If you have recently received an offer of a Cambridge Trust scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge, or you are an existing scholar, this page sets out the essential information.
Completing the admissions process
Changes to your status such as deferring your studies or receiving alternative sources of funding
Coming to Cambridge from overseas
Additional funding for current scholars
Do contact us if you have a question that is not answered below, and we will be happy to help.
Additional funding for current scholars
If you are a current student receiving support from the Trust, you might be eligible for additional funding for specific purposes.
This may include:
- extension funding
- exceptional (hardship) funding
- a grant to contribute towards conference participation.
Information about these types of funding and how to access them is provided below.
Additional funding does not cover:
- childcare and dependant costs
- direct research costs (such as consumables)
- private medical expenses (including dental and optical treatment).
General conditions
And there are some general conditions for additional funding:
- Applications for additional funding are considered by the Trust’s Review Panel on a case-by-case basis.
- All additional funding is discretionary. There is no guarantee that the Trust will approve requests for additional funding, either in full or in part.
- You must apply for the funding before your award end date (taking into account any approved period(s) of intermission).
- All other eligible sources of funding must have been fully explored before making an application.
Extension funding
Trust PhD scholarships typically cover 3 years of funding support unless otherwise stated. We expect students to carefully plan their research and writing-up so that everything can be completed within this overall timeframe. However, we recognise that due to circumstances, some additional time may be needed.
If you are a PhD scholar in receipt of full or partial maintenance funding from the Trust, you are eligible to apply for up to 6 additional months of maintenance funding to complete your studies. No extension funding is available beyond 3.5 years.
Applications for additional funding can be made using the Trust’s Additional Funding Form
Applications should be made as close to the end of your scholarship award end date as possible, so we have a clear indication of both your financial need at that time, and your timeline for submission of an electronic copy of your thesis for examination. Applications should be submitted no later than one month before your scholarship award end date.
Exceptional (hardship) funding
This is additional funding for unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. Exceptional funding applications can be made at any time.
This could include:
- travel costs following close family bereavement
- serious illness which has resulted in a period of medical intermission.
It does not include:
- non-medical intermission (for example, for an internship).
For guidance, please email the Awards Team at cambridgetrust@admin.cam.ac.uk
Applications for extension funding can be made using the Trust’s Additional Funding Form
Conference funding
If you are a PhD scholar in receipt of a full Trust scholarship (full fees and maintenance), you are eligible to apply for up to £500 to attend one conference.
The conference must be relevant to your studies and you must have approval from your Supervisor. The conference cannot compromise your plans for submission of an electronic copy of your thesis for examination and you cannot apply for funding retrospectively.
Applications for conference funding can be made using the Trust’s Conference Funding Form
Applications must be sent to the Trust at least 6 weeks before a decision is required.
When you will hear whether your application has been successful
All applications are initially checked for completeness – any missing information is requested. Once complete, applications are then formally assessed.
Decisions are normally made in the month after you submitted your application, however this can vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications under assessment.
Completing the admissions process
I have received a scholarship offer letter. What do I need to do next?
Congratulations! Your offer letter sets out all of the details and conditions so please read it carefully and keep a copy for your records. You may need to provide this letter as evidence of your funding if you are applying for a student visa, as this information will not be provided in your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), issued by the University to support your visa application.
Please return your response form as soon as possible before the deadline specified. Your Cambridge Trust scholarship is not final until we have received this.
How do I meet my financial condition for admission?
Postgraduates:
We will upload a copy of your offer letter to your student self-service account, which will act as proof of your Trust funding for your financial condition.
To meet your financial condition you may be required to complete a Financial Undertaking Form. Please consult A Guide to your Offer and its Conditions to check if this applies to you. Should it be required, you can find the form here: Postgraduate Admissions: Financial Undertaking Form.
Undergraduates:
Your offer letter will be copied to your College, who will have their own process for meeting the financial requirements.
What do I need to do to complete my offer conditions for admission?
Your Cambridge Trust scholarship is dependent on your meeting all of the conditions of admission by the relevant deadline.
Postgraduates:
Please regularly check your student self-service area in the University’s admissions portal so that you can see any conditions that are associated with your offer of a place at Cambridge and whether you have any outstanding. The University will alert you to any missing documents or if you need to provide supplementary materials.
Undergraduates:
Your College will be best placed to advise on your admission conditions. Alternatively, please visit the University’s webpages here: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply.
Changes to your status, such as deferring your studies or finding alternative funding
If I am deferring the start of my studies at Cambridge, can I defer my scholarship too?
Your scholarship must be taken up in the academic year for which it was awarded. Scholarships cannot usually be deferred to the next academic year.
If PhD scholars wish to begin their studies after 1 October of the academic year, they must seek the agreement of their supervisor, Faculty/Department and the Student Registry. The scholarship must be taken up in the academic year for which it was awarded (Michaelmas Term, Lent Term or Easter Term start within that academic year).
If you wish to reapply for admission in the next academic year, your application will be considered again by the Trust.
I have an award from another source. What should I do?
You must inform the Trust if you are offered funding from other sources for your study at Cambridge at any time before or during the tenure of your scholarship from the Trust. Failure to provide full details may lead to the cancellation by the Trust of your scholarship.
If you receive another scholarship which meets the full costs of study at Cambridge, such as the University Composition Fee, approved College fees (where applicable) and maintenance sufficient for a single student, you will be given the opportunity to choose which award you will accept.
In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate a share of costs with the other awarding body and to hold both awards alongside each other, but if you are successful in obtaining a scholarship from another source, the Trust reserves the right to adjust the value of your scholarship.
If you receive a full-cost scholarship from any source other than Gates Cambridge or the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship programme, the offer of an award from the Trust will lapse and you will be offered the status of Honorary Trust Scholar. This entitles you to become a member of the Trust’s community of scholars and attend the Trust’s events but bears no monetary value.
If you have accepted a Gates Cambridge Scholarship or a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship, any offer of an award from the Trust will immediately lapse and you will not be offered ‘Honorary’ status.
If you are awarded a minor scholarship (part-funding) from another source, the Trust reserves the right to adjust the value of your scholarship. If you receive a full maintenance allowance from the Trust, you will be allowed to retain the other scholarship at the Trust’s discretion (for example, as a contribution to other expenses such as conferences, fieldwork or similar). If you receive other awards of a higher monetary value, the Trust may reduce your scholarship in order to re-allocate funds to support other scholars.
Visa and immigration issues
Can the Trust help me with visa and immigration issues?
The University’s International Student Office provides a free visa advice service to all applicants with an offer to study at Cambridge, current students and family members.
Contact the team for advice on student visas and other related immigration matters, or visit the International Students’ website.
Your scholarship offer letter does not constitute sponsorship. You will require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office issues CAS for new postgraduate students and postgraduate students continuing to a new course.
The International Student Office issues all other CAS. You may also need to provide your offer letter as evidence of your funding if you are applying for a student visa, as this information will not be provided in your CAS, issued by the University to support your application.
Am I entitled to a free visa as a Cambridge Trust scholar?
Most scholars will need to pay for their visa and immigration health surcharge. If your scholarship covers this cost, it will be specified in your offer letter.
I need to apply for ATAS clearance. Can the Trust help?
If you are applying for a PhD/Masters-level course in certain science or technology subject areas and you will be studying in the UK on a visa, you will need to apply for ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance. The following applicants are exempt:
- those who have been granted indefinite leave to remain
- nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland
- nationals of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Singapore, Japan, South Korea.
Visit Postgraduate Admissions for full details.
Graduate students who are required to apply for ATAS will have it included as a condition of offer and will be able to view an ATAS summary of research and the course JACS code, required for the ATAS application, in their applicant self-service portal.
English language skills
I have been asked to attend an ADTIS language course before or during my studies at Cambridge. Will the Trust pay for this?
The resources of the Trust are limited, and our aim is to enable as many suitable applicants as possible to be able to study at Cambridge, so we are not able to make grants towards ADTIS language courses for scholars.
Coming to Cambridge from overseas
Can the Trust help me with my travel to the UK?
If your award covers the cost of travel to Cambridge this will be specified in your award letter. If there is an agreement in place for the Trust to refund any travel expenses, please retain your receipts for reimbursement.
If your award does not provide funding for travel, it is your responsibility to make and pay for all necessary arrangements for travel to the UK, and to return home on completion of your course of study at Cambridge. You should not, under any circumstances, make unbreakable arrangements to travel to Cambridge before your admission to the University has been confirmed.
You are responsible for obtaining the necessary travel documents for travel from your home country to the UK (such as a visa to enter the UK, and exit permit from your own country), and you should ensure that you apply for these documents in good time.
I have just arrived in Cambridge. Is there any information for new students?
There are many sources of information and support available for students at Cambridge.
Your College Tutor can help you with many matters to do with your life in Cambridge and your Director of Studies or Supervisor can support you with your academic work.
The following web pages feature lots of helpful information too:
Cambridge students, aimed at new students
International students contains information for international students.
Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) offers guidance for disabled students
Newcomers and Visiting Scholars, a volunteer-run group for University members and their families.
My spouse/dependants will accompany me to Cambridge. Does the Trust offer a family allowance?
The Trust’s awards generally do not cover allowances for a spouse, children or other dependents. You are responsible for obtaining the necessary permission from the University, College and immigration to allow them to join you in Cambridge. Applicants will need to provide additional financial guarantees of the extra financial support required, and have the consent of your College.
The following pages offer helpful advice:
Information service for University parents gives information on a variety of different areas relating to family life in Cambridge.
The University’s Childcare Office oversees the facilities and assistance offered to University staff and students with children.
Can the Trust help me to find accommodation?
Scholars are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. Your College should be able to offer guidance. The University Accommodation Service is also available to students.
How do I get a UK bank account?
Read guidance and information on opening a bank account. This can be done when you arrive in the UK.
The Trust is also able to make payments into the following online banks:
- Starling
- Monzo
- Revolut
- Metro bank.