France Scholarship For International Students 2024
France is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for international students due to its high-quality education system and scholarship opportunities. In this blog post, we will discuss the various France scholarships available for international students who wish to pursue their higher education in France in 2024.
France realizes the importance of attracting talented international students and researchers. That is why the French government offers a wide range of scholarships to promote academic mobility and cultural exchange. Some of these scholarship programs fully fund tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, etc. This makes it easier for deserving students globally to study in France at nominal costs.
Major France Scholarship Programs for 2024
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is one of the most prestigious France scholarships for master’s and PhD students. Up to 300 scholarships are awarded each year based on academic merit. The scholarship provides a monthly living allowance of around €1,181 along with free tuition at French universities and Grandes Ecoles. To be eligible, candidates must have an excellent academic record and strong proficiency in French. The online application window will open in September 2023.
Masters Portability Scholarship
This scholarship supports students who are already enrolled in a Master’s program in their home country to complete a semester or a full Master’s program in France. Candidates must show proof of admission to a French university. The scholarship covers monthly stipend and insurance. Around 300 scholarships are available for the 2024 academic year. The deadline is in May 2023.
CSMP Vive La Mer Ocean Scholarship
This special scholarship program aims to promote ocean and marine sciences in France. It provides full financial support to around 20 international students each year to pursue Master’s and PhD programs related to oceanography, coastal and marine engineering, fishery sciences, etc. at French universities. All costs including tuition, living expenses, insurance are covered. The application window is open from October 2022 to March 2023.
BGF Campus France Scholarship
Offered in collaboration between the French government and public/private organizations, this scholarship targets students from specific countries/regions like Africa, Asia-Pacific, America, etc. Support covers tuition, insurance, and monthly stipend. The number of scholarships and eligibility criteria vary each year. The deadline for 2024 intake is in June 2023.
Other Notable Scholarship Options
- Embassy of France Scholarships: Available for citizens of the country where the embassy is located. Deadlines vary based on location.
- University of Paris Saclay Excellence Scholarship: Full ride for master’s/PhD at University of Paris Saclay, one of the top-ranked institutions.
- French Energy Centre PhD Grants: Fully funded 3-year PhD programs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency etc.
- Idex Study in France Scholarship: Supports students to pursue semester exchange programs in Idex partner universities located in different cities of France.
- Sciences Po Scholarships: Prestigious scholarships for master’s programs at Sciences Po, a top social sciences university in France.
FAQs About Studying in France
What are the admission requirements for undergraduate programs in France?
Most undergraduate programs in France are taught entirely in French. So, strong French language proficiency is mandatory for admission. Other requirements include high school diploma, transcripts, letter of motivation etc. For English-taught programs, IELTS/TOEFL is usually needed.
Do international students need a student visa to study in France?
Yes, all non-EU students need a long-stay student visa to enroll in education programs longer than 3 months in France. The visa is applied through the campus France agency after receiving admission from a French university.
What is the average cost of living as an international student in France?
The average monthly costs for an international student in France range between €800-€1,200 depending on the city. This includes expenses like rent, food, transport, entertainment etc. Scholarship programs like Eiffel Excellence aim to cover most of the living expenses through monthly stipends.
Can international graduates find job opportunities in France after studying there?
Yes, France offers attractive job prospects for international graduates. Several companies actively recruit foreign talent and being fluent in French gives graduates a competitive edge in the job market. Many scholarship programs also allow beneficiaries to work in France post-graduation based on the course duration.
What are some top university destinations for international students in France?
Some of the most popular university destinations are – Paris (Sorbonne, Sciences Po), Lyon, Montpellier, Grenoble, Toulouse, Strasbourg etc. Engineering Grandes Ecoles like École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec are also top picks. Certain cities also offer programs fully taught in English.
Conclusion
To conclude, France is an excellent study abroad option for ambitious international students looking for a high-quality education at affordable costs. The various scholarship programs make it possible for meritorious students to gain a globally recognized degree from prestigious French institutions at low or no tuition fees. Early preparation, proficiency in French and strong academics go a long way in securing these highly competitive scholarships. I hope this blog post provided useful information about the key France scholarships on offer for the 2024 academic year. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
