France has become one of the most popular study destinations for international students.
However, study and living costs in France are not always affordable.
Although annual tuition fees at public universities is low at €200-€600, it could go as high as €10,000 at private universities.
Living costs are around €10,000 a year.
Fortunately, there are a number of French scholarships for international students that are being offered.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
The Eiffel scholarship program was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a tool to allow French higher education institutions to attract the best foreign students for master’s and PhD degree programs.
Eiffel scholarship-holders on Master’s courses receive an allowance of €1,181 and scholarship-holders on PhD courses receive an allowance of €1,400.
In addition, the programme meets various expenses including return trip, health insurance and cultural activities.
Scholarship-holders might also be eligible for additional accommodation allowance.
The programme does not cover tuition fees.
École Normale Supérieure International Selection
Each year, the ENS organizes an international selection allowing about thirty of the most promising international students, either in Science or in Humanities, to follow a two or three-year course at the ENS.
They receive a monthly stipend of approximately 1,000 Euros for 2-3 years.
About 30 foreign students are awarded each year.
Ampere Scholarships of Excellence at ENS de Lyon
The ENS de Lyon and its partners offer scholarships for excellent international students to enroll in its Masters programs in the Exact Sciences, the Arts, and Human and Social Sciences (excluding Professional Masters in teaching) through the Ampere Scholarships of Excellence.
The scholarships cover €1000/month for a duration of 12 months and are renewable with conditions.
Emile Boutmy Scholarships at Sciences Po University
Sciences Po created the Emile Boutmy Scholarships after the founder of Sciences Po in order to attract the very best international students from outside of the European Union who are applying and previously admitted to Sciences Po University.
The scholarships can take different forms ranging from €5,000 to €10,000 for 2 years of postgraduate study or €3,000 to €12,300 for 3 years of undergraduate study.
Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships
The Université Paris-Saclay would like to promote access to its master’s (nationally-certified degree) programs to international students, taught in its member establishments.
The scholarship is €10,000 per year and a maximum of €1,000 for travel and visa expenses is also awarded.
Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation Scholarships
The Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation supports a scholarship program for international students who wish to pursue an international master program at Grenoble INP.
The grant amounts to 5,000 euros per semester.
INSEAD MBA Scholarships
The INSEAD Scholarships are limited in number and there is significant competition for each award.
These scholarships are granted under various criteria and fall into two major categories: need-based and non-need based (based on either merit, nationality, gender, professional background, leadership abilities, field of previous studies etc.).
The value of the scholarships range from $5,000 to $25,000.
HEC Paris MBA Scholarships
HEC Paris offers generous scholarships to international students from different countries and backgrounds.
HEC scholarships fall into various categories: merit-based, need-based or based on specific criteria.
The amount of the scholarship varies from €6,000 to €24,000.