2026 France–South Africa Scholarship Programme

📖 About the Programme

The France–South Africa Scholarship Programme is directed at students with South African, Lesotho, or Malawian citizenship who intend to study in universities or higher education institutions in France for their Master’s degree or PhD.

Key Details

• Date Published: August 04, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 08, 2025
• Eligible Degrees: Master's, PhD, Postgraduate
• Opportunity Location: France
• Eligible Locations: South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi

The programme is based on a highly selective process to strengthen high-level exchanges between France and South Africa. An Advisory Board Committee, set by the French Embassy, monitors the programme and selection process.

🎁 Benefits

Scholarship Types

1. Full Scholarship

Includes:

• France Excellence scholarship holder status, which provides:

  • Social coverage and supplementary health care insurance
  • Priority access to student housing
  • Visa fee exemption
  • Assistance from Campus France Paris
  • Exemption from student and campus life contribution (CVEC)
  • Conditional exemption from registration fees (specific conditions apply)

• Return flight ticket to France

• Monthly allowance:

  • Approximately €850 for Master's students
  • Approximately €1700 for PhD students (subject to annual review)

• Additional individualised accommodation aid (~€150/month) via French Government Family Allocations (CAF)

2. Cost-Sharing Scholarship

• Monthly allowance provided fully or partially by a partner (e.g., Advisory Board, company, higher education institution, or funding agency).
• All other benefits of the full scholarship provided by the Embassy of France.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Study Programmes

• Master's or PhD programmes in a French higher education institution located in France.
• Programmes must be recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

General Requirements

• Born on or after January 1, 1996.
• Citizen of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi (dual French citizens are not eligible).
• Enrolled in a French Higher Education institution to pursue a Master's degree or PhD.

Duration of Scholarship

• Master’s Degree: Scholarship granted for the duration of the degree (typically two years).
• PhD: Scholarship granted for a maximum of three years, with annual renewal based on research progress.

📅 Application Process

Required Documents

For All Applicants

• Complete application form (submitted online).
• Passport copy.
• Up-to-date CV with academic history.
• Cover letter explaining motivations and interests in the academic project.
• Copies of all previous academic degree certificates.
• University transcripts (academic marks) for at least two years of studies.

For Master's Level Candidates

• Proof of acceptance for one of the study programmes (to be provided between February and July 2026).
• List of identified study programmes (maximum of three), including links, application dates, and tuition fees.

For PhD Applicants

• Supervisor commitment letter (or letters for co-supervision).
• Detailed description of the research project (2–3 pages) with a work plan.
• Timeline of periods to be spent in France (for co-supervision).

Optional Documents

• Cost-sharing commitment letter from the corresponding organisation.
• Academic and/or professional recommendation.
• Language proficiency certificates (e.g., TCF, DELF, DALF).

🔍 Selection Process

Evaluation Criteria

• Candidate's skills and merit based on academic record and professional background.
• Quality and coherence of the study project with the candidate’s background.
• For PhD applicants, preference for co-supervision with commitment from South African and French supervisors.
• Language proficiency and its adequacy with the chosen study programmes.

Timeline

• Final Results: Announced in November/December 2025.
• Scholarship Confirmation: Three waves between April and July 2026, depending on acceptance into chosen study programmes.

📅 Important Dates

• Application Opens: June 17, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 08, 2025
• Final Results Announcement: November/December 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the France–South Africa Scholarship Programme.
• Apply online via the France–South Africa Scholarship Programme Registration Portal.

📢 Final Notes

Applicants are encouraged to attend intensive online French courses provided between February and June 2026. Depending on profiles, internships may be proposed in French companies or organisations based in South Africa.

Candidates must commit to the study project they were selected for and inform the French Embassy of any changes or additional funding obtained.

• Full scholarship by the Embassy of France includes:
  • Social coverage and supplementary health care insurance
  • Priority for accessing student housing
  • Visa fee exemption
  • Assistance offered by Campus France Paris
  • Exemption from student and campus life contribution (CVEC)
  • Conditional exemption from registration fees
  • A return flight ticket to France
  • A monthly allowance (approximately 850 euros for Master students and 1700 euros for PhD students)
  • An additional individualised accommodation aid (approximately 150 euros/month)
• Cost sharing scholarship where the monthly allowance will be provided fully or partially by a partner.