France has long been one of the most attractive study destinations in Europe for international students. From world-class universities and grandes écoles to relatively affordable public education, the country offers plenty of opportunities for students who want to build an international academic career.
The good news is that you do not always need to pay the full cost of studying abroad yourself. A wide range of international scholarships in France for 2026 can help cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel, accommodation, health insurance, or other study-related costs.
However, finding the right scholarship can be confusing. Some awards are designed specifically for master's and PhD students, while others target undergraduate or BSc applicants from particular countries. Some scholarships cover most expenses, whereas others provide a monthly allowance that you can use toward your living costs.
In this guide, we will look at some of the best scholarships to study in France for international students in 2026, including opportunities for BSc, master's, and PhD students. We will also explain who can apply, what the scholarships cover, and how you can improve your chances of winning one.
Important 2026 update: Several major scholarship deadlines for the 2026–27 academic year have already passed. If you are reading this after the deadline, use the information below to prepare early for the next application cycle.
1. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is arguably the most prestigious French government scholarship for international students. It is designed to help French higher education institutions attract high-achieving students from around the world to master's and doctoral programs.
The scholarship is funded by France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and is administered through Campus France. Importantly, students do not submit Eiffel applications directly to Campus France. A French higher education institution must support and submit the candidate’s application.
The program covers several major academic areas, including biology and health, ecological transition, mathematics and digital sciences, engineering, French history and civilization, law and political science, and economics and management.
For the 2026 campaign, master's scholarship recipients receive a monthly allowance of €1,200, while doctoral recipients receive €2,100 per month, together with additional services such as international and national transportation, insurance, assistance with finding accommodation, and cultural activities.
At the master's level, the scholarship can cover up to 12 months for an M2, 24 months for an M1, and up to 36 months for an eligible engineering program. Doctoral funding can range from 12 to 36 months depending on the candidate and program.
There is one important detail applicants should understand: the Eiffel scholarship is not a BSc scholarship. It primarily targets master's- and PhD-level international students.
The 2026 institutional submission deadline was January 8, 2026, with results announced from March 30, 2026.
Best for: High-achieving international master's and PhD applicants.
2. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship
If you are looking for a strong master's scholarship in France, the Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship deserves serious attention.
Université Paris-Saclay offers this scholarship to outstanding international students admitted to eligible master's programs. The program covers a broad range of academic fields, and both M1 and M2 students can be considered. Applicants generally need to be under 30 years old during the application year and be enrolling in France for the first time, subject to the program's specific rules. Université Paris-Saclay +1
The financial package is attractive. Selected students receive €10,000 per year, paid monthly from September through June. The university also provides a travel and visa allowance of up to €900 per year, depending on the student's country of origin. Support is also available for administrative procedures and accommodation searches.
Students entering M1 can potentially receive the scholarship for a second year if they successfully complete the required credits and progress to M2 at Université Paris-Saclay.
For the 2026 intake, Master’s programme coordinators selected candidates by March 25, and scholarship applications were due by March 31. Results were scheduled for mid-May 2026.
This means students planning for a future intake should start researching programs several months before applications open.
Best for: International students seeking a research-oriented master's degree in science, engineering, business, humanities, or related fields.
3. Émile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po
For students interested in political science, international relations, public policy, economics, law, social sciences, or related disciplines, the Émile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po is one of the most interesting options in France.
The scholarship is available to international students from outside the European Union who are applying to eligible undergraduate and master's programs at Sciences Po. You cannot apply for the scholarship independently; you must apply for a Sciences Po program and indicate that you want to be considered for the scholarship.
This makes the award particularly useful for international students searching for both bachelor's/BSc and master's funding opportunities in France.
The 2026 deadlines varied according to the program. For undergraduate applicants coming from foreign secondary schools, the scholarship deadline was January 20, 2026. For undergraduate applicants applying through the French secondary-school route, the deadline was April 1, 2026. Master’s applicants had scholarship deadlines of October 19 or November 30, depending on the admission committee.
Because Sciences Po is highly selective, academic excellence alone is not enough. Your motivation, academic direction, leadership potential, extracurricular involvement, and reasons for choosing the program can all matter.
Best for: International BSc/Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants interested in social sciences and related fields.
4. France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship
For Indian students, the France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship is an important undergraduate funding opportunity.
The programme is specifically designed for Indian students who want to pursue a full-time bachelor's degree in France. It covers undergraduate programs across different academic fields and can support students at Licence 1, Licence 2, Licence 3, and certain professional undergraduate levels.
Selected students receive a monthly living allowance of €860, along with benefits such as visa and Campus France fee exemptions, student social security and additional health insurance, help finding affordable accommodation, and access to discounted university meals.
Applicants generally need to be Indian citizens or OCI card holders, aged 23 or younger at the time of application, and have applied for admission to a French institution.
There is an important 2026 caveat: the official Campus France India page states that applications for the 2026 session were not accepted. Therefore, prospective applicants should monitor the next announcement rather than assume that a 2026 application window remains open.
For Indian students planning a French undergraduate degree, however, this remains an excellent scholarship to keep on the radar.
Best for: Indian students seeking undergraduate/BSc-level study in France.
5. France Excellence Charpak Master Scholarship
Indian students looking for a master's degree can also explore the France Excellence Charpak Master Scholarship.
This program supports one to two years of master's-level study in France across a wide range of disciplines. Successful candidates receive French government scholarship status and a monthly allowance of €860, plus benefits related to social security, visa and Campus France fees, accommodation assistance, and student services.
Applicants must generally be Indian citizens or OCI card holders and be 30 years old or younger at the time of application.
The 2026 selection process has already been completed, with selected candidates informed by email.
For students targeting the next intake, this is a scholarship worth researching early because you will typically need an admission offer, academic documents, recommendation letters, and a strong statement of purpose.
Best for: Indian students pursuing a master's degree in France.
6. Ampère Excellence Scholarship at ENS de Lyon
The Ampère Excellence Scholarship at ENS de Lyon is another strong option for international master's applicants.
The scholarship is intended for foreign students admitted to eligible master's programmes at ENS de Lyon. Recent official scholarship information lists funding of approximately €1,000 per month for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for another year under the relevant conditions. École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Applicants typically need an academic background equivalent to a French license for entry into M1 or an appropriate master's-level background for M2.
The scholarship can be particularly attractive for students interested in research-intensive fields because ENS de Lyon has a strong academic and research environment.
It is highly competitive, so students should not rely exclusively on grades. A coherent academic history, convincing motivation, relevant research interests, and a clear reason for choosing the program can make the application stronger.
Best for: International students pursuing research-oriented master's programs at ENS de Lyon.
7. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships
Although Erasmus Mundus is not exclusively a French scholarship, it deserves a place on any list of the best scholarships for students who want to study in France.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programmes are delivered by international consortia involving universities in multiple countries. Students can study in more than one European country during the program, and some programs include a French university as one of the participating institutions.
The European Union provides full scholarships to selected students, making Erasmus Mundus one of the most comprehensive funding routes available to international master's students.
The exact funding package, academic requirements, participating universities, and application deadlines depend on the individual program.
This option is especially useful if you are open to a degree that combines study in France with study in other European countries.
Best for: International master's students who want a multinational European education.
8. PSL University Scholarships and PhD Tracks
Université PSL in Paris also offers several scholarship and funding opportunities for international students.
Rather than having one single scholarship covering every program, PSL has different funding schemes connected to specific graduate programs, schools, foundations, and research tracks. These include excellence scholarships in areas such as chemistry and engineering, as well as funding associated with specific programs.
PSL is particularly interesting for students interested in research. It offers highly selective fully funded five-year PhD tracks combining two years of Master’s-level study with three years of doctoral research. These tracks are taught entirely in English.
For international students, this can be an excellent alternative to applying separately for a master's scholarship and later searching for PhD funding.
However, PSL programs can be extremely selective, and deadlines vary according to the specific school and program.
Best for: High-performing master's and prospective PhD students targeting research-intensive study in Paris.
Are There Fully Funded BSc Scholarships in France?
This is where many international applicants need to adjust their expectations.
There are scholarships for undergraduate students, but fully funded BSc scholarships in France are less common than master's and PhD scholarships. French government and university funding tends to place greater emphasis on postgraduate education and research.
For undergraduate applicants, it is therefore smart to consider a combination of:
University-specific scholarships.
Country-specific French government scholarships.
Foundation and private scholarships.
Tuition-fee exemptions.
Need-based financial aid where available.
Erasmus+ opportunities for eligible mobility programs.
Scholarships offered by the institution you are applying to.
Sciences Po's Émile Boutmy Scholarship is one of the notable options because it can support eligible international undergraduate applicants. Indian students can also monitor the France Excellence Charpak Bachelor program for future cycles.
How to Apply for Scholarships in France
Winning a scholarship is not simply about filling out a form. Your application needs to tell a convincing academic story.
Start by choosing your degree and university first. Do not select a scholarship simply because it offers a large amount of money. A scholarship is only useful if the associated program matches your academic and career goals.
Next, check the eligibility requirements carefully. Pay attention to nationality, age, academic level, language requirements, previous study in France, field of study, and admission status.
Prepare your core documents early. These commonly include:
Academic transcripts and certificates.
Curriculum vitae.
Motivation letter or statement of purpose.
Academic or professional recommendation letters.
Passport or national identity documents.
Proof of language proficiency where required.
University admission letter, when required.
Research proposal for certain doctoral opportunities.
Your statement of purpose deserves special attention. Avoid generic sentences about wanting to study in France because it is a beautiful country. Instead, explain what you have studied, what problem or subject you want to explore, why the selected program fits your goals, and what you plan to do with the knowledge after graduation.
For PhD applicants, your research proposal can be even more important. You need to demonstrate that your research question is meaningful, realistic, and connected to the expertise of the proposed supervisor or research group.
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a France Scholarship
Scholarships in France can attract thousands of strong candidates, so small differences in application quality can matter.
First, apply early. Some scholarship deadlines occur months before the university's final admission deadline. The Eiffel program is a perfect example because the French institution, rather than the student, submits the scholarship application.
Second, research the university before writing your motivation letter. Mention specific courses, laboratories, research groups, professors, or academic opportunities that genuinely connect with your goals.
Third, demonstrate results. Instead of simply saying that you are hardworking, show evidence through academic performance, research, internships, competitions, leadership, publications, projects, volunteering, or professional experience.
Finally, do not apply to just one funding opportunity. Build a scholarship portfolio. If you are eligible for three university scholarships, two government scholarships, and an Erasmus Mundus program, consider applying to several rather than betting everything on one highly competitive award.
What About Tuition Fees in France?
One of France's major advantages is that public higher education can be considerably more affordable than universities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom.
However, international students should never assume that every program is inexpensive or automatically tuition-free. Fees vary according to the institution, program, nationality, and whether the student qualifies for an exemption.
For example, Université Paris-Saclay lists 2026–27 national registration fees of €178 for Licence, €255 for Master, and €398 for Doctorat, while other programs and institutions can have different fee structures. Université Paris-Saclay
Private institutions and specialized English-taught programs can cost considerably more.
That is why you should calculate the total cost of study in France, including tuition, accommodation, food, transport, insurance, visa-related expenses, and personal costs, before accepting an offer.
Conclusion
France remains an excellent destination for international students in 2026, but the best scholarship depends heavily on your level of study, nationality, academic field, and career plans. For master's and PhD applicants, the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship, ENS de Lyon Ampère Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus programs, and PSL funding opportunities are among the strongest options to investigate. Undergraduate students have fewer fully funded choices, but programs such as the Émile Boutmy Scholarship and country-specific awards such as the Charpak Bachelor Scholarship can provide valuable opportunities. The key is to start early, choose the right university before chasing funding, build a strong academic profile, and submit a personalized application that clearly explains your goals. Most importantly, always verify deadlines and eligibility on the official scholarship or university website because funding rules can change from one academic year to another.
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