Hey dreamers! 🇿🇦🇫🇷 Ever pictured yourself strolling through the streets of Paris, mastering your degree, and experiencing a whole new culture? Well, guess what – the French Embassy in South Africa is making that dream a reality with the incredible France–South Africa Scholarship Programme Bursary 2026! If you’re a student from South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi with big postgraduate ambitions, this could be your golden ticket. Let’s dive in and see how you can get funded for your Master’s or PhD in France!
This isn’t just any bursary; it’s a fantastic opportunity to pursue your Master’s or PhD degree at top French public universities. The academic year kicks off in September 2026, but the applications are open right now, giving you plenty of time to get everything sorted. The best part? It’s specifically designed to support bright minds from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, helping you gain world-class education and bring valuable skills back home.
What Does It Cover?
This bursary is super generous, offering two types of packages: a full scholarship or a cost-sharing scholarship. Both are designed to make your journey to France as smooth as possible!
Full Scholarship Perks:
- Monthly Stipend: Get approximately €850 for Master’s students and €1,400 for PhD students – that’s some serious living money!
- Accommodation Aid: Help with your housing costs, around €150 per month.
- Flights: Your return flight to France is covered – no need to worry about airfare!
- Insurance: Health and social insurance sorted.
- Visa Exemption: Say goodbye to those pesky visa fees!
- Support System: Assistance from Campus France Paris to help you settle in.
- Priority Housing: Get first dibs on student accommodation.
Cost-Sharing Scholarship Perks:
If you get a cost-sharing scholarship, a partner will help cover your monthly allowance, and you’ll still enjoy all the other awesome benefits of the full scholarship!
And get this – because the academic calendars are a bit different, selected students will even get to do a cool bridging programme right here in South Africa from February to July 2026! This includes online French language courses (Bonjour!), and even potential internships with French companies based locally. How cool is that?
Who Can Apply?
Alright, let’s get down to who can snag this amazing opportunity! To be eligible, you need to tick these boxes:
- Age Limit: You must have been born on or after 1 January 1996.
- Academic Level: Hold a Bachelor’s degree if you’re aiming for a Master’s, or a Master’s degree if you’re going for a PhD.
- Citizenship: Be a proud citizen of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi.
- Acceptance: Have proof of (or be in the process of getting) acceptance at a French higher education institution.
Top Tip: They’re especially looking for students in Science, Engineering, Technology, and unique fields that aren’t widely available in South Africa. So, if that’s you, you’re in an excellent position!
How to Apply?
Ready to kickstart your French adventure? Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Gather Your Docs (make sure they’re perfect!):
- Your completed application form.
- A clear copy of your passport.
- Your detailed CV, showing off all your academic achievements.
- A compelling cover letter and motivation statement – tell them why you’re the one!
- Certified copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts.
- If you’re going for a Master’s, proof of acceptance or communication with your chosen French institution.
- For PhD hopefuls, you’ll need a solid research proposal and confirmation from your supervisor.
Important Dates to Remember:
- Application Deadline: Mark your calendars! 8 October 2025
- Interviews & Selection: November 2025
- Results Announced: Early December 2025
- Bridging Programme (SA): February–July 2026
- Departure to France: September 2026
Where to Apply:
Applications are strictly online! You’ll need to submit everything through their official platform. Make sure to apply early and double-check that your chosen programme is recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Apply here: [Link to Official Application Platform]
So, if a world-class education in France sounds like the ultimate next step for you, don’t just dream about it – make it happen! Get your application in before 8 October 2025 and unlock a future filled with incredible opportunities. Good luck, future scholars, and remember to explore more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!
