Cambridge International Scholarships (Vice-Chancellor's Awards fuer UK/Irland)

Cambridge Trust Vice-Chancellor's Awards

You get a full PhD scholarship at the University of Cambridge. It pays your full tuition (the University Composition Fee) plus a maintenance allowance that covers the living costs of one person. The funding runs for the standard length of your PhD, normally three years. This branch of the Cambridge International Scholarships is for UK and Irish students who pay tuition at the Home rate. The Cambridge Trust may pass winners to another full-funding partner or research council that covers the cost. Where a partner covers only part, the Trust makes up the rest.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are applying to start a new PhD at Cambridge, not continuing one you have already begun.
• Nationality: You are a UK or Irish national, or you otherwise pay tuition fees at the Home rate.
• Field of study: Any PhD subject at Cambridge counts, except premium-rate courses such as the MBA or MFin.
• Grades: You have outstanding academic results and strong research potential. Selection is purely academic.
• Financial need: Your financial situation plays no part in who wins. You do not need to show need.
• Existing qualifications: You do not already hold a degree equal to or higher than the PhD you are applying for. A second MPhil is allowed only when it is a required step towards your PhD.

How to apply

There is no separate application to the Trust. You apply for admission to your chosen PhD course through the University's applicant portal and tick that you want to be considered for funding. Submit this by the funding deadline shown for your course in the University's postgraduate course directory. That deadline is earlier than the general course deadline. A university committee then ranks all PhD applicants across every subject. There is no interview.

How realistic are your chances?

One ranked list covers every PhD applicant at Cambridge, so the strongest candidates in all subjects set the bar. That makes this highly competitive. Grades and research potential decide everything, and financial need cannot help or hurt you. Meet the funding deadline for your course, because you are only ranked if your admission application is complete and on time.