If you’re a UK-based student from a disadvantaged or underrepresented background and dream of earning a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge, this opportunity could be life-changing. The Cambridge Opportunity Studentships and Get In Cambridge Studentships 2026 are prestigious funding initiatives designed to remove financial barriers and foster diversity in postgraduate education.

Offered by the Cambridge Trust, these studentships provide full coverage of tuition and living expenses, specifically targeting those from low-income households and underrepresented ethnic groups. With no separate scholarship application required, the process is streamlined through the standard postgraduate course application.

About the University of Cambridge

Ranked #2 in QS World University Rankings 2025, the University of Cambridge is globally recognized for its academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and historic prestige. With more than 300 postgraduate programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and one of the highest graduate employability rates in the UK, Cambridge stands as a beacon of opportunity for exceptional students, regardless of background.

Cambridge Opportunity Studentships 2026 Overview

Scholarship Name	Cambridge Opportunity Studentships 2026 & Get In Cambridge Studentships 2026
Host Institution	University of Cambridge
Funding Body	Cambridge Trust
Degree Level	Master’s (Taught)
Eligibility	UK Home fee status, educational disadvantage, low income, underrepresented background
Coverage	Full tuition + living expenses
Separate Scholarship Application	No
Application Deadline	Course-specific deadline (Check via course directory)
Application Opens	Early September 2025
Start Date	October 2026

Scholarship Benefits

Both studentships are designed to eliminate financial barriers for promising students:

• Full coverage of University tuition fees
• Full coverage of living costs (when max postgraduate loan is used)
• No need for a separate application – the scholarship is considered as part of your course application and grants access to one of the world’s leading universities.
• Builds representation and equity in higher education

Cambridge Studentships 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for either studentship, you must meet the essential criteria and ideally match one or more additional criteria.

Essential Criteria

• You must not already hold a Master’s degree or be currently enrolled in a postgraduate program
• You must not have the financial means to support your studies without assistance
• You must qualify for Home fee status in the UK

Additional Criteria

Your Background (any one or more of the following):

• Refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
• Received Free School Meals at secondary school
• Duration of residence in local authority care or as a Foyer program participant
• Lived in a government-defined deprived area
• First-generation university student in your immediate family
• Estranged from immediate family or caregivers
• Undergraduate studies disrupted due to health or bereavement
• Young carer or lone parent during undergraduate study
• Worked paid jobs during full-time undergraduate studies
• Residual household income during undergraduate study was £42,620 or less

How to Apply for Cambridge Studentships 2026

There is no separate application for these studentships. To be considered:

• Apply to an eligible postgraduate program at the University of Cambridge and express your interest in funding consideration within the same application.
• Complete the questions related to educational disadvantage in the application form
• Apply before the deadline, which is specific to your course.

📌 Use the course directory to explore programs:

Comparison with Similar UK Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Host University	Funding Coverage	Eligible Degree Level	Target Group	Separate Application?
Cambridge Opportunity & Get In	University of Cambridge	Full tuition + living expenses	Master’s (Taught)	Low-income, underrepresented UK students	No
Black Academic Futures Scholarship	University of Oxford	Full tuition + £18,000+ stipend	Master’s & DPhil	Black or mixed-Black heritage UK students	Yes
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship	Various UK Universities	Full tuition, stipend, travel	Master’s	Low & middle-income Commonwealth countries	Yes
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	University of Cambridge	Full tuition, stipend, airfare	Master’s & PhD	International students	Yes
Chevening Scholarship	Various UK Universities	Tuition, stipend, travel, visa	Master’s	International applicants	Yes

FAQs About Cambridge Opportunity Studentships 2026

1. Who is eligible for the Get In Cambridge Studentship?
   It targets UK students from underrepresented ethnic groups such as Black, British Bangladeshi, or British Pakistani backgrounds.
2. Should I apply separately for the studentship?
   No. Simply complete the Cambridge postgraduate application and answer the relevant funding and disadvantage questions.
3. Can international students apply for these studentships?
   No, these scholarships are exclusively available to students who qualify for Home fee status in the UK.
4. What is the funding amount provided?
   The scholarship covers all university fees and living expenses, assuming you take the full postgraduate loan available.
5. What types of Master’s degrees are eligible?
   Any taught postgraduate program listed in the Cambridge Course Directory is eligible.
6. Are these studentships competitive?
   Yes. While they are need-based, applicants must also demonstrate academic merit and educational disadvantage.
7. What documents are required?
   No additional documents are needed beyond the standard postgraduate application unless requested.
8. Can I apply if I have already done a Master’s degree?
   No. These scholarships are for first-time Master’s students only.
9. How do I prove educational disadvantage?
   You will need to honestly answer questions in the application and provide evidence if they contact you.
10. When is the deadline?
    It varies by course. Please check the specific deadline listed in the Postgraduate Course Directory.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Background Hold You Back

The 2026 Cambridge Opportunity & Get In Cambridge Studentships serve as a powerful step toward equity and access in higher education. If you’ve faced systemic barriers or personal hardship but still aspire to a postgraduate education at one of the world’s top universities—this scholarship could be your path forward. APPLY NOW. Please visit the official website today to learn about the complete details.