Top 10 Scholarships in France for International Students 2025
Bonjour. Comment ça va? Do you wish to study in France? These are the top ten most sought-after scholarships for the spring 2025 admission. Therefore, if you’re an aspiring engineer, an enthusiastic artist, or a future business leader, scholarships in France are waiting for you. These fully funded scholarships are available for graduate, undergraduate, and postgraduate studies.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Studying in France
#1. Learn some French
A lot of people in France speak English, but why miss on a golden opportunity to learn one of the most widely spoken languages in the world?
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#2. You can work and study
With your residency permit, you would be allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week. You would also earn the minimum wage which is around €9.6 per hour. You would have to be in the first year of your degree to be eligible however.
#3. France Universities rank high globally
Three universities in France are among the best 100 globally. There are five French universities in the world’s top 200. The best university in France is the Paris Science et Lettres-PSL Research University Paris, which ranks 45 globally on the Times Higher Education rankings.
#4. Classes can be taught in French, English or both.
You don’t have to worry about being lost during lectures because of language barrier. Depending on your choice, your classes could either be in French, English or both. Choose the one that best suits you.
#5. You can travel to 26 European countries with your student visa!
As an international student from outside the EU, you may need the VLS-TS visa (“étudiant”). The visa not only entitles you to live and study in France, but you can also work up to 964 hours per year (20 hours per week). The visa also offers you free movement in the countries of the Schengen area. This is a great chance to explore countries like Germany, Spain, Switzerland and many more. You will not be able to travel to the UK however, as it is not a party to the Schengen agreement.
#6. Enjoy the culture
France is undoubtedly a beautiful country. Choosing to study there means being able to appreciate local history and culture every day of the week. For EU students under the age of 26, entry is free to most major museums, galleries, and historical attractions. So get your cameras ready and don’t pass up this guaranteed great way to explore on a budget!
#7. Tuition fees are moderate
Compared to their counterparts in Europe and North America, universities in France charge moderate tuition fees. In a public university in France tuition fees for Bachelor’s degree go for as low as €2,770 per year. Masters degree cost €3,770 while a doctorate degree cost €380. These are however, only obtainable in public universities. In private institutions, tuition fees can range from €3000-€20,000 per year.
#8. Scholarships are available for international students
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Emily Boutmy Scholarships at Sciences Po University, École Normale Supérieure International scholarship among others are just some of the many scholarships available to international students who want to study in France. Visit www.afterschoolafrica.com to explore more scholarships in France.
Now let’s look at the Top 10 Scholarships in France for International Students in 2025:
Top 10 Scholarships in France for International Students
#1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme:
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to enable French higher education institutions to attract top foreign students to enroll in their masters and PhD programs.
It gives opportunity to the future foreign decision-makers of the private and public sectors, in priority areas of study, and encourages applicants from foreign countries up to 25 years old at master’s level, and applicants up to 30 years old at PhD level.
- Opens: October 2024
- Closes: January 2025
- Degree Level: Master’s, PhD
Visit Here to Apply: France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program
#2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees:
Apply for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master. Students from all over the world are welcome. You will study at several universities in Europe and beyond. Full scholarships are available for the best students.
- Opens: October 2024
- Closes: March 2025
- Degree Level: Master’s
Visit Here to Apply: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
#3. Ampère Excellence Scholarships:
ENS de Lyon and its partners offer scholarships (Ampère, GRADUATE +) for excellent international students to enroll in its Master’s programs.
- Opens: November 2024
- Closes: January 2025
- Degree Level: Master’s
Visit Here to Apply:Ampère Excellence Scholarships
Also Check: 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Studying In Italy
#4. Emile Boutmy Scholarship:
Sciences Po created the Émile Boutmy scholarship, named after the founder of Sciences Po (1871), in order to welcome the very best international students from outside the European Union.
The Émile Boutmy scholarship fund benefits from the generous support of its sponsors (benefactors, companies, and foundations) who are eager to allow the most deserving international students to study at Sciences Po.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be: first time applicants, from a non-European Union state, whose household does not file taxes within the European Union, and who have been admitted to the Undergraduate or Master’s programme.
It is a merit-based scholarship for students worldwide.
- Opens: October 2024
- Closes: December 2024 – January 2025
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Visit Here to Apply: Emile Boutmy Scholarship
#5. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships:
Université Paris-Saclay aims to promote access for international students to its Master’s programmes, provided by its faculties, component-institutions and associated universities, and to make it easier for highly-qualified international students to join the University, especially for those wishing to develop an academic project through research up to the doctoral level.
- Opens: October 2024
- Closes: Varies according to program (November 2024 – January 2025)
- Degree Level: Master’s
Visit Here to Apply: Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships
#6. ENS International Selection Scholarships:
The Ecole normale supérieure aims at varying its students’ profiles and incorporates students to be enrolled in the 3rd year of bachelor (licence 3) or 1st year of master (master 1), coming from all over the world and from all disciplines. The competitive examination of the International selection is intended to young graduates in Arts & Humanities as well as Sciences, who justify at least of one year undergraduate studies in a foreign university and distinguish themselves with outstanding results.
It covers tuition and offers a monthly stipend.
- Opens: November 2024
- Closes: January 2025
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Visit Here to Apply: ENS International Selection Scholarships
#7. HEC Paris MBA Scholarships:
Any candidate who has applied to the MBA Program will automatically be considered for our Excellence and Diversity scholarships by the HEC Paris MBA Scholarship Committee. In order to be considered for the Forte and L’Oreal scholarships, you must submit your essay at the same time as your application to the MBA program.
Scholarships are awarded in various amounts, and it is the Scholarship Committee that determines the amount of aid being awarded to each candidate. The committee takes into consideration many aspects of your application, including your essays, your background and personal work history, your GMAT score, and the results of your two interviews with HEC Paris MBA alumni.
- Opens: Rolling admissions (September 2024 – May 2025)
- Closes: Varies per round
- Degree Level: MBA
Visit Here to Apply: HEC Paris MBA Scholarship
#8. SMARTS-UP Scholarships by Université Paris Cité:
In this context, it is proposed to fund incoming mobility scholarships of €10,000 each for 2025-2026 to allow the Graduate Schools involved in the project to welcome international students into their various Master’s programmes.
The SMARTS-UP Graduate Schools scholarship is for Master’s level students and is intended for international students who have not previously studied in France. It cannot be combined with another French scholarship.
It is a fixed scholarship to international students enrolled at Université Paris Cité.
- Opens: November 2024
- Closes: January 2025
- Degree Level: Master’s
Visit Here to Apply: SMARTS-UP Scholarships
#9. ICP Connect Scholarships:
ICP Connect study programmes are accredited international study programmes. We award scholarships to applicants from 29 eligible countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to attend one of the 15 master’s programmes taught in English at one or more Flemish universities. VLIR-UOS provides an annual intake of 10 new first-year scholarships for each ICP.
It is open to rural development areas and covers tuition, travel, and living expenses.
- Opens: October 2024
- Closes: January 2025
- Degree Level: Master’s
Visit Here to Apply: ICP Connect Scholarships
#10. French Government Scholarships for International Students:
French government scholarships are one of the Top 10 Scholarships in France. They are allocated by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for studies, training courses and language courses in France. The majority of scholarships are awarded by the Cooperation and Cultural Action Departments (SCACs) in French embassies and consulates general abroad.
- Eligibility: International students
- Scholarship Benefits: Tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend (varies based on the program and embassy)
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Visit Here to Apply: French Government Scholarships
