If you are a Pakistani student planning to study abroad, France Scholarships can make your dream of studying in Europe more affordable. France offers several funding opportunities for international students at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels. These awards may help with tuition fees, living costs, travel, or other study expenses, depending on the programme.
For students searching for scholarships in France, popular options include the Émile Boutmy Scholarship and France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship. Before applying, you should carefully check eligibility, required documents, application procedures, and deadlines. This guide explains the major France scholarships for Pakistani students, helping you understand available financial support and choose suitable scholarship opportunities in France for 2026–27.
What Are the France Scholarships for International Students?
The term France scholarships for international students covers many different funding schemes. Some come from the French government, while others come from universities, regional authorities, foundations, companies, or international organisations. These awards can support undergraduate, Master’s, doctoral, or research study depending on the programme.
For Pakistani students, the important point is simple: there is no single scholarship rule for everyone. Each scholarship programme has its own conditions, funding model, and application route. Campus France’s Campus Bourses platform lets you search by nationality, study level, and field. That makes it useful when looking for scholarship opportunities in France.
Best Scholarships to Study in France in 2026–27
If your goal is to study in France, start by comparing several opportunities instead of relying on one award. The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is linked to Sciences Po, while the France Excellence Eiffel programme works through eligible French higher education institutions. Other funding can come directly from universities or other organisations.
For Pakistani applicants, this wider search matters. A fully funded scholarship in France is not the only useful option. A tuition reduction can also make a major difference when combined with personal savings or other funding. Campus Bourses is designed to help international applicants discover different forms of financial support.
| Scholarship or funding route | Main level | Main purpose | Pakistani applicants |
| Émile Boutmy Scholarship | Bachelor’s and Master’s | Sciences Po tuition support | Eligible if programme conditions are met |
| France Excellence Eiffel | Master’s and PhD | Attract high-level international students | Eligible if programme and institutional conditions are met |
| Campus Bourses opportunities | Varies | Different funding sources | Depends on individual award |
| University scholarships | Varies | Institution-specific funding | Depends on university |
Emile Boutmy Scholarship
The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is offered by Sciences Po for strong international students from outside the European Union. Applicants must be first-time candidates who meet the programme’s conditions and are admitted to an eligible Bachelor’s or Master’s programme. Selection is based on merit and the profile sought by the institution.
The award can significantly reduce tuition fees. At Bachelor’s level, Sciences Po currently lists either a full exemption or a €9,500 exemption. At Master’s level, the published award is a €18,500 tuition-fee exemption for each of the two years. Pakistani students should apply through the relevant Sciences Po admission process rather than treating the scholarship as a separate university admission.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is a major French government scholarship created by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It helps French higher education institutions attract high-level international students for Master’s and PhD programmes. The programme focuses on selected priority fields and has specific age and academic conditions.
For the 2026 campaign, Campus France lists a monthly allowance of €1,200 for Master’s students and €2,100 for doctoral students from January 2026. The programme also provides services linked to transportation, insurance, housing searches, and cultural activities. Tuition treatment requires care because the Eiffel programme itself does not directly cover tuition fees.
| Eiffel level | Published monthly allowance from 2026 | Additional services |
| Master’s | €1,200 | Transport, insurance, housing search and cultural activities |
| PhD | €2,100 | Transport, insurance, housing search and cultural activities |
One important detail can save you from a common application mistake. Students do not simply send an independent Eiffel application to Campus France. A French institution submits the application. Therefore, France scholarship application planning should begin by identifying a suitable French university and contacting its international relations team.
France–South Africa Scholarship Programme
The France–South Africa Scholarship Programme is included here because it appears in major searches for French scholarships. However, Pakistani readers should understand its nationality rule before spending time on the application. The programme is designed for citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi who plan to begin Master’s or PhD studies in France.
The programme covers all fields but gives priority to STEM fields, including related humanities and social sciences disciplines. Its 2027 call targets the September 2027 intake. It also includes French language courses before departure. Pakistani citizens should not treat this programme as a Pakistan-eligible award because Pakistan is not among the listed eligible nationalities.
| Programme detail | 2027 information |
| Eligible nationalities | South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi |
| Study level | Master’s and PhD |
| Main intake | September 2027 |
| Priority areas | STEM and related disciplines |
| Pakistani eligibility | Not eligible under the stated citizenship rules |
Eligibility Requirements for France Scholarships
Your France scholarship eligibility depends on the exact award you choose. Most programmes examine some combination of nationality, academic background, study level, admission status, field of study, age, and language ability. Pakistani students should read the official rules carefully because a scholarship that accepts one nationality may exclude another.
For Master’s applicants, a relevant Bachelor’s degree and strong academic record are often important. PhD applicants usually need a suitable academic background and a convincing research plan. Some programmes also require admission or institutional support before scholarship consideration. In short, check the eligibility requirements before preparing your complete application.
| Requirement | What you should check |
| Nationality | Whether Pakistani citizens are accepted |
| Academic record | Required degree, grades and academic background |
| Study level | Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD |
| Age | Programme-specific limits |
| Language | English or French requirements |
| Admission | Whether university admission is required first |
| Field | Eligible fields of study |
| Documents | Required supporting evidence |
Language requirements deserve special attention. An English-taught programme may ask for an English test, while a French-taught course can require French proficiency. IELTS is therefore not automatically required for every scholarship. You must check the university and programme rules for your chosen course.
What Does a France Scholarship Cover?
The phrase “scholarship” does not always mean that every expense disappears. Scholarship funding can take different forms. One award may reduce tuition, while another may provide a monthly allowance. A third could combine living support with travel or insurance services.
This distinction matters when you calculate your real budget. Living expenses in France can include accommodation, food, transport, insurance, study materials, and personal costs. A strong scholarship package can reduce the burden, but you should never assume that every programme provides complete financial assistance for students.
| Funding component | What it may mean |
| Tuition support | Full or partial reduction in university fees |
| Monthly allowance | Regular financial payment |
| Travel support | Help with international or domestic transport |
| Insurance | Coverage or assistance under programme rules |
| Accommodation support | Housing search or related assistance |
| Living support | Money intended to help with daily expenses |
The Eiffel programme is a useful example. Its official information lists a monthly allowance plus several direct services. At the same time, the programme states that tuition fees are not covered directly by Eiffel. This is why you should read the funding conditions instead of judging an award by the phrase “fully funded.”
How to Apply for a Scholarship in France
The safest approach is to treat how to apply for France scholarship questions as programme-specific. First, select your degree and subject. Then research universities in France offering the right course. After that, check the scholarship rules and determine whether the university must nominate you or whether you apply directly.
Your scholarship application process should start well before the closing date. Prepare your academic records, CV, motivation letter, references, language evidence, passport, and other documents early. For Eiffel, the French institution submits the application to Campus France. For Émile Boutmy, the scholarship request is included within the relevant Sciences Po application process.
| Stage | What to do |
| 1 | Choose your study field |
| 2 | Find suitable French universities |
| 3 | Check scholarship eligibility |
| 4 | Check admission requirements |
| 5 | Prepare documents |
| 6 | Submit the university application |
| 7 | Complete the scholarship section or institutional process |
| 8 | Track interviews and decisions |
| 9 | Prepare for visa and travel steps |
A strong application is more than a pile of documents. Your academic story should make sense. Your chosen programme should match your previous studies and future goals. For example, a Pakistani engineering graduate applying for a relevant technology Master’s can present a clearer academic path than someone choosing a completely unrelated course without explaining the change.
Required Documents for France Scholarships
Your documents form the backbone of a scholarship application. Most France scholarship application routes require academic evidence and personal information. Exact requirements vary by university and programme. Therefore, use the official checklist for your chosen course as the final authority.
A Pakistani applicant should normally prepare a passport, degree certificates, transcripts, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and relevant language-test results when required. PhD candidates may also need a research proposal. Some courses can request portfolios or evidence of professional experience. Keep scanned copies clear and consistent across every application.
| Document | Typical purpose |
| Passport | Confirms identity and nationality |
| Degree certificate | Confirms completed education |
| Academic transcripts | Shows academic performance |
| CV | Presents education and experience |
| Motivation letter | Explains goals and programme fit |
| Recommendation letters | Provides academic or professional support |
| Language certificate | Demonstrates required language ability |
| Research proposal | Supports doctoral applications |
| Portfolio | May be required for selected disciplines |
Do not leave document preparation until the final week. Some papers may take time to obtain or verify. Your referees also need enough notice to prepare strong recommendations. A complete application submitted early is usually safer than a rushed submission sent minutes before the application deadline.
France Scholarship Deadlines 2026–27
Deadlines are one of the easiest places to make a costly mistake. The 2027 intake does not mean every scholarship opens or closes in 2027. Many awards require applications months before the academic year begins. For example, the Eiffel 2026 campaign had a Campus France deadline of January 8, 2026.
For Sciences Po, deadlines depend on the programme and applicant route. The university has also published 2027 admission information for some Bachelor’s routes. Meanwhile, the France–South Africa programme has a separate 2027 timeline. Always verify the live university page before submitting because dates can change between application cycles.
| Opportunity | Relevant deadline or timeline | Important note |
| Eiffel 2026 | 8 January 2026 | 2026 campaign closed |
| Émile Boutmy Bachelor’s 2027 | 13 January 2027 for the international route | Check the current Sciences Po admissions page |
| Émile Boutmy Bachelor’s via French secondary route | 1 April 2027 | Route-specific |
| France–South Africa 2027 | 8 October 2026 at 23:59 | South Africa time |
| France–South Africa interviews | November 2026 | Eligible candidates |
| France–South Africa shortlist | December 2026 | Shortlisted candidates |
| French preparation | February–July 2027 | Programme-specific |
| Study start | September 2027 | France–South Africa programme |
The France–South Africa timeline specifically lists 21 July 2026 as the application opening date, 8 October 2026 as the application deadline, November 2026 interviews, and a December 2026 shortlist. It then schedules February to July 2027 language preparation before the September 2027 study start. These dates apply to that programme rather than every scholarship in France.
FAQs
Can Pakistani students get scholarships in France?
Yes, Pakistani students can apply for eligible France scholarships if they meet the academic, nationality, and programme requirements.
Is there a fully funded scholarship in France for Pakistani students?
Yes, some programmes offer substantial financial support, but coverage varies for tuition, living costs, travel, and accommodation.
Is IELTS required for France scholarships?
IELTS is not required for every scholarship. Requirements depend on the university and your chosen study programme.
Can I study in France without knowing French?
Yes, you can choose English-taught programmes, although learning French can make daily life and study in France easier.
What is the best Master’s scholarship in France?
The Eiffel Scholarship and Émile Boutmy Scholarship are important options, but the best choice depends on your degree, field, and eligibility.
What is a PhD scholarship in France?
A PhD scholarship in France provides funding for eligible doctoral students through government, university, research, or other funding programmes.
Can Pakistani students apply for the France–South Africa Scholarship Programme?
No. This programme is currently limited to citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
Where can Pakistani students find more scholarship opportunities?
Pakistani students can search scholarship opportunities in France through Campus France and its Campus Bourses scholarship database.
Concluion
France offers far more than one famous award. The strongest strategy is to compare government funding, university scholarships, regional support, and other international funding routes. Campus France confirms that scholarships can come from public institutions, universities, regional authorities, companies, foundations, and other organisations.
For Pakistani students, preparation is the real advantage. Choose your programme early, understand the citizenship requirements, prepare documents carefully, and check every official deadline. Whether you want a Master’s degree in France, PhD studies in France, or broader postgraduate study in France, the right scholarship search can turn an expensive plan into a realistic academic opportunity.
Official Scholarship Resources
For the most reliable updates, use
Campus France Pakistan Scholarships
Campus Bourses Scholarship Search
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
Emile Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po
Welcome to TopJobNotis. I am Afsa, and I share useful information about government schemes and scholarships, along with simple guides to help you understand eligibility criteria, application processes, deadlines, and important updates
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