Unlock Your Future: France – South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026

Omran Aburayya
Oct 7
6 min read

Updated: Oct 8

If you are passionate about higher education, research, and international exchange, the France – South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026 is now accepting applications. This prestigious, bilateral programme invites applicants from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi to apply for full or cost-sharing scholarships to undertake Master’s or PhD studies in France, beginning September 2026. The programme is highly selective and seeks to build strong academic links between Southern Africa and France, while supporting talented students across all fields of study. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: France
Host Institutions: French public higher education institutions (universities and “Grandes Écoles”)
Administered by: The French Embassy in South Africa and Campus France South Africa
Study Level: Master’s and PhD (full degree or cotutelle/joint supervision)
Target Group: South African, Lesotho, and Malawi citizens
Fields of Study: All academic disciplines are eligible; priority given to fields aligned with national development priorities and areas of cooperation between France and South Africa (e.g., science, engineering, technology, innovation, humanities, and social sciences)
Programme Type: Fully/partially funded scholarship with a pre-departure orientation and French language training
Value & Coverage:
- Monthly allowance (living stipend)
- Tuition fee waiver (or partial coverage)
- One round-trip air ticket
- Social security and health insurance coverage
- Accommodation assistance
- French language courses (before and during studies)
Duration:
- Master’s: 2 years maximum
- PhD: Up to 3 years (or according to research duration)
Application Deadline: Mid-October 2025
Programme Start Date: September 2026 academic intake
Eligible To Apply:
- Citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi
- Applicants who have completed or are completing a Bachelor’s (for Master’s) or Master’s (for PhD) degree
- Candidates meeting academic and language requirements of French institutions
- Applicants demonstrating leadership potential and commitment to contributing to their home country’s development

📚Scholarship Overview

The France – South Africa Scholarship Programme is a collaborative initiative led by the French Embassy in South Africa with support from South African agencies like DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training), DSI (Department of Science & Innovation), the National Research Foundation (NRF), and other partners. An Advisory Board composed of representatives from these bodies and French institutions oversees the application review and selection.

This programme is designed to foster high-level academic exchange and strengthen France–Southern Africa research ties.

One unique aspect is the pre-departure track (Feb.–July 2026) for selected laureates held in South Africa. This includes:

Online French language training via the Alliances Françaises network
Orientation workshops to prepare for life and study in France
Possibly an internship with French companies or organisations in South Africa, depending on the applicant’s profile and opportunities

After this preparatory stage, scholars depart for France in September 2026, ready to begin their academic programmes.

💲 Benefits & What the Scholarship Covers

What is covered

Under the full scholarship scheme, recipients receive:

Monthly living allowance: approximately €850/month for Master’s, €1700/month for PhD (subject to review)
Social security / supplementary health insurance during the scholarship period
Priority access to student housing (subject to availability)
Visa fee exemption
Support by Campus France Paris for integration and procedures
Exemption from the student & campus life contribution (CVEC)
Conditional exemption of registration or tuition fees, if the programme is in a public university supervised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and has no extra training costs
Return flight ticket to France from home country
Additional housing aid (~ €150/month) possibly available via the French Government (CAF), depending on eligibility

Under the cost-sharing scheme, the monthly stipend may be partially or fully funded by a partner (e.g. institution, company), but all other benefits (insurance, visa waiver, housing priority, return flight, etc.) are still provided by the embassy.

ℹ️ Important note: Tuition fees are not automatically covered under the full scholarship. Exemptions only apply under certain conditions (public university, no additional training costs). It's crucial to check programme-specific cost structures and seek co-funding if needed.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the France – South Africa Scholarship Programme 2026, applicants must meet all of the following:

Nationality: Be a citizen of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi. Dual French citizenship disqualifies you.
Age / Birthdate: Born on or after 1 January 1996 (i.e., not older than 30 years in early 2026)
Admission in French Institution: Must intend to enroll (or be accepted in due time) in a Master’s or PhD programme at a recognized French institution.
Programme Recognition: The chosen programme must be recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Also ensure that SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) will validate the credential upon return.
Academic performance & project quality: Strong previous academic record, coherent study or research proposal, and alignment with applicant’s background.
Supervision (for PhD): For PhD candidates, a letter of commitment from a supervisor (or supervisors, in co-supervision) must be provided. In cotutelle, specify the time schedule for stays in France and the agreement.
Progress reporting (for renewals): For multi-year funding (2nd year of Master, 2nd/3rd year of PhD), continued scholarship depends on satisfactory academic / research progress.
Transparency about co-funding: Applicants must declare any additional funding or co-funding sources (from institutions, organizations, etc.). Parental or family business contributions are not accepted as valid co-funding.
Nationality restrictions: Dual French nationals cannot apply.

📝 Application Procedure

Open the call & registration: The call opens in June 2025. Applicants must register an account on the official portal and fill out the online application.
Prepare documentation (see list below) and upload them before the final submission deadline (08 October 2025, 23:59 SA time)
Final submission: Once “final submission” is selected, the application cannot be modified.
Shortlisting & Interviews: The Advisory Board will shortlist candidates; interviews are conducted (around November 2025)
Selection & announcement: Results are announced in November/December 2025. Recipients are confirmed in waves (April–July 2026), contingent on acceptance by French institutions.
Pre-departure program: From February to July 2026, laureates engage in online French courses and orientation in South Africa.
Departure & study: In September 2026, scholars depart to France and commence their Master’s or PhD programmes.

🗂️ Documents Required (All applicants)

Completed application form (online)
Copy of valid passport (or national ID)
Up-to-date CV (full academic history)
Cover letter / motivation letter explaining interest, academic goals, and chosen project
Copies of previous degree certificates (e.g. Bachelor, Master)
University transcripts (at least last two years)

ℹ️ Additional requirements for Master’s applicants

Proof of acceptance or admission correspondence from French institutions (to be provided between February and July 2026)
A list of up to 3 study programmes (links, application dates, tuition fees) in order of preference

ℹ️ Additional requirements for PhD applicants

Supervisor’s commitment letter (or letters, for co-supervision) confirming intention to supervise in France (and South Africa in cotutelle)
Detailed research project description (2–3 pages) including work plan
For cotutelle/co-supervision: timeline of stays in France, co-tutelle agreement (if already signed)

📂Optional / Supporting Documents

Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
Language proficiency certificates (French: TCF, DELF, DALF, etc.) if available
Cost-sharing or co-funding commitment letters from partner organisations (if applicable)

🚀 Eligibility Tips & Strategic Advice

Apply early: Do not wait until the last minute; the online portal closes sharply at the deadline and cannot be modified afterward.
Verify programme recognition: Before applying to a French institution, ensure it is recognized by the French Ministry and that SAQA in South Africa will accept the degree upon your return.
Strong research proposal / project alignment: For PhD applicants especially, a coherent and realistic project that connects your background to the French host’s strengths is crucial.
Secure supervisor commitment early: Approach potential French supervisors well in advance to negotiate commitment letters, and clearly define the co-supervision plan if relevant.
Consider co-funding options: Since tuition fees are not automatically covered, having additional funding (from institutions, NGOs, research grants) strengthens your application.
Prepare your language skills: Even if your programme is in English, French language competence is beneficial for daily life and integration in France.
Attend the webinars and orientation events: Campus France South Africa often hosts webinars to guide applicants.