France-South Africa 2024 Scholarship Programme for Graduate South Africans

The programme is open to South African, Malawian & Lesothan students.

The current 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.

• Table of Content
• About France-South Africa
• France-South Africa Scholarship Programme
• Aim and Benefits of France-South Africa Scholarship Programme
• Requirements for France-South Africa Scholarship Programme Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for France-South Africa Scholarship Programme
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About France-South Africa

Campus France South Africa helps you to improve your knowledge on French academic system as well as life in France. Please contact Campus France South Africa or follow us on our website and social networks (Twitter, Facebook or Instagram).

France-South Africa Scholarship Programme

Aim and Benefits of France-South Africa Scholarship Programme

Two schemes are possible under the France South Africa Scholarship Programme:

A full scholarship by the Embassy of France. It includes:

• The status of scholarship-holder of the French Government which includes social security, priority for accessing student housing, visa fee exemption and assistance offered by Campus France Paris.
• The payment of tuition fees, not exceeding 5000€ per year.
• A return flight ticket to France.
• A monthly allowance (approximately 700 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.

For PhD students, be aware that some doctoral schools require a minimum monthly income. Students applying to these doctoral schools have to contact and coordinate with the hosting French higher education institution and research laboratory to secure additional funding.

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.

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.

Requirements for France-South Africa Scholarship Programme Qualification

To be eligible for the France – South Africa Scholarship Progralle, applicants must be:

• Under the age of 33 years old on 1st January 2025.
• A South African and Lesothan nationals.
• Enrolled in a French Higher Education institution (in due time) to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD.

The scholarship is granted for a given period to be spent in France, matching the necessary time required to obtain the degree:

• For Master’s degree, the scholarship will be granted for a duration between 10 and 22 months. Master degree programmes are two years long. In some specific cases (Bachelor degree with Honours, for example), students may consider applying directly to M2 (second-year of the Master Programme). Only the hosting higher education institution is responsible for the admission. At the end of the first academic year, the Embassy of France will verify the success of the student to continue her/his studies in the second year of the Master’s programme.
• For PhDs, the scholarship will be granted for a maximum duration of 3 years. However, at the end of each academic year, in order to get the renewal of his/her grant, the recipient will have to justify the progress of their research work.
• In case of a PhD under co-supervision/cotutelle, periods of stay in France should be specified. The scholarship will only be granted for the periods spent in France.
• For PhD and Master Degrees, if the curriculum requires course work which will take place outside France, then applicant must specify all the details and his/her intentions, in the application process.

Interview date, Process and Venue for France-South Africa Scholarship Programme

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.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applicants are invited to carefully read the rulebook for the France – South Africa Scholarship Programme and the frequently asked questions. You can also consult the Campus France South Africa website to find more details on higher education institutions and study programmes in France. If you need any help or advice on finding the most appropriate programme for you, you can consult and contact Campus France South Africa.

For more details, visit the website.