The Cambridge International Scholarship Scheme (CISS) is a prestigious funding programme administered through the Cambridge Trust for academically outstanding international students undertaking doctoral research at the University of Cambridge.
The scholarships are intended for applicants from countries outside the United Kingdom and Ireland who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, research potential, strong examination results, and excellent references. Successful candidates can pursue a PhD in an eligible subject at Cambridge without having to independently cover the full cost of international tuition fees and essential living expenses.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the Cambridge Trust’s official funding listing identifies approximately 60 Cambridge International Scholarships. The awards are available across eligible academic disciplines and can be held at any College of the University of Cambridge, subject to the scholarship conditions. Premium-rate courses are excluded.
The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee and provides a maintenance allowance sufficient for a single person. The official funding listing also includes support for student visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge, along with other applicable benefits.
The award normally covers the duration of the PhD programme. Eligible recipients may also apply for up to six additional months of maintenance funding to support the completion and writing-up of their doctoral thesis.
Applicants do not need to submit a separate application for the Cambridge International Scholarship. They must apply for admission to an eligible PhD programme and indicate in the funding section of the online Applicant Portal that they wish to be considered for funding. The complete application, including references, must be submitted by the funding deadline applicable to the selected course.
The Cambridge Trust’s main funding deadlines for 2027–2028 entry are 8 December 2026 and 6 January 2027. However, the correct deadline depends on the selected PhD programme, so applicants must check the relevant course page.
Degree Level
The Cambridge International Scholarship is specifically intended for eligible doctoral programmes leading to a PhD at the University of Cambridge.
The award normally covers the standard duration of the selected PhD course. The length of doctoral study depends on the programme and research arrangements.
In addition to the normal award period, eligible scholars may apply for up to six months of further maintenance funding to support thesis completion and writing-up.
The Cambridge International Scholarship is not a general undergraduate or master’s scholarship. Applicants seeking funding for other postgraduate qualifications should explore the Cambridge Trust’s separate scholarship opportunities.
Available Subjects
The Cambridge International Scholarship is available across eligible PhD research disciplines at the University of Cambridge. Applicants can pursue doctoral research in a wide range of academic fields, including:
- Arts and Humanities
- Biological Sciences
- Business and Management
- Computer Science and Technology
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- History and Archaeology
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Veterinary Sciences
The scholarship is available in any eligible subject, except premium-rate courses. Applicants should check the Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory to confirm that their chosen PhD programme qualifies.
The Cambridge International Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to outstanding international doctoral students.
Full University Composition Fee
The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee for the duration of the eligible PhD programme. This removes the requirement for successful recipients to pay the covered university tuition fees independently.
Annual Maintenance Allowance
Recipients receive a maintenance allowance intended to cover essential living expenses for a single person while studying in Cambridge.
The allowance is designed to help students manage everyday costs, including accommodation, food, and other necessary expenses. The exact annual amount applicable to 2027–2028 should be checked in the official award information.
Student Visa Costs
The Cambridge Trust’s 2027–2028 funding listing includes student visa costs among the award’s covered expenses, subject to the applicable scholarship terms.
Immigration Health Surcharge
The scholarship listing also includes the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is generally required for international students applying for a UK Student visa.
Additional Writing-Up Support
PhD recipients may apply for up to six additional months of maintenance funding to support the final writing-up stage of their doctoral research. This additional support is subject to approval and is not automatically included in every award.
Study at the University of Cambridge
Recipients have the opportunity to conduct advanced research at one of the world’s leading universities, working with academic departments and research communities across a wide range of disciplines.
College Choice
The scholarship can be held at any College of the University of Cambridge, provided the applicant meets the relevant admission and scholarship requirements.
Eligible Nationalities
The Cambridge International Scholarship is intended for applicants from countries other than the United Kingdom and Ireland who are classified as overseas fee-paying students.
Students from eligible countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and other regions may apply, provided they meet the scholarship and admission requirements.
Pakistani applicants are eligible to be considered under the international scholarship scheme if they meet the overseas fee-status and other conditions.
The scholarship is not restricted to a particular nationality. However, applicants should check the official scholarship listing for any additional conditions attached to specific awards.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants interested in the Cambridge International Scholarships 2027–2028 should meet the following general requirements:
- Be an international applicant from a country other than the United Kingdom or Ireland.
- Qualify for overseas tuition-fee status at the University of Cambridge.
- Apply for an eligible PhD programme at the University of Cambridge.
- Meet the academic entry requirements of the selected doctoral programme.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic qualifications and examination results.
- Show strong research potential and a clear academic direction.
- Provide excellent academic references.
- Submit a complete admission application, including all required references, by the relevant funding deadline.
- Indicate in the Applicant Portal that they wish to be considered for funding.
- Obtain a conditional offer of admission to the University of Cambridge to be considered for the scholarship.
Applicants must also satisfy any additional requirements specified by their chosen department or doctoral programme.
The Cambridge International Scholarship is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an award.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the University of Cambridge’s English-language requirements for their selected PhD programme.
The accepted English-language qualifications and minimum scores depend on the university’s current admission regulations and the requirements of the relevant course.
Applicants may be required to provide an accepted IELTS Academic, TOEFL, or other recognized English-language qualification, depending on the university’s rules and any applicable exemptions.
English-language evidence should be submitted according to the instructions and deadline stated in the course application requirements.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents required for their selected PhD programme. These generally include:
- Completed online postgraduate application.
- Academic transcripts from previous universities.
- Bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates, where applicable.
- Research proposal or statement of research interests, if required by the department.
- Academic CV or résumé.
- Personal statement or statement of purpose, if required.
- Academic references.
- Proof of English-language proficiency, where required.
- Passport or identification details.
- Additional documents requested by the selected department.
- Any supplementary funding information requested through the Applicant Portal.
The exact document requirements vary by PhD programme. Applicants should consult their course page and ensure that their references and supporting documents are submitted by the relevant funding deadline.
How Winners Are Selected
The Cambridge International Scholarship is awarded through a highly competitive academic selection process.
A university-level committee prepares a ranked list of eligible PhD applicants across academic disciplines. The principal selection factors include:
- Academic qualifications and previous examination results.
- Academic references.
- Research potential.
- Overall academic strength of the application.
The Cambridge Trust’s official scholarship listing states that the financial circumstances of applicants do not affect selection for the Cambridge International Scholarship.
Applicants are assessed against other eligible candidates, and only the highest-ranked applicants are selected for the available awards.
The number of scholarships is limited, so meeting the eligibility requirements or receiving an admission offer does not guarantee funding.
Application Procedure
There is no separate application form for the Cambridge International Scholarship. Applicants are considered through their University of Cambridge postgraduate admission application.
Step 1: Find an Eligible PhD Programme
- Visit the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory and select a PhD programme that matches your academic background and research interests.
- Check the course description, entry requirements, funding deadline, and any department-specific application instructions.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents
- Prepare your academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV, research proposal, references, English-language evidence, and any other documents required by your chosen department.
Step 3: Complete the Online Admission Application
- Apply for your selected PhD programme through the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal.
- Provide accurate academic and personal information and complete all sections of the application.
Step 4: Indicate Your Interest in Funding
- In the funding section of the online application, select the option indicating that you wish to apply for funding.
- This step is essential. Applicants who do not indicate their interest in funding will not normally be considered for Cambridge Trust scholarships through this process.
Step 5: Submit Before the Funding Deadline
- Check the funding deadline for your specific PhD programme. Submit the complete application, including references and supporting documents, by the relevant deadline.
- For 2027–2028 entry, the main university funding deadlines are 8 December 2026 and 6 January 2027, but the deadline applicable to your course may differ.
Step 6: Wait for the Admission and Funding Decisions
- Your department will assess your academic application and consider your eligibility for funding. The Cambridge Trust will then consider eligible candidates for available scholarships.
- Admission and funding decisions are generally communicated separately.
Step 7: Accept the Scholarship Offer
- If selected, follow the instructions provided in your official funding offer. Make sure to accept the award and satisfy any stated conditions by the specified date.
Application Deadline
The Cambridge International Scholarship does not have one universal application deadline. The deadline depends on the PhD programme and its associated funding round.
For 2027–2028 entry, the University of Cambridge lists the following main funding deadlines:
- First main funding deadline: 8 December 2026.
- Second main funding deadline: 6 January 2027.
Applicants must check the specific funding deadline on their chosen course page because some programmes may have different deadlines.
The complete application, including references, must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on the relevant funding deadline. Applicants should not rely on the later general admission deadline if they wish to be considered for funding.
