Managing scholarship programs

Originally created to promote French higher education internationally, Sfere implements international scholarship programs on behalf of foreign public partners (ministries, agencies, foundations, etc.) and major companies in all sectors. Through these programs, and for 40 years we have been helping to raise the profile of our universities and schools among foreign decision-makers and scholarship-holders.

We are experts in designing scholarship program, so that to ensure their success: optimized planning according to academic calendars in the country of origin and in France, tailored engineering of linguistic and scientific preparation, proposal of criteria and methods for selecting candidates…

And then, we propose an integrated management covering all academic and administrative operations related to the studies in France. We also provide more targeted services according to demand.

Since 1984, we have accompanied over 9,500 scholarship holders from 31 non-French-speaking countries to graduation, with cooperations sometimes lasting over 20 years, testifying to the confidence of our partners (1,600 scholarship holders in Mexico, 1,300 in Indonesia, 850 in Malaysia, 550 in Pakistan, etc.).

Supporting scholarship holders

We provide comprehensive support for the scholarship holders entrusted to us, facilitating their academic and cultural integration on arrival, then assisting them academically, administratively, logistically and personally until they graduate: preparation for departure, administrative formalities, booking accommodation, taking out insurance, payment of the scholarship… but above all, we provide academic guidance and personalized monitoring of their studies.

Academic, linguistic and cultural preparation

We offer preparation cycles and foundations adapted to each program: language immersion with intensive French courses, preparation to the high-level requirements of higher education, with academic upgrading and development of behavioral skills, cultural activities, etc.

Orientation and university enrolment

Choosing an academic program can be a daunting task for scholarship holders with little knowledge of France. Our team will guide and support the students in choosing the courses that best meet their aspirations, while respecting the criteria required by their funding organization (eligible fields of study, international rankings, etc.).

During the foundation, a process of orientation and academic placement is initiated with the scholarship holder. This includes identifying potential fields of specialization, choosing universities and schools, submitting applications, organizing interviews, etc., right up to admission and registration. This process is subject to regular reporting to the funding organization.

Our historical roots in the French higher education network and our understanding of admission criteria and academic requirements give us access to all higher education institutions (universities, engineering schools, etc.) and all levels of diploma.

Individualized supervision

Once the student has embarked on his or her studies, Sfere’s mission takes on particular importance; we continue to support the student, the aim being to avoid failures that could lead to scholarship extensions.

Each student has a personal Student Relation Officer at Sfere to help him or her in the event of pedagogical, academic, administrative or personal difficulties, etc., and a referent professor at his or her school, identified by Sfere at the time of admission, to ensure that his or her studies run smoothly and to alert Sfere in the event of a problem.

Sfere also organizes “Monitoring Rendez-Vous” on campus or by videoconference, to conduct detailed qualitative assessments, which can be forwarded to the scholarship funding organization.

In the event of academic difficulties, we work with the referent professor to devise an individualized tutoring plan to increase the student’s chances of passing exams, and avoid having to extend the scholarship.