The Apply France – South Africa Scholarship Programme 2024 are now open, The France – South Africa Scholarship Programme is directed to South African students who intend to study in universities or higher education institutions in France for their Master’s degree or PhD.
The programme is also open to students from Lesotho and Malawi.
The next call for applications is open for students who intend to start their studies in France in September 2025. Applicants will be contacted individually as needed. The list of the laureates and the waiting list will be announced according to the indicated timeline. Follow-up requests by applicants will not be answered.
Due to the differences between the Southern and Northern hemisphere calendars, laureates will follow a specific programme in South Africa from February 2025 to July 2025. This track will include online French courses organized by the network of the Alliances Françaises. It may also include an internship in French Companies and organisations based in South Africa, depending on the opportunities and the profile of each laureate.
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France – South Africa Scholarship Programme 2024
The France – South Africa Scholarship Programme of the French Embassy to South Africa is based on a highly selective call for candidates in order to strengthen high level exchanges between France and South Africa. An Advisory Board Committee, set by the French Embassy, will monitor the programme and the selection process.
The Advisory Board involves representatives from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI) as well as well-known and high level academics from France and South Africa.
Scholarship types
Two schemes are possible under the France – South Africa Scholarship Programme:
- A full scholarship by the Embassy of France. It includes:
- The status of a France Excellence scholarship holder which includes social security, priority for accessing student housing, visa fee exemption and assistance offered by Campus France Paris.
- A return flight ticket to France.
- A monthly allowance (approximately 850 euros for Master students and 1400 euros for PhD students).
- An additional individualized accommodation aid (approximately 150 euros/month) can be obtained from the French Government via the CAF.
Note that the scholarship does not include the tuition fees. France has a large choice of options, and you may find a very good programme with almost no tuition fees. If you need help, you can contact Campus France.
In the second scheme of a cost sharing scholarship, the monthly allowance will be provided fully or partially by a partner (a partner among the Advisory Board, a company, a higher education institution or any other funding agency).
All the other benefits of a full scholarship will still be provided by the Embassy of France. This scheme can be proposed by the candidate during the application process or by the Advisory Board for some of the laureates. In this last case, preselected applicants must comply with the instructions by the French Embassy in order to secure the co-funding.
Applicants are highly encouraged to look for other sources of financing from his/her own local or French higher education institution but also from private sector companies. Specific attention will be given to applicants who have found other sources of financing for their academic project, especially when the tuition fees are high. Nevertheless, the commitment of the parents or a family business is not considered as a co-funding.
Eligible study programmes
- The study programmes eligible for the France South Africa scholarship programme are masters or PhD programmes in a French higher education institution located in France.
- Make sure that your programme is actually recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research:
- SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) only validate those diploma once you get back to South Africa.
- Also note, that a lot of Master of Science (MSc) are not Master’s degrees, and are not recognised in France.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the France – South Africa Scholarship Programme, applicants must be:
- Born on or after 1st January 1995.
- citizen of South Africa, Lesotho or Malawi.
- nrolled in a French Higher Education institution (in due time) to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD.
How to Apply France – South Africa Scholarship Programme 2024
The application file is to besubmitted online only and must include:
For all applicants
A complete application form (online).
A passport copy.
An up-to-date résumé that also states the candidate’s entire academic history.
A cover letter explaining motivations and interests in the planned academic project.
Copies of academic degree certificates (Bachelor or Master only).
University transcripts (academic marks) of at least two years of studies.
For Master’s level candidates
Candidates will need to provide proof of acceptance at one of the study programmes indicated during their application. Proof of acceptance must be provided between February and May/June 2025. During the application process, candidates are encouraged to submit their email exchanges with their chosen higher education institutions in France in place of the acceptance letter.
List of identified study programmes that the student intends on applying to, including link to the programmes webpages, the application dates for these courses and the tuition fees. A maximum of 3 study programmes is permitted, and should be entered by order of preference.
For PhD applicants
A supervisor commitment letter (or by the two supervisors, South African and French in case of a co-tutelle) indicating their commitment to supervise in France and in South Africa.
In the case of co-supervision, this attestation needs to indicate that a cotutelle agreement (unless it has already been signed) will be established, that enrollment will be at both universities and that a degree will be awarded by the French higher education institution.
A detailed description of the research project (2/3 pages) including a detailed work plan.
In case of co-supervision, a detailed plan of the various periods to be spent in France during the research work and, if it is already signed, a co-tutelle agreement.
Timeline:
The call for applications is open until 14 October 2024 at 23:59 SA time.
A webinar will be organized in June 2024 to provide students with useful information to prepare their applications. Follow Campus France South Africa on social media for webinar information.
Interview of the eligible candidates: November 2024.
Results: end of November/early December 2024.
Specific programme in South Africa (online French courses and possibly an internship): February 2025 – July 2025.
Departure to France: Early September 2025.
