Erudera's Complete Guide to Studying Art in France
As a country that sets the international standard in the field of art, France is the perfect place for you to study the field, especially with the centuries-old history, and the deep and rich tradition in art. For all those students that seek to create a career in the future and have a great passion for this field, France is home to some of the most special art attractions which international students can benefit from and have not only the most rewarding academic experience but also create friendships and have an extraordinary student experience.
Reasons to Study Art in France
Excellent Art Schools
Due to the fact that France has played a crucial role in the development of art, and that the French culture has a heritage that dates back to thousands of years ago, putting your trust in the French art schools would be quite a wise decision. In addition to this, France also offers a great quality of higher education, not only to its home students but to all international students who choose the country as their study abroad destination.
Visit The Numerous Art Galleries and Museums.
If there would be one thing that France should have a reputation for, it should be the numerous art galleries and museums, and the endless art attractions that can be found in the country.The fact that there will be many field trips during your studies where you can learn and see by yourself how different fields of art in France have emerged and manage to stand out from other countries around the world will be an enormous help to you while you are finishing your art degree.
Learn From The Best
Some of the most famous artists in the world belong to the French culture. This adds to the reasons why France makes a great choice to study the field of art. Whether you choose to study performing arts or you decide to go with fashion or graphic design, you will be learning from professionals that excel in their respective fields, which will be an extremely rewarding experience for you since you get to collaborate with great professionals.
Create a Great Portfolio
One of the most important reasons to study art in France is that you get to create a great portfolio. It does not matter which field of art you choose to study, what is sure is that your university will offer you opportunities to work in different projects that relate to your field of study in order to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the real world or job market. After you graduate you will find this work portfolio that you have created during your studies to be one of your greatest assets in finding your dream job.
Art School Structure in France
In France, you can find more than 40 public art schools which are also known as Écoles des Beaux-Arts or Schools of Fine Arts. In these schools, during the first year of your studies, you will study art in general, and then in the second year, you will choose a specialty. This can be art, communication, or design. After your first year, you will focus more on practical work such as working on personal projects, attending workshops and seminars.
If you choose to study applied arts, in France there are seven Schools of Applied Arts or ESAA). These schools are also public schools. If you decide to study Applied Arts you will be earning The National Diploma of Arts and Design Profession or DN MADE. This diploma allows you to pursue a direct professional integration after three years of studies and it also allows you to further your studies. You can choose between 14 different specializations if you choose to study Applied Arts.
Note that you can also study art in private schools in France.
Requirements
Requirements to study art in France may vary considering the broad scope of the field. Different fields of study may have different requirements, so you are always advised to check the requirements of the university you plan to attend. Requirements may also vary depending on the level of study you plan to undertake. Students applying for an undergraduate degree in arts must submit the following documents:
- High School Diploma/Certificate
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Letter of motivation
- Proof of English language proficiency if you are studying in English
- Proof of French language proficiency if you are studying in French
If you are applying for a postgraduate degree in art you must submit the following documents:
- A Bachelor’s Diploma in a field of Art
- Work portfolio
- Letter of recommendation
- Personal statement
Application Process
Applying to art schools in France is done through ParcousUp. Before you start with the application you need to find a university that best suits your needs and aspirations for the future.
Usually, the application procedure to art schools in France follows the following steps:
- Choose your field of study
- Choose your university
- Check if you meet the requirements of your university
- Prepare all the supporting documents
- Create an account with ParcoursUP
- Complete the information required of you by ParcoursUp
- Apply
Important: Apply before the deadline. If you send your application after the deadline, you risk having your application rejected. International students who come from a third country are required to apply for a preliminary request for admission in the French embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over their home country. In French this request is referred to as the “Demande d’Admission Prealable”.
Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Art in France?
The length of your degree will mainly depend on the field of art you decide to study. If you are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or degree of License in a field of art you can expect your degree to take at least three years to complete. In France, a Master’s degree in art will take at least two years of full-time study to complete. And, if you choose to pursue a doctorate degree in art you can expect it to take at least three years of full-time study to complete.
Depending on the field of art you choose, you can study courses such as performing arts, musicology, visual communication, art history, archaeology, graphic arts, animated films, social innovation etc.
Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Art in France?
Some of the best art schools in France are public schools, so as such you will not be obliged to pay very high tuition fees. Usually, students who come from an EU/EEA country pay around EUR 170 ($202) per year for a Bachelor’s degree. Those who pursue a Master’s degree pay around EUR 240 ($286) per year. While students that choose to pursue a doctorate degree pay around EUR 380 ($454) per year.
Note that you can also study art in private schools. However, in these schools tuition fees are much higher than in public schools. The cost of tuition per year in these schools ranges from EUR 6000 ($7,163) to EUR 9000(10,745).
Art Career Prospects in France
Art graduates can find themselves working for different for-or-non profit art organizations. Obtaining a degree in art will create opportunities for you to work in nearly every industry. These may include art galleries, theaters, museums, opera houses, film industries, fashion, public relations, and many more others. Professions that you can take as an art graduate include but are not limited to:
- Photographer
- Art teacher
- Graphic designer
- Illustrator
- Professional artist
- Designer
- Architect
- Musician
- Animator
- Actor
The field of art is quite a broad field and that is why salaries of art graduates vary greatly depending on the field of study you chose to specialize in. In general, an artist in France makes around EUR 18,000($21,491) to EUR 62,000 (74,021) per year.
