Scholarships & Funding
for Study in France

Overview of Scholarship Funding for France

France's commitment to attracting international talent is reflected in a well-developed scholarship landscape. Funding is available from multiple sources — the French government, individual universities and grandes écoles, the Alliance Française network, bilateral government agreements, and international organisations. Understanding the full picture of available funding is essential before committing to a study plan, as securing a scholarship can make the difference between a financially comfortable experience and a financially stressful one.

It is worth noting that even without a scholarship, studying in France at a public university involves extremely low tuition fees compared to most other English-speaking study destinations. Combined with the aide au logement (housing benefit) from the CAF and subsidised CROUS meals, the total cost of studying in France can be significantly lower than studying in Australia, the UK or North America — even without any scholarship support. A scholarship transforms this already affordable option into an even more attractive proposition.

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — Bourse Eiffel

The Bourse d'Excellence Eiffel is France's flagship international scholarship programme, administered by Campus France on behalf of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It is one of the most prestigious and generous scholarships available for international students going to France, and competition for it is extremely strong.

What the Eiffel Covers

The Eiffel scholarship covers a monthly allowance of approximately €1,181 per month for master's level and €1,400 per month for doctoral level. It also covers return airfare to France, health insurance, cultural activities, and in some cases accommodation assistance. This level of support makes studying in France genuinely accessible without requiring additional family funding or part-time work.

Eligibility

The Eiffel scholarship is open to international students of all nationalities enrolled in or applying to a French higher education institution at master's or doctoral level. It is not open to French nationals or EU citizens for master's level (though doctoral level has some EU eligibility). Applicants must be nominated by a French institution — you cannot apply directly as an individual. Your target French university or grande école nominates you, and Campus France selects from the nominated pool.

Fields Prioritised

The Eiffel programme prioritises specific fields at master's level: engineering and exact sciences, economics and management, law and political science. At doctoral level, it covers all disciplines but with a focus on these priority areas. Strong academic performance, institutional nomination, and a clearly articulated academic or professional project are the key selection criteria.

French Government Scholarships — Bourses du Gouvernement Français

Beyond the Eiffel programme, the French government funds a range of scholarships through its embassies and through Campus France. These vary considerably by country — the French embassy in Australia, for example, administers specific bilateral scholarship programmes for Australian students going to France. Contact the French embassy or consulate in your country and the local Campus France office to find out what government scholarships are available to nationals of your country.

Many of these embassy-administered scholarships are for shorter periods — study visits, research placements, and language immersion programmes rather than full degree funding. However, they can be extremely valuable as supplements to other funding, and some bilateral programmes offer full funding for selected degree programmes.

Campus France Excellence Programmes

Campus France administers several excellence programmes that provide financial support, orientation assistance, and ongoing support to international students in France. These include the Partenariats Hubert Curien (PHC) — bilateral research exchange programmes with specific countries — and various cooperation programmes with developing countries administered through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The Campus France website (campusfrance.org) maintains an up-to-date database of scholarships available to students from each country. This database is searchable by country of origin, field of study, and level of study, and it is the most comprehensive single resource for international students researching French scholarship options.

Alliance Française Scholarships and Awards

The Alliance Française network — with branches in over 130 countries including Australia — administers scholarship programmes and awards at both national and local level. Some Alliance Française branches offer scholarships for French language immersion programmes in France. Others partner with French institutions to offer competitive awards for language learners progressing towards study in France. Contact your local Alliance Française branch directly to find out what is available in your country.

The Alliance Française also provides a range of other support services for students heading to France: advice on Campus France processes, connections with alumni who have studied in France, and preparation courses for French language examinations — including the DELF and DALF that most French universities require.

Institution-Specific Scholarships

Many French universities and grandes écoles offer their own merit-based scholarships for international students. These are separate from the government-funded programmes and are funded directly by the institution. Some of the most prestigious scholarships in France fall into this category.

Sciences Po Paris

Sciences Po offers a comprehensive international scholarship programme funded by the institution, alumni, and corporate donors. International students admitted to Sciences Po master's programmes are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their application. Sciences Po also administers specific partnership scholarships for students from certain countries and institutions.

HEC Paris

HEC Paris, one of Europe's leading business schools, offers a range of scholarships for its international MBA, master's, and PhD students. The HEC Foundation administers the majority of these scholarships, which are largely merit-based. Scholarship applications are typically submitted alongside or shortly after the programme application.

Université Paris-Saclay and Other Leading Universities

Many of France's top research universities, including Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, and the Université de Paris network, offer international excellence scholarships for master's and doctoral students. These are often administered through the university's international office and may be linked to specific research groups or laboratories.

Regional and Sector-Specific Funding

Beyond national and institution-level programmes, a significant amount of scholarship funding exists at regional level and within specific professional sectors. French regional councils (conseils régionaux) often fund mobility programmes for international students studying in institutions located in their region. Industrial sectors — particularly aerospace, energy, agri-food, and technology — offer funded research placements and doctoral scholarships through their industry associations and major companies.

For doctoral students specifically, the French research funding landscape includes the Contrat Doctoral — a funded doctoral contract that combines a research salary with teaching duties. These are offered by universities and grandes écoles and provide approximately €1,400–€1,700 per month for three years. They are competitive but provide the most financially sustainable pathway for doctoral study in France.

How to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application

Competition for French scholarships — particularly the Eiffel programme and institution-specific awards — is intense. Understanding what makes a strong application is essential preparation.

Academic Excellence

French scholarship programmes, particularly at master's and doctoral level, are primarily merit-based. Strong academic results are the foundation of any competitive application. Grade point averages, class rankings, prizes, and letters of recommendation from respected academics all contribute to academic excellence evidence. If your academic results are not outstanding, focus on scholarship categories that weight other factors more heavily — professional experience, project quality, or specific national criteria.

A Clear and Compelling Project

Most French scholarship applications require a projet académique ou professionnel — a statement explaining what you plan to study, why you are applying to the specific institution and programme, and how the experience will contribute to your professional or academic development. This document is often the most important differentiator between competitive candidates with similar academic profiles. It should be specific, well-researched, and clearly articulate why France and the specific institution are the right choice for your particular project.

French Language Proficiency

For scholarships linked to French-language programmes, a strong DELF or DALF certificate is a significant advantage. Even for English-taught programmes, demonstrated French language ability signals commitment to France and to cultural integration — qualities that scholarship committees value. If your French is not yet at the required level, starting your language exam preparation early and including a strong result in your application strengthens every other element of your case.

Practical Funding Tips

Beyond scholarships, several other sources of financial support are available to international students in France that are worth knowing about.

CAF — Housing Benefit

The Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) provides housing benefit (aide personnalisée au logement — APL) to students renting accommodation in France. The amount varies based on your rent and location but can be €50–€200 per month. Apply online through the CAF website as soon as you have signed a French rental contract. You will need your French bank account details (RIB), passport, and rental agreement.

Student Loans from Your Home Country

Many government student loan programmes — including Australia's HECS-HELP system for eligible students — can be used for study at accredited overseas institutions, including French universities and grandes écoles. Check with your home country's student finance authority whether your French programme qualifies. Using home-country student finance alongside French government scholarships and CAF housing benefit can make a French education completely financially accessible.

Part-Time Work

Students on a French student visa are legally permitted to work up to 964 hours per year — roughly 20 hours per week. This right allows students to supplement their scholarship or personal finances through part-time employment while studying. The on-campus job market (les jobs étudiants) includes tutoring, library work, campus services, and event support. Off-campus, hospitality, retail, and English tutoring are common student employment sectors.

Useful Scholarship Vocabulary