Cambridge Harding Scholarship 2027–28

The Cambridge Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship 2027–28 is a fully funded PhD opportunity for outstanding applicants of any nationality and in any academic discipline. Applications are open through the University of Cambridge postgraduate application system. There is no separate Harding application: applicants must apply for an eligible PhD course, request funding in the Applicant Portal, and meet the funding deadline shown for that course.

Cambridge Harding Scholarship 2027–28: quick facts

Study level: PhD, including eligible integrated MRes + PhD routes
Who can apply: Applicants from any country
Fields: Any academic discipline offered at Cambridge
Funding: University fee, living support, research allowance, visa and health surcharge for international students, and economy travel
Deadline: Course-dependent — normally 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027
Separate scholarship form: No

What does the Harding Scholarship cover?

The Harding award is designed as comprehensive doctoral funding. The official scholarship information lists:

the University Composition Fee for the funded course;
maintenance support for 3.5 years, with the option to request up to six further months during final writing-up;
a personal research allowance of £6,000 across the PhD;
for international scholars, the inbound visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge;
economy travel to Cambridge at the start and return travel home at the end; and
possible discretionary support for sickness, hardship, parental leave and child dependants.

The scholarship page currently gives £21,360 for 2025–26 as its latest published maintenance figure. That is a reference rate, not a confirmed 2027–28 amount; applicants should use the official page for the updated figure when Cambridge publishes it.

Who is eligible?

You may be considered if you are applying for a full-time or part-time PhD, including an eligible integrated MRes + PhD programme, and can demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. The competition is open to every nationality and discipline.

You should normally expect to reside in the United Kingdom for most of the funded study period.
Current Cambridge undergraduate or master’s students may apply for a new PhD.
Students who have already started a PhD are not normally eligible to fund that same degree through this competition.
You may apply to any Cambridge College. However, Harding Scholars cannot hold the award at Trinity College or St John’s College and would need to transfer if selected.

Cambridge’s general minimum academic standard is normally the equivalent of a UK 2:1, but many departments set a higher requirement. The chosen course page is authoritative.

Required documents

Requirements vary by PhD programme. Applicants should prepare the standard postgraduate materials and check the course directory carefully. These commonly include:

academic transcripts and certified translations where documents are not in English;
a current CV or résumé;
two academic or professional referees;
a research proposal, statement of interest or personal statement when required by the course; and
English-language evidence if the course or offer requires it.

Do not assume every department asks for the same proposal format, word count or supplementary documents. Follow the requirements on the specific course page.

Application fee and English-language tests

The University currently charges £20 for doctoral applications, covering up to seven applications in the same year of entry. A fee waiver may be available to eligible applicants.

English requirements are course-specific. Cambridge may accept IELTS Academic and, for some courses, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge C1/C2 qualifications. Evidence is generally requested after an offer for most courses. Applicants using a TOEFL test taken on or after 21 January 2026 may also be asked to complete an additional assessment through the University Language Centre. Always follow the score and test rules displayed for the selected programme.

How to apply for the Cambridge Harding Scholarship

Choose an eligible PhD. Search Cambridge’s postgraduate course directory and read the academic and document requirements.
Check the course funding deadline. It will normally be 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027; the correct date is the one listed for your chosen course.
Contact a potential supervisor if required. Departmental practice varies, so follow the course instructions.
Prepare the complete application. Arrange references early and upload all course-specific documents.
Request funding in the Applicant Portal. Tick the funding section when submitting the postgraduate application. There is no separate Harding form.
Submit by the funding deadline. Paying the fee and meeting only a later admission deadline may not qualify you for scholarship consideration.

Apply Now — Official Harding Scholarship Page

Selection timeline

Eligible applications are assessed through Cambridge’s academic ranking and funding process. The Harding Trust says selection takes place in late February, with successful applicants normally contacted in late February or early March. Scholarship consideration is highly competitive, so admission eligibility alone does not guarantee funding.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Cambridge Harding Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. It covers the University Composition Fee and provides maintenance, a research allowance, eligible international visa and health-surcharge costs, and economy travel under the published terms.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The scholarship is open to applicants of any nationality.

What is the 2027–28 deadline?

The deadline depends on the PhD course. Cambridge lists two main funding deadlines: 8 December 2026 and 6 January 2027. No universal cutoff time or time zone is stated on the scholarship page, so applicants should submit early and follow the Applicant Portal.

Is a separate Harding Scholarship application required?

No. Apply for the Cambridge PhD through the Applicant Portal and indicate that you want to be considered for funding.

Can current PhD students apply?

Students who have already begun their PhD are not normally eligible to fund that degree through Harding. Current Cambridge students may apply for a new PhD programme.

Official sources

Related opportunities

ScholarshipHubNow summarizes official information for applicants. Funding terms and course requirements can change, so verify all details on the linked official pages before submission.