Are you an Indian student dreaming of studying in France but worried about finances?

Well, you are in luck! In this blog post, we will share some of the top scholarships in France for Indian students in 2024 that can fulfil your dream of studying in France and make your education more accessible.

France is known for its high-quality education and great culture, making it a popular choice among international students.

Keep reading the blog to find the best scholarship in France. Don’t miss this chance to study abroad!

Why study in France in 2024?

Studying in France offers numerous advantages and opportunities for international students. Here are some of the compelling reasons to study in France in 2024:

High-quality education: France is known for its prestigious and high-quality education system. Its universities include many world-renowned ones, like Sorbonne University and Ecole Polytechnique. Graduating from these universities will give you an edge in the job market because of their world-recognised degrees.
Focus on research and innovation: French universities are research-oriented, particularly in science, technology, and the arts. This will allow you to learn from the leading experts.
The diverse range of programs: France offers various programs and courses in humanities, sciences, engineering, arts, and business. The best part is that these programs are taught in French and English.
Rich culture: France is known for its history, art, and a vibrant lifestyle. Studying in France will allow you to experience it and enrich your personal development.
Affordable living: Compared to other Western European countries, France is much more affordable and offers a manageable cost of living to international students.
Scholarship opportunities: Numerous scholarships are available for Indian students, such as the Charpak scholarship, which we will discuss further in the blog. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad.
Safe and welcoming environment: Like some other Western European countries, France is generally considered a safe country with a welcoming atmosphere for International students.
Studying in France will allow you to learn the local French language. Learning the French language will help you interact with local people, and this valuable skill can also open doors to new career opportunities.

Studying in France in 2024 presents a unique opportunity to gain a top-notch education, immerse yourself in a rich culture, and launch a successful international career.

Why aim for a scholarship in France?

A scholarship is vital if you aim to study abroad as it supports you in many ways. Here are some of the compelling reasons to choose a scholarship to study in France:

Reduce financial burden: Many universities in France offer lower tuition fees in Europe. However, living expenses can add an extra burden on you, so here scholarships come into effect. Scholarship can significantly reduce the financial strain, making studying in France a more realistic possibility.
Increases affordability: Scholarships can cover various costs, such as tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and even travel costs. This makes studying in France much more affordable.
Recognition: Do you know winning a scholarship, especially a top one like the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, is a prestigious honour that can add extra value to your academic profile?
Focus on studies: Financial security from scholarships can help you concentrate on your studies without worrying about finances.
Be distinctive: Having a scholarship in hand demonstrates academic merit and commitment, making you a more competitive candidate for future job prospects or higher education opportunities.
Cultural and professional experience: Studying in France will help you experience France’s local culture and open doors to international networks or job markets. Scholarships can make this more accessible.

Top scholarships for Indian students in France

The French Foreign Ministry offers various scholarships to international students. Of these scholarships, 25% are funded directly by the Ministry in the framework of Eiffel, which supports Master’s or doctoral-level studies or the Major program designed for top foreign students who have completed their high school education in French schools abroad.

French institutions offer over 100 other scholarship programs, including those for PhD and post-doctoral levels.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs created the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program to help French universities and colleges attract outstanding international students to their master’s and PhD programs.

It provides opportunities for future foreign leaders in both the private and public sectors, focusing on critical areas of study.

It welcomes applicants from foreign countries who are up to 25 years old for master’s programs and up to 30 years old for PhD programs.

Eiffel scholarships in France offer various benefits to international students. Here are some:

It covers a monthly allowance between 1200 euros and 1700 euros, approximately between INR 1.1 lakh and 1.6 lakh.
It also covers airfare, domestic travel support, insurance, and some exemptions from tuition fees.

Timeline

Applications opened in the week of September 18, 2023.
Deadline for the reception of applications by the campus in France: January 10, 2024, included.
The results will be declared in the first week of April 2024.

Charpak Scholarship Program

The French government’s scholarship program in India, Charpak, is administered by the Embassy of France in India.

This initiative is named in honour of Georges Charpak (1924 – 2010), a renowned French physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1992.

The Charpak scholarship program offers four types of funding for Bachelor’s and Master’s studies.

Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
Master’s Degree Programmes
Research Internships
Exchange programmes

France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship

This program is intended for Indian students interested in enrolling in a full-time bachelor’s degree program at a French higher education institution.

Benefits

Monthly living allowance of 860 euros
Student visa waiver
Etudes en France fee waiver or reimbursement
Social security
Accommodation assistance (priority access to cross residencies, subject to availability)
The scholarship is awarded for the entire length of the Bachelor’s programme.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Charpak Bachelor scholarship, you must:

be an Indian national or an OCI card holder
be 23 years old maximum at the time of application
have never before studied at an educational institution in France
have completed secondary school in India
have applied for an eligible bachelor’s programme with a start date of 1 September 2024.

Application Procedure

Students must have applied for admission at a French institution before applying for the scholarship. For admission procedures, don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Campus France office in India or refer to the website of the institution of your choice.

To be considered for the scholarship, you must submit an application on the online scholarship platform http://ifi.scholarship.ifindia.in/ along with the scans of the following documents:

Passport size photograph
Copy of the passport
Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages).
Copy of admission/acceptance letter from the French higher education institution.
Scanned copies of mark sheet and passing certificate of Higher Secondary School (XII) and Secondary school (X)
French language certificate, if any (DELF /DALF)
Letter of recommendation (optional)

Timeline

Opening of the call for applications: 1 February 2024
Deadline for the reception of applications: 1 April 2024 (23:59 IST)
Publication of results: Mid-May 2024.

France Excellence Charpak Masters Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for one to two years of master’s degree studies in France in all streams and fields of study.

Benefits

Monthly living allowance of 860 euros
Student visa fee waiver
Etudes en France fee waiver or reimbursement
Social security
Accommodation assistance (priority access to CROUS residencies, subject to availability)

Eligibility

The applicant must:

be an Indian national or an OCI card holder
be 30 years old maximum at the time of application
be a student currently enrolled in or have studied at an Indian Institution of higher learning
You must have applied for admission at a French institution before applying for the scholarship. For admission procedures, don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Campus France office in India or refer to the website of the institution of your choice.
The course must take place in France. If you spend one semester or more studying in another country, the scholarship will not be provided during that period.
Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory to apply for the scholarship
for master’s degree programmes in France. You are not eligible to apply if you want to work on your master’s thesis, training programme or research project.

Online application procedure

The students must submit their application on the online scholarship portal.

https://ifi.scholarship.ifindia.in/ along with the scans of the following documents:

Passport size photograph (please make sure that the picture uploaded is formal)
Copy your passport’s first page (with photo and expiry date). If you will get your passport after the deadline, please attach proof of your passport application.
Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages).
Copy of your admission/acceptance letter from the French higher education institution.
Copy of mark sheets and degree of Higher Secondary School (XII), Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (including those of completed semesters of the ongoing degree)
French language certificate, if any (DELF /DALF)
Document of employment/internship record, if applicable
Recommendation letter(s) from the current Indian university/employer or the most recent educational institution attended is required. These letters should be submitted as scanned copies of the original typed and signed documents.

Ideally, they should pertain to the scholarship. The letters must include the referee’s signature and contact information and, if feasible, be on the institution’s official letterhead with the institution’s stamp.

Timeline

Opening of the call for applications: 22 December 2023
Deadline for the reception of applications: 20 March 2024 (23:59 IST)
Publication of results: End of April 2024

Charpak Lab Scholarship

This program is intended for Indian students studying at an Indian university at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level. It is designed for those who intend to pursue an internship or research project at a French laboratory or institution during their academic break between May and August.

Here are some of the benefits of this scholarship:

A monthly stipend of 700 euros is required for a maximum of 2 months, usually between May and August. The French institute in India provides this stipend.
Student visa
Etudes en France fee waiver (if applicable)

Note: this scholarship does not cover medical or travel expenses, travel insurance or accomodation.

You can also opt for an internship lasting more than two months. However, the embassy will provide the benefits for a maximum of two months as this scholarship provides 7000 euros for two months only. If expenses exceed that, you must bear those on your own.

Eligibility

You must be an Indian residing in India at the time of application.
You are at most 30 years old at the time of application.
You must be enrolled in an Indian institution of higher learning at the bachelor/master’s level at the time of application.
You must possess an acceptance or admission letter from a French laboratory or institution where the research internship/project will occur.
The research internship or project should last a minimum of one month and no more than two months. If the duration exceeds two months, the participants will be responsible for covering the expenses for the additional period.

Timeline

Applications opened: 13th December 2023
Applications closed: 13th February 2024
The result will be declared in the last week of March 2024.

Charpak Exchange Scholarship- spring session (January-June)

The scholarship is intended for Indian students from various disciplines and academic backgrounds currently studying at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level in an Indian institution.

These students aim to participate in a study exchange semester program in France, lasting anywhere from one to six months.

Here are some of the benefits of this scholarship:

Monthly allowance of 860 euros.
Social security
Student visa and Campus France fee waiver
Accomodation assistance

Eligibility

You should be an Indian citizen living in India or holding an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.
You are at most 30 years old at the time of application.
You must be enrolled in an Indian higher education institution that partners with the French institution where they intend to undertake an exchange semester.

Note: You are not eligible to apply if you are in the final semester and working on a research project or thesis.

Timeline

Applications opened on Monday, 25th August 2023
Applications closed on Friday, 15th October 2023
Results will be declared in the 3rd week of November

ISAE SUPAERO Scholarship

This scholarship is for those students who want to pursue their master’s program in aerospace engineering.

This course has three semesters (lectures, tutorials, case studies, and projects that must be completed in companies or laboratories). It is taught in English and delivered by tenured faculty, visiting lecturers, and experts from the aerospace industry.

The tuition fee for the 2024-2025 intake is 14,600 euros per year, and the tuition fee is reduced for the students from the E.U (European Union) who have obtained a degree in the year of enrollment or the year before and who have no professional experience: 4,950 euros per year.

This scholarship offers various benefits:

full tuition fee waiver for 2 years,
cover art of living expenses for 2 years
5000 euros per annum

The deadline for this scholarship is October-November each year.

EDHEC Academic Excellence Scholarship

The EDHEC Business School was established in the early 20th century by industrialists in northern France. This school offers various scholarships to international students to help them finance their studies and fulfil their dream of studying abroad.

One of them is the EDHEC Academic Excellence Scholarship. The EDHEC group granted this scholarship to Indian students in France. It is available for MIM and MSc courses at EDHEC Business School.

This scholarship offers a tuition fee waiver of up to 50%, which can help you pursue your master’s at EDHEC Business School.

Eligibility

For MIM candidates: 3-year Bachelor’s degree or higher.
For MSc candidates: 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher.
You should have your IELTS, TOEFL/TOEIC score report.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is June every year.

International Scholarships at Grenoble Ecole De Management

Grenoble Ecole De Management offers scholarships up to 10,000 euros for undergraduate and postgraduate programs for those students studying at campuses in Paris and Grenoble.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is July end each year.

Excellence Scholarship at Sorbonne Paris Nord University

The PNGS-M&CS University Research School offers master’s and doctoral programs in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering at the Galilée Institute.

You can take courses from various master’s degrees and engage with three collaborating laboratories: LAGA (mathematics), LIPN (computer science), and L2TI (visual information). These labs, part of the MathSTIC research federation with over 170 researchers, provide hands-on research opportunities. After your second master’s year, you can transition to the Galilée Doctoral School for thesis work.

Here are some of the benefits of this France scholarship for Indian students:

If you win this scholarship, you will receive a maximum monthly allowance of 1,000 euros: 600 euros/month + an additional 400 euros/month as housing allowance.
For International students, return airfare from your home country is also covered under this scholarship.

Duration

If you enter M1(Masters 1), you will benefit from a 12-month scholarship in the first year, which will extend by 10 months for M2 (Masters 2) if the M1 is validated.
If selected for an M2 (Masters 2), you will benefit from a 10-month scholarship.

This scholarship in France is open to all French or Foreign students of any nationality. The selection is based on criteria of academic excellence and motivation.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is February each year.

Documents required

Resume
Transcripts since the first year at university
Two letters of recommendation + the email IDs of the referees providing LOR.
A cover letter detailing the training project
Copy of an identity document
Information relating to the language level in French and English.

SMARTS-UP Scholarship of Excellence at Paris Cite University

The SMARTS-UP programme at Paris Cite University helps to promote the internationalisation of master’s programs.

Here are some more details about this scholarship in France for Indian students:

This scholarship will grant up to 10,000 euros to master’s students in various university programs for the 2024-2025 intake.
This scholarship is awarded for one year and must be completed on time.

Note: The SMARTS-UP scholarship is a Masters-level scholarship in France for international students who have not studied in the French higher education system (N.B. French citizens are not eligible). It cannot be cumulated with another French scholarship.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship to study in France is January each year.

Ampere Excellence Scholarship at ENS Lyon

If you want to enrol in any eligible Master’s programs, this France scholarship is for you.

About 20 scholarships are granted each year to so many International students.

Here are some of the eligible Masters programs for this scholarship:

Master’s program in Exact Sciences
Master’s program in the Arts
Master’s program in Human and Social Sciences (except FEADéP Master’s programs).

This scholarship offers a monthly allowance of up to 1,000 euros for up to 12 months (renewable under conditions) for the range of master’s programs discussed above.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship in France is January mid-year.

Mobil’ITI Program at University of Strasbourg

Mobil’ITI comprises a series of grant measures tailored for Master 1 and Master 2 students enrolled in both IRMIA++ master tracks and the graduate program.

Under this France scholarship, you can receive a grant of up to 6000 euros to 10,000 euros/year, depending upon your situation.

Here are some conditions and rules for this scholarship to study in France:

Travel and moving expenses (excludes students who are enrolled in an institution of higher education at Strasbourg for the current year):

Students from academic regions and Grand Est and Rhin Superieur: 500 euros for travel.

If you are from a country less than 4,000 km, then you will be granted 1000 euros for travel (based on the receipts) + 500 euros for moving.

Similarly, If you are from a country more than 4,000 km away, you will be granted 2000 euros for travel (based on the receipts) + 500 euros for moving.

Covers accommodation fees of up to 600 euros per month for 10 months (6000 euros in total)
It also covers registration fee refunds, which include actual expenses based on receipts for masters and DU registration fees + CVEC + language lessons if applicable.

The grant is awarded for a complete academic year, which is 10 months long and renewable for a maximum of 6 months.

80% of the grant will be disbursed upon signing the arrival certificate, while the remaining 20% will be released after the mobility period.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship to study in France is April each year.

Excellence Grants at PSL University Paris

Scholarships available to graduate students differ based on the institution, the chosen degree program, and individual enrollment status. Université PSL and its affiliated schools co-sponsor these scholarships and fellowships provided by the French government. These opportunities are available for the academic year 2024-2025.

Here are some of the benefits of this scholarship:

1200 euros monthly living allowance.
Covers partly tuition fees for Maths Masters students.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is May each year.

Raman Charpak Fellowship

The programme, initiated by the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA), seeks to enhance the doctoral capabilities of Indian and French students. It allows them to conduct research at a University or Research and Development Institute in France or India.

Additionally, the programme is now accessible to French Master’s students interested in spending time in India as part of their academic curriculum. It aims to boost the skills of these Master’s students by facilitating internships at a University or Research Institute in India.

It is for the duration of 2 to 6 months.

Fields of the study

It covers areas like Atmospheric Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Material, Physical, Chemical, Engineering, Biological, Life and Medical, and Mathematical and Computational Sciences.

Eligibility

If you are from India, then you must be an Indian citizen who has registered for a PhD in a recognized university or research institution in India.
If you are from France, then you must be a citizen of France who has registered for a PhD in a recognized university or research institution in France.
You must have a master’s degree in science, technology, or medicine from a recognized university/Institute.
You must be a minimum of 30 years old
You should have prior consent from your University/institute to apply for a foreign fellowship program.

Benefits

For Indian citizens: Fellowship Support of up to 1500 euros per month that covers your daily expenses, local travel, accommodation charges, plus social security charges.
For a French student: Fellowship support of up to Rs 40,000 per month that covers your daily expenses, local travel plus accommodation charges not exceeding Rs 45,000 per month.
One return airfare ticket in economy class between India and France.
Travel and Health insurance is covered and can be used whenever required.
Any administrative cost for Visa and Registration
Extra assistance (up to €500 for Indian Fellows and an equivalent amount in Indian Rupees for French Fellows) is provided to facilitate participation in a seminar/workshop during the fellowship period and while residing in their host nations. This support covers registration fees, travel, and accommodation expenses.

Timeline

Applications open in April
You can apply for this fellowship program up to May or June
Results are declared at the end of August or September
Fellowship starts from October onwards.

Requirements

A comprehensive explanation of the research project (not exceeding 5 pages), including the research title and how the proposed work will benefit the applicant during their tenure at the intended Research Institute/University in France/India.

You also have to share the following documents:

A resume of up to three pages, accompanied by a recent photograph, should include a summary of accomplishments, research interests, a list of pertinent publications, and other relevant details.
A recommendation letter from the Ph.D. supervisor from their home laboratory.
A letter of recommendation and consent from the potential supervisor at the fellowship lab (Foreign Research Institute/University).
PhD abstract or concise overview of doctoral research (limited to 3 pages).
Research experience letter or publications as proof (first author or co-author)
Please provide in the English language.
Certificate of No Objection from the Head of the Institution.
Scanned copy of highest degree certificate.
Scanned copy of PhD registration letter
A scanned copy of the passport (both front and back)
Your recent photograph

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) scholarship program is funded by the European Union (EU) and supports students pursuing Master’s degrees in specifically designed international programs.

These programs involve collaboration between universities in various European countries, including France.

Benefits

It is one of the fully funded scholarships in France for International students in 2024, as it covers the tuition fee for the entire program.

A monthly allowance of around 1400 euros for living expenses
It also contributes towards travel and installation costs of up to 7000 euros.

Eligibility

Students from all over the world are eligible, including India.
You must have a bachelor’s degree and strong academic performance.

Also Read: MBA In France For Indian Students: Eligibility, Top Universities

Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

After reading about all of the fantastic scholarships in France for Indian students, are you also thinking of winning a scholarship? Here are some tips that will increase your chances of winning a scholarship:

Take your time! Look for scholarships early so you have time to gather everything you need.
Find scholarships that fit you! Research ones in your field of study that offer enough financial support to help you pursue your studies abroad.
Read the instructions carefully for each scholarship. Don’t forget anything, or you might be out!
Proofread your application! Ensure there are no errors in the details you have entered, etc.

Conclusion

Securing a scholarship to study in France can be a life-changing opportunity. It will help you fulfil your dream of studying abroad, broaden your horizons, gain valuable international experience and required skills, and set up your dream career.