The 2025 call for applications for the France-South Africa Scholarship Programme is now open until mid October 2024.
The France - South Africa Scholarship Programme for 2025 stands as a beacon of academic and cultural exchange, offering South African, Lesotho, and Malawi students a chance to pursue their Master’s degree or PhD in France. With applications open until 14 October 2024, this prestigious programme not only facilitates higher education but also bridges the hemispherical academic calendar gap through a preparatory track in South Africa. This includes online French courses and potential internships in French companies, starting from February to July 20251. It’s a comprehensive package designed to foster educational growth and international cooperation.
This article will provide you a comprehensive guide to walk you through the application process for this exciting opportunity.
Scholarship types
Two schemes are possible under the France - South Africa Scholarship Programme:
1). Full scholarship by the Embassy of France:
Status of a France Excellence scholarship holder, which includes social security, priority for accessing student housing, visa fee exemption and assistance offered by Campus France Paris.
A monthly allowance (approximately 850 euros for Master students and 1400 euros for PhD students).
A return flight ticket to France.
Accommodation aid (approximately 150 euros/month) can be obtained from the French Government.
➢ NOTE: The scholarship does not include the tuition fees. France has a large choice of options, and you may find a very good programme with almost no tuition fees. If you need help, you can contact Campus France.
2). Cost sharing scholarship
Under this scheme, 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 laureates. In this last case, preselected applicants must comply with the instructions by the French Embassy in order to secure the co-funding.
Applicants are highly encouraged to look for other sources of financing from his/her own local or French higher education institution but also from private sector companies. Specific attention will be given to applicants who have found other sources of financing for their academic project, especially when the tuition fees are high. Nevertheless, the commitment of the parents or a family business is not considered as a co-funding.
Scholarship Duration
• Master’s degree: The scholarship will be granted for a duration between 10 and 22 months depending on chosen program. Master degree programmes are usually two years long.
• PhD Degree: The scholarship will be granted for a maximum duration of 3 years. However, at the end of each academic year, in order to get the renewal of his/her grant, the recipient will have to justify the progress of their research work.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the France - South Africa Scholarship Programme, applicants must be:
Born on or after 1st January 1995.
A citizen of South Africa, Lesotho or Malawi.
Enrolled in a French Higher Education institution (in due time) to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD.
Eligible study programmes
The study programmes eligible for the France South Africa scholarship programme are masters or PhD programmes in a French higher education institution located in France. 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.
Application Procedure and Documents
The application file is to be submitted online only and must include:
A complete application form (online).
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 or Master only).
University transcripts (academic marks) of at least two years of studies.
In addition to :
➢ For Master's Students
Proof of acceptance at one of the study programmes indicated during their application (Must be provided between February and May/June 2025.
List of identified study programmes (max. 3) that the student intends on applying to, including link to the programmes webpages, the application dates for these courses and the tuition fees.
➢ For PhD Students
A detailed description of the research project (2/3 pages) including a detailed work plan.
A supervisor commitment letter (or by the two supervisors, South African and French in case of a co-tutelle) indicating their commitment to supervise in France and in South Africa.
Optional documents:
Cost-sharing commitment letter from the corresponding organisation.
Academic and/or professional recommendation.
Language proficiency certificates: French (TCF, DELF, DALF, academic degree…).
➢ Read further details on the program Rulebook
➢ Application Deadline: 14 October, 2024
Results and Notifications
Final results will be announced in November / December 2024.
The results announced in November/December will consist of a "main list" with the potential laureates of the France - South Africa Scholarship Programme. The final awarding of a scholarship, will be confirmed in 3 waves announced between April and July 2025, and will depend on the acceptance in the chosen study programmes by the French Higher Education Institutions and the priorities as determined by the Advisory Board.
For the candidates on the main list:
They must finalize their enrolment in the study programme that they indicated during their application to the scholarship.
They must attend the intensive online French courses that will be provided for them between February 2025 and June 2025.
Depending on the opportunities and the profiles of the laureates, an internship may be proposed in a French company or organisation based in South Africa.
➢ You can find further details on the program Rulebook webpage
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