France is more than just a popular tourist destination. It’s also a popular hub for international students. To date, there are 385,000 students (and counting) who treat France as their second home. As a melting pot of people from all around the globe, France promises a multicultural educational experience that many students love.

On top of this experience, learners also get the chance to study in some of the world’s most esteemed institutions: PSL, Ecole Polytechnique, and Sorbonne, to name a few.

The cost of education is cheaper too. Compared to its neighboring countries, France offers surprisingly affordable tuition fees. At public universities, students only need to pay as low as EUR 2,770 to EUR 3,770 ($3,285 to $4,470) per year.

You may even defray most (or part) of these fees by applying for any of these scholarship programs in France:

Best Scholarships in France

1. HEC Paris Ph.D. Program Funding

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition for up to 5 years
  • Eligible Degree: Doctorate degrees at HEC Paris

HEC Paris offers a 100% tuition waiver to all its students. Awardees may specialize in any of the seven programs provided by the school – all of which are in English.

Apart from a full tuition subsidy, HEC Ph.D. students will also get an annual living stipend of EUR 23,000 ($27,280) and funding for conferences & research visits. Scholars can also augment their income through the school’s research and teaching assistantship jobs.

To apply to any of HEC Paris’ selective Ph.D. programs, applicants must have a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree. Excellent academic records are required, apart from proven fluency in the English language.

Applicants also need to submit their GRE or GMAT scores to be considered for this France scholarship.

2. CAP 20-25 Incoming Master Fellowship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition for 1-2 years
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s degree at the University of Clermont Auvergne (UCA)

The CAP 20-25 Incoming Master Fellowship is open to all talented foreign students who wish to pursue graduate studies at UCA.

Qualified subject areas include Agronomy, Architecture, Environment, Biology, Chemistry, Law, Management, Literature, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Health, Engineering, Humanities, and Transportation.

This scholarship in France, which covers the total tuition amount, also provides an initial payment of EUR 2,400 ($2,845) and subsequent monthly payments of EUR 1,200 ($1,420).

Students who wish to apply must be below 28 years of age. They should also be a graduate of any of the top 200 universities in the world.

Applicants also need to have a good command of the French language (CEFR level of B2).

3. American University of Paris (AUP) Scholar Awards

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 75% of the tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s degree at AUP

AUP is a private liberal arts institution based in Paris, France. Founded in 1962, it is one of the oldest American universities in Europe.

AUP sponsors at least 45% of its students for a total aid amount of EUR 4 million. Included in its philanthropic pursuits are the AUP scholar awards, which shoulder 75% of the tuition amount. This may be used by applicants who wish to study any of the programs in the university.

As part of the AUP requirements, student scholars must complete the Global Liberal Arts curriculum requirements. These include courses in Science, Mathematics, French, and English.

4. Émile Boutmy scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: EUR 3,600 to 13,000 ($4,270 to $15,420) per year for 3 years of Bachelor’s studies; EUR 6,100 to 12,200 ($7,235 to $14,470) a year for 2 years for Masters
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at Sciences Po

Named after the prolific Sciences Po founder, the Émile Boutmy scholarship is one of the best scholarships in France for international students. It is granted to select foreigners according to their academic merit. It covers the partial or total amount of tuition, including the cost of application as necessary.

No separate application is needed for this scholarship. Students just need to indicate their interest in the scholarship. They can do so by stating this in the ‘Financial Information’ section of the application form.

The student will also need to upload certain financial documents that showcase the current situation.

As part of the admission requirements, language test results need to be submitted online as well.

5. Université Paris-Saclay (UPS) International Master’s Scholarship Program

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: EUR 10,000 ($11,865) per year for 2 years
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s degrees at Université Paris-Saclay

The UPS International Master’s Scholarship program was developed to ease the entry of international students into the university – especially those who wish to pursue a Ph.D.

International students who study at the UPS – and are not older than 30 – are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Selection is based on the applicant’s academic records, personal projects, and motivation to pursue research (for M2 students).

Apart from the tuition subsidy, this top France scholarship also provides an additional EUR 1,000 ($1,185) for travel and visa-related expenses.

All scholars are required to complete their internships in the UPS laboratory or any other French company.

6. International Students MIEM Scholarship Program

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: EUR 8,000 to 10,000 ($9,490 to $11,865) for one year
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree at the Université de Paris – Faculties of Sciences, Health, Humanities & Social Science, and IGPG

The MIEM Scholarship, funded by IdEx, was created to globalize the university’s Master’s degrees. Yearly, 91 qualified applicants are provided the following bursaries

  • EUR 8,000 ($9,490) at the Faculty of Science and Humanities & Social Science – 35 students each
  • EUR 10,000 ($11,865) at Faculty of Health and IGPG – 28 and 7 students, respectively

Applicants who have been shortlisted at these faculties’ may apply for this France scholarship, granted that they meet the eligibility requirements. A secondary school diploma is required for M1 applicants, while an M1-equivalent degree (bachelor) is needed from M2 students.

Preference is given to applicants who are considered academic experts or senior managers in their home countries.

7. Université Grenoble Alpes IDEX Master Scholarship Program

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: EUR 5,000 to 8,000 per year
  • Eligible Degree: Masters degrees at the Université Grenoble Alpes – Faculty of Science and Humanities, ENSAG, INP, Sciences Po Grenoble, Alpine Geography & Urban Planning Institute, Law School, and Department of Economics

International students who wish to take a Master’s degree at the Université Grenoble Alpes may defray the cost of study through the IDEX Master Scholarship program.

Scholars may be given a funding amount of EUR 8,000 ($9,490) every year. As for semesters devoted to internship, the scholarship amount will be reduced to EUR 5,000 ($5,930). Half of the amount will be paid upon entry, while the remaining fee will be given after the first term.

There is no separate application needed for this scholarship in France for international students. Awardees will be chosen from the pool of students in the faculties mentioned above.

Scholars are selected according to their academic standing/ranking.

8. École des Ponts ParisTech Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: EUR 10,000 ($11,865) / According to the applicant’s financial situation
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s degree at the École des Ponts ParisTech

Founded in 1747, the École des Ponts ParisTech is one of the oldest and most prestigious Grand Écoles in France. It specializes in science, technology, and engineering courses that are very attractive to foreign applicants.

To aid their international students with their studies, the school has launched a variety of scholarship programs. One of these is the scholarship of Foundation des Ponts, a top scholarship in France that is offered to engineering students. It has an average value of EUR 10,000 ($11,865).

The school also offers a Social Criteria Scholarship, which bases the tuition rate according to the household income of the student’s family.

Some corporate scholarships are also available for students of certain departments/faculties.

9. Télécom Paris Alumni Fund: International Excellence Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: EUR 10,000 ($11,865) for the entire program
  • Eligible Degree: Engineering degree at Télécom

The International Excellence Scholarship is exclusive to foreigners who have been recruited during Télécom activities. As stated, this is funded by the generous pockets of Télécom alumni.

Awardees are given a bursary worth EUR 10,000 ($11,865), which is meant for the entirety of their Engineering studies.

Payments, however, are given as a single installment every September. This amount is conditional on fees, as stipulated in the scholarship contract.

Télécom’s engineering scholars, as with every other student, must complete a multidisciplinary core curriculum during their first year. This is then followed by specializations at either the Paris or Sophia-Antipolis campus.

Awardees of this top scholarship in France have the option to choose from any of the school’s 120 courses.

10. Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Allowances for 12-36 months
  • Eligible Degree: Masters and Doctorate degree

Funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Eiffel Program, one of the top scholarships in France for international students, aims to attract top-notch graduate students from all over the world.

Scholarships are available for applicants who want to study law, economics & management, engineering, or political science. Proficiency in the French language is also regarded as one of the selection components.

The program is rather strict with the age limit, as Master’s students need to be under 25 – while Ph.D. students have to be under 30.

The program does not cover tuition, though it provides awardees with a monthly stipend, health insurance, and international airfare. The award will also shoulder the transportation cost from the airport to the university (and vice-versa).

The Eiffel program may also shoulder the cost of housing outside student dormitories.

11. Paris Dauphine University – PSL Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full to Partial Tuition Fee Coverage, Stipend or Allowance, Travel Cost, Housing
  • Eligible Degree: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees.

Paris Dauphine University has scholarships open to all students and exclusive to international students.

Three scholarship programs they offer exclusively to international students are Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Dauphine Foundation Scholarship for Master’s Research, and Merit-Based Scholarships for Non-EU Students. All of these scholarships use part of their assessment from the academic performance and financial need of the applicant.

Benefits from these three scholarships in France are all different but will cover a monthly stipend or allowance, travel cost coverage, full or partial tuition fee coverage, and campus housing. Non-exclusive scholarships can also be found in the link provided and cover much more.

12. ESC Rennes School of Business Scholarships for International Students

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full to Partial Tuition Fee Coverage, Stipend or Allowance, Travel Cost
  • Eligible Degree: Undergraduate Degree

Rennes School of Business is an international business school in France that boasts a strong, healthy, and competitive learning environment fit for students from abroad. Various financial assistance and scholarship opportunities for international students are endorsed and offered by this university.

Different scholarships are listed specific to the benefactor or recipient country and should be reviewed by the applicants. The benefits also differ from one another but will mostly cover partial to full tuition fees, allowance or stipend, research costs, and travel costs.

Further scholarships not exclusive to international students are offered by the university as well. Applicants are advised to contact the admission office to inquire which ones are stackable.

13. University of Toulouse’s Doctoral Programmes Scholarships and Grants

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full or Partial Tuition Fee Coverage, Monthly Stipend, Living Expense Coverage, Travel Cost Coverage, Health Insurance.
  • Eligible Degree: Postgraduate Degrees

The University of Toulouse is considered one of the oldest and longstanding universities in Europe, upholding quality and competent education in one of the largest continents in the world. Part and parcel of their longevity is their success in providing international students a home for their postgraduate education.

Students from all over the world are encouraged to further their postgraduate studies and thesis research at the University of Toulouse. It offers partnership scholarships signed and agreed to by universities, associations, and organizations from different countries. Much like the Rennes School of Business, these France scholarships are indicated according to the benefactor countries and targeted home countries of its recipients. On one hand, scholarships at the bachelor’s level are endorsed but not funded by the university. Postgraduate level scholarships, on the other hand, are.

Only 15 doctoral programs are offered at the University of Toulouse, and only 4 countries are covered by international student-exclusive scholarships. Both benefits and eligibility requirements will also differ. More information is linked in each description of the scholarships.

14. University of Lyon’s Ampère & MILYON Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Monthly Allowance, Partial Tuition Fee Coverage
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s Degrees

The University of Lyon is an academic institution considered to be one of the largest and most complex educational centers in France. They have an elite professional school named École Normale Supérieure de Lyon or, ENS de Lyon, that focuses on developing participants in business and politics.

ENS de Lyon has two scholarships exclusively offered to international students studying for Master’s Degrees in Advanced Mathematics, Arts, Computer Sciences, Exact Sciences, as well as Human and Social Sciences. These scholarships are named Ampère Scholarships of Excellence and the MILYON Scholarship.

Each scholarship is offered to students in specific programs and has its own eligibility requirements. However, both programs provide their recipients with a EUR1,000 ($1,185) monthly allowance. It must be noted that the MILYON scholarship may also fund part of the tuition fee of its recipient.

15. University of Technology of Troyes Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full or Partial Tuition Fee Coverage, Travel Cost Coverage, Monthly Allowance, Financial Assistance on Research
  • Eligible Degree: Postgraduate Degrees

The University of Technology of Troyes (UTT) prides itself as one of the best universities specializing in science and technology in France. They have 10 fields of expertise, some of which are Network, Nanotechnology, Digital Technology, Safety and Risk Management, and Virtual Reality.

UTT also offers its own scholarships and endorses external scholarships hosted in their university. Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence is one of the external scholarships they endorse, which has already been noted above. Original scholarships are offered to students from Russia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Aside from these scholarship opportunities in France, tuition fee exemption is also available for all students who need financial assistance.

Eligibility requirements are specific to each scholarship, so students must thoroughly check if they fit with what they are applying for. Benefits also vary but will mostly cover tuition expenses, monthly allowance, and financial assistance for research.

 

We hope that this article on the best France scholarships for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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4 Comments

  1. Patrick - Reply

    I would like to have an enrollment in your school.

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hi we are not an institution, so we can’t give admissions to students. However, I highly recommend you to apply to these scholarships in France:)

  2. Mehnaz - Reply

    I want a scholarship in college. How to get this?

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