Planning to pursue PhD in France is amazing for it is one of the countries known for excellence in education. Doctoral schools in the country accept PhD applicants. While you can enrol without funding in the social science and humanities stream, PhD funding in France is required to enrol in natural and technological sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, engineering). Let’s take you through the details of securing funding for pursuing PhD in France.
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Financing PhD in France
PhD in France is for about four years. Aspiring students are expected to pay EUR 350-400 (INR 31,000 to 36,000) per year as tuition fees in state-funded universities and around EUR 3000-10,000 per year (INR 2.66 lakhs to 8.88 lakhs) at private universities. Multiplying the same with 4 will give you the total costs of pursuing PhD in France. Hence, it becomes crucial to explore PhD funding in France.
| Type of University | Fees per Year | Total Costs of PhD in France |
| State-funded Universities | EUR 350 to 400INR 31,000 to 36,000 | EUR 1400 to 1600INR 1.24 lakhs to 1.42 lakhs |
| Private Universities | EUR 3000 to 10,000 INR 2.66 lakhs to 8.88 lakhs | EUR 12,000 to 40,000INR 1 crores to 3.55 crores |
Securing a PhD funding in France provides you with proper financial support while covering your tuition fees, accommodation expenses, and other research-related costs. Besides, there is no other better country for PhD academic pursuits with access to world-class education and facilities. Students get international exposure and enhance research opportunities. Thus, these benefits are not to be missed due to lack of funds.
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Scholarships for PhD in France
To make your academic journey smooth and hassle-free, PhD funding via scholarships in France makes it easier for aspiring students to take a step forward. There are different types of funding options available to students. From government scholarships and university-specific fellowships to private scholarships, these PhD funding in France can provide substantial funds and benefits to deserving students. Let’s check the details-
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme enables international students to pursue PhD in France. It is established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Applicants of up to 30 years of age can apply for PhD programmes. The students must possess excellent academic background and leadership skills in their field to apply for this scholarship.
Students are given a monthly allowance of EUR 1800 (INR 1.59 lakhs) and other benefits like transportation, insurance, housing searches, cultural activities, and much more. It is quite challenging to avail of this scholarship, so make sure to prepare for international scholarships in a timely manner.
CROUS Scholarships
It is awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research where qualifying students receive up to EUR 570 per month. This allows them to cover tuition fees and living expenses. These are awarded based on three criteria- household income, the number of dependent children for tax purposes and the geographical distance between the place of residence and the place of study.
Raman Charpak Fellowship
The Joint Raman – Charpak Fellowship is offered by the French Embassy in India, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of India, and the French Ministry for Europe & Foreign Affairs. It provides Indian and French students to pursue their studies at other universities or institutes in France or India. Eligible applicants involve Indian and French citizens at PhD level and those in top-ranking institutes in the countries of their partners and vintage both should be residing in India or France respectively.
ENS Paris Saclay
École Normale Supérieure (ENS) Paris-Saclay offers fully-funded scholarships to international students for pursuing masters and PhD research at their laboratories. It is available to the students in their final year of Bachelors degree, intending to transition to a PhD program, who are enrolled in a foreign university for a research stay. The acceptance rate for the ENS Paris Saclay scholarship is just 15%.
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University of Sorbonne PhD Scholarships
Prestigious institutions such as Sorbonne University and the University of Paris offer PhD scholarships for international students with exceptional academic achievements who plan to engage in research. They must demonstrate outstanding academic and professional performance and submit a research proposal in line with the scholarship’s thematic areas. Such students are entitled to benefits like a reduction of tuition fees, receiving monthly stipends for living expenses and access to university resources and networking opportunities.
The table below provides the list of scholarships for international students in different countries-
How to Apply for PhD Funding in France?
To apply for PhD funding in France, students should start with thorough research and prepare properly before applying for the scholarships. Make sure to research well in advance and keep track of the intakes and the deadlines.
- Shortlist the universities and scholarships they are offering. Note down the eligibility criteria and highlight the ones you are eligible to apply for.
- Gather the necessary documents like your CV, research proposal, academic transcripts, letter of recommendation, and language proficiency scores.
- Fill out the application form through the university’s official website before the deadline.
- Track your application status and stay in touch with the admissions office to know the progress of your application.
- Prepare for the interview and proceed for the same accordingly.
FAQs on PhD Funding in France
It is not always possible to get a fully-funded scholarship for PhD programs. Most of them provide partial scholarships and cover only a portion of the total expenses.
Applicants can apply for the following scholarships like Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, CROUS Scholarships, Raman Charpak Fellowship, ENS Paris Saclay, and University of Sorbonne PhD Scholarships.
International students can apply for financial support to pursue PhD in France either by taking education loans or applying for scholarships and fellowships. Scholarships allow students to cover their tuition fees and living expenses without any worries of paying back the amount like education loans.
PhD in France is for about four years. Aspiring students are expected to pay EUR 350-400 (INR 31,000 to 36,000) per year as tuition fees in state-funded universities and around EUR 3000-10,000 per year (INR 2.66 lakhs to 8.88 lakhs) at private universities.
Absolutely. Planning to pursue PhD in France is amazing for it is one of the countries known for excellence in education. Students get international exposure and enhance research opportunities.
This was all about PhD funding in France. Make sure to do your research right and meet the eligibility criteria before applying for these scholarships. To know more about education loans, the best bank accounts for students, forex and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
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