Powerful Support: Cambridge Opportunity Studentships & Get In Cambridge Studentships 2025 For Underrepresented UK Master’s Students -

About the Cambridge Opportunity Studentships & Get In Cambridge Studentships 2025

The Cambridge Opportunity Studentships and Get In Cambridge Studentships 2025 are two remarkable funding initiatives by the University of Cambridge designed to make postgraduate study more accessible for talented individuals who may otherwise be unable to afford it.

These Cambridge Opportunity studentships specifically target applicants from low-income households and underrepresented backgrounds, with the goal of breaking down financial and systemic barriers to studying at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Administered for the 2025–2026 academic year, these awards reflect the University of Cambridge’s broader commitment to inclusion, social mobility, and ensuring that academic promise—not financial means—determines who can benefit from a Cambridge education. By offering these substantial funding packages, Cambridge continues to diversify its postgraduate community and empower students who have faced personal, financial, or societal challenges.

Eligible Fields

These Cambridge Opportunity studentships are open to all Master’s programmes offered by the University of Cambridge. That means whether you aspire to pursue advanced studies in engineering, the arts, law, social sciences, education, natural sciences, or any other field, you can be considered for funding, provided you:

Meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, and
Apply by the course’s stated funding deadline (as listed in the Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory).

This inclusive approach ensures that talented students from all academic disciplines can benefit from these life-changing opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Cambridge Opportunity Studentships or Get In Cambridge Studentships, you must meet these essential criteria:

Apply for a Master’s programme at the University of Cambridge for the 2025–2026 academic year.
This can include one-year taught Master’s courses or research-based MPhil programmes.
Be eligible for the Home fee rate.
These awards are specifically intended for students classified as Home fee payers under UK fee regulations.
Not already hold a Master’s degree or be enrolled in any other postgraduate programme.
The aim is to support students progressing to postgraduate study for the first time.
Demonstrate financial need.
You must confirm that you do not have sufficient savings, assets, income, or alternative scholarships to cover the cost of your tuition and living expenses.

The Get In Cambridge Studentships place additional emphasis on encouraging applications from students who self-identify as being from Black, British Bangladeshi, or British Pakistani backgrounds, addressing historical underrepresentation at Cambridge.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are selected based on a combination of:

Meeting strict financial criteria.
You must clearly establish that you lack the personal resources to fund your studies independently.
Fulfilling one or more widening participation indicators.
These may include:
- Growing up in a low-income household or qualifying for Free School Meals
- Having been in local authority care
- Being a young carer
- Refugee or asylum-seeker status
- Experiencing disruption to education due to personal, family, or community challenges
- Attending schools with low progression rates to higher education
Academic qualifications and readiness for Master’s study.
As part of the general Cambridge admissions process, your previous academic achievements, references, and fit for the course will be reviewed.

During the application process, you’ll answer specific questions about your financial situation and personal background. The University may also request supporting documents to verify your eligibility.

Eligible Countries

These awards are specifically for UK-domiciled students, reflecting their goal of improving access to Cambridge for underrepresented groups within the UK.

The Get In Cambridge Studentships further focus on addressing participation gaps by providing dedicated support to students from Black, British Bangladeshi, or British Pakistani backgrounds.

Documents Required

There is no separate scholarship application form, which makes the process streamlined. However, to apply for admission to Cambridge (and thereby be considered for these studentships), you will generally need to submit:

Academic transcripts and degree certificates from previous studies.
Two references, often academic.
A personal statement or statement of purpose explaining your interest in the course.
Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable).
Detailed responses to Cambridge’s funding and widening participation questions, which are critical for these awards.
Supporting documentation may be requested to confirm indicators of disadvantage (e.g., local authority letters, evidence of Free School Meals eligibility, or care status).

Benefits of the Cambridge Opportunity Studentships & Get In Cambridge Studentships 2025

These studentships are designed to completely remove financial barriers, offering:

Full coverage of University composition fees (tuition fees) for your Master’s course.
Living cost support, covering what you would need when combined with the maximum available UK postgraduate government loan or grant. This ensures you have sufficient funds for accommodation, food, study materials, and day-to-day expenses during your time at Cambridge.

This substantial financial package means that students from modest backgrounds can attend Cambridge without taking on additional debt or struggling to meet basic costs, freeing them to focus fully on their studies and personal growth.

How to Apply

Applying is straightforward and integrated with the standard Cambridge admissions process:

Choose your Master’s course from the extensive list in the Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory.
Note the funding deadline for your course.
You must submit your application for admission by this date to be considered for these studentships. Deadlines vary by course.
Complete the Cambridge admissions application, ensuring you thoroughly answer the financial assessment and widening participation questions. This is how Cambridge identifies candidates for the Opportunity Studentships and Get In Cambridge Studentships.
Submit any requested documentation if contacted for further verification.
Wait for the admission decision and funding outcomes, which are typically communicated in the months following the application deadlines.

There is no separate or additional scholarship application form needed, simplifying the process.

Final Thoughts

The Cambridge Opportunity Studentships and Get In Cambridge Studentships 2025 are more than just financial awards—they are powerful instruments for equity and social mobility. They break down historic barriers, enabling bright students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to access world-class postgraduate education without the weight of financial anxiety.

If you have the talent, ambition, and drive to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge but have always worried about affordability, these studentships could open the doors you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t let financial obstacles hold you back—explore your options, prepare a strong application, and take your place at one of the most respected universities in the world.