Vice-Chancellor’s Awards & Cambridge International Scholarships

On behalf of the University, the Cambridge Trust is pleased to offer the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards (for UK and EU students) and the Cambridge International Scholarships (for international students) for those undertaking PhD studies.

The aim of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards and Cambridge International Scholarships is to ensure that the 250 highest ranked students, irrespective of nationality, receive full financial support to undertake research leading to a PhD.  The Scholarships pay the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance sufficient for a single person.

Applicants from countries outside the EU (classified as ‘overseas’ for fees purposes) who wish to start their PhDs in 2017-18 must apply by 7 December 2016.   Applicants from the UK and EU (paying the ‘home’ or EU rate for the University Composition Fee) must apply by 4 January 2017.  Please see the Graduate Admissions webpage ‘Application & Funding Deadlines’.

All applicants should submit the Graduate Application Form, ticking the box to apply to the Cambridge Trust and completing Sections B3 (Cambridge Trust Personal Statement) and B4 (Financial Details for the Cambridge Trust).

A University Committee draws up one ranked list of all PhD candidates across all disciplines.  The only factors taken into consideration in agreeing this list are academic qualifications, references and research potential.  The financial situation of applicants does not affect the selection of scholarship winners.

Successful applicants are informed at the earliest opportunity and the Trust will announce the winners of the Cambridge International Scholarships for 2017-18 in mid-February, and the winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for that year at the beginning of March 2017.

In order to maximise the number of Scholarships awarded, the Trust will, when appropriate, promote winners of Vice-Chancellor’s Awards and Cambridge International Scholarships to other full-cost awards with UK Research Councils, or partner organisations, or Departments or Colleges, who are willing to provide either the full amount or part of the cost of the scholarship.  Where part of the cost of a scholarship is offered, the Trust will meet the balance.

In the case of students securing other full-cost scholarships, the Trust will be pleased to offer ‘honorary’ status which entitles them to become a Trust scholar without remuneration.

The scholarships are awarded early in the academic year, as mentioned above, following this timetable: