Scholarships in France for International Students (2027/28 Guide)

The best-known scholarship in France for non-EU students is France Excellence Eiffel, which pays €1,200 a month for master's students and €2,000 a month for PhD students. You can't apply for it yourself: your French institution nominates you, and for the 2027 call institutions must submit files by 6 January 2027.

Beyond Eiffel, there are university excellence grants, Erasmus Mundus scholarships, a dedicated French government scholarship for Afghan students and tuition waivers. Most deadlines for the 2027/28 intake fall between October 2026 and January 2027, so start now.

France Excellence Eiffel scholarship

Eiffel is a Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs program for master's students aged 29 or under and doctoral students aged 35 or under. The stipend amounts have applied since January 2026.

Although Eiffel doesn't pay tuition, Campus France says French government scholarship holders receive an automatic full tuition waiver at public institutions, so the combination can cover most of your costs.

Internal Eiffel deadlines at universities (2027 call)

Each institution sets its own, earlier deadline. Some require you to apply for admission at the same time. Examples from official pages:

France Excellence scholarship for Afghan students (2027)

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs runs a dedicated call for Afghan nationals living in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey or Uzbekistan. The deadline is 31 May 2027.

• Levels: mainly master's (2 years) and PhD (3 years), possibly bachelor's (3 years)
• Stipend: €900 a month (bachelor's and master's) or €1,850 a month (PhD)
• Also included: health insurance, a tuition waiver for national degrees at public universities, a free Études en France procedure, no visa fee, a return flight and possible CROUS housing
• Condition: you must already be admitted to a French program
• Priority: STEM fields and female applicants

Applicants living in Afghanistan apply for admission through the Campus France sites of the French embassies in India, Iran and Pakistan and the Études en France platform. The call also asks for your latest diploma with a French translation, so read our documents and legalization guide.

Campus France Iran, which handles many Afghan applicants, recommends three things to improve your chances of a visa: holding a French scholarship, having a coherent study project and having adequate command of the language of your program. That makes this scholarship worth applying for as soon as you are admitted, especially if you study a STEM subject.

University scholarships and grants

Many universities fund international master's students through their graduate schools or excellence programs. Examples from official pages:

• Institut Polytechnique de Paris PhD Track: master's scholarship of €10,000 a year, then three years of doctoral funding, with reduced fees.
• PSL PhD Tracks: fully funded 5-year MSc + PhD programs with a €10,000 yearly grant during the master's, then a doctoral contract.
• Nantes Université: €1,500 welcome grant for students admitted to the EPS, E-Mat and LUMOMAT Graduate Programmes.
• Université Côte d'Azur: academic excellence, need-based and mobility scholarships for MSc students.
• Sciences Po: Émile Boutmy Scholarship for high-achieving non-EU students (bachelor's deadline 13 January 2027) and the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for master's students.
• Toulouse School of Economics: merit scholarships that can exempt the best students from the specific program fee.

Erasmus Mundus joint master's scholarships

Erasmus Mundus programs are joint master's degrees run by several European universities, often including a French one. They offer scholarships to the best applicants worldwide, with their own early deadlines. Examples for the 2027 intake:

Tuition fee waivers

A waiver isn't cash, but it can save you €2,902 to €3,950 a year. Campus France explains that institutions may waive fees case by case, for example for students from countries affected by crisis or conflict, refugees or students in serious financial hardship. Waiver rules changed under Decree 2026-385 of 19 May 2026, and universities may mention possible waivers in their DAP replies.

• Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne: nationals of UN Least Developed Countries, including Afghanistan, are exempt from differentiated fees in 2026/27.
• University of Strasbourg: individual exemptions on criteria including financial hardship and coming from a UN Least Developed Country or a fragile or conflict-affected country.
• Several universities apply partial exemptions to all non-EU students; see cost of studying in France.

Other places to look

• Campus Bourses: Campus France's directory of scholarships from governments, local authorities, companies and foundations, filterable by nationality, field and level.
• Your own government's scholarships for study abroad.
• The French embassy in your country of residence, which may run its own programs.

Which scholarship fits your level?

Extra benefits of holding a French government scholarship

Official pages list several practical advantages beyond the stipend. In Pakistan, French government scholarship holders (for example Eiffel) and Erasmus Mundus students are exempt from the PKR 30,000 Études en France fee. French government scholarship holders are also exempt from visa fees and receive an automatic full tuition waiver at public institutions. A scholarship letter can cover all or part of the €877.50 per month you must show for the student visa.

How to build a strong scholarship file

1. 1.Start with admission. Most French scholarships, including Eiffel and the France Excellence call for Afghans, depend on being admitted or pre-admitted to a program.
2. 2.Check the eligibility rules first. Eiffel has age limits (29 for master, 35 for PhD), and Bordeaux INP also requires an average of at least 15/20.
3. 3.Write a clear project. Explain what you will study, why in France and how it connects to your career plans. Campus France Iran says a coherent study project improves your chances.
4. 4.Get strong references. Ask professors who know your academic work and give them time to write.
5. 5.Submit early and completely. Internal deadlines in November are common, and incomplete files are rarely forwarded.

Mistakes that cost scholarships

• Waiting for the 6 January 2027 Eiffel date when your university closed its internal round in November.
• Applying for Eiffel to a program that does not take part or nominate candidates.
• Ignoring Erasmus Mundus deadlines, which are often months before regular admission deadlines.
• Paying agents who promise guaranteed scholarships: official programs never sell places.

Scholarship timeline for 2027/28

1. 1

   October 2026

   Shortlist programs and ask each about Eiffel and its own grants. Erasmus Mundus and Eiffel calls open.

2. 2

   November 2026

   Meet internal Eiffel deadlines (for example 11 Nov at TSE, 15 Nov at Paris 1, 20 Nov at Bordeaux INP).

3. 3

   December 2026 to January 2027

   Submit Erasmus Mundus applications and remaining university scholarship files.

4. 4

   April 2027

   Eiffel results in the week of 12 April 2027.

5. 5

   By 31 May 2027

   Afghan applicants submit the France Excellence application once admitted.

Keep every scholarship deadline next to your admission dates: track deadlines for free on FindUniPath, or go back to the complete guide to studying in France.