France - South Africa Scholarship Programme

    • Application closing date
      16 October 2022
    • Published date
      23 March , 2022
    • Apply now
    Company description

    The France - South Africa Scholarship Programme of the French Embassy in South Africa is based on a highly selective call for candidates in order to strengthen high level exchanges between France and South Africa. An Advisory Board Committee, set by the French Embassy, will monitor the programme and the selection process. The Advisory Board involves representatives from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI), the joint office of CNRS, IRD and CIRAD in South Africa as well as well-known and high level academics from France and South Africa.

    Bursary description

    The France - South Africa Scholarship Programme is directed to South African students who intend to study in universities or higher education institutions in France for their Master’s degree or PhD.

    The programme is also open to students from Lesotho and Malawi.

    The current call for applications is open for students who intend to start their studies in France in September 2023. Applicants will be contacted individually as needed. The list of the laureates and the waiting list will be announced according to the indicated timeline. Follow-up requests by applicants will not be answered.

    Due to the differences between the Southern and Northern hemisphere calendars, laureates will follow a specific programme in South Africa from February 2023 to July 2023. This track will include online French courses organized by the network of the Alliances Françaises. It may also include an internship in French Companies and organisations based in South Africa, depending on the opportunities and the profile of each laureate.

    This programme is open to all fields of studies.

    Applicants are invited to read carefully the rulebook for the France - South Africa Scholarship Programme and the frequently asked questions. You can also consult the Campus France South Africa website to find more details on higher education institutions and study programmes in France. If you need any help or advice on finding the most appropriate programme for you, you can consult and contact Campus France South Africa.

    Timeline:

    • The next call for applications will be open between mid April 2022 and 16October 2022 at 23:59 SA time.
    • The 2022 Season of webinars organised by Campus France South Africa will provide students with all useful information to prepare their applications
    • Interview of the eligible candidates: November 2022
    • Results: end of November/early December 2022
    • Specific programme in South Africa (online french courses and possibly internship): February 2023 - July 2023
    • Departure to France: Early September 2023
    Requirements and eligibility

    Eligibility requirements

    To be eligible for the France - South Africa Scholarship Progralle, applicants must be:

    • Born on or after 1st January 1992.
    • A South African, Basotho or Malawian national.
    • Enrolled in a French Higher Education institution (in due time) to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD.

    The scholarship is granted for a given period to be spent in France, matching the necessary time required to obtain the degree:

    • For Master’s degree, the scholarship will be granted for a duration between 10 and 22 months. Master degree programmes are two years long. In some specific cases (Bachelor degree with Honours, for example), students may consider applying directly to M2 (second-year of the Master Programme). Only the hosting higher education institution is responsible for the admission. At the end of the first academic year, the Embassy of France will verify the success of the student to continue her/his studies in the second year of the Master’s programme.
    • For PhDs, the scholarship will be granted for a maximum duration of 3 years. However, at the end of each academic year, in order to get the renewal of his/her grant, the recipient will have to justify the progress of their research work.
    • In case of a PhD under co-supervision/cotutelle, periods of stay in France should be specified. The scholarship will only be granted for the periods spent in France.
    • For PhD and Master Degrees, if the curriculum requires course work which will take place outside France, then applicant must specify all the details and his/her intentions, in the application process.
    How to apply

    Online application

    The application file is to be submitted online only and must include:

    For all applicants

    • A complete application form (online).
    • A copy of passport.
    • An up-to-date résumé that also states the candidate’s entire academic record.
    • A cover letter explaining motivations and interests in the planned academic project.
    • Copies of academic degree certificates (Bachelor or Master only).
    • University transcripts of the last two years of studies.

    For Master level candidates

    • Candidates will need to provide proof of acceptance at one of the study programme indicated during their application, between February and May/June 2023. During the application process, candidates are encouraged to submit their email exchanges with the host higher education institutions in France.
    • List of identified study programmes that the student intends on applying to, including the application dates for these courses and the tuition fees.

    For PhD applicants

    • An attestation, signed by your supervisor, indicating her/his commitment to supervise your thesis; or, in case of co-supervision, an attestation signed by the two supervisors (South African and French) indicating their commitment to supervise in France and in South Africa. In the case of co-supervision, this attestation needs to indicate that a cotutelle agreement will be established, that enrolment will be at both universities and that a degree will be awarded by the French higher education institution.
    • A detailed description of the research project (2/3 pages) including a detailed work plan.
    • In case of co-supervision, a detailed plan of the various periods to be spent in France during the research work. A signed cotutelle agreement is also necessary.

    Optional documents

    • Cost-sharing commitment letter from the corresponding organisation.
    • Academic and/or professional recommendation.
    • Language proficiency certificates: French (TCF, DELF, DALF, academic degree…).

    All candidates will need to register on the website to apply online. They can connect any time before the deadline. It is compulsory to validate the final application online before the deadline. After the final submission, it will not be possible to modify the application anymore. A delivery status notification will be sent by e-mail to the applicants after the final online submission of application. Incomplete applications or applications which would fail to meet the deadline will be automatically rejected.

    Selection process

    Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of their files. Candidates whose applications have been preselected will be interviewed. In order to identify grant recipients, the Advisory board will consider:

    • The candidate's skills and merit as indicated by his/her academic record and professional background.
    • The quality of his/her studies project and its coherence with his/her background.
    • For PhD applicants, the Advisory Board will favour PhDs under joint supervision and commitment of South African and French supervisors will be decisive;
    • The level of proficiency in foreign languages and its adequacy with the suggested curriculum.

    Deliberations and final decisions are beyond dispute.

    Publication of the results

    Applicants must not take the initiative to make follow-up contacts regarding the status of their application. Candidates and laureates will be contacted individually if needed. Final results will be announced in November/December 2022. The results will consist of a list of confirmed laureates and a waiting list. No ranking on any of the lists is communicated to the applicants. Confirmed laureates need to comply with all the administrative requirements and rules of the scholarship programme.

    For the confirmed laureates

    • They must finalize their enrolment in the study programme that they indicated during their application to the scholarship.
    • They must attend the intensive online French courses that will be provided for them between February 2023 and June 2023.
    • Depending on the opportunities and the profiles of the laureates, internship in a French company or organisation based in South Africa, may be proposed.
    • After their departure to France, the student needs to commit to the study project that he or she has been selected for. Any changes in the study programme of the grant holder must be submitted to the French Embassy for approval.
    • Be in France for the whole period of his/her studies.

    For the candidates on the waiting list

    Students on the waiting list have a good chance to move up on the main list depending on the availabilities. They will be informed individually. Hence, candidates on the waiting list are highly encouraged to continue the procedure and to obtain their enrolment in the French Higher Education institutions. They will need to participate to the online French courses and possible internships. Failing to do so, they will be removed from the list.

    Website

    https://www.southafrica-france-scholarships.com/

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