About The French Embassy:
The French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation collaborate on international student mobility through Campus France. Campus France’s mission is to promote and enhance French higher education by facilitating academic exchanges between French and international tertiary institutions.
French Embassy France-South Africa Scholarship Programme:
The French Embassy in South Africa offers a scholarship programme for Ph.D./Master’s degree studies in France. This programme is made possible through partnerships with French businesses operating in South Africa and other South African organizations, including the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the National Research Foundation (NRF), and Universities South Africa (USAf).
The scholarship programme is open to South African and Lesotho students interested in pursuing Ph.D. or Master’s degrees at higher education institutions or universities in France for the academic year 2024-2025.
The France-South Africa scholarship programme offered by the French Embassy includes two schemes:
- Full Scholarship:
- Tuition fees up to 5,000 Euros per year.
- Monthly allowance of up to 1,400 Euros for Ph.D. students and 700 Euros for Master’s students.
- Return flight ticket to France.
- Additional accommodation aid of up to 150 Euros per month from the French government.
- Scholarship-holders receive benefits such as Visa fee exemption, guidance from Campus France Paris, priority access to student housing, and social security.
- Cost Sharing Scholarship:
- This scholarship scheme covers a monthly allowance, either fully or partially, provided by a partner (which can be a company, an advisory board, a funding agency, or a higher education institution).
- All other benefits of the full scholarship are offered by the French Embassy.
- Candidates can propose this scheme during the application process, or the Advisory Board may initiate it for selected candidates.
Applicants are encouraged to seek additional funding from their local institutions, French higher education institutions, or private companies. If students secure additional funding, they must inform the French Embassy.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- South African or Lesotho citizenship.
- Intention to pursue a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in their chosen field.
- Age under 33 as of January 1, .
- Planned start of studies in September 2024-2025.
- Preference will be given to students interested in technology, engineering, science, and niche courses not available in South Africa.
- Willingness to study at a higher education institution or university in France.
Documents Required:
The application must be submitted online, and it should include the following documents:
For all applicants:
- Completed online application form.
- Updated CV/resume detailing academic achievements.
- Certified copy of passport.
- University transcripts for the last two years of study.
- Cover letter explaining the applicant’s interests and motivations in their chosen academic field.
- Copies of academic degree certificates (Master’s or Bachelor’s).
For Master’s students:
- Proof of acceptance at one of the suggested study programs mentioned during the application.
- Email correspondence during the application process with French higher education institutions hosting them.
- List of identified study programs, application dates, and tuition fees for candidates’ planned applications.
For Ph.D. students:
- Attestation signed by the supervisor indicating their commitment to supervise the thesis. In the case of co-supervision, attestation signed by two supervisors (French and South African) confirming their commitment to supervise the thesis in both South Africa and France. If under co-supervision, this attestation should signify the establishment of a cotutelle agreement, dual enrollment at both universities, and the student being awarded a degree by the French higher education institution. It should also include a complete plan of the various periods spent in France during the research work.
- Detailed research project information (2-3 pages) with a complete work plan.
Optional documents:
- Cost-sharing commitment letter from the corresponding organization.
- Language proficiency certificates (French).
- Academic or professional recommendations.
How to Apply for the Scholarship:
All applicants must create an account on the scholarship website to initiate the application process. Applicants should log in and follow the online application steps. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified or changed.
Closing Date of the Scholarship:
The application deadline for the selection process has passed. The next call for applications is expected to open in April and close in mid-October . Eligible candidates will undergo interviews in November .
Contact Details:
For inquiries related to the scholarship programme, applicants can contact the French Embassy through their website.
