Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | GREAT | Chevening | Commonwealth | Women in STEM | Marshall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funding | Partial £10K | Fully Funded | Fully Funded | Fully Funded | Fully Funded |
| Tuition | £10,000 off tuition | Full tuition paid | Full tuition paid | Full tuition paid | Full tuition paid |
| Living costs | NOT covered | £1,516/month | £1,347/month | Stipend included | £1,326/month |
| Flights | NOT covered | Covered | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Acceptance rate | ~15-25% | 2-3% | ~5-10% | ~10-15% | ~3-5% |
| Awards/year | 140+ | 1,500+ | 800+ | 84 | ~50 |
| Work exp. needed | No | Yes, 2+ years | Preferred | No | No |
| Level | Master's only | 1-year Master's | Master's, PhD | Master's | Any postgrad |
| Eligible countries | 18 countries | 160+ countries | 56 Commonwealth | Varies | US citizens only |
| Apply through | University website | chevening.org | CSC website | University website | Marshall site |
| Return obligation | No | Yes, 2 years | Expected | Expected | No |
Which Scholarship Should You Apply For?
Your Best Options:
1. Chevening (Top pick)
With 2+ years of work experience, Chevening should be your primary target. Fully funded, prestigious, and no out-of-pocket costs. Full guide .
Women in STEM (Strong match)
As a woman in STEM, apply for Women in STEM scholarships too. Genuinely fully funded with childcare support. Full guide .
Commonwealth (Good option)
Commonwealth citizenship gives you access to fully funded Master's and PhD scholarships. Focus on the development impact angle. Full guide .
GREAT Scholarships (Supplement)
If you can cover the gap, GREAT's £10,000 is a nice discount. Apply to several universities simultaneously. Full guide .
Consider alternatives
UK study may not be financially viable right now. Consider Germany (free tuition) , France (low tuition) , or university-specific UK scholarships that may be more generous.
How Much of Your Costs Does Each Cover?
Based on a typical 1-year Master's at a Russell Group university (£26,000 tuition + £15,000 living).
The gap between GREAT and everything else is stark. GREAT is a discount. The others are full rides.
The Smart Strategy: Apply to Multiple
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you're from a Commonwealth country with 2+ years of work experience, you could theoretically apply for:
- GREAT Scholarships at 3-5 universities
- Chevening (one application covers all)
- Commonwealth (through your nominating body)
- Women in STEM (if applicable)
- University-specific scholarships at each institution
That's potentially 8-10 separate applications. Yes, it's a lot of work. But with Chevening's 2-3% acceptance rate, diversifying is survival strategy, not luxury.