarship could be the gateway to your educational and professional dreams in the UK.