Bourses France Excellence-Major

Bourses France Excellence-Major

You will receive a monthly grant of up to 860 EUR to study in France after completing your A-levels, which is awarded for up to 5 years, i.e. until you complete a Master’s degree. The exact amount depends on your family’s income. The highest tier pays 860 EUR per month, a middle tier pays 280 EUR per month, and a lower tier covers only supplementary health insurance. Every scholarship holder receives free supplementary health insurance via Campus France, is exempt from the CVEC campus fee and has the status of a French government scholarship holder. This status makes it easier to apply for a visa, a residence permit and student accommodation. If you fall into one of the two fee-paying tiers, you will also receive a reimbursement of your travel expenses and assistance with booking a room in a CROUS student hall of residence. The programme is run and funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and the AEFE, the Agency for French Schools Abroad. It supports around 850 students each year, with approximately 200 new students joining each year.

Who can apply

• School: You are in your final year (Terminale) at a recognised French school abroad that is part of the global network of Lycées français.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, with the exception of French nationals. They must not hold French nationality.
• Where you study: You’re planning to start a recognised degree course in France straight after your A-levels.
• Field of study: Any subject is fine, as long as you apply via Parcoursup or the admissions procedure specified for your degree programme.
• Grades: You have excellent school grades. To be awarded the scholarship, you must pass your Abitur with the highest grade (‘mention très bien’).
• Motivation: You can set out a clear study plan, demonstrate that you are involved in school life, and show that you are prepared to live and study in France.

How to apply

Your headteacher (proviseur) must first shortlist you. Only shortlisted pupils may apply. You must then complete your application online via the Cascade platform by 12 March. The French Embassy in your country will review the applications, and a national commission will draw up a ranking list of all applicants in May. The final award of the scholarships will take place after the A-level results have been announced.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is granted on a highly selective basis. You must be a non-French pupil in your final year at a French school abroad, and your headteacher must first nominate you, meaning that the pool of applicants is small from the outset. If you pass this preliminary selection stage with outstanding academic results and a convincing study plan for France, you have a genuine chance of success. However, the final award of the scholarship still depends on achieving the highest grade in the Abitur, so the bar remains high.