Compare / Chevening vs Commonwealth Master's
Chevening vs Commonwealth Master's
Two UK government scholarships, different logic: leadership networks versus development impact. Eligibility, funding and selection compared.
| Chevening Scholarship | Commonwealth Master's Scholarship | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK |
| Funding | Fully funded | Fully funded |
| Study destinations | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Degree levels | master (max 12 months) | master |
| Who can apply | 160+ Chevening-eligible countries/territories; 2+ years work experience | Low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries |
| Current cycle | 2027/28: closes 6 Oct 2026 | 2027/28: see notes |
| Cycle notes | Opening date subject to the official August announcement; sources differ on 6 vs 7 October — re-verify against the official timeline once applications open | Expected to open autumn 2026 (historically opens September, closes mid-October); applications via CSC Central |
Data verified 15 Jul 2026 against official sources. Nothing here is a paid placement.
Our read
Both fund one-year UK master's degrees from the same government, but they select for different futures: Chevening for future leaders and influencers across 160+ countries, Commonwealth for development impact from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries specifically.
If you qualify for both, the practical differences: Commonwealth applications route through nominating bodies and weigh development relevance of your course heavily; Chevening interviews for leadership narrative. Deadlines are weeks apart (Commonwealth mid-October, Chevening early October historically) — applying to both is common and sensible.
Chevening Scholarship
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship
Global Study Prep is independent and not affiliated with either programme. Rules change every cycle — confirm on the official pages before applying.