Applications are now open for the France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027, offering an excellent opportunity for eligible students to pursue higher education in France. The programme supports talented students who want to complete a Master’s degree or PhD at a French higher education institution.
- France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 Details
- About the France South Africa Scholarship Programme
- Financial Benefits
- Available Degree Levels
- Fields of Study
- Eligibility Criteria
- Required Documents
- French Language Courses
- Important Dates
- Selection Process
- How to Apply for France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027
- Final Thoughts
The France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 is available to citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. Selected students will receive financial support, including a monthly living allowance, return airfare, health coverage, visa fee exemption, and other benefits.
Students from all academic fields can apply. However, priority is given to several strategic areas, including science, technology, engineering, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, health, environmental sciences, energy, and related disciplines.
The application deadline for the 2027 intake is 8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time.
France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 Details
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Country | France |
| Scholarship Name | France South Africa Scholarship Programme |
| Degree Level | Master’s & PhD |
| Eligible Countries | South Africa, Lesotho & Malawi |
| Study Location | France |
| Fields of Study | All Fields |
| Funding | Funded Scholarship |
| Applications Open | 21 July 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 8 October 2026 |
| Study Start | September 2027 |
About the France South Africa Scholarship Programme
The France South Africa Scholarship Programme supports students who wish to continue their postgraduate education at universities and higher education institutions in France.
Scholarships are available for Master’s and PhD programmes. Joint and international degree programmes may also qualify when at least one participating institution is located in France. However, scholarship funding applies only to study or research periods undertaken in France.
Master’s scholarships can support the duration of the degree, which is normally two years. Continued funding after the first academic year depends on satisfactory academic progress.
For PhD candidates, scholarship support may be provided for a maximum of three years, subject to satisfactory research progress and annual renewal requirements.
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Financial Benefits
Successful candidates under the France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 can receive several important benefits.
The scholarship package includes:
- €900 per month living allowance for Master’s students.
- €1,850 per month living allowance for PhD students. These amounts are subject to reassessment.
- One return flight ticket between the scholarship holder’s country of residence and France.
- Social security coverage and health insurance.
- Priority access to student accommodation.
- Exemption from visa fees.
- Exemption from the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC).
- Campus France support services.
- Possible exemption from registration fees at eligible French public universities.
- Eligibility to apply for additional CAF housing assistance, which may provide approximately €150 per month, depending on individual circumstances.
Applicants should note that the programme does not automatically cover all tuition fees. Scholarship holders may be exempt from tuition fees at public institutions applying standard national tuition rates, but applicants should carefully check the fees charged by their chosen programme.
Available Degree Levels
Applicants can pursue:
Master’s Degree
Students planning to enrol in an eligible Master’s programme at a French higher education institution can apply.
Applicants do not need to already hold an admission offer when submitting the scholarship application. However, successful candidates will eventually need to obtain admission to an eligible programme for the scholarship award to be confirmed.
PhD Degree
PhD applicants must plan to undertake doctoral research through a French higher education institution.
They should have already identified a potential research supervisor or laboratory in France when applying.
Fields of Study
The France South Africa Scholarship Programme is open to all fields of study.
However, priority may be given to applications in strategic fields such as:
- Digital technologies
- Artificial intelligence
- Quantum technologies
- Biotechnology
- Health
- Environmental sciences
- Energy
- Low-carbon mobility
- Space
- Food systems
- Information and communication technologies
Students from other academic disciplines are still encouraged to apply if they meet the programme requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027, candidates must meet the main eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi.
- Be born on or after 1 January 1997.
- Not hold dual French citizenship.
- Have obtained at least a 60% average in their most recently completed degree.
- Intend to undertake a Master’s or PhD programme at an eligible higher education institution in France.
- Meet the academic requirements of their selected programme.
Master’s applicants do not need to have received an admission offer when submitting their initial scholarship application.
PhD applicants must identify a prospective supervisor or research laboratory in France.
Required Documents
All applicants should prepare the required documents carefully before submitting their applications.
The main documents include:
- Completed online application form.
- Copy of passport or national ID if a passport is not yet available.
- Updated CV containing the applicant’s complete academic history.
- Cover letter explaining the applicant’s motivation and proposed academic project.
- Copies of previous academic degree certificates.
- University academic transcripts covering at least three years of study.
Additional Documents for Master’s Applicants
Master’s applicants must provide a list of the study programmes they intend to apply for.
Applicants may list a maximum of three programmes, in order of preference.
Information should include programme links, application dates, and tuition fees.
Admission is not required at the initial scholarship application stage. However, candidates selected for the scholarship must later provide proof of admission to one of their identified programmes.
Additional Documents for PhD Applicants
PhD candidates need to provide:
- Supervisor commitment letter.
- Detailed research proposal of approximately 2–3 pages.
- Research work plan.
- Relevant co-supervision information where applicable.
Academic or professional recommendations and language proficiency certificates may also be included as optional supporting documents.
French Language Courses
One interesting feature of the programme is the preparation offered before students travel to France.
Shortlisted candidates are strongly encouraged to participate in intensive online French language courses organised before their departure.
The preparation period is expected to run during the first half of 2027, helping selected students improve their French skills and prepare for academic and everyday life in France.
Important Dates
The official timeline for the France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 is:
- Applications open: 21 July 2026
- Application deadline: 8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time
- Candidate interviews: November 2026
- Shortlist announcement: Beginning of December 2026
- French language preparation: February–July 2027
- Final scholarship confirmation: May–July 2027
- Departure and beginning of studies in France: September 2027
Applicants should submit their applications early instead of waiting until the final day.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated based on academic merit and the overall quality of the candidate’s proposed study or research project.
The selection panel considers the applicant’s academic and professional background, motivation, quality and coherence of the proposed project, future career plans, and relevant language skills.
For PhD candidates, co-supervised doctoral projects involving French and South African supervisors may receive particular consideration.
Pre-selected applicants will be invited for an interview.
How to Apply for France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official France South Africa Scholarship Programme application system.
First, applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and identify suitable Master’s or PhD programmes in France.
Prepare all required documents, including your CV, academic certificates, transcripts, passport or ID, and motivation letter. Master’s candidates should identify up to three suitable study programmes, while PhD candidates should secure the commitment of an appropriate research supervisor.
Create an account on the scholarship application platform and complete the online application.
Before the deadline, carefully review your application and select “Final Submission.” Once the application has been finally submitted, it can no longer be modified.
Remember that applying for the scholarship is separate from applying for admission to a French university. Candidates ultimately need admission to an eligible programme before the scholarship can be confirmed.
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Final Thoughts
The France South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 is a valuable opportunity for students from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi who want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in France.
With monthly financial support, airfare, health coverage, visa fee exemption, accommodation assistance, and other benefits, the programme can significantly reduce the financial burden of postgraduate study abroad.
Eligible applicants should start identifying suitable French universities and preparing their documents early. The final deadline is 8 October 2026, and studies for successful candidates are expected to begin in France in September 2027.
