Fulbright Alternatives
Fulbright is not the only path to a fully funded graduate degree abroad. Here is how it compares with Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD and Erasmus Mundus.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
1 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Fulbright is not the only path to a fully funded graduate education abroad. Several prestigious scholarships across the UK, Germany and Europe offer similar or even better opportunities.
Scholarship Comparison Matrix
How Fulbright compares to other major international scholarships.
| Feature | Fulbright | Chevening | Commonwealth | DAAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | U.S. / 160+ | UK | UK | Germany |
| Coverage | Partial–Full | Full | Full | Full |
| Focus | Exchange | Leadership | Development | Academic |
| Work exp. | Preferred | 2,800 hours | Varies | Not required |
| Return req. | 2-year rule | 2-year | 2-year | None |
| Acceptance | Varies by country | ~3% | ~5% | ~25% |
Other Scholarships to Consider
Chevening Scholarship
UK government. Leadership-focused. Fully funded Master's.
Commonwealth Scholarship
UK. Development impact. For Commonwealth country citizens.
DAAD Scholarship
Germany. Academic excellence. No return requirement.
Erasmus Mundus
EU. Joint Master's across 2+ European universities.