The France–South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026 supports students from Southern Africa who want to complete a Master’s degree or a PhD at a university or higher education institution in France. It is run through Campus France, the agency of the French Ministries of Europe and Foreign Affairs and of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, whose mission is to promote French higher education and support international academic mobility.
For African applicants, the appeal is practical: the Campus France South Africa office helps candidates match their academic background to suitable study programmes, while the central Campus France agency in France manages the funding side for successful laureates. You do not need a confirmed admission offer at the time you apply, which makes it possible to secure the scholarship decision in parallel with your university applications.
This is the 2026 cycle, with a deadline of 8 October 2026. If you are weighing a French Master’s or a co-supervised PhD, this award covers the day-to-day cost of living and several logistics so you can focus on your studies.
Scholarship benefits
- A monthly living allowance of approximately €900 for Master’s students and €1,850 for PhD students.
- Social security (health) coverage for the entire stay in France.
- Priority access to accommodation in CROUS student residences.
- One round-trip air ticket to France.
- Note: the scholarship does not cover tuition fees.
Eligibility checklist
✔ Born on or after 1 January 1997.
✔ A citizen of South Africa, Lesotho or Malawi.
✔ Not a dual French citizen (dual French citizens are not eligible).
✔ Achieved a minimum average of 60% in your most recently completed degree.
✔ Master’s applicants: plan to enrol in a French higher education institution for a Master’s degree (admission not required at application).
✔ PhD applicants: plan to pursue a PhD in France and have identified a prospective supervisor or research laboratory (formal admission not required at application).
Application tips for African students
- Start early on document collection. You will need certified copies of all previous degree certificates and transcripts covering at least three years of study — request certified and, where needed, translated copies well ahead of the 8 October 2026 deadline.
- For PhD candidates, prioritise finding a French supervisor now. The Advisory Board favours co-supervised PhDs, and a firm commitment from both a South African and a French supervisor is described as decisive. So a joint arrangement genuinely strengthens your file.
- Write a focused cover letter that clearly connects your past studies, your proposed project in France, and your future career plans. Selectors specifically look at coherence between your background and your project.
- Highlight language proficiency that fits your chosen programme. If you plan to study in French, be ready to show your level; for English-taught programmes, confirm whether an IELTS/TOEFL score is needed for the institution itself.
- Build a clean, complete CV that lays out your full academic history, not just recent studies — the application specifically asks for this.
- Use the Campus France South Africa office. They help match your profile to appropriate French programmes, which is useful since you can apply before securing admission.
- Submit online well before the deadline. The file is accepted online only, so give yourself buffer time to fix scan quality, missing pages or form errors.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online only. Your file should include the completed online application form, a passport copy (or ID if you don’t yet have a passport), an up-to-date CV covering your full academic history, a cover letter explaining your motivations and project, copies of all previous degree certificates, and university transcripts for at least three years of study. Shortlisted candidates are then interviewed before final selection. Apply and find full details at https://southafrica-france-scholarships.com/.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this scholarship?
Citizens of South Africa, Lesotho or Malawi who were born on or after 1 January 1997 and hold a minimum average of 60% in their most recently completed degree. Dual French citizens are not eligible.
What does the scholarship cover?
It provides a monthly living allowance (about €900 for Master’s, €1,850 for PhD), social security coverage for the whole stay, priority access to CROUS accommodation, and one round-trip air ticket to France. It does not cover tuition fees.
Do I need a university admission offer before applying?
No. Master’s applicants only need to plan to enrol, and PhD applicants need to have identified a prospective supervisor or laboratory. A formal admission offer is not required at the time of application.
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is 8 October 2026.
How is the selection made?
Applicants are shortlisted on the quality of their file, then interviewed. The Advisory Board weighs academic and professional merit, the quality and coherence of the study project, career plans, and language proficiency. For PhD applicants, co-supervised projects with committed South African and French supervisors are favoured.
How do I submit my application?
Everything is submitted online through the official portal at https://southafrica-france-scholarships.com/, including the application form, ID/passport, CV, cover letter, degree certificates and transcripts.