How to Get a Scholarship in France: 18 Scholarships for International Students
A Scholarship in France can make studying at a French university considerably more affordable for an international student. Funding is available through the French government, universities, European programmes, French embassies, research organisations and country-specific initiatives.
Some scholarships provide a monthly allowance and travel support. Others reduce tuition fees, provide a fixed annual grant or combine several forms of financial assistance.
Students planning to Study in France should therefore avoid searching only for scholarships labelled “fully funded.” A tuition exemption, university excellence award or mobility grant can also significantly reduce the cost of a French degree.
This Seach Scholarship guide is designed as a scholarship directory rather than a ranking. Each opportunity is introduced briefly so that separate detailed guides covering eligibility, documents, deadlines and application procedures can be connected later.
Scholarship values, deadlines and eligibility rules can change between academic years. Use this guide to identify suitable opportunities and then check the current call before applying.
Summary at a Glance
- 18 scholarship and funding opportunities
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and research opportunities
- French government scholarships
- French university scholarships
- European funding
- Country-specific France Excellence programmes
- Tuition scholarships and living-cost grants
- Opportunities for students from outside Europe
- Research funding for international researchers
Scholarship in France: Overview
There is no single scholarship system covering every international student in France.
Funding can come from:
- The French government
- French embassies
- Campus France programmes
- French universities
- Grandes écoles
- The European Union
- University foundations
- Research organisations
- Regional programmes
- Country-specific agreements
Campus France also operates CampusBourses, a scholarship search platform where international students can search hundreds of funding programmes according to nationality, academic level and field of study.
For anyone hoping to Study in France, it is worth checking both national scholarships and funding offered directly by the university.
French Government and International Scholarships
1. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is one of the best-known French government funding programmes for international students.
It supports selected international students entering eligible Master’s and doctoral programmes in priority academic fields. Students cannot simply submit an independent Eiffel application to Campus France; a French higher-education institution must select and nominate the candidate.
The programme provides a monthly allowance together with services that can include international transportation, domestic travel, insurance and assistance with accommodation.
This is one of the first opportunities to investigate when searching for a competitive postgraduate Scholarship in France.
2. France Excellence Europa Scholarship
The France Excellence Europa Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from eligible European Union countries who want to complete a Master’s degree in France.
It is supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and is available across selected academic disciplines.
Because it is restricted by nationality and study level, students should confirm whether their country and proposed programme qualify before preparing an application.
3. France Excellence Major Scholarship
The France Excellence Major Scholarship has a much narrower eligibility route.
It supports high-performing international students who graduate from French secondary schools outside France and continue into higher education in France.
It should not be confused with a general scholarship open to every international applicant.
4. French Embassy and France Excellence Scholarships
French embassies around the world administer a variety of France Excellence and other government-backed scholarship programmes.
The name, degree level, subject areas and financial package vary by country.
An applicant from Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Nigeria or another participating country may therefore find a completely different scholarship programme from an applicant elsewhere.
Campus France confirms that many French government scholarships are distributed through French embassies and consulates rather than through one universal international competition.
Students looking for a Scholarship in France should always check their local Campus France and French Embassy websites.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are European programmes delivered by groups of universities in several countries.
Some programmes include a French university, allowing scholarship recipients to complete part of their Master’s studies in France.
Highly ranked candidates can receive scholarships contributing toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.
Students from around the world can apply, and applications are made directly to the individual Erasmus Mundus programme.
For students who want to Study in France while also studying elsewhere in Europe, Erasmus Mundus can be particularly attractive.
University Scholarships in France
6. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship
The Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship supports high-achieving international students admitted to eligible Master’s programmes within the Paris-Saclay system.
For the 2026 cycle, the scholarship value is €10,000 per academic year, subject to programme conditions.
It is particularly relevant to applicants interested in science, engineering, technology, health and research-oriented graduate education.
7. Émile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po
The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is one of the major funding opportunities at Sciences Po.
It is intended primarily for eligible first-time applicants from outside the European Union entering undergraduate or Master’s study.
Current funding can provide substantial tuition exemptions. At Bachelor’s level, Sciences Po lists either full tuition exemption or a €9,500 exemption, while eligible Master’s recipients can receive a €18,500 tuition exemption per year under the present structure.
Students interested in politics, international relations, economics, public policy and related disciplines should consider this Scholarship in France.
8. Ampère Scholarships of Excellence
The Ampère Scholarships of Excellence are offered by ENS de Lyon to outstanding international students entering eligible Master’s programmes.
They cover disciplines across sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences.
ENS de Lyon currently lists funding of €1,000 per month for one academic year, with renewal possible under applicable conditions.
9. ENS de Lyon GRADUATE+ Scholarship
ENS de Lyon also offers the GRADUATE+ Scholarship for selected international Master’s students within participating Graduate initiatives and programmes.
The current award is €1,000 per month for 10 months.
Because only certain academic programmes participate, applicants should first check whether their selected Master’s is included.
10. SMARTS-UP Scholarship — Université Paris Cité
The SMARTS-UP Graduate Schools Scholarship supports talented international students joining selected Master’s programmes at Université Paris Cité.
For the 2026/2027 cycle, incoming international recipients could receive €10,000 for one year.
It is particularly relevant to students who want to Study in France in research-oriented graduate programmes and may later consider doctoral studies.
11. Université Grenoble Alpes IdEx Master’s Scholarship
The Université Grenoble Alpes IdEx Master’s Scholarship supports academically strong international applicants entering eligible Master’s and Engineering programmes.
For 2026/2027, the university lists awards of €9,000 for an M1 year and €5,500 for an M2 year, with separate conditions for Engineering students.
Receiving the scholarship does not automatically mean that every tuition charge is waived, so students should calculate the remaining study cost separately.
12. Grenoble INP Foundation Scholarship
The Grenoble INP Foundation Scholarship supports excellent international students admitted to selected international Master’s programmes at Grenoble INP – UGA.
The scholarship can currently provide up to €5,000 per semester for a maximum of two semesters.
This can be an attractive Scholarship in France for students interested in Engineering, technology and applied sciences.
13. ENS International Selection Scholarship
The École Normale Supérieure International Selection combines competitive admission with substantial financial support.
Outstanding international students in sciences or arts and humanities can enter the ENS academic pathway through this selection route.
Students admitted through International Selection currently receive a €1,000 monthly grant for three years and access to accommodation on an ENS campus.
It is highly selective and is particularly suited to academically exceptional students interested in research.
14. ENS Olympic Scholarship
The ENS Olympic Scholarship is a specialised opportunity for students who have won a gold or silver medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad or International Physics Olympiad.
Successful students can receive financial support while preparing for and later studying at ENS-PSL, subject to the programme’s academic route.
Once admitted to ENS under the programme, current support includes a €1,000 monthly scholarship for three years, with additional benefits.
This scholarship is obviously relevant to only a very small group of applicants, but for eligible students it represents an exceptional route to Study in France.
Research Scholarships and Fellowships in France
15. Make Our Planet Great Again — MOPGA Fellowship
The Make Our Planet Great Again, or MOPGA, initiative offers periodic funding opportunities for international researchers working in areas connected with environmental and planetary challenges.
The MOPGA Visiting Fellowship programme has supported early-career international researchers carrying out research projects in France.
Unlike a normal Bachelor’s or Master’s Scholarship in France, this opportunity is intended primarily for researchers.
Country-Specific Scholarships in France
16. France Excellence Charpak Master’s Scholarship
The France Excellence Charpak Master’s Scholarship is a French government scholarship programme for students from India.
It supports eligible Indian students pursuing one or two years of Master’s study in France across a range of disciplines.
Students from India planning to Study in France should check Charpak alongside Eiffel and university scholarships.
17. France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship
The France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship provides another route for eligible Indian students, this time at undergraduate level.
It is intended for students pursuing a full-time Bachelor’s programme at a French higher-education institution.
The Charpak programme also operates other forms of funding, so applicants should select the scheme matching their study level.
18. France Excellence Pakistan – Climate Change Scholarship
The France Excellence Pakistan – Climate Change Scholarship is a country-specific opportunity aimed at Pakistani students pursuing eligible climate-related graduate study in France.
The programme has been promoted through Campus France Pakistan and forms part of the wider range of French government and institutional funding available to Pakistani applicants.
Pakistani students searching for a Scholarship in France should check Campus France Pakistan each year because available France Excellence calls and subject areas can change.
Which Scholarships Are Available for Bachelor’s Students?
Compared with Master’s funding, the number of large international Bachelor’s scholarships in France can be more limited.
Important opportunities to investigate include:
- Émile Boutmy Scholarship
- France Excellence Major
- France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship
- ENS Olympic Scholarship for eligible Olympiad medallists
- University-specific tuition exemptions
- French Embassy scholarships available in selected countries
Applicants planning to Study in France at undergraduate level should also check the individual scholarship and tuition-waiver policies of every university on their shortlist.
Which Scholarships Are Available for Master’s Students?
Master’s applicants have a wider selection of major funding opportunities.
These include:
- France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
- France Excellence Europa
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship
- Émile Boutmy Scholarship
- Ampère Scholarship of Excellence
- ENS de Lyon GRADUATE+
- SMARTS-UP Scholarship
- Université Grenoble Alpes IdEx Scholarship
- Grenoble INP Foundation Scholarship
- ENS International Selection
- Charpak Master’s Scholarship
- Country-specific France Excellence scholarships
- French Embassy scholarships
Students looking for a Master’s Scholarship in France should search university funding at the same time as government programmes instead of depending on one major scholarship.
Scholarships for PhD Students and Researchers
Doctoral funding in France does not always carry the word “scholarship.”
Students may receive funding through:
- France Excellence Eiffel
- Doctoral contracts
- University research projects
- Laboratory funding
- European research programmes
- International mobility grants
- Government agreements
- Research fellowships
- Country-specific programmes
For PhD applicants, searching only for “Scholarship in France” can therefore miss funded doctoral positions advertised as doctoral contracts or funded research projects.
Researchers can also monitor programmes such as MOPGA.
How to Get a Scholarship in France
There is no single application procedure for every scholarship.
A practical approach is:
1. Choose Your Degree Level
First decide whether you are applying for:
- Bachelor’s
- Master’s
- PhD
- Research
- Exchange study
This removes scholarships that do not match your academic stage.
2. Search CampusBourses
Use the Campus France scholarship database to filter opportunities according to nationality, field and study level.
The current CampusBourses catalogue contains hundreds of funding programmes for international students.
3. Check University Scholarships
After choosing universities, open each institution’s scholarship and financial-aid section.
A student may qualify for university funding even when they are unsuccessful in a national scholarship competition.
4. Check Your French Embassy
Country-specific programmes are easy to miss.
Your local French Embassy or Campus France office may advertise opportunities unavailable to students from other nationalities.
5. Understand the Application Route
Every Scholarship in France does not follow the same application method.
For example:
- Eiffel requires nomination by a French institution.
- Émile Boutmy is connected with the Sciences Po admission application.
- Erasmus Mundus applications go to the individual programme.
- Some university scholarships consider students after or alongside admission.
- Embassy scholarships may require a separate national application.
Always identify the correct process before preparing the final application.
6. Prepare Your Application Documents
Depending on the scholarship, applicants may need:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Statement of Purpose
- Recommendation letters
- Language certificate
- Research proposal
- Passport
- Admission evidence
- Financial documents
The exact list varies by scholarship.
Seach Scholarship provides separate detailed guides for preparing scholarship documents, so applicants should use those resources rather than trying to follow one generic format for every French application.
Get Your Free Guide Now
Enter your details and we'll send the complete step-by-step guide straight to your inbox.
7. Apply Early
Scholarship deadlines may arrive before normal university enrolment deadlines.
For example, some highly competitive funding programmes require the university to evaluate or nominate the applicant before the final scholarship deadline.
Begin searching several months before the intended intake.
Is IELTS Required to Study in France?
There is no single IELTS rule covering every French scholarship or university.
English-taught programmes may accept IELTS, TOEFL or another recognised form of English-language evidence.
Some universities may accept proof that previous education was completed in English.
French-taught programmes normally have separate French-language requirements.
Students who want to Study in France should therefore check the language requirement of the degree programme separately from the scholarship requirements.
Can International Students Study in France With a Full Scholarship?
Yes, some funding combinations can cover a large part of the cost of studying in France.
However, applicants should distinguish between:
- Tuition exemption
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation support
- Travel support
- Insurance
- Fixed annual scholarship
- Research salary or contract
An award described as a Scholarship in France may provide only one or several of these benefits.
Always compare the total financial package with tuition and expected living expenses.
Do You Need French to Get a Scholarship in France?
Not always.
France offers many programmes taught in English, particularly at Master’s and doctoral levels.
A scholarship may therefore be available without advanced French proficiency if the selected degree is taught in English.
However, programme and scholarship requirements vary, so applicants should verify the language rules for each opportunity.
Can Pakistani Students Get a Scholarship in France?
Yes.
Pakistani students can compete for international opportunities such as the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, eligible university scholarships and Erasmus Mundus programmes.
Pakistan also has country-specific France Excellence opportunities when calls are announced through Campus France Pakistan.
Students from Pakistan should check both international scholarship programmes and the Campus France Pakistan funding section when preparing to Study in France.
When Should You Apply for Scholarships in France?
There is no universal application month.
Different programmes publish their own schedules, and some country-specific opportunities follow a completely different calendar.
Students should ideally begin researching funding well before the academic year in which they expect to enrol.
Do not assume that last year’s deadline will remain unchanged.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right Scholarship in France requires more than applying for the first major award that appears in a search result.
France has several layers of funding: French government scholarships, European programmes, French Embassy awards, university excellence scholarships, tuition exemptions and research funding.
Master’s students can investigate programmes such as Eiffel, Paris-Saclay, Ampère, SMARTS-UP, Émile Boutmy and Erasmus Mundus. Undergraduate students can consider options including Émile Boutmy, France Excellence Major and country-specific programmes such as Charpak. PhD students should search for both scholarships and funded doctoral contracts.
A useful strategy is to create three groups:
- Highly competitive government or full-support opportunities
- University scholarships that reduce the remaining study cost
- Country-specific or external funding for which you are eligible
Do not rely on a single application.
Use CampusBourses, check your French Embassy, research the university itself and compare funding before deciding where to apply.
This Seach Scholarship directory will be connected to individual scholarship guides so that applicants can later check detailed eligibility criteria, documents, deadlines, benefits and application procedures for each opportunity.
If your goal is to Study in France, start by identifying several realistic funding options and preparing early rather than waiting for one scholarship result.
Scholarship programmes can change from year to year, so always verify the latest official information before submitting an application.