It is possible to join an art school without going through Parcoursup.
At IESA, you benefit from a human-led selection based on your file and your motivation, and a flexible calendar with a response in 3 to 10 days.
Since 1985, IESA has been training experts for careers in culture and the art market.
The key advantages of an art school outside Parcoursup
Choosing an art school outside Parcoursup gives you valuable freedom in your orientation choices.
Here are the main advantages:
- Flexible calendar: apply throughout the year, with no fixed deadlines
- Quick response: decision within 3 to 10 days after your interview so you can plan housing and funding
- Human selection: your admission is based on your application file and your genuine motivation, not only on your grades
You confirm your enrollment even before the baccalaureate results, which reduces stress and lets you approach your goals calmly.
Public or private art schools: how to decide?
Recognition and Professional Network
National schools such as ENSAD have been training renowned designers for over 250 years, with a historic network rooted in cultural institutions.
IESA bets on an immediate professional ecosystem:many trusted partners (museums, galleries, festivals) and strong professional integration through work-study and mandatory internships.
You build your network in real time, which makes work-study easier and boosts your employability. Both models are equally valid:
national academy on one side, hands-on immersion on the other.
Tuition and Financing
Public art schools charge almost nothing (university registration fees). IESA charges between €8,000 and €10,000 per year for a Bachelor.
But work-study changes the game: with an apprenticeship contract, your tuition is covered by the company and you receive a salary.
Also consider financial aid:
- Partner Loans
- Installment Payments
- Scholarships
Good to know: Thanks to IESA’s RNCP titles, you are eligible for regional scholarships and aid from the City of Paris. Consult Étudiant.gouv to learn about the programs available in your region.
The IESA Experience: The Advantage of a School Outside Parcoursup
IESA turns your passion for culture into professional expertise through immediate immersion in the professional world and human-scale class sizes.
Concrete result: 20% international students, a network of graduates from New York to Hong Kong, and strengthened employability thanks to these RNCP titles recognized by the State.
Professional Immersion from the First Year
You work alongside more than a hundred cultural partners built up over our years of experience:
- Museums and Art Galleries
- Auction Houses
- Festivals and Cultural Centers
- Heritage Institutions
This proximity becomes your concrete learning ground.
Work-Study as a Professional Springboard
From the 2nd year, turn your education into paid experience. Work-study at IESA allows you to:
- Apply your knowledge in real time
- Build Your Professional Network
- Financing Your Studies
A Human-Centered Selection That Makes a Difference
Unlike the major public schools, our motivation interview reveals:
- Your true creative potential
- The coherence of your personal project
- Your cultural curiosity
How to join IESA outside Parcoursup: the 4-step path
The admission process is clear and fast. You get an answer in less than two weeks.
| Step | Deadline | Documents to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission | Immediate | Résumé, transcripts, cover letter, English test if needed |
| Motivation interview | 1-2 weeks after submission | Portfolio, project presentation |
| Committee decision | 3-10 days after interview | None |
| Final registration | 2 weeks to confirm | Complete file, proof of baccalaureate for final-year high school students |
1. Submit your application file
Fill out your application online or by mail.
Documents needed:
Résumé, recent transcripts and a cover letter explaining your career plans. For international programs, attach an English test (TOEFL or IELTS).
3. Get the answer within 10 days
The admission committee meets every week. You receive the decision by phone or email within 3 to 10 days after your interview.
This speed lets you plan your next steps with peace of mind.
2. Take the Motivation Interview
Once your file is approved, you take a 30 to 45 minute motivation interview. It takes place in Paris or remotely.
The teaching team assesses your cultural curiosity, your project, and the consistency of your choice. If you have a portfolio, present it and discuss it.
4. Finalize Your Enrollment
If you are admitted, your place is reserved for two weeks while you complete your file. For applicants in their final year of high school, final enrollment remains conditional on passing the baccalauréat.
Can You Join IESA Without the Baccalauréat?
The baccalauréat remains mandatory to validate your final enrollment in the first year. However, applicants with a validated vocational qualification can submit a file and take the motivation interview.
How Many Spots Are Left in the First Year?
The number of available spots changes throughout the year thanks to the flexible admissions calendar outside Parcoursup. Contact the admissions office directly to find out the updated quotas and secure your place quickly.
Are International Applicants Accepted?
Yes, IESA welcomes about 30% international students representing 40 nationalities. Applicants must submit a file in English (with TOEFL or IELTS for some programs) and can take the motivation interview by video call.
Which Art Prep Year Should You Choose Before the Bachelor?
A prep year is not required to join our programs. However, the Atelier de Sèvres, located on the Delta campus alongside IESA, offers a recognized artistic preparatory year. It lets you refine your portfolio and prepare effectively for admission interviews at art and culture schools.