Organizer Information
Paris College of Art (PCA) is an accredited, degree-granting international institution of higher education in art and design, located in the heart of Paris, France. Established in 1981, PCA combines American-style art and design studio education with the rich cultural and historic landscape of Europe. Operating entirely in English, the institution fosters a vibrant multicultural creative environment, attracting students and faculty from over 50 nationalities across undergraduate (BFA), graduate (MA/MFA), and study abroad degree tracks.
Key Information
- Official Program Title: Paris College of Art Degree Programs (BFA / MA / MFA in Fine Arts, Photography, Design for Social Impact, Interior Design, Fashion Film & Photography, Transdisciplinary New Media)
- Program Type: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) / Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Institution Name: Paris College of Art (PCA)
- Country / City: Paris, France
- Academic Field: Fine Arts, Photography & Image Making, Communication Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Transdisciplinary New Media, Design for Social Impact
- Language of Degree: English
- Number of Open Study Places: Max. 24 new students per cohort / program concentration
- Application Period: Fall Semester: October 1 – June 1 (rolling rounds) | Spring Semester: Mid-September – November 15
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: Scheduled within 1–2 weeks post application submission (Early Action: January | Regular Decision: February–March)
- Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Rolling decisions released within 1–2 weeks following online interview completion (January 23 for Early Action; Late February/March for Regular Rounds)
- Application Deadline:
- Early Action: December 1
- Regular Decision 1: February 9
- Regular Decision 2: March 9
- Late Submission: Non-EU: June 1 | EU: July 1
- Spring Semester Entry: November 15
- Start of Studies Date: Late August / Early September (Fall) | Mid-January (Spring)
- Tuition: Undergraduate: €16,320 per semester (~€32,640 per academic year) | Graduate International: €32,640 per academic year | Graduate EU/EEA/UK: €16,320 per academic year
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Accepted Academic Backgrounds: High school diploma or secondary credential equivalent (for BFA entry); accredited bachelor's degree in visual arts, design, media, architecture, humanities, or social sciences (for MA/MFA entry).
- Preferred Disciplines: Fine Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Interior Architecture, Film/Video Production, Digital Media, and Socially Engaged Design.
- Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Candidates from non-art or non-traditional academic backgrounds are welcomed. Admissions evaluate candidates holistically based on portfolio quality, artistic motivation, and creative potential.
- Portfolio Relevance: Essential. Digital portfolio submissions carry significant weight in candidate assessment and merit-based financial aid awards.
General Eligibility
- Who Can Apply?: Open globally to international and domestic applicants (EU and non-EU citizens).
- Age Restrictions: None.
- Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Evaluated holistically; both recent academic graduates and working creative professionals are eligible.
- Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: A mandatory digital portfolio (10–20 creative works) and an accompanying portfolio response essay are required for all BFA and MFA studio degree paths.
Educational Background
- Required Minimum Degree:
- Undergraduate (BFA): High school diploma or recognized international secondary school certificate.
- Graduate (MA/MFA): Bachelor’s degree (BA, BFA, BS, or international equivalent) from an accredited institution prior to enrollment.
- Accepted Fields of Study: Open to all academic disciplines provided creative proficiency is shown in the portfolio.
- Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Evaluated on a case-by-case basis through portfolio and professional references.
- Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: Candidates without an accredited high school diploma (for BFA) or bachelor's degree (for MA/MFA) prior to matriculation.
Language Proficiency Requirement
- Required Language(s): English (All courses are conducted entirely in English; knowledge of French is not required for admission).
- Minimum Test Scores:
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 92 (or 580 PBT).
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5.
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 115.
- Waiver Conditions: Native English speakers or applicants who have completed at least two years of full-time post-secondary education taught entirely in English are exempt.
Additional Eligibility Conditions
- Nationality Restrictions: None (Global applicants welcome).
- Work or Research Experience Requirements: Expected for graduate tracks as reflected in the CV and statement of intent.
- Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations: Applicants must submit a personal statement reflecting on one portfolio piece (500 words or less) detailing inspiration, execution, and conceptual exploration.
- Visa or Institutional Constraints: Non-EU applicants must obtain a French Student Visa (VLS-TS) prior to entry; application prior to June 1 is strongly advised due to visa processing times.
Tuition
| Category | Cost / Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | €16,320 per semester (~€32,640 per academic year) |
| Graduate Tuition (International) | €32,640 per academic year |
| Graduate Tuition (EU/EEA/CH/UK) | €16,320 per academic year (includes automatic 50% tuition reduction) |
| Application Fee | €50 non-refundable application fee |
| Additional Mandatory Costs | Student life fees, health insurance (CVEC contribution in France), art studio materials, and equipment/software costs |
Funding & Financial Support
- Scholarships (Full / Partial):
- EU Graduate Grant: Automatic 50% tuition reduction for EU/EEA/UK citizens admitted to graduate programs.
- Institutional Financial Aid: Need-based and merit-based tuition reductions awarded to eligible undergraduate (avg. 36% reduction) and graduate students (avg. 39% reduction).
- Grants / Stipends: External scholarship eligibility through Campus France (e.g., Eiffel Excellence Scholarship) and country-specific educational grants.
- Teaching or Research Assistantships: Select graduate assistantship roles available within academic departments and media labs.
- Studio / Production Funding: Access to campus darkrooms, printmaking workshops, digital printing labs, and fabrication suites included in tuition.
University Services & Academic Support
- Studio / Lab Access: Dedicated studio work spaces, digital media labs, photographic suites, fashion ateliers, 3D printing, and printmaking workshops.
- Research Supervision: Direct instruction and critique from international practicing artists, designers, art historians, and industry professionals.
- Mentorship Programs: Access to PCA Student Ambassadors, Alumni Mentors, and career guidance sessions.
- Career Services: Internship assistance, portfolio reviews, and graduate transition support (over 70% of students complete professional creative internships in Paris).
- Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Student gallery showcases, annual End-of-Year Exhibition, and collaborative exhibitions across Parisian cultural venues.
- Library / Archive Access: Specialized art and design library collection, digital image databases, and access to Parisian public research archives.
- International Student Support Services: Dedicated guidance for visa processing, housing support, health insurance registration, and cultural orientation in Paris.
Application Requirements
- Online Application Form: Submitted via the official Paris College of Art online portal (along with the €50 fee).
- Personal Statement / Portfolio Essay: A 500-word response selecting one portfolio piece, explaining the inspiration, technical process, ideas explored, and academic goals at PCA.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume: Required for graduate applicants (optional for undergraduate).
- Academic Transcripts: Official secondary school or university transcripts (minimum 3 years of academic records).
- Digital Portfolio: 10–20 digital images/video clips demonstrating technical skills, creative exploration, and conceptual depth.
- Recommendation Letters: 2 letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
- Proof of English Proficiency: Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score reports.
- Online Admissions Interview: Mandatory 20-minute video interview with an Admissions Committee member post-submission.
How to Apply?
Applicants must complete the online application form on the Paris College of Art Admissions Portal. After completing the application form, uploading supplementary documents (transcripts, personal statement, portfolio link, recommendations), and paying the €50 application fee, applicants will be invited to schedule their mandatory online video interview with an admissions counselor.
Deadline & Timeline
- Fall Semester Deadlines:
- Early Action (Non-Binding): December 1 (Interviews by Jan 16 | Decisions Jan 23)
- Regular Decision 1: February 9 (Interviews by Feb 18 | Decisions Feb 20)
- Regular Decision 2: March 9 (Interviews by Mar 18 | Decisions Mar 20)
- Late Submission: Non-EU: June 1 | EU: July 1 (Decisions released weekly)
- Spring Semester Deadline: November 15
- Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: Scheduled within 1–2 weeks following application submission.
- Start of Studies Date: Late August / Early September (Fall) | Mid-January (Spring).
Location
In-Person: Paris College of Art, 15 rue Fénelon, 75010 Paris, France.
Additional Details
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis within each round. Admitted applicants who apply before priority deadlines receive preferred consideration for institutional financial aid and merit-based tuition reductions. Non-EU students are advised to complete their applications by March/April to allow ample time for student visa processing via Campus France.