French Embassy Scholarship Programmes for South African and Lesotho Students, 2015-2016

[wp_ad_camp_1]
Applications are invited for French Embassy Scholarships available for South African and Lesotho students to undertake a Master’s degree at a French university for the academic year 2015-2016. Embassy offers two Master’s scholarship programmes, with the same benefits: one in humanities (SAFeThink scholarship programme) and the second in all other fields of study (Master scholarship programme). The Embassy allocates around 20 scholarships per year for the duration of one French academic year, renewable once. Scholarship includes the tuition fees, the Schengen visa fees, a monthly stipend towards living expenses, health insurance and the flight tickets. The application deadline is 23 March, 2015.

Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded in all fields of humanities and social sciences and all other fields of study (engineering, management, economy/ finance, IT, architecture/design, sports, biology, etc.).
Course Level: Scholarships are available to undertake a Master’s degree at a French university.
Scholarship Provider: The Embassy of France (French Embassy SAFeThink scholarship programme, is run in cooperation with five South African think tanks: AISA, IGD, ISS, MISTRA and SAIIA)
Scholarship can be taken at: France
Eligibility:
French Embassy Master scholarship programme: all other fields of study:
-Citizenship of South Africa or Lesotho only (temporary or permanent residency excluded).
-Bachelor’s or Honour’s degree (depending on academic year the student is enrolling for), completed or to be completed by the time the student would depart for France. (Minimum requirement is at least a B-degree, i.e. B.Tech, B.A, B.Com, BSc, etc.)
-At least three selected French institutions of the candidate’s choice. Students should apply for admission to these universities concurrently to the bursary application (if you have not been accepted at an institution yet). You may contact Campus France to assist you with this process, but it remains the student’s responsibility to contact and apply on time to universities.
-Applications from all academic disciplines will be considered. However, different application requirements and procedures may apply for the following fields. It is advisable that you contact the relevant person before submitting your application: French Language Practice (i.e. translation, interpreting or French language teaching): Mr. Damien Guyard, Attaché for French Language Cooperation and Social and Political Sciences (i.e. Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Public Administration, Governance, Peace and Security, Conflict Resolution, etc.): Ms Johanna Stilo, Programme Officer for SAFe Think programme.
-No knowledge of French language required, depending on the availability of English programs in the student’s field and the study program applied for.
French Embassy SAFeThink scholarship programme: Humanities: You can be considered for a bursary if:
-Your field of study is in political or social sciences (international relations, sociology, public administration, peace and security, conflict studies)
-You are a citizen of South Africa or Lesotho. Unfortunately, temporary/ permanent residents and candidates from other African countries cannot be considered.
-You hold or are in the process of completing a Bachelor’s or Honour’s degree. The degree has to be completed by September 2015.
–You have applied to at least 2 French universities and Master programmes. Should you be awarded a SAFeThink scholarship, you will need to provide your university admission letter by June 16 2015 – otherwise the scholarship offer will be withdrawn.
Scholarship Open for International Students: Scholarships for students from South African or Lesotho.
Scholarship Description: The Embassy of France in South Africa has opened applications for its 2015/2016 Master scholarship programmes. Launched in 2010, these programmes form part of the commitment between France and South Africa to establish fruitful partnerships between their universities while building a vast network of academic and professional contacts. The French Embassy offers two Master’s scholarship programmes, with the same benefits: one in humanities and the second in all other fields of study:
-French Embassy SAFeThink scholarship programme: Humanities: Students who wish to complete a Master’s degree in political or social sciences (international relations, public affairs, security studies, conflict studies, human rights/ humanitarian law, development studies,…) are requested to apply for the French Embassy SAFeThink scholarship programme, that is run in cooperation with five South African think tanks (AISA, IGD, ISS, MISTRA and SAIIA).
-French Embassy Master scholarship programme: all other fields of study: Students who wish to complete a Master’s degree in all fields of study except humanities (engineering, management, economy/ finance, IT, architecture/design, sports, biology, etc.) are encouraged to apply for the French Embassy Master scholarship programme.
Number of award(s): The Embassy allocates around 20 scholarships per year.
Duration of award(s): Scholarships are awarded for the duration of one French academic year, renewable once.
What does it cover? Full bursary includes visa expenses, round-trip flight tickets, social and medical insurance, tuition fees (up to a limited amount) and a monthly stipend for living expenses (partial funding may also be granted).
Selection Criteria: 
-Academic achievement
-Motivation
-Coherence of application – the structure and content of the motivation letter, as reflected in the student’s academic, professional and personal objectives, choice of institution, etc.
-Previous practical activities or experience in the relevant academic or professional field.
Notification: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by mid-April 2015. Interviews will be held in April 2015 in Pretoria (students unable to attend in person will be interviewed either telephonically or via video-conference).
[wp_ad_camp_1]
How to Apply: Applications are to be submitted via e-mail only.
Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 23 March, 2015.
Further Official Scholarship Information and Application