The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s most prestigious universities, offering a wide range of postgraduate programs. For international students, the cost of applying and studying can feel overwhelming—but Cambridge provides application fee waivers and fully funded scholarships to help talented students access education.
In this post, we’ll break down:
- How to get an application fee waiver at Cambridge
- The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Other scholarships for international students
Application Fee Waiver at Cambridge
Most postgraduate courses at Cambridge require an application fee. However, depending on your situation, you may not need to pay this fee.
Automatic Application Fee Waiver
If you are a national of certain eligible countries and have lived there since birth, you don’t need to pay an application fee or fill in a waiver request form.
👉 See the full list of eligible countries here
Requesting a Fee Waiver
You can request a waiver if you fall into one of these categories:
- UK applicants with state support in their final undergraduate year
- Applicants receiving UK social support benefits
- Applicants with Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Humanitarian Protection status in the UK
- African students applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
📌 Note: Fee waiver requests must be submitted well ahead of funding deadlines.
Key deadlines for 2025–2026:
- 20 November 2025 → for the 5 December 2025 funding deadline
- 18 December 2025 → for the 12 January 2026 funding deadline
- 15 November 2025 → for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program fee waiver requests
Read the full guidance on fee waivers here
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCF) at Cambridge provides fully funded Master’s scholarships for talented students from Africa.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Travel costs
- Leadership development and mentoring opportunities
👉 Learn more: University of Cambridge – Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Other Scholarships for International Students
Cambridge offers hundreds of funding opportunities for postgraduate students. Some key ones include:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship – for exceptional students from any country outside the UK.
- Cambridge Trust Scholarships – available for students of all nationalities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships – for students from eligible Commonwealth countries.
- Departmental and College-specific awards – check your chosen faculty or college for opportunities.
👉 Explore funding options: Cambridge Funding Search
📌 Final Thoughts
Applying to Cambridge is highly competitive, but with application fee waivers and fully funded scholarships, your financial background should not be a barrier.
If you’re from an eligible country or applying for a program like the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you may not need to pay the application fee at all. Combine this with major scholarships like Gates Cambridge and Cambridge Trust, and you’ll find plenty of support to pursue your dreams.
Ready to apply?
- Check if you qualify for a Cambridge application fee waiver.
- Explore funding opportunities.