Study in France 2026: Top 5 Trending
Scholarships You Can Apply For Without IELTS
France continues to rank among the world’s
most attractive study destinations due to its world-class education system,
globally recognized universities, and a rapidly increasing number of
English-taught programs.
For international students, one of the most
appealing updates for the 2026 academic year is the flexibility surrounding
language requirements. Many prestigious French institutions are waiving strict
IELTS requirements, accepting practical alternatives instead—such as a Medium
of Instruction (MOI) certificate or proof that your prior degree was
completed entirely in English.
Below are five trending scholarships in
France for 2026 that you can explore without mandatory IELTS tests.
1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (French
Government)
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is one of
the most prestigious government-funded programs in Europe, designed to attract
top international talent for Master’s and PhD tracks.
- Financial Scope: Fully funded.
Covers a generous monthly allowance (€1,200 for Master's, €2,100 for PhD),
international return travel, health insurance, and cultural activities.
- Focus Areas: Engineering, Law,
Economics, Management, Political Science, Biology & Health, and
Ecological Transition.
- IELTS Flexibility: The French
government delegates language evaluation to the hosting university. If
your chosen program is taught in English and you provide an MOI
certificate from your previous university, the IELTS requirement is
typically waived.
Official Portal: Learn more and track application timelines via the Campus France Eiffel Scholarship Official Page.
2. Université Paris-Saclay International
Master’s Scholarships
As a top-tier, research-intensive
institution, Université Paris-Saclay offers highly competitive grants to
outstanding international students enrolling in its Master’s programs.
- Financial Scope: €10,000 per year
paid monthly, plus a flat-rate travel and visa allowance (up to €900
depending on your country of origin).
- Focus Areas: All academic fields
(Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities) except
vocational/apprenticeship training tracks.
- IELTS Flexibility: Rather than
forcing standardized testing, course coordinators review your background.
An MOI certificate or proof of a prior degree taught in English is widely
accepted.
Official Portal: Apply directly through the Université Paris-Saclay International Master's Program Page.
3. ENS de Lyon Scholarships (Ampère
& GRADUATE+)
The École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS
de Lyon) provides excellent merit-based funding for high-achieving
international students looking to tap into France's elite Grande École
system.
- Financial Scope: €1,000 per month
for 10 to 12 months (renewable under specific academic conditions).
- Focus Areas: Exact Sciences, Arts,
Humanities, and Social Sciences.
- IELTS Flexibility: Selection
committees prioritize your academic transcripts, reference letters, and
motivation. An internal language assessment or an English-medium academic
background frequently replaces the need for IELTS.
Official Portal: Review eligibility criteria via the ENS de Lyon Ampère & Graduate+ Portal.
4. Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship
Named after the founder of Sciences Po,
this scholarship is specifically tailored for top-tier, non-European Union
international students admitted to Bachelor's or Master's programs.
- Financial Scope: Ranges from
partial to full tuition fee grants (from €5,000 up to €14,210 per year)
depending on the student's profile and program level.
- Focus Areas: Political Science,
International Relations, Finance, Law, and Public Policy.
- IELTS Flexibility: Sciences Po
accepts a variety of alternative English proficiency proofs, including
verified undergraduate degrees taught entirely in English.
Official Portal: Access the application guidelines directly on the Sciences Po Emile Boutmy
Funding Page.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s
Scholarships
While Erasmus Mundus is a European
Union-wide initiative, an incredibly high number of consortium programs are
hosted or co-led by French universities, making it a premier pathway to study
in France.
- Financial Scope: Fully funded.
Covers 100% of tuition fees, international travel, mandatory student
insurance, and a monthly living stipend.
- Focus Areas: Highly specialized,
multidisciplinary fields spanning engineering, environmental sciences,
digital technologies, and humanities.
- IELTS Flexibility: Because each
Erasmus consortium is run independently by a board of partner
universities, many programs explicitly state in their guidelines that an
MOI or an undergraduate degree from an English-speaking country is
acceptable.
Official Portal: Explore active programs on the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue.
Essential Checklist for an IELTS-Free
Application
If you plan to skip the IELTS exam when
applying to these programs, your overall application package must be
exceptionally strong to stand out.
|
Document Needed |
Strategic Tip |
|
MOI Certificate |
Request an official, stamped letter from
your university's registrar stating: "The medium of instruction for
[Your Name]'s degree program was 100% English." |
|
Statement of Purpose (SOP) |
Write this yourself with zero grammatical
errors. Your writing quality acts as indirect proof of your high-level
English fluency. |
|
Recommendation Letters |
Ask your professors to explicitly mention
your ability to read, write, and converse efficiently in academic English. |
|
Timing Note |
French scholarship deadlines are
incredibly strict and usually peak between November and January for
the following academic year. Start gathering your documents early! |
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