Scholarships in France for Nepali Students (2026)
Government, university and EU scholarships open to Nepali students in France — coverage, eligibility and how to apply.
France already offers some of the lowest public-university tuition in the developed world — and scholarships can push your costs even lower, sometimes to zero. Between the flagship France Excellence Eiffel programme, EU-funded Erasmus Mundus joint masters, tuition exemptions, and university merit awards, well-prepared Nepali students can fund a large share of their French degree.
This guide explains the main scholarships open to Nepali students, what each covers, who qualifies, and exactly how to apply — including the all-important deadlines. Because most French scholarships run through the institution and Campus France, your timing and admission strategy matter as much as your grades. For the full destination picture, start with our study in France guide, and for funding across all destinations see our overview of scholarships for Nepali students.
France Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship | Coverage | Who It Suits |
|---|---|---|
| France Excellence Eiffel | Monthly stipend + travel, insurance, housing support | Top master's & PhD applicants |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Full tuition + living allowance + travel | Multi-country master's seekers |
| Tuition Exemption (Exonération) | Cuts non-EU fees to EU rate or waives them | Most public-university applicants |
| University / Grande École Merit Awards | Partial to full tuition reductions | Strong academic records |
| French Embassy & Regional Awards | Partial stipends, fee support, insurance | Varies by region/programme |
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The Eiffel programme is France's flagship government scholarship, run by Campus France for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. From January 2026, it pays a monthly allowance of about EUR 1,200 for master's and EUR 2,100 for PhD students, plus extras such as international and national transport, health insurance, housing-search support, and cultural activities.
- Coverage: monthly stipend (EUR ~1,200 master's / EUR ~2,100 PhD, approx. NPR 1.8 / 3.15 Lakh per month) + travel, insurance, and housing support
- Master's eligibility: international applicants aged 29 or under, not already studying in France, applying to Eiffel for the first time
- PhD eligibility: applicants aged 35 or under for a co-supervised/co-directed thesis
- Cannot be combined with another French government scholarship; dual French nationals are not eligible
- How to apply: you cannot apply directly — a French institution must accept and then nominate you to Campus France
The 2026 cycle opened on 1 October 2025 with a Campus France deadline of 8 January 2026; universities set earlier internal deadlines (often November-December), and results publish from late March. Plan your admission a full year ahead. Verify current terms on the Campus France Eiffel programme page.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) are prestigious, EU-funded programmes delivered by consortia of universities across several countries — often including a French partner. They are among the most generous awards open to Nepali students.
- Coverage: full tuition, a monthly living allowance, and travel/installation costs for the 1-2 year degree
- Eligibility: outstanding international students; you study in at least two participating countries
- How to apply: apply directly to the specific joint-master consortium (each has its own portal and deadline, usually late in the year before the intake)
Tuition Exemption (Exonération)
This is the most overlooked saving. Even though public universities now charge non-EU students differentiated tuition (about EUR 2,895-3,941/yr for 2026-27), individual institutions can grant a partial or full exemption (exonération) that reduces your fee to the EU rate of around EUR 178-254 — or waives it entirely.
- Coverage: reduces non-EU fees to the EU rate, sometimes to zero
- Eligibility: granted on merit or financial need, decided by each institution
- How to apply: request it during admission and ask the international office directly — many Nepali students simply never ask
University, Grande École & Embassy Awards
Most institutions offer their own merit scholarships. Sciences Po's Émile-Boutmy scholarship, for example, supports non-EU students with partial to substantial tuition reductions, and many grandes écoles and business schools fund top international admits. The French Embassy network and regional councils also run smaller awards covering stipends, fees, or insurance.
- Coverage: partial to full tuition reductions, occasional living stipends
- Eligibility: strong academic record; criteria vary by institution and region
- How to apply: apply directly to the institution, usually alongside your admission application; check the French Embassy in Nepal for embassy-administered schemes
How to Maximise Your Chances
- Start a year early. Eiffel and Erasmus deadlines fall months before the intake — late applicants miss out entirely.
- Get admitted first. Most French scholarships flow through the institution, so a strong, early application is step one.
- Write a sharp motivation and study plan. Selection committees reward clarity about why France, this programme, and your future goals.
- Always request exonération. It is free to ask and can save lakhs in tuition.
- Prepare a strong English score. A competitive IELTS supports both admission and funding — see our IELTS preparation guide.