Scholarships to Study in France for Indian Students: How to Apply

✦ Summary

France welcomed 443,500 foreign students in 2024/25. Indian enrollment specifically has been growing fast: Campus France's own enrollment figure was 9,100 for 2024/25 (up 17% year over year), while a broader visa/residence-permit count, which also includes exchange and short-term program students, put the number at around 12,000 in 2025. France has set a target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students a year by 2030. Key scholarship routes for Indian students include the Charpak Scholarship (Bachelor's and Master's), the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (Master's and PhD), the Raman Charpak Fellowship (PhD research stays), university-specific scholarships, and India-based options like Inlaks and the JN Tata Endowment. Amounts and eligibility windows are reviewed each cycle, so confirm current figures on each scholarship's official page before applying.

Aayush Nagpal

7 min read • Sep 9, 2026

France is a compelling and increasingly popular choice for Indian students. In the 2024/25 academic year, France welcomed 443,500 foreign students, part of a steady upward trend over the past five years. Indian students have historically been a smaller share of that population, but this is changing fast: Campus France’s own enrollment count was 9,100 Indian students in 2024/25, up 17% from the year before, while a broader visa/residence-permit count (which also captures exchange and short-term program participants) put the figure around 12,000 in 2025. The French government has set a target of welcoming 30,000 Indian students a year by 2030.

Scholarships are a major part of what makes France an affordable option. This guide breaks down the main routes available to Indian students, along with the eligibility, benefits, and application process for each.

Types of scholarships for studying in France

Broadly, funding for Indian students studying in France falls into a few categories: scholarships backed directly by the French government, co-financed scholarships (jointly funded by the French government and a private or public partner), university-specific scholarships, and India-based scholarships and education loans for Indian students studying anywhere abroad, including France.

French government scholarships

Scholarship	Level	Typical Monthly Benefit
Charpak Scholarship Programme	Bachelor’s and Master’s	Roughly EUR 700-860 (verify current amount)
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme	Master’s and PhD	EUR 1,200/month (Master’s) / EUR 2,100/month (PhD), effective from January 2026
Raman Charpak Fellowship	PhD research stays (2-6 months)	Roughly EUR 1,500, plus travel and insurance, verify current amount
Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarship	Joint Master’s programs	Varies by program; requires study across 2+ countries

Charpak Scholarship

Named after Nobel laureate Georges Charpak, this scholarship funds Bachelor’s and Master’s study, research internships, and exchange programs for Indian students.

Charpak Bachelor’s Scholarship: for Indian nationals or OCI card holders (check the current age limit on the official site), who haven’t previously studied in France, with a confirmed Bachelor’s admission. Benefits typically include a monthly allowance, social security coverage, and help with accommodation and fee waivers.
Charpak Master’s Scholarship: for Indian nationals or OCI card holders who have completed or are enrolled in higher education in India, or have limited post-graduation work experience (check the current cap on the official site). Unlike some scholarships, this does not automatically renew for a second year; re-application is required.

Both require a CV, admission letter, academic transcripts, a French language certificate (where applicable), and a recommendation letter. Confirm current eligibility windows, age limits, and benefit amounts on Campus France India’s official Charpak page, since these are reviewed each cycle.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme

Aimed at postgraduate students, Eiffel has two components: a Master’s track (12-36 months of funding) and a doctoral track (12-36 months of mobility support). Scholarship holders receive a monthly stipend of EUR 1,200 (Master’s) or EUR 2,100 (Doctorate), effective from January 2026, plus international and national transportation, insurance, help finding housing, and cultural activities. Tuition fees are not covered by the Eiffel program itself; students typically need a separate tuition waiver, reduction, or other funding source for that. Applications also work differently from most scholarships: students cannot apply directly. Instead, a French higher education institution nominates the candidate and submits the application to Campus France on their behalf, so start by contacting your target university’s international office rather than looking for a student-facing application form.

French nationals (including dual citizens with French citizenship) are not eligible. Age limits for Master’s and PhD applicants are set per selection cycle, so check the current cycle’s exact cutoff on the official Eiffel page rather than relying on a specific past year’s figure.

Raman Charpak Fellowship

Aimed at PhD students from India and France in sciences and engineering, this fellowship funds part of a student’s research at a top university or R&D institute in the partner country, for a duration of 2 to 6 months. Benefits typically include a monthly stipend, one return airfare ticket, insurance, and visa and registration cost coverage.

Co-financed and university scholarships

Several co-financed and institution-specific scholarships also support Indian students, including music, fine arts, and engineering-focused programs run jointly with the French Embassy, as well as scholarships offered directly by individual universities and business schools such as Sciences Po, EDHEC, Rennes School of Business, and EM Normandie. Benefits and eligibility vary significantly by program; the CampusBourses tool on the official Campus France website lets you filter available scholarships by nationality, field, and level of study.

For a fuller list including India-based options like the JN Tata Endowment and Inlaks Scholarships, see Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in France: Complete Guide.

Top courses and universities in France

Multiple French universities feature consistently in current global rankings; check the current QS or THE rankings for up-to-date positions, since these shift each year and specific rank numbers from an older cycle can quickly go stale.

Popular fields among Indian students include business and management, engineering, data science and technology, and finance. Tuition varies significantly by institution type (public university, Grande Ecole, or private business school), so treat any specific figure as a starting point and confirm current fees directly with your target university.

For a full tuition and cost breakdown, see Cost of Studying in France.

Why choose France for higher studies?

French universities feature consistently in global rankings, reflecting the country’s focus on research and quality education.
Public university tuition is kept low through state subsidy, even after the differentiated fee increases introduced for non-EU students in recent cycles.
Living costs in France are generally lower than in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, particularly outside Paris.
Students generally get access to French healthcare coverage once enrolled, subject to current requirements.
Graduates can generally apply for a temporary residence permit (APS) to look for work or start a business after completing their studies; check current duration and eligibility rules before assuming a specific timeline.
France has a strong presence in aerospace, luxury goods, and a growing startup ecosystem, creating opportunities across multiple fields.

Education loans to study in France

Many Indian students combine a scholarship with an education loan to cover the full cost of study. Loan amounts, interest rates, and collateral requirements vary significantly by lender and applicant profile, so treat any specific rate you see (including in older guides) as indicative rather than current; always check live rates directly with the lender.

Compare education loan options for France: Study Loan for Studying in France

GradRight helps you compare offers from 18+ lending partners, including Indian banks, NBFCs, and international lenders, in one place, so you can see competing rates side by side rather than negotiating with one lender at a time. Compare Lenders on GradRight

Sources and methodology

This guide references the following for context, current as of the last-updated date above:

France’s minimum wage (SMIC): multiple 2026-dated sources confirm the rate reached EUR 12.31 per hour gross as of 1 June 2026, following an earlier increase to EUR 12.02 on 1 January 2026; check service-public.fr for the current rate.
Total foreign student enrollment (443,500 in 2024/25) and Indian student figures (9,100 Campus France enrollment count, up 17% year over year; ~12,000 on the broader visa/residence-permit count for 2025): confirmed via Campus France’s own published figures and Indian press reporting citing Campus France directly.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship stipend amounts (EUR 1,200 Master’s, EUR 2,100 Doctorate, effective January 2026): confirmed across multiple current Campus France regional pages.
International and Indian student enrollment figures: referenced from Campus France’s published 2025/26 data and the French government’s stated 2030 target for Indian student numbers.

Scholarship amounts, eligibility windows, and age limits referenced in this guide are illustrative and reviewed periodically by each awarding body. This article is for general information only and is not financial or immigration advice. Verify current details directly on each scholarship’s official page (Campus France, the specific university, or the relevant foundation) before applying.

Related guides

Stay up to date, sign up for our newsletter

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while studying in France?

Yes. International students can generally work up to 964 hours a year (roughly 20 hours a week during term). France’s minimum wage (SMIC) has been revised upward through 2026 and stood at EUR 12.31 an hour gross as of 1 June 2026; check the current rate on service-public.fr before budgeting, since it’s adjusted periodically.

Is France a good destination for international students?

It’s a strong option for many students, known for its universities in fields like business, engineering, and fashion, along with comparatively affordable public tuition and living costs. Whether it’s the right fit depends on your specific program, budget, and career goals.

Is studying in France expensive?

Generally more affordable than the US or UK, particularly at public universities, though non-EU tuition has increased in recent cycles. See our full cost breakdown for current figures rather than relying on an older guide’s numbers.

Do I need to know French to live in France?

Not necessarily, especially for English-taught programs at the postgraduate level, but basic French helps with daily life. Some scholarships and programs may still expect a French language certificate depending on the course.

How can I get a scholarship to study in France?

Start by identifying which routes you’re eligible for (Charpak, Eiffel, Raman Charpak, university-specific, or India-based options), then check each program’s current eligibility window and required documents on its official page well ahead of the deadline.

What kind of financial support can Indian students expect in France?

Options range from fully funded government scholarships like Eiffel and Charpak, to partial university-specific tuition waivers, to India-based scholarships and education loans. Most students combine more than one funding source rather than relying on a single scholarship to cover everything.