Program Description
The France-South Africa Scholarship Programme is directed to students who intend to study in universities or higher education institutions in France for their Master’s degree or PhD. The programme is open to students with citizenship of South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
Eligible Study Programmes
The programme supports studies at Master’s and PhD level in French higher education institutions located in France. Joint or international degree programmes are eligible, provided that at least one of the partner institutions is located in France. However, scholarship funding will only cover the period of study and research undertaken in France.
General Requirements
To be eligible for the France-South Africa Scholarship Programme, applicants must:
- Be born on or after 1 January 1997
- Be a citizen of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi
- Not be a dual French citizen
- Have achieved a minimum average of 60% in their most recently completed degree
- For Master’s applicants: plan to enrol in a French higher education institution to pursue a Master’s degree
- For PhD applicants: plan to pursue a PhD at a French higher education institution and have identified a prospective supervisor or research laboratory in France
Scholarship Worth
The France Excellence scholarship holder status includes:
- Social security coverage and health insurance
- Priority access to student housing
- Exemption from visa fees
- Support services provided by Campus France Paris
- Exemption from the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC)
- Conditional exemption from registration fees for programmes offered by public universities under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research
- One return flight ticket between the recipient’s country of residence and France
- A monthly living allowance (900€ per month for Master’s students and 1850€ per month for PhD students, subject to reassessment)
- Eligibility to apply for additional housing support from the French Family Allowance Fund (CAF)
Application Process
The application deadline is 8 October 2026 at 23:59 (South Africa time). The application timeline is as follows:
- Applications open: 21 July 2026
- Application deadline: 8 October 2026 at 23:59 (South Africa time)
- Information webinar: August 2026
- Interviews for eligible candidates: November 2026
- Announcement of shortlisted candidates: Beginning of December 2026
- French language courses: February–July 2027
- Departure to France and start of studies: September 2027
Note: Tuition fees are not covered by the scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to consider tuition costs when selecting a programme. Scholarship holders are exempt from tuition fees at public higher education institutions that apply the standard national tuition rates for non-European students.
Grant Atlas