Main features of the programme:
Thales Academia is a comprehensive support package for highly qualified overseas graduate students (from China, India, Russia and Brazil) wishing to pursue advanced studies in France. The programme was developed in 2006 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thales Group, in partnership with leading French engineering and business schools and universities. Students study for a Specialised Masters or Master of Science degree.
Successful candidates, who must be qualified to Masters level, benefit from a wide range of support:
- French Embassy support for administrative formalities (visa, residence permits, etc.); intensive French language tuition provided by the Alliance Française network; benefits package and accommodation support for the duration of their stay.
- Financial support from the Thales Group: Thales Academia Scholarship of €13,000.
- Personal mentoring by a manager from the Thales Group during their study year.
- Help for finding an internship.
How to apply for the Thales Academia programme
Which universities and schools are involved in the programme? Which courses of study are open to students?
SeeThalesAcademia website (http://www.thalesgroup.com/academia/inscription.htm)
Which nationalities can apply?
Brazilian, Chinese, Indian and Russian. Citizens of other countries are not eligible for the programme.
What are the minimum qualification requirements?
You must be qualified to Master 1 or Master 2 in your home country.
Can I apply if I already hold a Master’s degree?
Yes.
Can I obtain the scholarship if I enrol on a course at another university or school in France that is not part of the programme?
No.
If I’m already studying in France, can I apply for the programme?
No. But if you have already followed a course of study in France and having returned home now wish to pursue your studies via the Thales Academia programme, you are eligible to apply, provided that you meet all other criteria.
What is the minimum level of French required?
A good command of French is not a prerequisite but it is an important part of the selection process and one of the objectives to be attained by the end of your stay in France.
Partner schools and universities may have specific procedures and students are advised to consult these. See the websites of the different programme partners.
1) Applications through the French Embassy
What are the procedures for preliminary enrolment at a partner school or university and sending applications to the French Embassy?
- You are required to send your preliminary enrolment application to the school or university you have chosen. Each school has specific acceptance criteria.
- You are also required to complete the Thales Academia application dossier (see the Embassy and Thales Academia websites) and submit it for approval, subject to the programme selection criteria.
- To download the scholarship application:
click here
- To qualify for the Thales Academia scholarship, students must first be accepted by one of the programme’s partner schools.
- NB: Proof of preliminary enrolment is not required when submitting applications to the French Embassy (see partner schools and universities admissions timetables)
Key dates in the application process:
| Applications posted on the site of the French Embassies of the countries concerned, and on the Thales, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Egide websites. |
31 October 2007 |
| Deadline for receipt of completed applications to the Thales- Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs programme by the diplomatic offices. |
Friday, 28 March 2008 |
| Diplomatic offices send duly registered applications to the selection committee in France. |
Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
| Selection of scholarship beneficiaries and announcement of decisions. |
Between end-April and early-July 2008. |
2) Pre-enrolment applications for a Specialised Masters or/Master of Science
What is the procedure for pre-enrolment on one of the Masters study courses proposed by the programme?
For full details of pre-enrolment application procedures, please visit the Campus France website: http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/a-etudier/etudes04-4.htm / and see partner schools and universities admissions timetables.
Do the same application procedures apply as to all other students?
Yes. For details, please contact the university or school involved in the programme.
Who is responsible for tuition fees?
Tuition fees vary from one institution to the next and depend on the course of study (see table of courses available).
NB: Depending on the institution, students may be required to make an advance payment to confirm their enrolment on a course of study before leaving for France. Please contact the institution in question and ensure that payment can be made as required.
3) Selection interviews
At the French Embassy in the student’s home country
As part of the selection process, applicants may be called for interview by the French Embassy in their home country. Interview travel expenses must be paid for by the applicant. For details regarding the interview language, procedures, etc., please contact the “Chargés de Coopération universitaire” at the French Embassy (seeThalesAcademia Contacts: http://www.thalesgroup.com/academia/contact.htm)
Selection by the partner school or university and enrolment at Thales Academia
Interviews are often conducted by telephone or videoconference. For details, please contact the school or university in question.
Who determines which students are admitted to the Thales Academia programme and when?
Admission to the programme is subject to acceptance by the partner school or university and approval by other programme partners. This generally takes place between mid-May and mid-July (see the partner schools and universities admissions timetables).
How are students informed if their application for a Thales Academia scholarship is accepted?
- Successful applicants receive written confirmation, signed jointly by Thales and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
- NB: This letter must be presented when applying for a student visa before leaving for France.
- The list of successful candidates is posted on the Thales Academia website.
The Thales Academia Scholarship
1) Amount and duration
What is the scholarship worth and how long does it last?
Students receive an all-inclusive scholarship of €13,000, regardless of the duration of the chosen course of study.
2) Scholarship payment
How do students receive the scholarship?
- Payment methods depend on the specific procedures at the chosen place of study.
- Thales pays the scholarship to the student’s school or university.
- Some schools or universities deduct tuition fees directly from the scholarship and then hand over the remaining amount to the student.
- Others hand over the entire amount to the student, who must then pay their tuition fees directly to the institution.
See: Tuition fees
3) What other sources of income are available?
Can students combine several scholarships or grants?
No: if you already have another type of grant or scholarship from the French government, you are not eligible for this programme.
4) Support from Thales and internships
The role of the mentor
- Help students settle down and feel welcome in France;
- Help students familiarise themselves with the business environment;
- Whenever possible, help students find and choose internships at Thales;
- Provide guidance for options and career choices during the student’s time in France
Are students paid during internships?
Yes, depending on the procedures of each company.
Does Thales Academia promise to find internships for all students enrolled on the programme?
Thales will make every effort to find an internship within the Thales Group; failing this, mentors will help students find internships at another company.
BEFORE leaving for France
1) French language courses at Alliance Française
Am I required to attend French-language classes if I am already proficient in French?
No.
Can I attend classes at my local Alliance Française school?
Yes.
Are classes free?
Yes.
2) Student visa / The role of the French Embassy
For all matters regarding student visas, residence permits and social security benefits provided by the French government, please contact the Chargés de Coopération universitaire at the French Embassy in your country.
Arrival in France
Are students met at the airport?
Subject to prior arrangement, students may be met by representatives from EGIDE (non-profit organisation for international mobility). Your chosen place of study may also offer similar arrangements – please contact them for details.
Are students welcomed by Thales and their assigned mentors?
An official reception is held jointly by Thales and Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in late October/early November. This is the opportunity for you to meet other students enrolled on the programme.
Living expenses
1) Accommodation
What accommodation is available?
Each partner school provides accommodation for oversees students. You should apply for accommodation when you submit your application to the school or university of your choice.
UNIVERSITE PARIS-DAUPHINE: Please contact the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Are students entitled to accommodation support?
Yes, as a ‘French government scholarship student’.
For details of how to apply and to calculate the amount you are entitled to online, please log on to the website of the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (CAF) (family benefits office): https://www.caf.fr/ and select “Etudiant”. You may also be entitled to support for removal costs.
2) Transport costs during the year of study
Who pays for transport costs?
The student.
3) Useful links
The Cnous web portal offers a wealth of practical information for students, covering everything from accommodation to social and cultural activities, eating, etc.: http://www.cnous.fr
See also the websites of the different partner schools and universities. For example, the Ecole Polytechnique website includes a section on “Accommodation and living expenses (Logement et frais de vie): http://www.polytechnique.fr/enseignement/master_frais.php
