Government of France- Embassy of France in Mauritius - French Government scholarships

What you get

The French government provides financial support to Mauritian students wishing to undertake a Master’s or PhD programme at a public university or a ‘Grande École’ in France, including the island of La Réunion. There are two options. The Excellence scholarship scholarship provides a monthly living allowance of 760 EUR at Master's level and 1,770 EUR at PhD level. It also covers your tuition fees and includes a free visa, social security and a reserved place in student accommodation (CROUS, the state student accommodation service). The Merit scholarship exempts you from tuition fees (3,879 EUR at Master’s level) and provides the same benefits regarding visas and social security. However, it does not include a monthly living allowance or a place in student accommodation. The funding lasts for up to 2 years for a Master’s degree and up to 3 years for a PhD. If you fail at the end of an academic year, the scholarship will be withdrawn.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Mauritian national. Persons with dual Mauritian-French nationality are considered French nationals and are not eligible to apply.
• Where you study: You will be studying at a public institution in France (including La Réunion). Private schools are not covered.
• Study stage: You are about to graduate or are in the final year of a degree programme leading to the next level. Examples: Bachelor’s year 3 (L3) leading to a Master’s degree 1, a Master’s degree 1 leading to a Master’s degree 2, a Master’s degree 2 leading to a PhD, or entry to a Grande École following preparatory classes or a Bachelor’s degree.
• Field of study: Priority is given to engineering (including AI, robotics and digital technology), the natural sciences, environmental, water and waste management, and the arts. Applications from other subject areas are welcome, but will only be considered if places remain available after those in the priority subject areas have been filled.
• Grades: You have achieved excellent results throughout your degree, ideally with honours (please specify ‘TB’ or ‘B’), and there have been no years in which you had to repeat a year or took a year out.
• Age (PhD only): You are 35 or younger.
• No double-up: You do not yet hold a qualification at the level for which you are applying, do not have a French PhD contract and are not in receipt of any other French scholarship.
• Women: Applications from women are particularly welcome.

How to apply

Please submit a complete application in paper form to the Scholarships Office of the Ministry of Education in Phoenix, Mauritius. Applications sent by fax or email will not be accepted. The application deadline for the 2025 round was 18. April, and the next round begins in March 2026. A joint Franco-Mauritian committee will review the applications, invite shortlisted candidates to an interview where appropriate, and announce the successful candidates by June.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is awarded on a highly selective basis. Only Mauritian nationals may apply, and priority is given to certain subject areas such as engineering, natural sciences, the environment and the arts. If you are studying one of these priority subjects, have excellent grades, have not fallen behind in your studies and can present a clear plan that will benefit Mauritius, your chances are good. Applicants from other disciplines are only considered after those in the priority fields, so competition is tougher for them.