DAAD vs Chevening vs Erasmus: Which Is Right for You?
DAAD, Chevening, and Erasmus Mundus are three of the most recognised fully-funded scholarships available to African master's applicants. All three cover tuition and living costs. All three are competitive. But they are not the same scholarship — and choosing where to concentrate your application energy matters.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| DAAD | Chevening | Erasmus Mundus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funder | German Academic Exchange Service | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | European Commission |
| Duration | 1–2 years (programme length) | 1 year | 1–2 years |
| Coverage | Tuition + monthly stipend (~€934) + travel + health insurance | Tuition + living allowance (£1,100+/mo) + flights + visa | Tuition (up to €9,000/yr) + monthly living allowance (€1,000–2,000) |
| Work experience required | 2 years (Development-Related Courses) | 2 years minimum | None (bachelor's degree sufficient) |
| GPA minimum | Strong academic record (no hard cutoff) | Equivalent to UK 2:1 or above | Varies by consortium (often 3.0+) |
| Return requirement | Not required (encouraged for development courses) | Must return home for 2 years after | None |
| Application cycle opens | July–September (most programmes) | August–November | October–January (most consortia) |
| Result timeline | 3–4 months after deadline | 9–12 months (February of award year) | 3–6 months after deadline |
Choose DAAD if…
- You want to study in Germany specifically.
- You have 2+ years of professional experience and strong academic results.
- Your field aligns with development priorities (energy, water, agriculture, public health, engineering).
- You want a stipend rather than a reimbursement model.
Choose Chevening if…
- You have a clear leadership narrative — roles where you influenced, led, or changed something.
- You are comfortable returning to your home country for at least two years after.
- You want to study in the UK.
- You can articulate a specific vision for what you will do with the degree.
Choose Erasmus Mundus if…
- You want a truly international experience — multiple European countries in one programme.
- You are a recent graduate with limited work experience (no minimum required).
- Your field has strong Erasmus Mundus consortia (engineering, data science, environmental science, education).
- You do not want a home-country return obligation.
Can You Apply to All Three?
Yes — they are not mutually exclusive. Chevening requires you to apply to and receive an offer from a UK university first. DAAD and Erasmus have their own application portals. In a strong application cycle, it is reasonable to apply to all three simultaneously, adjusting your positioning for each funder.
The Honest Trade-off
Erasmus Mundus has the lowest application burden and no work experience requirement — making it the highest-leverage choice for early-career candidates. Chevening has the most competitive profile of accepted scholars but also the clearest selection criteria: leadership, leadership, leadership. DAAD is the most rewarding for candidates in technical or development-focused fields who can demonstrate professional depth.
Apply to the one where your profile is strongest first. Then apply to the others if time allows.
Find DAAD, Chevening, and Erasmus on ScholarHub
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