France–South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027 for South African Students

South African students looking to study in France can apply for the France–South Africa Scholarship Programme 2027, which supports eligible students pursuing Master's degrees and PhDs at higher education institutions in France.

The 2027 scholarship call is currently open, with applications closing on 8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time.

The programme is open to citizens of South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, with studies scheduled to begin in France in September 2027.

Official France–South Africa Scholarship Programme

France–South Africa Scholarship 2027 at a Glance

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The France–South Africa Scholarship Programme provides several forms of financial and practical support to successful applicants.

Master's students

Master's scholarship recipients receive a monthly living allowance of approximately €900 per month, subject to reassessment.

PhD students

PhD scholarship recipients receive a monthly living allowance of approximately €1,850 per month, subject to reassessment.

The scholarship package also includes:

• Social security coverage and health insurance

• One return flight between the recipient's country of residence and France

• Exemption from visa fees

• Support services through Campus France Paris

• Exemption from the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC)

• Priority access to student accommodation

• Eligibility to apply for additional housing support through CAF

• Tuition-fee exemptions at public higher education institutions that apply the standard national tuition rates for non-European students, subject to the programme's conditions

Applicants should carefully check tuition costs for their chosen programme because the scholarship does not automatically cover every tuition fee charged by every institution.

Official Scholarship Rulebook

Who Can Apply?

The 2027 programme is open to applicants who meet the official eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be born on or after 1 January 1997

• Be a citizen of South Africa, Lesotho or Malawi

• Have achieved a minimum average of 60% in their most recently completed degree

• Intend to study at a French higher education institution

• Meet the requirements for the relevant Master's or PhD programme

Dual French citizens are not eligible for this scholarship programme.

Master's applicants

Master's applicants must intend to enrol in a Master's degree programme at a French higher education institution.

You do not need to have already been admitted to a French university when submitting your scholarship application.

However, you must identify the programmes you intend to apply for and ultimately obtain admission to one of the programmes listed in your scholarship application.

A maximum of three study programmes can be listed, in order of preference.

PhD applicants

PhD applicants must intend to undertake a PhD at a French higher education institution.

Applicants must have identified a prospective supervisor or research laboratory in France.

A formal admission offer is not required when the scholarship application is submitted, but PhD applicants must provide the required supervisor commitment documentation.

What Can You Study?

The scholarship is open to all fields of study.

However, priority is given to applications in areas considered strategically important, including:

• Digital technologies

• Artificial intelligence

• Quantum technologies

• Biotechnology

• Health

• Environmental sciences

• Energy

• Low-carbon mobility

• Space

• Food systems

• Information and communication technologies

Humanities and social sciences projects connected to these priority areas can also be considered.

This means South African applicants outside STEM should not automatically assume they are excluded. The programme remains open to all fields, although priority areas receive particular consideration.

Do You Need to Already Have University Admission?

Not necessarily.

One of the useful features of this scholarship is that applicants can submit their scholarship application before receiving final admission from a French higher education institution.

However, applicants should already have identified suitable programmes and provide information about them.

For Master's applicants, the scholarship application should include details such as:

• Programme name

• Programme webpage

• Application dates

• Tuition fees

Applicants are encouraged to communicate with their chosen French institutions during the application process.

If selected for the scholarship, final confirmation of the award depends on obtaining admission to an appropriate programme.

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants should prepare their documents before starting the online application.

The application requires documents including:

• Passport copy or South African ID if a passport is not yet available

• Updated CV containing the applicant's academic history

• Motivation/cover letter

• Copies of previous academic degree certificates

• University transcripts covering at least three years of study

Master's applicants must also provide information about their selected study programmes.

PhD applicants must provide additional research-related documentation, including:

• Supervisor commitment letter

• Detailed research project of approximately 2–3 pages

• Research work plan

• Additional co-supervision documents where applicable

Language certificates and academic or professional recommendations may also be submitted where relevant.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2027 France–South Africa Scholarship Programme is:

8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time

The official website states that applicants must complete the final submission before the deadline.

Simply creating an account or saving an application is not enough.

After final submission, applicants can no longer modify the application.

Because documents and programme information take time to prepare, South African applicants should avoid waiting until the final day.

2027 Scholarship Timeline

The official timeline is:

• 21 July 2026: Applications open

• 8 October 2026: Application deadline

• November 2026: Interviews for eligible candidates

• Beginning of December 2026: Shortlisted candidates announced

• February–July 2027: French language preparation

• September 2027: Departure to France and beginning of studies

The programme also provides online French language courses for selected candidates before they travel to France.

How South Africans Can Apply

South African applicants should follow these steps:

1. Choose suitable programmes in France

Research Master's or PhD programmes that match your academic background and career plans.

Campus France can provide information about French universities and available programmes.

2. Prepare your documents

Prepare your academic transcripts, certificates, CV, motivation letter, identification documents and other documents required for your level of study.

3. Identify up to three Master's programmes

Master's applicants can list a maximum of three programmes in order of preference.

PhD applicants should identify a suitable supervisor or research laboratory.

4. Create an online application account

Applications are submitted online through the official France–South Africa Scholarship Programme website.

Start the official online application

5. Complete the application

Fill in the required information and upload the requested supporting documents.

6. Submit the final application

Make sure to select final submission before:

8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time

The official website warns that applications cannot be changed after final submission.

Important Advice for South African Applicants

Do not treat the scholarship application as a substitute for applying to a university.

The scholarship programme and university admission are separate processes.

Applicants should research their intended French institutions early and make contact with the institutions where necessary.

For Master's applicants, the scholarship application can be submitted before final admission, but successful applicants will eventually need to provide proof of acceptance.

South African applicants should also check whether their chosen qualification is officially recognised in France. The programme specifically warns applicants to verify the recognition status of their chosen qualification.

Do You Need to Speak French?

Not necessarily.

The official FAQ confirms that applicants may enrol in programmes taught entirely in English or French, depending on their language ability and the requirements of the chosen programme.

For programmes taught in French, applicants are expected to have an appropriate level of French proficiency, with the FAQ indicating DELF B2 as the expected minimum for French-taught programmes.

Selected scholarship recipients will also have access to online French language preparation before the 2027 academic year.

When Will Successful Applicants Start Studying?

Successful applicants are expected to begin their studies in France in September 2027.

The programme plans French language preparation from February to July 2027, followed by departure to France and the start of studies in September.

Final Reminder for South African Applicants

The France–South Africa Scholarship Programme is a major opportunity for South Africans who want to pursue postgraduate study in France.

The programme supports Master's and PhD studies and provides a substantial package including a monthly living allowance, health and social protection, a return flight and other benefits.

However, applicants should carefully research tuition fees and the financial requirements of their chosen programme rather than assuming that every university charge will be covered.

The most important date to remember is:

Application deadline: 8 October 2026 at 23:59 South Africa time.

Apply through the official France–South Africa Scholarship Programme website

Do not wait until the deadline to submit your application.