Looking for undergraduate, Masters or doctoral scholarships in France for international students? You just found it. French universities offer more scholarships than other European countries except the UK. If you want to study in a country that is diverse and has an excellent academic reputation, France is the country for you.
There are currently more than 250,000 international students in France. In fact, around 10% of enrolments at French universities are international students, and many of these study at graduate level (masters and doctoral studies). It has fantastic quality of education, lectures and research opportunities.
Table of Contents
To put it simply, the French higher education system is one of the best in the world. It is also one of the most accessible ones. With low tuition fees, studying in France is more economical for international students than in UK and USA.
France has 71 public universities and they are all funded by the national government, offering excellent education at a very affordable price to all domestic or international students. There are also a number of private universities (grandes écoles). The academic year begins in September or October and ends in May or June, depending on the program and institution.
Before you can work on earning a degree in any subject in France, you first need to apply for admissions at the college or university of your choice. Although applying at a university in France is almost the same as applying for a college in any other country, there are a few differences that are important for you to recognize. It is important that, whether you are a European local or an international student, you complete the application process in its entirety, as well as submit all of the required and requested documentation at the time of submission. The application is reviewed by the college once it is received to determine whether or not the applicant is a good fit for the school.
Tuition rates at public institutions are set by the government and they are very affordable. In fact, tuition rates at France’s public institutions of higher education are identical for domestic and international students.
Tuition costs are set every year. In 2017, average annual tuition costs for undergraduate studies were less than €200 (under US$250). For master’s studies, the rates are around €259 (around US$305) and for doctoral studies it’s around €393 (US$460). Students are often required to pay certain administration fees which raise tuition costs slightly. Despite these fees, studying in France remains one of the most affordable options for international students who seek a quality higher education.
These rates apply to public institutions only. If you wish to study at a private institution, the rates tend to be much higher and go up to €10,000 (US$12,000) per year. There are also scholarships and mobility schemes available for those who wish to study abroad in France. More on this below.
Unlike tuition rates, costs of living in France tend to be higher than neighboring countries. Fortunately, students are often eligible to subsidized rates at restaurants and transportation. There is also specialized housing for students which is available to international students who wish to study in France. Costs of living are lower in smaller towns, so this is something to keep in mind when deciding on where to study.
International students will have several choices for accommodation in France. You could live in university accommodation for around €120 per month. The demand for these is very high, however. Selection is based on social criteria and given to exchange or scholarship students. Renting a private studio apartment will cost around €457-€542. Homestay is another option for international students. This will cost around €200-€800 per month depending on the location. Homestay also includes at least one meal per day provided.
If you wish to study in France, it’s important to inform yourself about all the possible visa requirements. French government regulates these issues and regulations depend on your citizenship.
As an applicants from outside the EU, you will need to obtain a visa, which includes a residence permit (VLS-TS). It is valid for one year and can be renewed later if necessary. In order to obtain this visa you have to complete an application form as well provide OFII (the French Office of Immigration and Integration) passport photos, proof of your qualifications, a police certificate attesting that you don’t have a serious criminal record, proof you can speak French (if your course is in French) and proof that you have sufficient financial means. Once you arrive in France you will need to contact OFII (you may need to take a medical examination).
International students will have to prove that they can financially support their studies. You should have around €7,400 per year in order to prove you can support yourself without working. However, international students are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week, so there are opportunities to earn more money. With scholarship opportunities, you can wave most of these financial requirements.
Many French people speak languages other than their own. However, for effective communication and studying in France, you should know French. International students who are fluent in French have a much easier time with their studies and everyday life. If you feel your French is not good enough, there are many language courses available for the students who wish to perfect their language skills. At the same time, you can study and communicate in English. However, international students are still encouraged to learn French and improve their language skills. Don’t take this as an obstacle but a challenge. Any sort of fluency in French will look great on a CV or resume!
In the event of your course being taught in French, you will need to prove that you are sufficiently fluent by taking one of the approved tests: TCF DAP (Test de Connaissance du Français, Demande d’Admission Préalable), DALF (diplôme approfondi de langue française) or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). In case your course is in English, you should prove English language proficiency.
Below is a comprehensive list of France Scholarships for international students. Be sure to bookmark this page because we will be updating it from time to ttime
Created with the support from the Fondation de France , the Seydoux scholarship commemorates the memory of René Seydoux and his commitment to dialogue in the Mediterranean region. The scholarship is open to citizens and/or residents in ten countries located in the expanded Mediterranean Basin allowing who wish to study at Sciences Po at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Application Deadline: 26th April.
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
Duration of Award: Period of study
The programme aims to enable arts and crafts students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete a study tour abroad. It allows young French scholarship students nearing the end of their studies to discover the know-how of craftspeople in developing countries; and it allows students from developing countries to discover the know-how of French craftspeople. This programme helps students launch their professional career by enabling them to work in a professional environment; acquire new skills and cultural experiences abroad; design and create innovative products; develop a professional network; and participate and present their work at international fairs.
Application Deadline: 20th October
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
Duration of Program: 4 months.
Sciences Po only presents applications from candidates with profiles that match the priorities of the Eiffel scholarship. The Eiffel scholarship program, launched in January 1999 by the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, is aimed at foreign students whose outstanding ability has been recognized by French institutions of higher education who wish to sponsor these students for the rest of their studies.
Application Deadline:
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: Monthly grant. The Eiffel Scholarship does not cover tuition fees. Students offered a place to study at Sciences Po who receive the scholarship are therefore responsible for paying the annual tuition fees.
The Emile Boutmy Scholarship is awarded to top students whose profiles match the admissions priorities of Sciences Po and individual course requirements. The Emile Boutmy/MIEM scholarship may not be supplemented with other scholarship (Eiffel scholarship, AEFE scholarship, BGF…). Sciences Po created the Emile Boutmy scholarship after the founder of Sciences Po (1871) in order to welcome the very best international students from outside of the European Union.
Application Deadlines:
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: The Emile Boutmy scholarship is awarded to Undergraduate and Master’s students arriving at Sciences Po for their first year of study.
Undergraduate Scholarship: The Emile Boutmy programme can take several different forms:
Masters Scholarship: The Emile Boutmy/Miem programme can take several different forms:
On an exceptional basis, a scholarship of 19,000€ per year, may be granted to cover the two years of the Masters programme. Scholarship amounts are decided during the different admission juries.
Sciences Po is the first university in continental Europe to join the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program. Within this international network, 27 prestigious institutions in Africa, America and Europe are committed to ensuring that all young people, whatever their background, have the same opportunities to get a quality education and fulfill their potential. 60 scholarships reserved for MasterCard Foundation Scholars studying at other partner universities and who would like to attend Sciences Po Summer School.
Application Deadlines:
Number of Awards: 120
Value of Award: Thee scholarships cover the full cost of tuition fees at Sciences Po and living costs in France during the study . As well as funding their studies, Sciences Po will offer scholars a specific suite of resources to ensure they have appropriate academic support and to facilitate their transition from education to employment:
Duration of Awards: The scholarships are awarded for a period of three years for the Bachelor’s degree, two years for the Master’s degree and one month for the Summer School.
International Fashion Academy is inviting applications for its Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarships for the academic year. Applicants can only apply for one of the three scholarship types offered by IFA Paris for any Bachelor or Master/MBA course.
Application Deadlines:
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: IFA Paris awards three types of scholarships for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs to support outstanding candidates according to their profile and financial situation.
Université Paris-Saclay seeks to promote access to its master’s degree programmes to international students, taught in its member establishments, and to make it easier for highly-qualified international students to attend the University, especially those wishing to develop an academic project through research up to the doctoral level.
Application Deadline: The Scholarship Application Deadline for each wave will be sent by email to all students concerned.
Number of Awardees: 160
Value of Scholarship:
Duration of Scholarship: Scholarships are awarded for 1 year to newly enrolled Master’s students at Université Paris-Saclay (M1 or M2 level).
Being an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree, the IMRD programmes is entitled to – each academic year – award a limited number of Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) Student scholarships to promising nationals of Erasmus+ Partner Countries. The aim of these scholarships is for these promising students to finance their participation to the IMRD programme.
Application Deadline: 1st March
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship:
Duration of Scholarship: 2 years
The ENS de Lyon and its partners offer scholarships (Ampère & MILYON Scholarships) for excellent international students to enroll in its Masters programs
Application Deadline: 18th December.
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: 1,000€ a month.
Duration of Awards: for 12 months (one/two academic years)
Each year, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) organizes an international selection allowing the most promising international students, either in Science or in Arts & Humanities, to follow a three-year Masters Degree at the University.
Application Deadline: 3rd February
Number of Awardees: 10 for students in Sciences and 10 for students in Arts and Humanities
Value of Scholarship: Monthly grant of 1,000 Euros
Duration of Scholarship: three years.
The International Space University is provided funding from industry and government agencies to help support MSS, SSP and SH-SSP students who are unable to cover all of their tuition fees. This aid is available to selected applicants.
Application Deadlines: varies by program, usually in 30th November, 31st January, and 15th March.
Number of Awardees: Numerous
Value of Scholarship: MSS scholarships are granted to help towards tuition fees only. ISU does not assist with living expenses, travel or insurance costs for the MSS. SSP scholarships are granted for help towards tuition fees and living expenses only. ISU does not assist with travel expenses or health insurance for the SSP.
Every year CIMI (Centre International de Mathématiques et d’Informatique) in Toulouse provides a number of fellowships for students enrolled in a Master course in Mathematics or Computer Science in one of the programs associated with CIMI.
Application Deadline: 4th February (22H00 Paris time).
Number of Awardees: 4 fellowships for students starting on the first year of a Master’s degree M1 and 10 fellowships for those starting on the second year of a Master’s degree M2 will be available.
Value of Scholarship: The level of funding will be competitive and sufficient to cover tuition fees and part of living expenses in Toulouse:
Duration of Scholarship: over 10 months
The Erasmus+ programme of the European Union has granted over 40 scholarships to the Consortium. The Master in Digital Communication Leadership (DCLead) approaches the vast and recent field of digital communication from an interdisciplinary and international point of view bringing together advanced academic discussion with practical knowledge and skills. The programme promotes a non-techno-deterministic, social and ethical reflection on digital communication for future leaders of the field.
Application Deadline: 1st December
Number of Awards: 12-15
Value of Award: Partner Countries E+ Scholarship grantees receive a stipend of 1.000 EUR per month for the maximum duration of the 24 month, 1.000 or 3.000 EUR for travel costs depending on the distance of the home country to the coordinating university (University of Salzburg), and 1.000 EUR for installation costs. The grant also covers the participation costs.
Duration of Awards: three years
The EM JMD ACES will propose best ranked students to be awarded with individual Erasmus Mundus scholarships according to the student selection criteria approved by the EACEA and the Erasmus Mundus programme guidelines. The concession of the scholarship will be subjected to the following limitations:
Application Deadline: 17th February.
Number of Awardees: The number of scholarships will be defined on a yearly basis.
Value of Scholarship:
Duration of Scholarship: 2 years
The Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme in Information Technologies for Business Intelligence (BDMA) is designed to provide understanding, knowledge and skills in this broad scope of fields. Its main objective is to train computer scientists who understand and help develop the strategies of modern enterprise decision makers.
Application Deadline: 11th December
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
Duration of Awards: 2 years
L’Oréal’s deep respect for human beings of all types and nationalities, is their genuine dedication to a sustainable business environment. The group’s core values – a passion for new inventions through research, valuing talent and their potential, learning from the diversity of employees and clients, and remaining attentive and sensitive to consumers’ needs – is the reason L’Oreal has collaborated with HEC’s business school to assist business-minded students in funding.
Application Deadline: Within a week of admission.
Number of Awardees: 1 scholarship per intake
Value of Scholarship: €10,000
Duration of Scholarship: One (1) year
Launched in January 1999 by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministère des Affaires Etrangères), the Eiffel Scholarship is designed to bolster international recruiting by French schools of higher education, at a time when competition to attract top foreign students is growing among developed countries. Note that applications from students currently studying outside France will be given priority over those from students already studying in France.
Application Deadline: March, within 1 week of admission. (No essay required)
Number of Scholarships: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: The Eiffel Scholarship provides participants with a monthly allowance of approximately €1,100, and covers additional expenses including travel, health insurance and cultural activities. Tuition fees are not covered by the scholarship.
Duration of Scholarship: period of study
As part of the school’s partnership with the Forté Foundation, the HEC Paris MBA Program will offer exceptional women significant scholarships per graduating class. By opening educational pathways, the HEC Forté scholarships will help improve leadership opportunities for women in business.
Application Deadline: 1 week after admission to the program
Number of Awardees: a minimum of 3 scholarships for both the September and January intakes
Value of Award: Variable, up to €7,000
INSEAD has launched the INSEAD Africa Leadership Fund scholarship to support its goal of admitting talented candidates from the African region. For those who are set back by financial difficulties, this scholarship will help them realize their dream of achieving an MBA at one of the top business schools in the world. The INSEAD scholarship portfolio helps the school to cultivate a diverse classroom setting with a good mix of nationalities, academic and professional backgrounds, and gender.
Application Deadlines: dates vary depending on class, usually on6th November, 29th January, 7th May, 25th June.
Number of Awardees: One INSEAD Africa Leadership Fund Scholarship will be awarded in each Class to candidates who demonstrate outstanding professional and personal achievements.
Value of Scholarship: 50 000 EUR
Duration of Scholarship: 1 year
Olam recognizes the need to foster leadership and governance in Sub Saharan Africa by supporting aspiring and capable students to pursue higher education at international centres of excellence. Through the INSEAD MBA scholarship and Olam mentoring, we hope to play our part in developing the necessary skills and knowledge in a highly talented select group of change agents. They in turn will then have the opportunity to contribute towards economic transformation and catalyze change in their community.
Application Deadline: take note of the different deadlines 6th November, 29th January, 7th May, 25th June.
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: 73000 EUR
The INSEAD Nelson Mandela Endowed Scholarship is offered for candidates who are nationals of a sub-Saharan African country and have spent a substantial part of their lives and received part of their prior education in Africa.
Application Deadlines: dates varies according to different rounds and it’s usually 6th November, 29th January, 7th May, and 25th June.
Number of Scholarships: Not Specified
Value of Scholarship: Up to €20,000
Duration of Scholarship: 10 to 12 months
The Fondation Rainbow Bridge Scholarship was established in memory of Muriel Dargent, Matthieu Dargent, Iris Dargent, and Muriel’s parents, all of whom disappeared in the December 2004 Tsunami. The Fondation Rainbow Bridge will enable young women recipients to enrich their academic background by obtaining an HEC MBA.
Application Deadline: Rolling.(August)
Number of Awardees: Up to two scholarships
Value of Scholarship: € 20,000 per year
Duration of Scholarship: for the period of study
INSEAD is considered one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, with campuses in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore) and a research centre in Israel. The Trustees of the Greendale Foundation provide access to the INSEAD MBA programme to disadvantaged Southern and East Africans who are committed to developing international management expertise in Africa and who plan their careers in the Southern and East African regions.
Application Deadlines: There are different class and rounds of deadline: 7th November, 31st January, 8th May, 19 June.
Number of Awards: Not Specified
Value of Awards: €35,000 for each scholarship recipient
Duration of Scholarship: The scholarship is a onetime financial award to cover for tuition fee
INSEAD Scholarships are most sought-after source of financial assistance. They are limited in number and there is significant competition for each award. These scholarships are granted under various criteria and essentially there are two basic categories of scholarships:
Application Deadlines: varies and usually from January to August
Number of Scholarship: Limited
Value of Scholarship: Varies by scholarship but usually, Up to €20,000 in scholarship awards will be awarded
Duration of Scholarship: The scholarship is a onetime financial offer
Value of Scholarship: 10 000 EUR
Duration of Scholarship: Full-time
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme was established by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development to enable French higher education establishments to attract top foreign students to enroll in their master’s and PhD courses. It helps to shape the future foreign decision-makers of the private and public sectors, in priority areas of study, and encourages applications from emerging countries at master’s level, and from emerging and industrialized countries at PhD level.
Application Deadline: 12th January. Announcement/publication of results: Week of March 26th
Number of Scholarships: Not Specified
Value of Scholarship:
Master’s level:
PhD level:
Duration of Scholarship: The scholarship is awarded for:
Through this program, the Paris-Saclay Excellence Initiative aims to provide highly qualified foreign scientists with long-term stays in one of the laboratories within its perimeter. Scientists from all disciplines and all countries are eligible. The content of the project to be developed as well as the duration of the fellowship must be defined before the application in connection with the Paris-Saclay reception team. Two different programs are proposed:
Application Deadline: 31stMarch
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: The award includes:
Duration of Awards: 6-12 month. In both cases the visit may be divided into a maximum of two distinct periods of at least three months, separated by a maximum of 12 months between the end of the first period and the beginning of the second period.
Under the auspices of INSPIRE, USPC aims to recruit doctoral candidates of the highest caliber to join its research groups and enhance the standing and visibility of its Graduate Schools, and of the University, at an international level.
Application Deadline: 9th January
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Fellowship: These PhD fellowships are remunerated above that of a standard French PhD contract with a gross monthly salary, including employer costs, of ~2600 €. This salary includes unemployment insurance, work-site insurance, and health insurance as well as a pension plan. After standard deductions, this will amount to a net salary of ~ 1500 € (a typical gross salary after deduction of employer costs is around 1900 €).
Duration of Fellowship: 3 years
The Paris Institute for Advanced Study is launching two calls for applications for research fellowships:
Application Deadline: 3rd April
Number of Awards: The Paris IAS will host around twenty guest researchers
Value of Awards: The selected fellows will be given the opportunity to work freely on the project of their choice, at the interface between the sciences of the brain, the humanities, and the social sciences. They will benefit from the scientific environment of the Institute and have the opportunity to create contacts with researchers in the academic institutions of Greater Paris.
Duration of Awards: five or ten months
This research is designed to enable researchers to conduct research studies in France: field investigations, library and archives work. This call is part of the Atlas short-term postdoctoral mobility program offered by the FMSH and its partners.
Application Deadline: 16th March.
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
Duration of Program: 2 months
Universities of the Coimbra Group offer short-term visits (generally 1 to maximum 3 months) to young African researchers from higher education institutions from Sub-Saharan Africa. The main aim of this scholarship programme is to enable scholars to undertake research in which they are engaged in their home institution and to help them to establish academic and research contacts.
Application Deadline: 16th March
Number of Awardees: Limited
Value of Award: Successful candidates will have access to excellent academic knowledge in quality facilities. The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs, airfares etc.
Duration of Program: From 1 to maximum 3 months. The dates of candidate’s stay should be agreed upon between the candidate and the academic supervisor at the Coimbra Group University.
The Camargo Core Program is the historical and flagship program of the Foundation. Each year an international call is launched. The Camargo Core Program offers time and space in a contemplative environment to think, create, and connect. By encouraging groundbreaking research and experimentation, it supports the visionary work of artists, scholars and thinkers in the Arts and Humanities. The Fellowship is for:
Application Deadline: 17th October
Number of Awards: 18 Fellowships/year, 9 artists and 9 scholars/thinkers
Value of Award:
Duration of Program:
The objective of the ADMP is to strengthen appreciation and understanding of mathematics, particularly at the postgraduate level, by utilizing the expertise of African Diaspora mathematicians, whilst at the same time encouraging collaboration in research by mathematicians in Africa and those in the African Diaspora, through the partnerships established in the Program.
Application Deadline: 31st January
Number of Awardees: 3
Value of Scholarship: Three partnerships will be funded for two years with each partnership granted Euro 7,000 annually to be used as follows, subject to the monetary policies of the IMU:
Duration of Scholarship: Initially, the Program is running as a pilot program in Africa for two years.
See more ongoing scholarships in France for International Students
This post was last modified on January 1, 2024 7:55 pm