FACE Scholarship (The French Academic Co-operation & Excellence) is a top french scholarship which provides an excellent opportunity for the Indian students to pursue their higher education in France. Students looking to pursue one of the five master’s degrees under the program can reduce their study expenses significantly with the help of this scholarship that offers a tuition fee waiver of up to EUR 5000.

FACE Scholarship is being offered by IDRAC India Center – a training center of IDRAC Business School, France in India – with an objective to facilitate deserving candidates aspiring for French Qualifications.

You’d hardly find an Indian student who doesn’t wish to pursue a world-class education overseas. For many, though, the high cost of studying abroad makes it imperative for them to find an additional source of financial support in the form of a scholarship or an education loan. International scholarships, particularly, provide a priceless opportunity to make your international degree affordable.

Here are top 5 reasons why you should apply for this top french scholarship right away.

World-Class Education

Founded in 1965 with a vision to impart quality management education and create world class leaders, IDRAC is one of the leading Business Schools in France. Over 6000 students are enrolled across the multiple campuses of the school in France and Europe. In France, IDRAC Business School has campuses spread across all major cities including Paris, Lyon, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux, among others. At least 12 months of each of the courses offered as part of the scholarship program, shall be conducted at one of these French campuses.

Career-Oriented Programs

Each of the five programs are designed to bring out the leaders of tomorrow and offer a high-quality foundation to a successful career. The courses available to students applying for the scholarship are: MBA in International Luxury Management, MBA in Management & Entrepreneurship, Professional Masters in Wine Industry Management, Professional Masters in IT, and Professional Masters in Business Engineering. The courses are open to graduates from all streams, although students with a relevant bachelor’s degree will be given due preference. Each of the courses has 120-credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, and are equivalent to a 2-yr EU Master’s Degree. The first part of the program will be held at the IDRAC India Centre for a duration of 4-6 months, followed by a 12-month stay at IDRAC Business School, France.

Study in France

There couldn’t be a better country for a student’s professional and career development than France – its cities are known to be some of the most student-friendly cities in the world, and the country is fast-emerging as the centre of European commerce and culture. Whether it is in niche subjects like Wine Industry Management or International Luxury Management, or in technical areas like IT or Business Engineering, France provides the perfect business environment for a student to build a practical foundation to their study experience.

Learn French

When in Rome, do as the Romans do! And when in France, speaking the local language can open many a door for you. With the FACE Scholarship, selected scholars can get the added benefit of picking up the French language through our partners and world-leaders in imparting French-language education – Allianz Francaise. The International organization was founded in 1883 with the objective of promoting French language and culture around the world and specializes in providing certifications for French as a second language. Learning the language would be particularly beneficial to students looking to get professional experience in France post their degree.

Work in France

Which brings us to the absolute icing on the cake with a pretty little cherry on top! FACE Scholars will have the added opportunity of getting a post-study work permit and stay back in France for up to 2 years after completing their degree successfully. Thus, students can not only substantially reduce their study costs through the scholarship but also get a chance to earn back their tuition by working in France post the completion of their master’s degree.

Working in France during your studies: International students are entitled to work part time upto 20 hours a week off campus. French legislation now authorizes foreign students to work a maximum of 964 hours per year. In France there is a guaranteed minimum salary, which is € 8.71 gross per hour.

Documents for Admission

Here is a list of documents required for France:

• Attested copies of X, XII & Graduate Degree (if applicable), Mark Sheets including Backlogs (Re-sits)
• Evidence of English Language proficiency e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• Standardized Tests e.g. GMAT, GRE (where necessary for the programme)
• Two academic references
• Two references from employers (where applicable)
• Passport sized photographs
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume/CV
• Draft for application fees, if applicable
• Portfolio (for Art, Design & Architecture programme)
• Other Certificates & Achievements of Extracurricular Activities

Cost of Studying and Living Expenses

1. University tuition fees in France

Tuition fees at public universities

• Tuition fees at public universities in France have variable prices, depending on your chosen study level.
• For Bachelor’s programmes, the average tuition fees are around 190 EUR per year.
• Engineering degrees have higher tuition fees of around 620 EUR per academic year.
• The average tuition fees for Medicine studies can lead to 450 EUR per year.
• The average fees for a Master are around 260 EUR/year and for a PhD 396 EUR/year; you should expect higher fees for certain specialised degrees.
• Aside from tuition fees, you will also need to pay a contribution to campus and student life of 90 EUR.

Tuition fees at other types of institutions

• Grandes ecoles – Students will pay more at France’s highly selective grandes écoles and grands établissements (great schools and establishments), which set their own fees (about 500-600 EUR per year, but in some cases, they can lead up to 10,000 EUR per year).
• Private universities –Tuition fees in private universities start at 1,500 and can reach 20,000 EUR per year.
• In business schools, regardless of the degree level, fees range between 5,000 and 7,000 EUR a year.

2. Living costs in France

Average living costs in French cities and towns

• The overall living costs in France depend on your lifestyle, but, most of all, they depend on your chosen location, mainly the French city you live in.
• Check the average budget you would need for each of the large cities in France:
• Paris: between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR/month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to live in a student hall of residence);
• Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR/month;
• Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between and 800 – 1.000 EUR;
• For the rest of France, you can manage with smaller amounts (at least 650 EUR).

Accommodation

• Prices for accommodation are usually above the international average of 200 – 300 EUR/month.
• The main housing options for students in France are:
• Student halls of residence – between 150 and 600 EUR/month, including facilities, if the room is private or shared. Around 13% of international students live in student residences;
• Rent/share an apartment – between 400 and 700 EUR/month, while in smaller French cities you can rent a small apartment for about 300 EUR/month;
• If you will live with your partner and/or child(ren), the price for rent would range from 700 to 1,000 EUR/month, and you could pay higher if you choose an apartment in the city centre. The utility bills (electricity, water, the internet) would be another 200 EUR/month;
• Host family – you can find rates that are only 200 EUR/ month to about 800 EUR/month in Paris. However, they all include at least one meal per day.
• According to a study made by Eurostudent.eu, international students’ satisfaction rate regarding accommodation conditions in France is around 58%, which is just a small percentage below 60%, the average rate for Europe.
• International students also have access to VISALE, which offers free rent deposit. It allows students to give a guarantee on the payment of rents t and increase their chances to quickly find accommodation.

Indian students who have obtained a degree at the master’s or higher level in France can work part-time in France for up to two years after their studies. France provides many opportunities for companies to grow, and Paris is a hub for start-up companies from around the world. Students can work part-time (for up to 20 hours a week) on a student visa for France.

As of 2015, every Indian student who has completed a degree at the master’s or a higher level in France can extend his or her stay for up to one year. This measure has been introduced to enable Indian students to seek suitable employment in France in line with their studies. Students are allowed to work part-time to support themselves during this period.

Earlier, in 2013, the Embassy of France in India decided to facilitate travel to France for all Indian citizens residing in India who have studied in France, including those doing Indo-French dual degree programmes. As of July 2013, all such alumni subsequently applying for a tourist or business visa for France, are eligible for a visa with a long period of validity (up to five years, subject to passport validity) if the degree obtained in France is at the master’s or a higher level.

This visa allows applicants to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days, with a 90-day gap between stays. Students who graduated have before July 2013 can also apply, for this rule is being applied with retroactive effect.

For Colleges:

January, April, June and September

For Universities:

January and September

The European Union's Erasmus+ programme is a funding scheme to support activities in the fields of Education, Training, Youth and Sport.

The Programme is made up of three so-called "Key Actions" and two additional actions. They are managed partly at the national level by National Agencies and partly at the European level by the EACEA. The European Commission is responsible for Erasmus+ policies and oversees the overall programme implementation.

Erasmus+ actions managed by EACEA are listed below:

1. MOBILITY
2. COOPERATION
3. POLICY
4. JEAN MONNET
5. SPORT
6. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

What does it support:

Erasmus+ provides grants for activities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport. It offers opportunities for:

• individuals to spend a mobility or volunteering period abroad and to receive linguistic training,
• organisations to collaborate in project partnerships in the fields of academic and vocational training, schools, adult learning and European sport events.

Erasmus+ also supports teaching, research, networking and policy debate on EU topics.

Erasmus+ supports the Eurydice network, which describes education systems in Europe and offers comparative analysis of national systems and policies from early childhood to adult education.