When you think of scholarships at Cambridge, your mind might go straight to full-ride PhD funding or high-stakes Rhodes-level competition. But here’s quietly powerful and remarkably generous: the Cambridge Trust Studentship. If you’re an aspiring international master’s student eyeing a one-year postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge in 2025, this funding opportunity might just be your golden ticket—no drama, no second application form, just one brilliant admissions file and a bit of timing finesse.
Let’s break it all down, from eligibility and coverage to deadlines and little-known extras that could tip the scales in your favor.
Key Takeaways
What Is the Cambridge Trust Studentship?
The Cambridge Trust Studentship is one of the flagship funding initiatives managed by the Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust—a body that exists solely to support outstanding students from outside the UK and Ireland. These scholarships are awarded to those enrolling in one-year taught master’s programs across various disciplines at the University of Cambridge.
What sets this studentship apart? It’s accessibility. It’s not a niche award limited to obscure fields or research-focused degrees. Whether you’re applying for an MPhil in Education, an MSc in Development Studies, or an LLM, the Trust Studentship is open to you, as long as you’re international, academically excellent, and ready to make your case through your standard application.
What Does the Studentship Cover?
Let’s talk numbers. The Cambridge Trust Studentship offers up to £12,000 in total funding. This isn’t a full-ride scholarship, but it’s incredibly helpful, especially if you’re juggling multiple financial sources. The award is used to cover tuition fees first, with any remaining balance allocated as a maintenance allowance to help with your living costs.
In some cases, these studentships are co-funded by colleges or departments, potentially expanding their value or duration. For example, if you land a spot at Clare Hall, you might be eligible for a co-funded award that shares the financial load between the Trust and your college.
Who Is Eligible for the 2025 Award?
Eligibility for the Cambridge Trust Studentship is relatively straightforward but has some key restrictions. First and foremost, you must be an international student, meaning you’re not a citizen of the UK or Ireland. The award is designed to increase global access to postgraduate study at Cambridge, so this international focus is central.
Next, you need to apply for a one-year, full-time master’s degree at the University of Cambridge starting in 2025. And here’s a vital catch: you can’t already hold—or be working toward—a Master’s or PhD degree. This scholarship is specifically for those stepping into the postgraduate world for the first time.
Also Read: How Can International Students Apply for the Netherland Scholarship in 2026?
Academic excellence is a baseline. You don’t have to be perfect on paper, but you should have a strong undergraduate record, a focused personal statement, and a track record that suggests you’ll make good use of the Cambridge platform.
What Makes You a Strong Candidate?
Academic merit is a must, but Cambridge looks at more than grades. Your potential to contribute meaningfully to your field and your personal story matter just as much. If you’ve overcome obstacles, come from an underrepresented background, or are applying from a country or region with limited access to top-tier education, you may be considered for additional support through the Opportunity Studentships.
These Opportunity Studentships are part of the same Cambridge Trust umbrella and can offer full tuition coverage and living costs, especially when paired with government student loans (for UK residents). Although these are more focused on local applicants, they reflect the Trust’s broader commitment to diversity, impact, and potential, not just perfection.
How Do You Apply for the Cambridge Trust Studentship?
Here’s the best part: there’s no separate scholarship form. To be considered for the Trust Studentship, all you need to do is complete your Cambridge postgraduate application via the official university portal and be sure to fill out the funding section during the process.
The funding section allows you to tick a box indicating that you’d like to be considered for Cambridge Trust funding. That’s it. No lengthy essays, no standalone applications—just make your case through your core application materials, and ensure you meet the eligibility and deadline requirements.
What Are the Key Deadlines for 2025 Entry?
The catch, of course, is timing. Most one-year master’s courses at Cambridge have funding deadlines between December 2024 and January 2025, depending on the department. If you submit your application after this deadline, you’ll still be considered for admission, but not for the scholarship.
So if you’re serious about the Trust Studentship, mark your course-specific deadline and aim to submit your full application weeks in advance. That includes reference letters, academic transcripts, and your statement of purpose. Waiting until the last moment can easily cost you your shot at funding.
Are There Other Awards Linked to the Cambridge Trust?
Yes—and this is where it gets interesting. The Cambridge Trust partners with individual colleges and departments to offer co-funded or entirely separate awards. These include the Clare Hall Studentships, Opportunity Masters Awards, and even the Get In Cambridge scheme, which supports inclusion and access for underrepresented groups.
While most of these don’t require additional forms either, they do rely on your college placement and background information, which the university pulls from your main application. It’s one more reason to be thoughtful and detailed when completing your admission forms, because one well-written paragraph could mean a few thousand pounds in your favor.
Final Thoughts: Should You Apply?
If you’re planning to pursue a one-year master’s degree at Cambridge and don’t want to be sidelined by the high tuition fees, the Cambridge Trust Studentship offers a realistic, achievable way to lessen the financial load. With no extra paperwork, no obscure selection criteria, and support from a globally respected institution, this scholarship is an opportunity that’s hard to ignore.
Just remember: apply early, put serious thought into your statement, and don’t underestimate how your story, and not just your grades, can set you apart. Whether you’re applying from Mumbai, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, or São Paulo, Cambridge might be closer than you think.
Karan Rawat
Content strategist and Full-time editor of The Immigration World. Karan focuses on simplifying complex immigration rules and scholarship opportunities into clear, practical guidance for global readers. Passionate about making international relocation easier for everyone.
