Applications
To be eligible for a Newnham scholarship you must be an applicant for a new postgraduate course. Students who have already begun their course are not eligible unless they are applying for a new course (e.g. an MPhil student applying for a PhD).
Applicants must indicate that they wish to be considered for funding when applying for their course through the Postgraduate Applicant Portal (by ticking the box ‘Yes – I wish to apply for funding’ in the funding section of the portal). They must also apply by the funding deadline for their course.
There is no need to complete a separate application form for a Newnham scholarship (except for the Anna Watkins Scholarship – see below). However, preference will be given to students who select Newnham as their first or second choice College. Scholarships are awarded between April and July.
Newnham College scholarships are usually awarded in collaboration with other funding bodies (such as the Cambridge Trust, Faculties and Departments) to make up a full master’s or PhD scholarship. Newnham’s contributions to these studentships are funded by the following (note that each has different eligibility criteria):
- Anna Watkins Scholarship
The Anna Watkins Scholarship is for a woman who is committed to high academic achievement and who excels in rowing, and offers up to £12,000 for the successful candidate.
To apply for the Anna Watkins Scholarship, you need to email the Head of the Tutorial & Academic Office (head.tutorial@newn.cam.ac.uk) giving details of your rowing experience, awards, and passion for the sport. Applications should be submitted by 1 May 2025 and the successful applicant will be informed of the result by the end of May. Only those who have an offer or intended membership (stating Newnham College as College choice on their application form) will be considered.
- The Allan & Nesta Ferguson Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in any subject. The amount awarded is variable.
- Cambridge Australia Studentship
Thanks to the generous endowment of Professor Jan Anderson Cambridge Australia Scholarships are now offering a dedicated Newnham Studentship to a female Australian graduate intending to study for a PhD degree at Cambridge.
For details on how to apply, please contact the Cambridge Australia Scholarships.
- Hilda Richardson Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D, with a preference for Earth Sciences or Geography. The amount awarded is variable.
- The HS Chau Foundation Scholarship
The HS Chau Foundation Scholarship supports academically outstanding international female PhD students studying STEM subjects at Newnham to contribute to society by producing intellectually rigorous research which makes a positive difference to the academic community and beyond.
The Chau Foundation Scholarship is offered annually and covers University fees and maintenance for 3.5 years.
- Dr Krystyna M. Chabros Scholarship
The Dr Krystyna M. Chabros Scholarship has been established through the generous legacy of Dr Krystyna Chabros (NC 1966, Modern Languages), and is available to non-science students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D. The amount award is variable.
- Laing Developing Countries Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students from low- or low-middle-income economy countries, studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in any subject. The amount awarded is variable.
- Margaret Anstee Scholarship
The Margaret Anstee Centre for Global Studies, located at Newnham College, is able to provide one graduate scholarship per year to either a Ph.D or M.Phil applicant. A wide range of disciplines are eligible, but students must be intending to study and/or research in the broad fields of economic and social development, and/or international studies.
In compliance with the terms of Dame Margaret Anstee’s legacy, this scholarship is restricted to women students from the UK, and women students from the ‘global South’ (normally taken to mean countries on the OECD-DAC recipient list). Indigenous/First Nation applicants will also be considered eligible in some circumstances.
- Mary Anne Ewart Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in any subject. The amount awarded is variable.
- Mary Rogers Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new home students applying to Newnham pursuing a Ph.D in Literary, Historical or Art Historical studies (including Architecture). Classical, medieval and contemporary periods will not be excluded, but preference will be given to research incorporating the early modern period (circa 1400-1700) as a significant aspect of study. The amount awarded is variable.
- Menca de Leoni Scholarship
The Menca de Leoni Scholarship is a substantial scholarship established to assist women students of Venezuelan nationality to study in Cambridge, thereby promoting goodwill and collaboration between Venezuela and Cambridge University.
- Muir Wood Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in Mathematics, Engineering or Science. The amount awarded is variable.
- Newnham Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in any subject. The amount awarded is variable.
- Onora O'Neill Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in any subject, with a preference for Philosophy. The amount awarded is variable.
- Pelham Roberts Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in Archaeology, Medicine or Natural Sciences. The amount awarded is variable.
- Principal's Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in Mathematics or Humanities. The amount awarded is variable.
- Rhoda M. Dorsey Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in any subject. The amount awarded is variable.
- Royalton Kisch Scholarship
This scholarship is available to new students studying towards an M.Phil or Ph.D in History of Religion, Anthropology of Religion or Sociology of Religion. The amount awarded is variable.
- Sheila Edmonds Bursary
Newnham College, in conjunction with the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (DPMMS), offers a Sheila Edmonds Bursary for a MASt in DPMMS. This Bursary is for £18,000 in total.
This bursary is open to female applicants interested in any area taught by DPMMS.
Female applicants to the Master in Advanced Studies course in Mathematics who wish to be considered for a Sheila Edmonds Bursary should give Newnham as their first choice of College on the Applicant Portal (application form) and should apply for the MASt in Pure Mathematics or the MASt in Statistical Mathematics. They should also email DPMMS and Graduate Admissions, Newnham College. Interest should be registered at the time of application to University of Cambridge. The deadline is early January.