🇫🇷 France · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in France — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
France's flagship scholarship for international students is the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France Excellence Eiffel), funded by the Foreign Ministry for master's and PhD, alongside university and regional awards. Campus France is the official portal to explore funding and apply to study in France. Apply by each scheme's deadline, which is often well before the course starts.
France's flagship merit award is the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, created by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract top international students to master's and PhD programmes. French Government Scholarships (BGF) are also awarded through French embassies. Campus France — the official national agency — is the central portal for finding programmes and funding, and many French institutions offer their own scholarships.
- The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship funds master's (up to age 29) and PhD (up to age 35) study and pays a monthly allowance; applications are submitted by the French institution, not the student.
- French Government Scholarships (BGF) are awarded via the French embassy in your country — check the embassy / Campus France local office for the local call.
- Campus France is the official national agency: it lists programmes, scholarships and runs the local application offices in many countries.
- Public-university tuition in France is relatively low, so budget mainly for living costs alongside any scholarship.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map French funding: the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (Foreign Ministry, master’s/PhD), plus university and regional awards, via Campus France.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- Campus France — France Excellence Eiffel
Flagship French-government merit scholarship for master's and PhD.
- Campus France (official agency)
National agency for higher education — programmes, scholarships and applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?
A French Foreign Ministry scholarship for outstanding international master’s and PhD students, applied for by the host institution.
What is Campus France?
The official agency and portal for studying in France, listing scholarships and guiding applications and student visas.
Are there university scholarships in France?
Yes — many universities and grandes écoles offer their own merit scholarships, and some regions fund international students too.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of France — Office of the French Prime Minister — government policies, ministers, and key legislation
- France Public Services (Service-Public) — France's unified administrative services — residence permits, taxes, social security, civil records
- French General Tax Directorate (DGFiP) — French income tax, VAT, wealth tax filing; tax residency determination; French tax number (NIF) application