This article tackles the scholarship covering master's programs and doctorate degrees in any discipline. For information on the grant covering master's and Ph.D. programs in natural sciences, click here.
The France Excellence grant is a successor of the PhilFrance Scholarship conceived by the French Embassy in 2016 to mark 70 years of French-Filipino diplomatic relations. This initiative aimed to provide exceptional Filipino students the opportunity to obtain higher education in France every year.
The France Excellence Philippines (formerly PhilFrance Master) is a comprehensive scholarship destined for the next generation of Filipino leaders with strong academic, leadership, and professional abilities. This grant is open to students admitted into a graduate program issuing a diplôme national in an M1, M2, or doctorate degree.
Benefits
- A monthly stipend of EUR 860 for master's students or EUR 1,770 for doctorate students regardless of city of residence
- Coverage of enrolment fees for master’s programs under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Higher Education (Diplôme National) up to EUR 3,879 per academic year for master's or EUR 391 for doctorate programs (frais d’inscription). Other costs distinct from the frais d’inscription (such as frais de formation, purchases of educational resources, pedagogical activity fees, etc.) will be shouldered by the grantee.
- Assistance in obtaining student accommodation* at a preferential rate via the CROUS housing network
- Exemption from the CVEC (Contribution de Vie Étudiante et de Campus / Student and Campus Life Contribution) after obtention of certificate of exemption
- A healthcare package* consisting of social security coverage and supplementary insurance (mutuelle)
- Discounted rates* for cultural activities organized by Campus France
- Economy class ticket* from Manila to the French city of destination, including a return ticket of the same class upon completion of the study program. Taxi & shuttle fares and public transport fees are not covered.
- Exemption from long-stay student visa fees (distinct from TLS Contact processing fee)
*None of these services can be provided outside the official duration of the scholarship.
Eligibility
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
- Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines at the time of application
- Graduates or graduating students of a recognized Philippine Higher Education Institution
- Master's/Ph.D. applicants must have completed their undergraduate/master programs by September in the intended year of studies for master’s.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
- Course: 100% on-site programs that lead to obtaining a Diplome National or a state diploma. Note that not all programs offered in public institutions result in a Diplôme National. Consult the FAQs to know how to identify eligible programs.
- Language of instruction: English, French, or both
- Duration:
- Master's — 18 to 24 months (including mandatory internship) beginning in academic year 2025
- Doctorate — at least 36 months beginning in the academic year 2025
- INELIGIBLE PROGRAMS
- Programs offered by non-French schools on campuses based in France
- Programs offered by French institutions in extra-France campuses
- Dual diploma or joint master’s degrees (e.g. Erasmus programs)
- Vocational and technical courses (culinary arts short courses, fashion design workshop, etc.)
Personal Documents
- A one-page CV summarizing your academic, professional, and leadership experience
- A scan of the data page of a valid passport
- An academic essay no longer than 500 words detailing why you wish to study in France, as well as how your experience and degree will benefit the Philippines and Filipino society. Applications with essays exceeding the word limit will be disregarded. Please note that we are requesting an academic essay and not a cover or motivation letter
- A complete, official copy of your most recent academic transcripts
- Proof of financial resources, such as:
- Bank statements
- Bank certificates
- Most recent Income Tax Return statement
Study Program Information
- Proof of completed application to the selected degree/French HEI
- Screenshot/s of completed online application via the school website or portal
- Screenshot/s of official admission document or e-mail
- Scan of mailed admission letter
- For Ph.D applicants, a letter from the research director or head of research department
- Study plan, curriculum, or academic calendar of the chosen program. This is commonly available on the school’s website or upon request at your HEI’s admissions office
Optional Requirements
- For programs taught partially or entirely in French, proof of French proficiency corresponding to the level required by the study program (at least B2)
- DELF B2/DALF C1 or C2
- Valid TEF/TCF results
- Lettera from a recognized French language instructor
- If applicable, letter/s of acceptance, proof of application to other scholarship programs that are not classified as Scholarships from the French Government (Bourse du Gouvernement Français – BGF)
Application Procedure
All applications must be made solely via the designated Google Form.
Please ensure that the files to be uploaded correspond to the format indicated for each document. No physical submissions can be made at the Embassy of France in the Philippines or the Campus France Philippines office. Any applications received in this way are rendered ineligible.
A Google Form submission must be completed for every application. For instance, if you are applying under 3 master's programs to which you have been accepted, you must make 3 distinct submissions.
2025 TIMELINE
| DATE | PHASE |
|---|---|
| January 20 | Opening of applications |
| June 20, 11:59 PM | Deadline of applications |
| June 30 to July 4 | Interview with shortlisted applicants* |
| July 10 | Announcement of grantees by email* |
*Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Shortlisted applications are considered commitments, and any withdrawals must be justified. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility for future scholarship campaigns.
Select any of the submenus below to access the FAQs.
General Questions
General Questions
Q: Applying seems competitive and I fear I might not be accepted. Why should I even apply?
A: We expect multiple applications from excellent students every year. While not every applicant will be sent to France, you have nothing to lose and much to gain by applying. Remember, a small percentage is always higher than zero!
Q: How do I apply to French HEIs?
A: Some French HEIs might ask applicants to contact their local Campus France office to begin the application process under the CEF / Study in France / Étudier en France online procedure. These procedures do not apply to the Philippines.
There are two possible application channels for French university programs:
- Via MonMaster, the consolidated application platform for the majority of university master's degrees; or
- Via the school's dedicated portal (e.g. eCandidat...) or a distinct procedure (e.g. direct mailing of application to a specific department, correspondence with research director for Ph.D...)
Applications to HEIs must be done before applying for the France Excellence. While students with pending admission into their programs can complete the initial application phase, shortlisted candidates must provide proof of confirmed admission.
Q: Do I need to be fluent in French to apply?
A: Applicants do not need to speak French to apply for this scholarship. The exceptions are programs that are explicitly taught only in French, for which proof of French proficiency must be presented (B2 CEFR or as required by the program).
This changes for doctorate-level studies, where almost all Ph.D. programs are geared towards international researchers and thus do not require any French proficiency.
That said, there are hundreds of graduate programs in various academic disciplines and specializations that are taught entirely in English. Consult the Taught in English catalog for more details.
Q: Can I receive help from the Embassy regarding my application?
A: Due to the high volume of applications and our policy to treat each candidate fairly, the French Embassy will not provide individual assistance in completing the scholarship application.
The Campus France office is available to provide the tools in selecting programs and identifying proper application tracks to follow.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Q: I unsuccessfully applied to previous campaigns of the PhilFrance program before. Can I still apply?
A: Yes! You may apply again with an updated application file.
Q: Is there an age limit for candidates in the France Excellence Philippines program?
A: While the France Excellence scholarship has no age limit per se, your chosen study program might. Please verify the respective course requirements with your HEI’s admissions office.
Q: I’m a Filipino professional/student based abroad. Can I apply?
A: No, applicants must be based in the Philippines at the time of application.
Q: I’m a student currently completing my program in France and I’m looking for means to finance the remainder of my studies. Am I eligible?
A: No, neither students who have already begun their program, nor those who are currently completing their degree and wish to pursue another are eligible.
Q: Are holders of dual citizenship allowed to apply?
A: Yes, as long as one nationality is Filipino, and the other is not French.
Q: Can I apply for multiple programs under the France Excellence scholarship?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to create an individual online application for every program, even if you’re submitting common documents.
Q: How do I know if my desired master's program is eligible?
A: There are several ways to know if your chosen master's degree issues a diplome national
- Your selected master's program requires you to apply through the MonMaster portal.
- The Diplome National label is present on the program/university's website or page:
- Your university explicitly states that your chosen program issues a diplome national.
When in doubt, reach out to the Campus France office for assistance in verifying the eligibility of your desired master's degree!
Q: Can I apply for the scholarship even if I’m not yet accepted into my program?
A: Submitted applications must be sent with at least an acknowledgment of application in order to be considered. Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for their chosen programs.
Q: The program I am interested in includes a study abroad period. Will this be covered by the scholarship?
A: Very short periods spent studying outside of France, such as attending an academic conference, will not affect the coverage of the scholarship However, any extended period spent outside France during the academic year (e.g. a semester as part of an exchange) will not be covered by this scholarship.
Q: Can I be a grantee of the France Excellence scholarship from the Embassy on top of other financial aid?
A: Yes, if the grant is funded by institutions that are not part of the French government (such as companies and banks, the HEIs themselves, private foundations and associations, etc.).
No, if funding comes from other sectors of the French government (Bourse du Gouvernement Français, i.e. Eiffel Excellence Programme, grants from French regions and cities, etc.) or of the European Union (Erasmus Mundus, etc.).
Q: The program I wish to apply for will not have opened its application procedure by the application deadline. What should I do?
A: Should your HEI/chosen program be unavailable during the application period, contact us before submitting your scholarship application.
Application
Application
Q: How do I submit my application/s?
A: All applications must be submitted through the designated Google Form. Submissions done directly (by courier, dropped off at the French Embassy or Campus France office...) will not be entertained.
Q: How should I prepare my CV and my academic essay?
A: Your one-page curriculum vitae should be clear and concise, but with enough details for us to get to know you better through your different experiences. We advise that you use the one-page limit intelligently and not waste it on redundant information.
As for your academic essay, you may choose the format and topics covered as long as they respect the word limit and other instructions specified in the application material. Given the general theme stated here, the essay should be able to explain how your study abroad experience will benefit the Philippines and Filipino society, factoring in your field of study/expertise.
The essay will help us assess, among other things, your proficiency in academic writing and your ability to lay out a compelling argument in 500 words or less. Kindly note that we are not looking for a cover/motivation letter or an essay version of the CV.
Q: How do I know if I’ve been selected?
A: Shortlisted applicants will be contacted at each scholarship program’s results announcement phase. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will receive a notification from the French Embassy.
Resources
MASTER'S PROGRAMS
No French? No problem! Check out the course offerings on the Taught in English catalog, which can filter results based on study level and type of diploma! The master's program directory is also a good place to start, with results taught in both English and French to be perused.
All master’s programs listed on MonMaster are eligible for the France Excellence grant. However, the MonMaster platform is currently only available in French.
To facilitate the navigation of MonMaster, we prepared some guides to help in filing your state master’s program applications.
- A webinar on the PhilFrance Master and the MonMaster platform explains the two options for applying for a university master’s program.
- A guide document demonstrates the creation of an account and the selection of study programs via MonMaster.
DOCTORATE PROGRAMS
French isn't a requirement for most Ph.D. programs, notably those in the natural sciences sector. There might, however, be doctorate degrees in social sciences and humanities that require some proficiency in French.
The Doctorate Degree catalog details dissertation topics that prospective students can apply for. A webinar on applying for doctoral schools is also available on the Campus France PH YouTube channel.