How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Sorbonne University, France Through the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

Hello! My name is Blanka Kelecsenyi, and I am from Budapest, Hungary. I am pursuing an international master’s degree in Cell Biology and Cancer at Sorbonne University. This degree allows me to learn about cutting-edge therapeutic strategies in this field from experts, along with acquiring research skills thanks to the internships and practical courses offered during the programme.

Importantly, this master’s programme has enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of myself regarding the type of work that suits me best in a lab environment. After finishing my first degree, while I knew I wanted to do a PhD in personalised medicine eventually, I was unsure which exact field or project suited me the most. I felt great pressure to make the right decision, as I did not want to end up spending several years of my life doing something I wasn’t truly passionate about. I find that my current master’s programme is the perfect opportunity for me to figure out what I want to do next in my career through offering in-depth theoretical and practical courses.

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Details

I was awarded the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. A French government scholarship, it provides a monthly allowance of €1,200 (total of €28,800 for the 24 months of my master’s degree), along with an exemption from tuition charges, health insurance, assistance in my arrival and departure from France for my studies, and aid with my housing. With this generous help, this scholarship has enabled me to continue my academic career in Paris without worrying about the finances.

Was I Offered Any Other Scholarships?

While I haven’t been awarded other government scholarships, I received a scholarship and awards from my previous university, Trinity College Dublin, during my undergraduate studies (2021-25). These include the David McConnell Scholarship, awarded to the leading student in Human Genetics at the end of second year, to carry out a paid research internship in a partner institution in the USA (€1,500 + $3,000/month for the internship); and awards in the total sum of €1,292 for performing well in exams or being the top student in my specialisation.

Educational Background

From 2021-2025, I completed an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Trinity College Dublin. The first two years of this degree gave me a broad theoretical knowledge in several biological fields, including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and physiology, combined with wet lab and bioinformatics skills. During my final two years, I specialised in the area of human genetics, allowing me to immerse myself in the theoretical and practical aspects of this field, preparing me for the next steps in my career.

How Did I Prepare to Apply to Sorbonne University and the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship?

I relied on my online research skills for my applications, using websites such as “mastersportal.com ”, “findamasters.com”, along with looking at the QS World University rankings by subject, so that I could choose a master’s that suited me. I quickly settled on the International Master’s course offered in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Sorbonne University, as both the promised curriculum and the location intrigued me.

However, I knew that in order to afford this master’s programme, I needed financial aid. On the website of the master’s course, they suggested applying for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, following which I looked up the scholarship on Campus France’s website - which I can recommend for many other scholarships and opportunities in France -, and quickly decided this would be an excellent choice for me.

As for the application process, applying for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is similar to applying for a master’s course; you just have to do everything earlier.

Indeed, if you pass the first round for the scholarship, you get offered a place in the programme automatically. I needed to prepare my documents, e.g., a motivation letter, grade transcripts, CV, and letters of recommendation, by November of 2024 to apply for my course that started in September 2025.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

While I had to take standardised English language tests to apply for my bachelor’s course (IELTS) - for which I prepared by practising free practice and sample tests on the British Council’s website with my tutor -; thanks to having completed my bachelor’s degree in English, I did not have to take any such tests for my master’s application.

How is Your Experience at Sorbonne University?

My experience at Sorbonne has been very positive. My programme is full of highly motivated international students, my professors are always open to discussions with students, and my course coordinator is very helpful, answering both course-related questions and more general queries.

There were some aspects of the teaching I had to adjust to at Sorbonne University, including teaching most of the courses in intensive blocks of a few weeks rather than throughout the semester, and having lectures of two hours straight, which can be a bit exhausting. Nonetheless, I find the courses, especially those offered from the second semester on, prepare me extremely well for a potential PhD in the future, not only from a theoretical perspective but also by giving me experience with new techniques and critically analysing several types of data generated in research.

Conduct of Classes (in English/Native)

As I am in an international master’s course, the courses are conducted in English. However, during the first semester, it is obligatory for students who are non-native French speakers to take a French class at their respective level (beginner/A1/A2/B1/B2). This course is especially useful for beginners, helping them to become more comfortable with conducting their everyday life in French.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe a combination of factors made my application stand out. First and foremost, my strong academic background, which included being the top student in my course despite studying in another language among native speakers, along with my bachelor’s degree being in a field closely related to that of the master’s course, made my application stronger.

In addition to an impressive academic background, in order to receive the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, it helps to show your enthusiasm for French culture. Having frequented a French-Hungarian bilingual high school in Hungary, where I learnt about French culture and attained C1 in French, certainly aided my cause.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have asked previous students to learn more about the teaching style at Sorbonne University and the student life in Paris. If you are reading this, I imagine you are already doing great in this regard.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My advice for you would be to go for it! Scholarships such as mine give you an amazing opportunity to experience a new culture and a different lifestyle while also pursuing academics at a high level. Don’t be afraid of applying for scholarships, because while you might not get a positive reply every time, if you don’t apply, you certainly won’t. Good luck!