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France 2026/27 intake: IdEx international scholarship applications usually align with Master's admission, closing in the first months of 2026 — confirm on u-bordeaux.fr

University of Bordeaux IdEx International Master's Scholarship

The University of Bordeaux holds France's prestigious IdEx (Initiative of Excellence) label, awarded to a small group of research-intensive French universities. Through its IdEx international scholarship scheme it offers merit awards — typically up to around EUR 10,000 per year (LKR 3.45m+) — to outstanding international students admitted to selected English-taught and international Master's programmes, in fields such as public health, neuroscience, environmental science, data science, law and economics. Selection is merit-based and tied to admission to a participating programme. For Sri Lankan students, Bordeaux combines a top French research environment with a lower cost of living than Paris and a strong record in health and life sciences. Exact award values, eligible programmes and deadlines are set each year, so confirm the current call on the University of Bordeaux website.

University of Bordeaux

University-funded

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Value

Up to EUR 10,000/yr

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Level

Master's (M1/M2)

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Basis

Merit / IdEx Excellence

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International Applicant

Open to international students holding a non-French qualification who meet the call's criteria. Sri Lankan applicants applying from Sri Lanka are eligible; check the annual call for precise nationality and residence conditions.

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Strong Bachelor's Degree

A relevant Bachelor's degree, ideally first-class or upper-second from a recognised Sri Lankan university, with strong grades in the discipline of the chosen Master's.

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Admission to an Eligible Master's

You must be admitted to a participating University of Bordeaux Master's programme. The scholarship attaches to admission to an eligible, often English-taught, programme.

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Language Proficiency

English-taught Master's require IELTS ~6.5 / TOEFL equivalent; French-taught programmes require French proficiency. Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degrees may qualify via an MOI/exemption route — confirm with admissions.

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Apply for admission to a Bordeaux Master's

Submit your admission application for an eligible programme via the University of Bordeaux platform (or Campus France where required), with transcripts, degree certificate, CV and language evidence.

Apply for the IdEx scholarship

Complete the IdEx international scholarship application indicated for your programme, attaching the documents the call specifies, before the deadline.

Merit-based selection

The university ranks applicants on academic merit and the call's criteria and awards a limited number of scholarships for the intake.

Accept and apply for the French visa

Accept your place and scholarship, then apply for the French student visa (VLS-TS) through Campus France / the French consular service covering Sri Lanka, using your offer, scholarship confirmation and financial evidence.

Why University of Bordeaux?

One of France's IdEx 'Initiative of Excellence' universities, Bordeaux is a large research-intensive institution particularly strong in health, life and environmental sciences. The elegant, UNESCO-listed city offers a high quality of life at costs well below Paris, making funded study there attractive for Sri Lankan students.