Action-based training

The many events initiated by the departments or the research center allow students to work in small groups on case studies, on putting together cultural events, or on writing cultural articles in partnership with prestigious institutions such as the cultural website of the French Embassy in China www.faguowenhua.com. This action-based training gives them, along with internships, the professional reflexes needed for their entry into careers in Culture, Communication and Events, Heritage, Performing Arts and Exhibition Production.

A Varied and Mobile Faculty

IESA’s faculty includes academics and professionals. Museum directors, university professors and chief heritage curators work alongside professionals from music, performing arts and cultural events and, for the preparatory year, French as a Foreign Language teaching specialists in order to provide students with scientific and professional training.

Courses are taught by renowned French and international experts. This mobility of the faculty allows students to expand their professional network and benefit from varied and complementary know-how.

Internships

You will be able to complete an internship at the end of the year in France or abroad depending on your level of French. The internship department helps students in their search and facilitates their entry into the workforce.

Validation of the training

The granting of a study authorization in the programs of IESA’s three departments is based on meeting both the academic requirements of the Sorbonne’s French Civilization course and those of IESA arts&culture. Validation is based on attendance, continuous assessment of knowledge and written admissibility exams at the end of the semester.

Upon validation, IESA arts&culture issues a training certificate and the Sorbonne’s French Language and Civilization Courses issue a “Diploma of French Civilization Studies.”

To be admitted to the Art Market and Careers in Culture department programs, it is imperative to reach level B2 at the end of the semester or year.

The gateway to art and culture studies in France

Drawing on their university heritage, the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS) stem from a long academic tradition. The CCFS hold the “FLE quality” label. This label, awarded by three French ministries, corresponds to quality criteria in teaching and services.

IESA arts&culture, a leading school in the art market and cultural professions, has created with the CCFS a unique program combining language improvement in French language and phonetics with courses on European culture.

Classes have been held since 2009 on the campuses of these two partner institutions, located in central Paris, ideal places for cultural outings to museums and galleries.

A tailor-made program to join the “art market and cultural production” programs. The reinforced specialized courses are delivered by IESA arts&culture instructors who are familiar with the challenges international students must face. Part of the FLE courses is devoted to acquiring artistic and cultural vocabulary.

Program Highlights:

  • Language classes applied to arts and culture
  • The possibility of continuing studies in French
  • A program located in Paris, the world’s cultural capital

92%

of students think the teachers are available and attentive

Toluna - Harris Interactive Survey - February 2025

This program trains students:

  • To the language practice of French specific to the arts and culture.
  • To the introduction of fundamentals in the various specialties of the cultural and artistic professional sector.
  • To learning methodologies for higher education.

This program gives students a complete overview of careers in the arts and culture field so they can better understand it.

  • Classes taught by professional instructors who are experts in their field
  • Coaching and individual support
  • Meetings with professionals and alumni
  • Museum visits, performing arts outings (music, theater, dance, cinema)
  • 1-semester program, 270 hrs
  • 1-year program, 540 hrs
  • Reinforced intensive 1-year program, 720 hrs

Current-year schedule: the number of hours may vary slightly from year to year.

This program (semester-based, annual, or intensive) aims to give students all the theoretical knowledge and language skills needed in the field of art and culture (art market, cultural management, multimedia, theater, film…). By strengthening their language, methodological, and cultural knowledge, international students are thus ready to face academic and professional challenges.

Assessment methods:

  • Continuous assessment throughout the year
  • End-of-semester exam

Programme

Annual or Semester Program

  • Advanced French language classes
  • Phonetics classes with language lab
  • Methodology
  • English applied to arts and culture
  • Introduction to the Specialization Areas
  • Personalized Support
  • Specialty courses: art history, European civilization, introduction to performing arts, introduction to film, introduction to music.

Reinforced program

Annual program, supplemented by refresher courses:

  • Advanced French language courses.
  • Phonetics classes with language lab.
  • Methodology.
  • Introduction to the Specialization Areas.
  • Personalized support.

The pace and intensity of the courses evolve according to the level of French acquired. The whole program is made up of 2 stages: a semester of French language to first strengthen listening comprehension and speaking, followed by a complete preparatory program enriched with specialty courses in arts and culture.

Next Steps

At the end of this program, and depending on their academic background, students may continue their studies in various French-language programs offered by IESA arts&culture, including:

Career opportunities: This program is not career-oriented but intended for further study.

IESA Program Location

Opened in fall 2025 a few steps from the Latin Quarter, LE DELTA, a brand-new campus in the heart of the 5th arrondissement, will host IESA arts&culture and four other schools: Paris School of Business, Penninghen, Atelier de Sèvres, and the Cours Florent.
Facilitating cross-school projects, it will include shared spaces (such as the 1,700 m2 landscaped garden) as well as spaces reserved for IESA: classrooms, an auditorium, a gallery…

  • IESA’s premises are accessible to people with disabilities.
  • The admission interview and the course of study can be adapted to the needs of the people concerned, who are therefore invited to state them as soon as they apply to the school.
  • Contact: handicap@iesa.fr

How to Join the Program?

Prerequisites:

Applicants must hold the baccalauréat or an equivalent in their country.

French language level:

  • TCF B1 or equivalent for the 1-year program
  • TCF A2 or equivalent for the 1-year intensive reinforced program

Students must have a plan to continue their studies in the field of art and culture that fits into IESA’s Bachelor or Master programs or those of other art market and culture schools.

Admissions are open from October 2025 to August 2026 for the September 2026 intake and from February 2026 to December 2026 for the January 2027 intake.

Admission Requirements:

  • Application File
  • Academic interview in person or by video call
  • The admission result will be notified to you by email

Contacts: international@iesa.fr

20%

international students at IESA

Program Cost:

  • 1-semester program: €4,800
  • 1-year program: €8,800
  • 1-year intensive reinforced program: €10,990

Tuition fees: €150

Fees applicable for the 2026-2027 year, revisable each year.