Study Abroad at PCA

Your Gateway to the Parisian
World of Art & Design

Discover the original city of fashion, investigate textiles and the history of French costume.
Photograph on the streets of the city where the medium was born.
Develop your artistic vision while being exposed to classical and contemporary art.
Expand your knowledge of design by being exposed to European design sensibilities and approaches.
Experience French design business realities first-hand.
Paris College of Art offers an extraordinary study abroad program for college sophomores and juniors, or those with undergraduate degrees who wish to spend a semester or year experiencing the art, design, and culture of Paris.

Paris, the PCA campus

For the students of Paris College of Art the city around them is their campus, library, research center and laboratory. Every art and design discipline finds expression in the streets, shops, and cultural centers of Paris and moving through the city each day is an opportunity to observe new trends and find inspiration.

Student Success at PCA

Study Abroad at PCA students enjoy the intensely creative environment of the studios and classrooms of Paris College of Art and develop relationships with students from PCA as well as those from the many other prestigious art and design schools that are part of our exchange network.

Learn more about Student Success at PCA

Yuying Shen STA FFAS

Matt Sinclair from Edinburgh College of Art, Photographed by Megan Wickens, Study Abroad at PCA Student from OCAD.

PCA EOY Fashion Show '16 © Pascal Montary

Study Abroad at PCA Student Solange Ting backstage preparing for the show. Solange won the Lace Prize '16 from the Dentelles Darquer on the project: Lace for a Man’s World.

How to join the Study Abroad program at PCA?

Students from all around the world may apply to PCA for a semester or a year abroad.

PCA partners with the best study abroad options to provide you with the best experience while getting ready to join us, and once settled in Paris. Depending on where you are matriculated, you will apply to PCA following different instructions.

Join an Online Study Abroad Info Session

Learn How to Apply

Hear From Previous Study Abroad Students

“When I first set foot on campus, I knew I would be able to adapt easily. It’s always a challenge when you arrive in a new place… but it quickly became something important for my personal growth… and I was able to adapt easily thanks to the community. I would definitely recommend it to others… It’s a very close-knit community, and if that’s something you’re looking for, it’s the perfect place to go. The location is also great. The professors truly care about your growth not just in your work, but also as a person… The people around me during my exchange helped me grow and become a better designer. One of my goals for going abroad was also to practice and improve my French. This university will always have a special place in my heart.”

— Roberta, Study Abroad in Communication Design from Universidad de Monterrey

“I will always recommend this program and the school to anyone interested. The community there was so open and the instructors were more helpful than anyone I’ve met before. My knowledge of the field, sewing skills, and the professional experiences I gained while at PCA was more than I could have dreamed of. The instructors were the best aspect to me during my time at PCA. They made sure you understood all of the topics and did what they could to help you truly grow.”

— Nora, Study Abroad in Fashion Design from Washington State University

The best aspect of my time as PCA was working within in a fine arts college, and strictly taking arts classes. My home university is a liberal arts college and while I prefer to be exposed to a wider range of subjects, having a very narrow concentration on a fine arts curriculum this past semester was helpful to me. I would recommend this program to other students. If you are interested in immersing yourself within the city of Paris and discovering how this will influence you and your work then I think PCA would benefit you.

— Jaden, Study Abroad in Fine Arts from Michigan University

Unique to Study Abroad at PCA

Paris Inside / Out

To initiate students to Paris’ thriving contemporary gallery scene and give them backstage access to the city’s art and design community, we offer a one-credit course composed of excursions and guided visits to art exhibits and design workshops throughout Paris. Recent visits have included Hotel Martin Margiela, Jeu de Paume, Foundation Louis Vuitton, Gaîté Lyrique and La Maison Rouge.

Paris Inside/Out not only offers a great choice and variety of visits, but is also an opportunity to learn more about the city we live in and is a passe-partout (master key) for places we would not have the chance to see otherwise.

—Emilia Petrarca, Study Abroad at PCA Student from Vassar College, USA

Internship Opportunities

I worked for Alexander Wang and for 3.1 Phillip Lim Menswear during the Paris Fashion Week. I got to see firsthand how a company prepares for a fashion show and how to interact with potential buyers. Doing these internships has helped me think about my career and has gotten me excited about my future in fashion.
— Ailis Mara, Study Abroad at PCA student from National College of Art and Design, Ireland

French Instruction and Individual Tutoring

PCA offers four levels of French language courses that include outings such as French wine tasting and visits to sites unique to Paris like the passages couverts – enclosed shopping areas dating from the early 19th century. These outings not only help to improve student’s language skills, but also their general cultural knowledge. To help enrich student’s everyday life in Paris and accelerate their acquisition of the language, PCA also provides free individual French tutoring.

Cassandra Baez

University of the Arts student from Philadelphia

Cassandra Baez is a University of the Arts student from Philadelphia. She came to PCA to improve her artwork and challenge herself in another country. She explains how she sees her work progress since she came to Paris.