France-South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026

The French Embassy in South Africa is inviting applications from South Africans who wish to pursue Master’s or Doctoral studies at public higher education institutions in France, starting in September 2026 under the France-South Africa Scholarship Programme. The programme is also open to applicants from Lesotho and Malawi.

The France - South Africa Scholarship Programme is based on a highly selective call for candidates in order to strengthen high level exchanges between France and South Africa.

Due to the differences between the Southern and Northern hemisphere academic calendars, scholarship recipients will follow a specific programme in South Africa from February 2026 to July 2026. 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 scholarship recipient.

For more information on the France South Africa Scholarship Programme visit https://www.southafrica-france-scholarships.com/ 

Information Sessions

To support prospective applicants, Campus France South Africa will host a series of webinars. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) will co-host an information session with Campus France on:

🗓 09 July 2025
🔗 Register here

For updates, follow Campus France South Africa on social media for webinar information.

Degree Level

Master’s and PhD

Deadlines

The application deadline is 08 October 2025.

Final results will be announced in November/early December 2025. Final decisions will not be deliberated on.

 Timeline:

• The call for applications closes on 08 October 2025 at 23:59 SA time;
• The Campus France South Africa will be organizing a series of webinars to provide students with all useful information to prepare applications;
• Interview of the eligible candidates: November 2025;
• Results: end of November/early December 2025;
• Specific programme in South Africa (online French courses and possibly internship): February 2026 - July 2026;
• Departure to France: Early September 2026.

Field of Study

Applications are open to all fields of study. Science, engineering and technology fields and niche courses not available in South Africa may be prioritized.

Please note: 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.  

Who Can Apply?

• A South African, Mosotho or Malawian national;
• Born on or after 1^st January 1996;
• Applicants must be eligible for admission to the chosen Master's or Doctoral programme;
• Enrolled in a French Higher Education institution to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD;
• Master and PhD programmes in a few higher education institutions on the African continent are eligible as well. 
• For a Master’s degree, the scholarship will be granted for the duration of the degree. Master’s degree programmes are two years long;
• For PhDs, the scholarship will be granted for a maximum duration of 3 years;
• In case of a PhD under co-supervision/cotutelle, periods of stay in France should be specified in a timeline. 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 of France, then applicants must specify all the details and his/her intentions, during the application process.

Scholarship Offer

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

A full scholarship includes:

• Social security and supplementary health care insurance;
• Priority for accessing student housing;
• Visa fee exemption;
• Assistance offered by Campus France Paris;
• Exemption from student and campus life contribution (CVEC);
• Conditional exemption from registration fees, provided that the chosen program takes place in a public university under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education AND that no additional training fees are required by the programme;
• A return flight ticket to France;
• A monthly allowance towards living expenses (approximately 850 euros for Master's students and 1400 euros for PhD students);
• Accommodation aid (approximately 150 euros/month) can be obtained from the French Governments.

The Cost-Sharing Scholarship Includes:

• 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 recipients.

Applicants are highly encouraged to look for other sources of financing from his/her own local or French higher education institutions but also from private sector companies. Specific attention will be given to applicants who have found other sources of financing for their academic projects.

Application Process

Applications are strictly online via the dedicated platform France – South Africa Scholarship Programme

All Applicants Must Submit:

• A complete application form (online);
• A copy of the passport;
• 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's or Master's only);
• University transcripts of the last two years of studies.

 For Master Level Candidates

• Candidates must provide proof of acceptance at one of the study programme indicated during their application, between February and May/July 2026;
• During the application process, candidates are encouraged to submit their email exchanges with the host higher education institutions in France;
• Submit a list of identified study programmes that they intend to apply to, including link to the programmes webpages, the application dates for these courses and the tuition fees.

For PhD Applicants

• An attestation, signed by your supervisor, indicating her/his commitment to supervise your thesis; or, in case of co-supervision, an attestation signed by the two supervisors (South African and French) indicating their commitment to supervise in France and in South Africa. In the case of co-supervision, this attestation needs to indicate that a co-tutelle agreement will be established, that enrolment 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 the case of co-supervision, a detailed plan of the various periods to be spent in France during the research work. A signed co-tutelle agreement is also necessary.

Contact

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.         

Downloads and Links

France - South Africa Scholarship Programme website

Online Application Platform

Rulebook for the France - South Africa Scholarship Programme

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.