Paris College of Art

France ,
Paris

English

Semester

More photos

At a glance

1981

Est.

0.3k

Students

65%

Acceptance rate

16k€

Semester tuition

350€ reward 🙌

Available subjects

English-taught

🎨 Art & Design

About

Bonjour! We are Paris College of Art, nestled in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant creative capitals. We warmly welcome free-mover students seeking an immersive and flexible study abroad experience. As a study abroad student, you’ll have the freedom to shape your semester by choosing from a wide variety of courses across disciplines, including Fine Arts, Liberal Studies & Art History, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Photography, all taught in English. This flexibility allows you to follow your passions, explore new fields, and build a truly personalized academic journey.

Our community thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration, global perspectives, and hands-on learning that is perfect for independent “free mover” students seeking a flexible and inspiring semester abroad. Along the way, you’ll be part of an international network of artists and designers, learning from inspiring faculty and gaining hands-on experience in and out of the studio.

As your admissions team, we’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your time in Paris is not only academically rewarding but also a life-changing cultural adventure. We can’t wait to welcome you here! 👋

Rankings and accreditations

USA

Holds USA accreditation via NASAD and the degree-granting authority

#10

Ranked #10 of the best fashion-schools worldwide by CEOWORLD

3:1

Impressive student:faculty ratio of 3:1

Academic calendar

Fall semester

Early September

–

Mid December

⚠️ Application deadline:

May 15

Spring semester

Mid January

–

Late April / Early May

⚠️ Application deadline:

October 15

Prerequisites

English 🇬🇧

CEFR level

Accepted certificates

TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Cambridge English, Duolingo, PTE Academic, Current enrollment in a fully English-taught degree program

Additional notes

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have the required level of English language competency to study in English at a university level. Applicants who have not completed three or more years of secondary/high school or university level schooling in English (or a mixture of both for transfer students) will need to complete one of the following tests (in-person or online) in order to be considered for admission:

TOEFL IBT
Minimum score: 92
Score to be considered for entry with EIS required: 60 – 91*
IELTS
Minimum score: 6.5 band score
Score to be considered for entry with EIS required: 5.0 – 6.0*
Cambridge English
Minimum score: 175 on B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficient exam
Score to be considered for entry with EIS required: 160 – 174*
Duolingo
Minimum score: 105
Score to be considered for entry with EIS required: 85-104*
PTE Academic
Minimum score: 70
Score to be considered for entry with EIS required: 59-75*

*Students whose scores fall below the minimum score will be considered for entry with English for International Students (EIS) required. All students who are admitted with EIS required as an Admissions Condition, as well as those who are placed into EIS courses as a result of mandatory testing administered during Orientation at Paris College of Art, will undertake a modified course load during their first year of study consisting exclusively of the studio/departmental portion of the curriculum as well as EIS courses. The student must successfully complete the EIS class in order to continue at Paris College of Art. Any student who does not complete the course with a passing grade in their first semester will receive an academic warning, and any student who has not successfully completed the course by the end of their second semester will be dismissed. Liberal Studies requirements normally completed in the first year must be completed in subsequent semesters or during the summer and in some cases may lengthen the time it takes to graduate.

Expense breakdown

Housing

1,100 EUR/mo

Food

400 EUR/mo

Transport

75 EUR/mo

Leisure

250 EUR/mo

Semester tuition

16,000 EUR

Living expenses (5 months)

9,125 EUR

Travel & trips

1,500 EUR

Estimated semester cost

26,625 EUR

Financial support scholarship

Up to 30-45% of tuition fees

wearefreemovers discount

up to 350 EUR

Financial support available

Directly offered by Paris College of Art

Up to 30-45% of tuition fees

Paris College of Art is committed to making study abroad accessible, and all admitted study abroad students are eligible to apply for PCA Financial Assistance. Awards are based on a combination of financial need, merit, and commitment to studies, and typically cover a portion of tuition costs.

About 30% of PCA students receive assistance, with packages on average covering up to 45% of tuition. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible after submitting their admission application, since funding is limited.

In addition to PCA’s own scholarships, the Student Life team can guide you in exploring external funding options such as national loan and grant programs. Please note that financial assistance covers tuition only and does not apply to living expenses.

wearefreemovers discount

up to 350 €

wearefreemovers partners directly with universities to make studying abroad more affordable. By applying through us, you keep the official university tuition and get exclusive cashback and referral bonuses.

Cashback

200€

Referral

50€

per person

Go together

up to

100€

Discover more about our incentive programs >

Lifestyle

Life in

Paris

Accommodation

Paris College of Art partners with Joivy Asnières Coliving to offer students the opportunity to live in modern shared apartments in a vibrant, residential neighborhood just outside Paris. The residence is a short walk from the Bois-Colombes train station, with convenient connections to central Paris and PCA’s campus (about 30–45 minutes by train, or 25 minutes by bike).

Students can choose between rooms with private or shared bathrooms within fully furnished apartments that include equipped kitchens, dining areas, and communal living spaces. The residence also offers shared amenities such as a rooftop terrace, yoga room, laundry facilities, and bike storage.

Living at Joivy combines the privacy of your own room with the chance to connect with other PCA students as well as peers from universities across Paris, creating an ideal environment for both independence and community.

For more information, visit the PCA Housing Page.

Social and extracurricular activities

Paris College of Art offers a vibrant student life with a variety of clubs, committees, and student-led initiatives. These groups create opportunities to connect with peers, share passions, and get involved in campus life outside the classroom. Students are also encouraged to propose new clubs that enrich the community.

Some of the main organizations include the Student Council, which represents student voices and helps organize events; the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which fosters equity and dialogue on campus; and PCA Cooks, a student-run group sharing recipes, cooking tips, and food culture.

Joining a club is a great way for study abroad students to meet new friends, collaborate across disciplines, and become part of PCA’s creative community.

For more information, visit the PCA Clubs & Committees Page.

Visa and immigration

Students from outside the European Union must apply for and receive a student visa before entering France. You can now begin your visa application up to six months before the first day of classes, and we strongly recommend starting early since processing can take several weeks or even months.

Once you confirm your enrollment at PCA, you will receive a Certificat d’Inscription (certificate of pre-registration), which is required to start the visa application. Applications must be submitted in your country of permanent residence, and applying before acceptance is not possible.

PCA’s Student Success team provides guidance throughout the process and hosts admitted student webinars that explain each step in detail. Attendance is highly recommended, as these sessions are designed to help you navigate requirements and avoid common pitfalls.

If you plan to study for more than one semester, you will need to apply for a titre de séjour (residency permit) within 120 days before your initial visa expires, which the Student Success Team will help you with. Please note that it is not permitted to enter France on a tourist visa with the intention of studying.

For more information, visit the Visa Support & Services page.

Climate

Fall semester

Early September

–

Mid December

🌡️ 6°C to 25°C

Warm September evenings slowly fade into crisp late-autumn weather. Expect some rainfall, especially from October onward.

Spring semester

Mid January

–

Late April / Early May

🌡️ 3°C to 20°C

Winter holds on in January and February. By March and April, parks begin to bloom and sunnier days become more common, though temperatures can still fluctuate.

Campus location

Video

Student experiences

Studying at Paris College of Art gave me creative freedom I never had before. I could mix courses across departments and explore totally new areas. The teachers treat you as equals, and the international vibe makes it easy to feel at home in Paris.

Nekane

PCA helped me grow as both an artist and a person. The freedom to experiment completely changed my style, and even being part of a group show pushed me out of my comfort zone. Paris inspired me to find my own voice.

Cassandra Baez

Apply now