Scholarships for Studying in France

France, with its long history, stunning architecture, and irresistible food and drink, is no surprise one of the world’s most popular study abroad destinations. Four French cities were included in the QS Best Student Cities 2019.

France also offers an increasing number of English-taught programs across its 31 top universities, all of which rank highly in the QS World University Rankings 2020®, so you do not even need to speak French to study here! To learn more, see our full guide to studying in France.

Below is a selection of scholarships for international students of all degree levels who want to study in France. For more information, see our guide on how to find and apply for study abroad scholarships.

Government-funded scholarships to study in France

• Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence - Established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this scholarship is available to non-French nationals under the age of 30 who wish to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in law, economics and management, engineering, or political science at a French higher education institution. Applications are submitted by French institutions on behalf of candidates, who are selected by those institutions. Read more about the program here.
• Erasmus+ - Led by the European Commission, Erasmus+ is the largest scholarship provider in the European Union and offers living-cost support for students taking part in exchange programs in European countries.
• Chateaubriand Fellowship - Offered by the French Embassy in the United States, this fellowship funds doctoral students at U.S. universities who wish to conduct research in France for four to nine months. Successful applicants receive a monthly stipend of up to US$1,230, a round-trip ticket to France, and coverage for overseas medical insurance.

Non-government scholarships to study in France

• AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships, Grants and Financial Support - Provides a range of scholarships for international students at all levels who want to study in France, subject to certain academic requirements.
• Fulbright Scholarship - The Fulbright Scholarship is intended for recent college graduates who want to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree at a university in France. Up to 20 scholarships are awarded each year, supporting study in France for 8 to 10 months.
• Alexandre Yersin Scholarships for Masters Programme in France - The Alexandre Yersin Scholarship is available to residents of Hong Kong or Macau who want to pursue a master’s degree or equivalent qualification at a university in France.
• Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) - The Civil Society Leadership Awards provide full funding for master’s study to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to leading positive social change in their communities and clear academic and professional excellence.

University-specific scholarships to study in France

• Stephen M. Kellen Scholarship - Awarded annually by Sciences Po, this merit-based scholarship is available to any student admitted to Sciences Po’s dual degree program with Freie Universität Berlin. The scholarship covers two years of tuition at Sciences Po, a living stipend of US$6,000 per year for the two years spent at Sciences Po’s Franco-German European Campus in Nancy, and a living stipend of €7,000 per year for the two years spent at Freie University’s Otto Suhr Institute. Applications for the 2020 round had not yet opened at the time of writing, but they usually close around June, so keep an eye on the Sciences Po website for more details.
• Emile Boutmy Scholarship 2020 - Also awarded by Sciences Po, the Emile Boutmy Scholarship is for non-European students who want to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in France.
• ENS International Selection Scholarships - Each year, 10 humanities students and 10 science students receive scholarships to pursue a master’s degree and diploma at École Normale Supérieure (ENS). The scholarship is available to international students under 25 who have spent no more than 10 months in France. Successful applicants receive a monthly grant of €1,000 for three years and a room on one of ENS’s campuses.
• Ampère Excellence Scholarships for International Students - These scholarships provide international students who wish to pursue an eligible master’s program at Université de Lyon with €1,000 per month for two years.
• INSEAD Africa Leadership Fund Scholarship 2019/2020 for African Students - Offers a €50,000 scholarship to African students who have been admitted to, or are at the interview stage for, INSEAD’s MBA program. Candidates must demonstrate outstanding professional and personal achievements and a commitment to contributing to the program’s diversity.
• Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships - Université Paris-Saclay offers 160 master’s scholarships to international students enrolled in its programs. Each scholarship is worth €10,000 per year, and successful candidates may also receive up to €1,000 toward travel and visa costs.
• Foundation Rainbow Bridge MBA Scholarships for African and Asian Women - Offered by HEC Paris, this scholarship is open to female candidates admitted to the HEC Paris MBA program. Candidates must come from Asian or African countries affected by natural disasters, drought, or famine, and must be able to show a commitment to addressing some of the social and economic challenges affecting their countries while working toward the long-term security of the people who live there.