Scholarships in France: A Bridge of Opportunities for International Students

France offers a variety of scholarships for international students, including

:

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarships:

Eiffel Program: for postgraduate studies Master's and PhD.

Major Program: for graduates of French schools abroad.

Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships:

Social grants.

Doctoral projects.

Research grants from institutions such as the CNRS and IRD.

Regional Grants:

Offered by French municipalities and regions.

Support for postgraduate studies and research.

Erasmus+ Program:

Support for education and training in Europe.

European Mobility Grants.

Study Costs in France 2025

France has relatively low tuition fees compared to other European countries. Costs include:

French University Registration Costs 2024/2025 for European Students

Bachelor's: €175 per year.

Master's: €250 per year.

Engineering: €618 per year.

PhD: €391 per year.

French University Registration Costs for 2024/2025 for Non-EU Students

Bachelor's: €2,850 per year.

Master's: €3,879 per year.

PhD: €391 per year.

Study Costs in France at Private Institutions

Private universities in France, or private institutions in general, especially business schools, are considered higher than public institutions, ranging from €6,000 to €18,000 per year. It is recommended to check the institution's website to find out the tuition fees for the desired programs.

Approximately 18% of students in France study at private institutions, which are institutions not established by the state, and their level of government support varies. In some cases, the state may recognize the institution and allow it to award national diplomas, ensuring the quality of education. Private institutions recognized by the French government include the five Catholic institutes in Paris, Lille, Angers, Lyon, and Toulouse, as well as some business and engineering schools.

Full Tuition Waivers in France:

Students in France are exempt from tuition fees, whether regular or premium, in the following cases:

Students coming to study in France under a university partnership agreement that provides for a full waiver of tuition fees (such as the Erasmus+ program).

Students who receive a French government scholarship (BGF).

Students who receive a scholarship from the host educational institution, which allows them to fully waive tuition fees.

Partial or Full Tuition Waivers

Some students from outside the European Union may receive a full or partial waiver of tuition fees, based on the decision of the host educational institution in France or the French embassy in their country.

Quality of degrees obtained in France:

In France, a degree is considered "national" when it is recognized, meaning it is accredited by the state. This recognition represents a guarantee of quality and includes the following degrees:

Technical degrees: such as the BTS (two-year Higher Technician Diploma) and the DUT (two-year University Technological Diploma).

University degrees: including Bachelor's, Professional, Master's, and Doctorate degrees awarded by French universities.

Engineering degrees: awarded by the Commission des Titres d'Ingénieurs (CTI), which are equivalent to a Master's degree.

Business and Management School degrees: accredited by the Commission d'Évaluation des Formations et Diplômes de Gestion (CEFDG).

Professional training registered in the National Register of Professional Diplomas (RNCP).

Specialized training programs in fields such as architecture, arts, and political science, accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. If the degree is not recognized by the state, it bears the name of the institution that issued it. While it may have value in the job market, it does not guarantee equivalence that allows the student to continue his studies at other higher education institutions.

Quality Labels for Engineering Schools and Grandes Écoles

Quality labels are reliable indicators when assessing the quality of education or an institution. There are two main accreditation systems for engineering programs:

EUR-ACE: Accreditation of European Engineering Programs.

QUESTE: Quality System of European Scientific and Technical Education.

For Grandes Écoles, the Conference of Grandes Écoles (CGE) awards two distinct accreditation labels:

Mastère Spécialisé” (MS) – Specialized Master’s: This certifies a level of training equivalent to six years of post-secondary education. It is reserved for management and engineering schools and certain grandes écoles, such as the National Institute of Arts and Crafts (CNAM).

Master of Science in Management” (MSc) – Master of Science in Management: This program is awarded after five years of post-secondary education in management or engineering schools. This program has a strong international character, is often taught in English, and is typically aimed at international students.

How to apply to study in France 2025:

Scholarships in France: A Bridge of Opportunities for International Students

France offers a variety of scholarships for international students, including:

French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarships:

Eiffel Program: for postgraduate studies (Master's and PhD).

Major Program: for graduates of French schools abroad.

Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships:

Social grants.

Doctoral projects.

Research grants from institutions such as the CNRS and IRD.

Regional Grants:

Offered by French municipalities and regions.

Support for postgraduate studies and research.

Erasmus+ Program:

Support for education and training in Europe.

European Mobility Grants.

Study Costs in France 2025

France has relatively low tuition fees compared to other European countries. Costs include:

French University Registration Costs 2024/2025 for European Students

Bachelor's: €175 per year.

Master's: €250 per year.

Engineering: €618 per year.

PhD: €391 per year.

French University Registration Costs for 2024/2025 for Non-EU Students

Bachelor's: €2,850 per year.

Master's: €3,879 per year.

PhD: €391 per year.

Study Costs in France at Private Institutions

Private universities in France, or private institutions in general, especially business schools, are considered higher than public institutions, ranging from €6,000 to €18,000 per year. It is recommended to check the institution's website to find out the tuition fees for the desired programs.

Approximately 18% of students in France study at private institutions, which are institutions not established by the state, and their level of government support varies. In some cases, the state may recognize the institution and allow it to award national diplomas, ensuring the quality of education. Private institutions recognized by the French government include the five Catholic institutes in Paris, Lille, Angers, Lyon, and Toulouse, as well as some business and engineering schools.

Full Tuition Waivers in France:

Students in France are exempt from tuition fees, whether regular or premium, in the following cases:

Students coming to study in France under a university partnership agreement that provides for a full waiver of tuition fees (such as the Erasmus+ program).

Students who receive a French government scholarship (BGF).

Students who receive a scholarship from the host educational institution, which allows them to fully waive tuition fees.

Partial or Full Tuition Waivers

Some students from outside the European Union may receive a full or partial waiver of tuition fees, based on the decision of the host educational institution in France or the French embassy in their country.

Quality of degrees obtained in France:

In France, a degree is considered "national" when it is recognized, meaning it is accredited by the state. This recognition represents a guarantee of quality and includes the following degrees:

Technical degrees: such as the BTS (two-year Higher Technician Diploma) and the DUT (two-year University Technological Diploma).

University degrees: including Bachelor's, Professional, Master's, and Doctorate degrees awarded by French universities.

Engineering degrees: awarded by the Commission des Titres d'Ingénieurs (CTI), which are equivalent to a Master's degree.

Business and Management School degrees: accredited by the Commission d'Évaluation des Formations et Diplômes de Gestion (CEFDG).

Professional training registered in the National Register of Professional Diplomas (RNCP).

Specialized training programs in fields such as architecture, arts, and political science, accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. If the degree is not recognized by the state, it bears the name of the institution that issued it. While it may have value in the job market, it does not guarantee equivalence that allows the student to continue his studies at other higher education institutions.

Quality Labels for Engineering Schools and Grandes Écoles

Quality labels are reliable indicators when assessing the quality of education or an institution. There are two main accreditation systems for engineering programs:

EUR-ACE: Accreditation of European Engineering Programs.

QUESTE: Quality System of European Scientific and Technical Education.

For Grandes Écoles, the Conference of Grandes Écoles (CGE) awards two distinct accreditation labels:

Mastère Spécialisé” (MS) – Specialized Master’s: This certifies a level of training equivalent to six years of post-secondary education. It is reserved for management and engineering schools and certain grandes écoles, such as the National Institute of Arts and Crafts (CNAM).

Master of Science in Management” (MSc) – Master of Science in Management: This program is awarded after five years of post-secondary education in management or engineering schools. This program has a strong international character, is often taught in English, and is typically aimed at international students.

How to apply to study in France 2025:

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' "Études en France" portal is the primary reference for students residing in 72 countries and territories outside the European Union, who must submit a special application to enroll in a higher education institution in France.

Countries and Territories Covered by the "Études en France" Procedure

These procedures apply only to students residing in the following countries or territories:

Africa, Asia, and the Middle East:

South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Singapore, Chad, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

Europe and North and South America:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong, Mexico, Peru, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Dominican Republic. 

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