Deadline: 06-Oct-26
The International Scholarships Programme is accepting applications from outstanding professionals in France for a fully funded one-year master’s degree at any eligible UK university. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, return travel, and additional allowances, while successful scholars are expected to return to France for at least two years after completing their studies.
About the International Scholarships Programme
The International Scholarships Programme supports talented professionals and future leaders from eligible countries to pursue postgraduate education in the United Kingdom.
For applicants from France, the programme provides an opportunity to undertake a one-year master’s degree in any subject at any UK university, subject to the programme’s eligibility and course requirements.
The scholarship is designed for professionals who can demonstrate leadership potential, academic ability, professional experience, and a commitment to contributing to their home country after their studies.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Successful scholars receive comprehensive financial support for their studies in the UK.
The scholarship package includes:
- Full tuition fees for the approved master’s programme.
- A monthly living allowance to support day-to-day expenses.
- Return airfare between France and the UK.
- Additional grants or allowances for essential expenditure.
- Financial support associated with approved scholarship-related activities, where applicable.
This funding allows successful applicants to concentrate on their academic studies and professional development without having to independently finance the major costs associated with studying in the UK.
What Can Scholars Study?
The scholarship supports one-year master’s programmes in any subject, provided the selected course and university meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants can therefore consider courses across areas such as:
- Agriculture and environmental sciences
- Business and finance
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Health and public health
- International development
- Law
- Public policy
- Science and technology
- Social sciences
- Arts and humanities
Applicants should carefully verify that their chosen courses meet the scholarship’s requirements before submitting their applications.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Studying at a UK university provides scholars with access to international academic networks, professional opportunities, and specialised knowledge.
The programme also has a broader development objective. Scholars are expected to return to France after completing their studies and use their education, professional experience, and international networks to contribute to their country’s development.
The scholarship therefore combines:
- Advanced academic education.
- Professional development.
- Leadership development.
- International networking.
- Knowledge exchange.
- Long-term contribution to the applicant’s home country.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants from France must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
To qualify, applicants must generally:
- Be a citizen of France.
- Have at least two years of work experience after completing their undergraduate degree.
- Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for admission to a UK master’s programme.
- Apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses.
- Obtain an unconditional offer from at least one eligible course by the specified deadline.
- Commit to returning to France for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
Applicants should review the official programme requirements carefully because meeting the basic conditions does not automatically guarantee selection.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Certain applicants are excluded from the scholarship.
Ineligible applicants include:
- Individuals holding British citizenship, subject to limited exceptions.
- Individuals holding dual British citizenship, subject to programme-specific exceptions.
- Individuals with refugee status in a non-eligible country.
- People currently resident in the UK.
- Employees or recent former employees of certain UK government-related organisations.
British Overseas Territories citizenship or British National (Overseas) status from Hong Kong may be treated differently under the programme rules, so applicants with these statuses should check the current eligibility guidance.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the application process carefully and meet all relevant deadlines.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you:
- Are a French citizen.
- Have the required post-undergraduate work experience.
- Hold a suitable undergraduate qualification.
- Can meet the post-scholarship return requirement.
- Do not fall under any of the programme’s exclusion criteria.
Step 2: Research Eligible UK Master’s Courses
Identify three suitable UK master’s courses that match your academic background and career objectives.
Consider:
- Course content.
- University reputation and expertise.
- Entry requirements.
- Career relevance.
- Course duration.
- How the programme supports your long-term professional goals.
Step 3: Apply to Three Courses
Applicants must apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses.
Do not wait until the scholarship application stage to begin university applications. University admissions and scholarship applications are separate processes.
Step 4: Secure an Unconditional Offer
At least one of the three selected courses must provide an unconditional offer by the specified deadline.
Applicants should monitor university application deadlines separately from scholarship deadlines.
Step 5: Submit the Scholarship Application
Complete the International Scholarships Programme application with accurate information and all required supporting details.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate:
- Academic achievements.
- Professional experience.
- Leadership potential.
- Career ambitions.
- Reasons for selecting their courses.
- How their studies will contribute to their future impact in France.
Step 6: Prepare for the Selection Process
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how their UK education will support their professional goals and how they intend to use their experience after returning to France.
How to Strengthen Your Application
A strong application should present a clear connection between past experience, proposed master’s study, leadership potential, and future impact.
Consider the following:
- Explain your professional achievements with specific examples.
- Show how your chosen master’s degree addresses a genuine career or development need.
- Demonstrate leadership through professional, community, academic, or other relevant experiences.
- Explain why studying in the UK is important for your objectives.
- Connect your proposed study to your long-term contribution to France.
- Ensure your three selected courses have a logical relationship with your career plans.
- Follow all application instructions and deadlines precisely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying to fewer than three eligible UK master’s courses.
- Selecting courses that do not meet the scholarship’s requirements.
- Waiting until the last minute to apply for university admission.
- Failing to obtain an unconditional offer by the required deadline.
- Providing vague descriptions of professional achievements.
- Choosing a master’s degree without explaining its relevance to career goals.
- Ignoring the requirement to return to France for at least two years.
- Submitting inconsistent information across university and scholarship applications.
- Assuming that financial support covers costs outside the approved scholarship package.
Key Scholarship Details
- Programme: International Scholarships Programme
- Target applicants: Outstanding professionals from France
- Study level: Master’s degree
- Duration: One year
- Study destination: United Kingdom
- Subject areas: Any eligible subject
- Tuition: Fully funded
- Living support: Monthly allowance
- Travel: Return flights to the UK
- Work experience: At least two years after undergraduate study
- University applications: Three eligible UK master’s courses
- Offer requirement: At least one unconditional offer by the specified deadline
- Post-study requirement: Return to France for at least two years
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the scholarship from France?
French citizens who meet the programme’s academic, professional, university application, and post-scholarship return requirements can apply, subject to all other eligibility conditions.
How long is the master’s degree?
The scholarship supports a one-year master’s degree at an eligible UK university.
Can I study any subject?
The programme supports master’s study in any subject, provided the selected university course meets the scholarship’s eligibility requirements and the applicant meets the university’s admission criteria.
How much funding is provided?
The scholarship provides full financial support, including tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return travel to the UK, and additional grants or allowances for eligible essential expenditure.
How much work experience do I need?
Applicants from France must have at least two years of work experience after completing their undergraduate degree.
Do I need to apply to three UK universities?
Yes. Candidates must apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses and receive an unconditional offer from at least one of them by the specified deadline.
Do I have to return to France after studying?
Yes. Successful scholars must commit to returning to France for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
Conclusion
The International Scholarships Programme offers French professionals the opportunity to pursue a fully funded one-year master’s degree in the UK while developing advanced academic, professional, and leadership skills.
Applicants should begin early by confirming their eligibility, selecting three appropriate UK master’s courses, securing at least one unconditional offer, and preparing a strong application that clearly connects their professional experience, study plans, leadership potential, and future contribution to France.
For more information, visit Chevening.
