France is home to some of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions — Sciences Po, HEC Paris, École Polytechnique, Sorbonne, and a network of Grandes Écoles that produce a disproportionate share of the world’s leaders in business, government, science, and engineering.
For international students, France offers a scholarship system that is both accessible and generous — particularly through the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Campus France programs, and a network of French regional and university-level awards. French public universities also charge some of the lowest tuition fees in Europe for international students — making France one of the most affordable study destinations even without a full scholarship.
This guide covers every major pathway to studying in France for free or at minimal cost in 2026.
Why Study in France?
World-class institutions. France has 35 universities in the world’s top 500. Sciences Po, HEC Paris, and École Polytechnique are globally recognized in their fields. France has produced more Fields Medal winners than any country except the United States.
Low tuition fees. French public universities charge international non-EU students approximately €2,770 per year for undergraduate programs and €3,770 for Master’s and PhD programs — among the lowest in Europe. This is before scholarships.
English-medium programs. France has significantly expanded its English-taught programs — particularly at the graduate level. Most international Master’s programs at French universities are taught in English.
Strategic location. France’s central European position makes it an ideal base for exploring scholarship opportunities across the continent.
Cultural and professional networks. France’s influence in diplomacy, international development, business, engineering, and arts provides unique career networking opportunities.
Top Scholarships to Study in France for Free 2026
1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program 🇫🇷
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program is France’s most prestigious government scholarship for international students — administered by Campus France on behalf of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
What’s Covered:
- Monthly allowance €1,181 (Master’s level)
- Monthly allowance €1,400 (PhD level)
- International travel allowance
- Health insurance
- Cultural activities
- Note: Eiffel does not directly cover tuition — French public universities charge very low fees (~€3,770/year), which students pay alongside the Eiffel stipend. Net cost is minimal.
Eligibility:
- International students from outside France
- Applying for Master’s programs: must be under 30 years old
- Applying for PhD programs: must be under 35 years old
- Must apply through a French higher education institution — the institution nominates you, not the student directly
- Strong academic record — typically top 5–10% of graduating class
- Priority given to students from priority countries including many Asian and African nations
How Eiffel Works: You cannot apply for Eiffel directly. You apply for admission to a French university first. The university then nominates its top international applicants for the Eiffel scholarship. Contact your target French university’s international office to understand their Eiffel nomination process.
Fields Prioritized by Eiffel: Law, economics, management, engineering, exact sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry), political science, social sciences.
What Eiffel Looks For: Academic excellence first — but also a demonstrated connection to France’s priority development partnerships. Students who can articulate how their proposed study contributes to bilateral academic or development goals are stronger candidates.
Deadline: January 2027 (university nomination deadline — contact your target institution for internal deadline)
👉 Free SOP Generator — For your Eiffel nomination personal statement 👉 Free CV Builder — Academic CV for French university applications
2. French Government Scholarship (BGF) 🇫🇷
The French Government Scholarship (Bourse du Gouvernement Français — BGF) is administered through French Embassies and Consulates in partner countries — offering fully funded study grants for international students.
What’s Covered:
- Monthly allowance (varies by country and program level)
- Tuition waiver or fee reduction at French universities
- Health insurance
- Return travel for some programs
Eligibility:
- Citizens of countries where France maintains a BGF program
- Check your country’s French Embassy or Institut Français for current availability
- Academic excellence required
- Must apply through the French Embassy or Consulate in your home country
Pakistan Specific: The French Embassy in Islamabad administers French government scholarships for Pakistani students. Check ambafrance-pk.org for current opportunities and deadlines.
Deadline: Varies by country — typically October–February
3. Campus France Scholarships 🇫🇷
This is the French government agency promoting French higher education internationally — and it administers several scholarship programs for international students.
Campus France Scholarship Types:
- Excellence scholarships for top applicants
- Partnership scholarships (bilateral programs between France and specific countries)
- Doctoral mobility grants for PhD students
How to Access: Visit campusfrance.org and select your country. The national Campus France office lists available scholarships for your country specifically. Many programs are bilateral — France has specific scholarship partnerships with Pakistan, India, Morocco, Senegal, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries.
Deadline: Varies by program and country
4. Erasmus Mundus Programs at French Universities 🇪🇺
Several Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programs include French universities as lead or partner institutions — providing the most generous scholarship coverage (full tuition + €1,400/month) available for study in France.
Top Erasmus Programs With French Partners:
- EMJMD in Journalism, Media and Globalisation — Sciences Po Paris partner
- EMJMD in Global Studies (EUROCULTURE) — multiple French partners
- EMJMD in Advanced Robotics (JEMARO) — École Centrale Nantes as lead institution
- EMJMD in Transportation and Logistics (TRANSLOG) — French university partners
- EMJMD in Water and Coastal Management — French partners
- EMJMD in Materials for Energy (MESC) — Paris partners
What’s Covered:
- Full tuition at all partner universities
- Monthly living allowance €1,400
- Travel and installation allowance €1,000
- Health insurance and visa costs
Deadline: January–March 2026 (varies by consortium)
👉 Read our Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2026 Guide
5. Sciences Po Scholarships 🇫🇷
Sciences Po — one of the world’s most prestigious political science and social sciences institutions — offers significant scholarships for international students.
Excellence Scholarship:
- Partial to full tuition waiver
- Some awards include monthly stipend
Emile Boutmy Scholarship:
- Partial tuition scholarship for non-EU students
- EUR 10,000–15,000 reduction in tuition fees
Eligibility:
- Exceptional academic record — Sciences Po is highly selective
- Financial need considered for some awards
- English or French proficiency required
Strongest Programs at Sciences Po: International affairs, public policy, economics, law, political science, European studies, environmental policy.
6. École Polytechnique International Scholarships 🇫🇷
École Polytechnique — France’s most prestigious engineering and science institution — offers scholarships for international Master’s and PhD students.
International Master’s Program Scholarships:
- Partial tuition waivers
- Some full fellowships for top applicants
Partnerships with Industry: École Polytechnique has research partnerships with major French companies (Total, Airbus, Thales, EDF) — providing scholarship-funded research positions for outstanding international students.
Eligibility:
- Exceptional academic record in engineering or sciences
- English proficiency required for English-medium programs
7. French University Regional Scholarships 🇫🇷
Many French regional governments and individual universities offer scholarships specifically for international students — particularly those from developing countries.
Examples:
- University of Strasbourg Excellence Scholarship — for international Master’s and PhD students
- University of Lyon International Scholarships — various awards across programs
- Aix-Marseille University International Awards — for non-EU students
- University of Bordeaux International Excellence Scholarship
- Grenoble INP Excellence Awards — for engineering students
How to Find Them: Go to the international or financial aid page of each French university you are targeting. Most list available scholarships for international students.
French Tuition Fees — Why France Is Affordable Even Without a Scholarship
France is unique among top study destinations because its public universities charge very low fees — even for international non-EU students:
| Program Level | Annual Tuition (non-EU international) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (Licence) | ~€2,770/year |
| Master’s | ~€3,770/year |
| PhD (Doctorat) | ~€3,770/year |
| Engineering (Grandes Écoles) | Varies — €3,000–€15,000/year |
| Business schools (private) | €15,000–€30,000/year |
For comparison, UK international students pay £15,000–£35,000 per year. French public universities are 5–10 times cheaper — before any scholarship.
How to Apply for French Universities — Step by Step
Step 1 — Choose your universities and programs Identify 3–5 French universities offering your target program in English. Check whether each program specifically accepts international students and what language requirements apply.
Step 2 — Apply through Campus France Most international applications to French universities go through the Campus France portal in your country — procedure varies by country. Visit campusfrance.org for your country-specific process.
Step 3 — Apply for Eiffel scholarship nomination Contact your target French university’s international office to ask about Eiffel scholarship nominations. The university nominates you — you do not apply directly.
Step 4 — Prepare your documents
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (officially translated into French or English)
- CV / academic curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter or personal statement
- Letters of recommendation (2)
- Language proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, or DELF/DALF for French programs)
- Research proposal (for PhD and research Master’s)
Step 5 — Apply for visa After admission, apply for a Long-Stay Student Visa at the French Consulate in your country.
French Language Requirement
For English-medium programs: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90 for most international programs. No French required.
For French-medium programs: DELF B2 or DALF C1 minimum.
Important note for Eiffel: The scholarship does not require French language — but learning basic French is strongly recommended for daily life and professional integration in France.
📖 Use our Free IELTS & TOEFL Practice Tests to prepare.
Free Tools for Your French Scholarship Application
- 📄 Free SOP Generator — Personal statement for French universities
- 💌 Free Motivation Letter Generator — For Eiffel and French scholarship motivation letters
- 📑 Free CV Builder — Academic CV
- 📜 Free Reference Letter Generator — Academic references
- 🔬 Free Research Proposal Generator — For PhD applications
- 📖 Free IELTS & TOEFL Practice — For IELTS 6.0–6.5 preparation
FAQ — Study in France Free 2026
Q: Can Pakistani students study in France for free?
Yes. Pakistani students are eligible for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (nominated by French universities), French Government Scholarships through the French Embassy in Islamabad, Erasmus Mundus programs including French universities, and several French university scholarships.
Q: Is the Eiffel scholarship fully funded?
Eiffel covers monthly allowance (€1,181 for Master’s), travel, and health insurance — but not tuition directly. French public university tuition is ~€3,770/year. Combined, Eiffel scholars can study at very low net cost.
Q: Do I need to speak French to study in France?
Not for English-medium programs — most French universities offer English-taught Master’s programs. Basic French is helpful for daily life.
Q: How do I apply for the Eiffel Scholarship?
You cannot apply directly — your target French university must nominate you. Apply for admission first, then contact the international office about Eiffel nominations.
Q: What is the minimum IELTS for French universities?
6.0–6.5 for most English-medium programs. Some programs accept 5.5. Check your specific program’s requirements.
Q: Are French Grandes Écoles free?
No — Grandes Écoles like HEC Paris and École Polytechnique charge higher fees. However, scholarships from Eiffel, Erasmus, and institutional awards significantly reduce the cost.