France Scholarships Opportunities for Nigerian Students
25 November 2019
Funding is one of the top problems many Nigerians face when it comes to studying abroad.
It is a relief to learn there are many scholarship opportunities and funding programs available to eligible Nigerian students intending to travel abroad.
France, officially known as ?the France Republic?, has one of the best educational systems in the world, with a nationally set curriculum, traditional methods of learning, high academic standards and strict discipline.
French education is compulsory for children resident in France between the ages of six to sixteen. State education is free for French citizens and others who have proof of residence, although parents have to pay for stationery and school trips. The free education system is known as ?Allocation de rentr?e scolaire (ARS)?, a grant available to help parents with the cost of schooling for children aged six to eighteen.
Although, French schooling is free and mandatory from ages six to sixteen, there are annual tuitions in French public universities, which range between 200 to 600 Euros. While in private universities, the fee can be as high as 10,000 Euros. Study and living costs in France are not affordable. France is an expensive study destination for foreign students but it is also home to many reputable universities that provide top-notch education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
There are many scholarships, grants, and bursaries which can help support a Nigerian student in France. This can be offered by either the French government, education providers, or a number of other public and private organizations.
Every year, the government of France and universities in France offer scholarships to international students and local citizens, at PhD, Masters, and undergraduate levels.
This article will help any Nigerian student seeking to study at a French university to know about the scholarship opportunities that are available to them.
Scholarships Opportunities in France
There are several scholarship programs that are available to Nigerians intending to study in France. Most of these scholarships are granted based on the recipient?s program of study or the recipient?s research subject. The duration of your scholarship depends on the program of study or the work involved. As a recipient of a scholarship, your results while in France, such as exams and research, can affect the amount of money that would be awarded to you. Institutions in France also offer scholarship opportunities to foreign students which are awarded based on their eligibility.
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The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program was created by the French Ministry to enable French higher education institutions to attract excelling foreign students to enroll in their masters and PhD program. The scholarship opportunity allows applicants from developing countries (including Nigerians) to apply to study in France at a master?s level. Recipients of this scholarship can pursue a degree in the field of science, law, economics and management, and political science. Those who intend to pursue teaching or research study are not eligible for this type of scholarship.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
The Eiffel scholarship includes a monthly stipend of 1,400 pounds for twelve months. In addition, the program includes an international return trip, health insurance and cultural activities. Recipients are also entitled to housing allowances too. A French institution has to apply for the Eiffel scholarships on behalf of the selected students.
ENS International Selection Scholarships
The ENS International Selection Scholarship is an annual scholarship opportunity offered by Ecole Normale Superieure institution. International students who are interested in studying a course in the field of science or in Arts & Humanities for a Master or Diploma Degree are the only eligible candidates for this scholarship program. Ten scholarship positions are offered each in the field of Science and Arts and Humanities.
Eligible candidates are students aged below 26 years and must have stayed in France for more than 10 months during the academic year of the selection. Or candidates who must have completed one-year undergraduate studies awarded by a foreign university during when the scholarship application starts. A monthly grant of 1,000 Euros is offered to successful applicants for three years. Accommodation on the ENS campus is also offered to recipients of the scholarship.
Ampere Excellence Scholarships
The Ampere Excellence Scholarship offers international students an opportunity to study in a Master's program offered at ENS de Lyon. The Master's degree program to pursue is only in exact sciences, the Arts, or Human and Social sciences. The scholarship offers a monthly allowance of about 1000 Euros for 1 to 2 years.
Universite Paris-Saclay International Masters Scholarship
This scholarship is a Master's Degree program available to Nigerian graduates seeking postgraduate studies in France. It was created to give access to highly qualified students to further their academic pursuits on a merit basis. Students can do a Master?s program in all academic fields which have been accredited in the University of Paris-Saclay, except vocational training.
The Universite Paris-Saclay International Scholarship includes a 10,000 Euros stipend per year. The allowance is paid to the establishment the candidate is registered in for the duration of the academic year. A maximum of 1,000 Euros for travel and visa expenses is also awarded depending on the candidate?s country of origin.
To be considered for the scholarship, the student must have been admitted to a Master?s program offered at Universite Paris-Saclay. However, admission into the University of Paris-Saclay does not automatically guarantee you a scholarship. Only students who have lived in France for less than a year and taken a French class during their academic session are eligible. Ineligible students are ones who interrupted their studies more than two years and have a scholarship whose amount exceeds 600 Euros a month.
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Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program
The Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program, also referred to as the WU Scholars, is a program designed to support international students? efforts to pursue a post-secondary education. The Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program was created to help give foreign students financial aid to further their study beyond secondary school education. The scholarship is available in any French university strictly for undergraduates, including those from Nigeria and other African countries. The scholarship offers USD $2,500 (Tuition Fees) to recipients who have successfully applied for it.
Top French Universities
As an international student, it is important for you to know the best French institutions to study at. France has about 3500 public and private higher education institutions, which gives international students a wide range of choices to pick from when applying for enrollment.
Here are some of the top institutions that you may wish to study at in France:
Universit? PSL
Unversite PSL is located in Paris and offers students? courses in science, engineering, humanities, social sciences and the arts. The researchers from the University of PSL have had 26 Nobel Prizes accredited to them, and this says a lot about the university's reputation.
?cole Polytechnique:
?cole Polytechnique is in Palaiseau. It is a science and technology university known for admitting more international students than any other university in France.
Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is a public university with three faculties: humanities, science, and medicine. The school is located in Paris.
?cole Normal Sup?rieure de Lyon:
This is a private university that trains researchers and teachers in the field of sciences and the humanities. The university is situated in Lyon and is known for being a highly selective grande ?cole.
American University of Paris:
The American University of Paris is located in Paris. It is a private, independent and accredited American institution. They offer entire programs in English for intending foreign students. The American University of Paris awards financial assistance of more than 3 million Euros annually to successful applicants.
France is also well known for its reputable business schools, which include ESCP Europe, ESSEC Business School, HEC Paris, and INSEAD.
What to consider when applying for French Scholarship
As an international student living outside the EU, you are required to apply for a student visa once you have been accepted into a French university. Students need to have a VLS-TS (?tudiant) visa, which allows them to live and study in France. Foreign students can work for up to 964 hours per year (which is the equivalent of 20 hours per week).
What you need to know about France Visa
The visa costs ?99, and takes within 3 months of your arrival to be validated, which will cost an additional ?60. The visa also makes you eligible for travel around the Schengen area; which includes countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, and Spain.
And also, it?s important for students looking to study in France to learn French. Many universities offer students the option of a bilingual program or a program taught only in English, depending on the students? language abilities.
Intending students who wish to study a degree program that is totally in French are expected be to have intermediate knowledge of French. Most times, universities will request that students provide an intermediate or advanced certificate in the dipl?me d??tudes en langue fran?aise (DELF), depending on the course you wish to undertake.
There are many opportunities for international students to study French alongside their degree. As a non-French speaking international student, considering to study in Paris, and other major cities, you may have to learn French to able to communicate with the locals.
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