Scholarships in France for International Students: What to Know
- Simply FRENCH
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
France is a popular destination for international students, but tuition fees and living costs can still be an important part of planning your studies abroad. The good news is that you may not have to fund everything on your own. International students, including those from India, can explore government scholarships, university and programme-based funding, as well as legal opportunities to work while studying. With the right information and early planning, studying in France can be affordable and achievable. Here’s a look at the financial support available, what it can cover, and how to apply.
Scholarships in France
Campus France Bourses brings together scholarship opportunities from governments, regional authorities, companies, foundations and higher-education institutions. Students can filter opportunities according to nationality, field of study and level of study. This makes Campus Bourses one of the best places to begin your scholarship search.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is France's flagship government award for international students at Master's and doctoral level, open to applicants of all nationalities.
Stipend: €1,200/month at Master's level
Duration:Â Up to 24 months
Additional coverage:Â International transport, health insurance, and housing-search support
How to apply: Through your chosen French institution, not directly — the institution nominates candidates
Timing: The annual call typically opens in October and closes in early January, for a programme starting the following September — meaning funding decisions happen almost a full year ahead of your intake
Since the Eiffel Scholarship application is submitted by the French university, your first step is to apply to an eligible institution early. This gives the university enough time to review your profile and, if you are selected, submit your Eiffel Scholarship application before the deadline. 🇫🇷🎓
2. Charpak Scholarship (India-Specific)
For Indian applicants specifically, the France Excellence Charpak Scholarship is arguably the single most valuable award on this list — and one of the least competitive relative to its funding, precisely because it's restricted to Indian citizens and OCI cardholders rather than opened globally.
Eligibility:Â Indian citizens and OCI cardholders, 30 years or younger, holding a Bachelor's degree.
Stipend: Approximately €860/month for the Master's track; €700/month for the Summer Training/lab internship track.
Additional benefits: Visa and Campus France procedure fee waivers, health insurance support, priority housing assistance. Selection basis: Academic record, statement of purpose, and CV — notably, there is no fixed minimum CGPA requirement, which widens eligibility beyond what many applicants assume
Renewal:Â The Master's track can be renewed into the second year, subject to passing first-year exams.
🎥 Want a quick overview of the Charpak Scholarship? Watch our shorts to understand the key eligibility criteria, benefits, and application details.
Submit only one application. Duplicate or category-mismatched applications are one of the most common, entirely avoidable reasons candidates get disqualified.
3. Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the EU's education and mobility programme, and while it's not a single scholarship you apply for directly, it funds a wide range of exchange semesters and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees involving French institutions.
What it covers: Varies by programme — Erasmus Mundus joint master's scholarships can cover tuition, travel, and living costs; standard exchange mobility grants provide a monthly contribution toward living costs rather than full funding
How to apply:Â There's no single universal application portal. For exchange programmes, you apply through your home institution's international office. For Erasmus Mundus joint master's programmes, you apply directly to the specific programme's own application portal.
Start with your own university's international office rather than the EU site directly — eligibility depends entirely on whether your institution has an active partnership agreement, and they'll know faster than a general search will.
4. University and Grande École-Specific Scholarships
Beyond national programmes, individual institutions run their own funding — and business schools in particular (HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP) tend to offer generous merit-based awards for competitive applicants.
Merit scholarships based on academic performance
Tuition reductions for high-achieving applicants
Need-based financial support
Programme-specific funding tied to a particular Master's or MBA track
If you are considering a Master's in Management, MBA or another business programme, check the school's:
Admissions → Fees → Scholarships / Financial Aid
before submitting your application.
5. France Excellence Scholarships at Business Schools
Several Grandes Écoles — including NEOMA Business School and others — run their own "France Excellence" branded scholarships, distinct from the national Eiffel programme, funded through embassy or institutional partnerships.
What it covers: Varies by school and intake — often a partial or full tuition contribution plus a monthly allowance
How to apply: Directly through the specific business school's admissions or financial aid page — not through a centralized portal
How to Plan The Timeline
12–18 months before study: Research universities, programmes and scholarship opportunities.
9–12 months before study: Prepare academic documents, CV, statement of purpose, and language certificates.
6–9 months before study: Submit scholarship and university applications according to each programme's deadlines.
After receiving an offer: Review the scholarship conditions, remaining costs and visa-related financial requirements.
The exact timeline varies, so always check the official deadline for each scholarship.
Documents Required
Requirements vary, but international students may commonly be asked for:
Academic transcripts
Degree certificates
CV
Statement of purpose or motivation letter
Letters of recommendation
Passport
Proof of admission or application
Language proficiency proof (English test scores, or DELF/DALF/TCF/TEF if applying to a French-taught programme — not mandatory for English-taught courses, but a genuine advantage on your application)
Research proposal for certain doctoral programmes
Financial documents for need-based scholarships
Additional documents related to nationality or eligibility
Do not prepare one generic scholarship application and send it everywhere.
A strong application should explain why you are a good fit for that particular scholarship and programme.
Does French Language Proficiency Matter for Scholarships?
It depends on the programme. Some programmes are taught entirely in English and may not require French proficiency for admission. Others may require or strongly prefer French.
However, even when French is not an admission requirement, learning French before moving to France can be extremely useful.
French can help you with:
Everyday communication
Networking
Internships
Part-time opportunities
Administrative situations
Communication with local organisations
Building relationships outside an international student environment
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