The Paris American Academy’s goal is to prepare students academically, personally, and professionally for successful careers. The programs, policies, and teaching methods have been designed to implement this philosophy, are evaluated periodically, and updated as necessary to meet the needs of our students and the ever-changing professional industries.

Beyond the curriculum, PAA’s location in Paris is itself a learning resource — students access major professional exhibitions, showrooms, fashion weeks, and design events that serve as an extended classroom.

At PAA, you’ll learn from professors with professional experience in the fields that they teach. They’ll share accumulated knowledge in both lecture and workshop format to offer relevant, meaningful support as you focus on your future and prepare your career.

All programs are taught in English, as PAA welcomes students from all over the world — often more than 30 different nationalities in a single year. Applicants are not required to provide formal proof of English proficiency, but must be comfortable understanding and expressing themselves in written and spoken English.

PAA is proud of its bilingual tradition: French language courses are integrated into all programs, with levels ranging from beginner to advanced based on a placement test.

We would be pleased to welcome you. Please set up an appointment to tour the school by emailing the Admissions Department using our contact form.

Most creatives work best with their own equipment. All students should bring a tablet or laptop. Fashion Design students are expected to bring basic sewing supplies. Once enrolled, your instructors will provide specific supply lists before you leave for Paris.

Stationery and art supplies are generally more expensive in Paris than in other major cities. We advise bringing as much as possible without encumbering yourself. Upon presentation of your PAA student card, you may qualify for a 5–15% discount in certain art shops.

We estimate the cost of materials for a full academic year (Fashion or Interior Design) starting at 800 €. Rather than requiring you to purchase textbooks, PAA encourages use of the many public libraries throughout Paris.

A list of recommended art supply shops is available on the PAA website. Information about fashion supply vendors will be provided upon enrollment.

Required for all applicants:

• A copy of your passport
• A copy of your high school diploma or equivalent
• A letter of motivation outlining your previous experience and goals for studying at PAA
• A résumé/CV including your name, date of birth, and contact information
• A portfolio of your work (see portfolio guidelines below)

Additional documents required for Bachelor and Semester Program applicants:

• A detailed portfolio: 10–20 annotated examples in PDF format, maximum 10 MB
• 2 letters of recommendation from former teachers
• Most recent official transcript

Your portfolio should ideally show a range of relevant work, from initial sketches and ideas through to finished pieces. It should showcase your ability to work with different materials, themes, and techniques, as well as how you plan, develop, and realize an idea.

A typical portfolio includes:

• Mood boards and inspiration boards
• Rough hand-drawn sketches
• Illustrations, fashion drawings, or spatial representations
• Digital and/or technical sketches
• Finished pieces demonstrating a variety of techniques

Credit transfer decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. We advise that you submit your application and explain your intentions in your cover letter. Our admissions team will then assess your situation individually.

For both the Fashion Design and Interior Design semester programs, tuition is 8,875 € per term, plus a non-refundable application fee of 70 €.

Please note that tuition does not include housing, personal supplies, or meals.

NB: prices may vary from a year to another. Programs tuition will be updated on each program page.

50% of tuition fees are due within one month of receiving your acceptance letter. This confirms your place on the program.

The remaining 50% is due one month before the start of your program.

If you are unable to meet these deadlines, please contact us using this contact form to discuss your situation.

The deposit is used to confirm your place on the course and is non-refundable. Tuition fees may or may not be refundable depending on when a student withdraws. Please contact us directly for further information.

Accepted applicants may apply for partial scholarships through the Richard Roy Scholarship Fund. Scholarship amounts range from:

• 1,000 € to 3,000 € off tuition
• 300 € to 1,300 € off housing

To be considered, students must submit a brief personal statement (maximum 500 words, or 1–2 paragraphs). The statement should outline the student’s personal and educational background, explain the financial need, and describe how studying at PAA would benefit their professional goals.

If you are an EU citizen planning to study in another EU country, you do not require a visa.

Students from countries outside of the EU must obtain a student visa before arriving in France. We advise checking the French government’s official visa portal to determine whether you require a visa and to understand the application process: france-visas.gouv.fr.

Your ability to work will depend on whether your student visa permits employment. Student visas often carry restrictions on the number of paid hours allowed during studies.

It is important to keep in mind that all PAA students attend classes every weekday, generally from 9:00 am to approximately 4:00 pm (hours may vary by program). This structure can allow for a weekend job, but please ensure that your studies always remain your priority.

PAA does not have student dormitories, but manages furnished apartments located close to the school. To inquire about PAA-managed accommodation, please contact us.

If you prefer to find your own accommodation, we recommend consulting the PAA housing guide available on our website.

From Charles-de-Gaulle airport, you can take the RER B train and exit at either Port-Royal or Luxembourg — both stops are close to the school. Alternatively, taxis, Uber, and private shuttle services (e.g. paris-shuttle.com) are available.

Paris is one of the world’s great centers for professional events in fashion, design, and the arts. Many programs include visits to major exhibitions and trade fairs as part of the curriculum. A sample of annual events students may attend:

• January: Maison et Objet, Who’s Next, Couture Shows, Menswear Shows
• February: Premier Vision
• March: Women’s Ready-to-Wear Shows, Book Fair
• April / May: Foire de Paris
• June: Menswear Shows
• July: Haute Couture Women’s Shows, Bastille Day, Paris Plage, open-air cinema festival
• September: Paris Design Week, Maison et Objet, Premier Vision, Journées du Patrimoine, Prêt-à-porter
• October: Nuit Blanche, Les Puces du Design, Women’s Ready-to-Wear Shows
• November: Batimat

Yes. The Academy is often called upon for fashion students to assist backstage at various shows throughout the year. Follow PAA on Instagram for behind-the-scenes posts from fashion week.

The Fashion Design semester program is a concentrated, 4-month intensive experience drawing on the full three-year PAA curriculum. It provides a solid foundation in:

• Haute couture sewing and construction techniques
• Flat pattern making and draping (moulage)
• Portfolio development and the design process
• Textile techniques (embroidery, sequins, feathers, fabric types)
• Luxury fashion industry and merchandising
• French Luxury Boutique analysis and design
• Art and Fashion History (with museum visits)
• French language (beginner to advanced)

Students visit the major textile trade fair Premier Vision, and may also join the internship program for hands-on professional experience.

Fall Semester 2026: September 1 – December 16, 2026 — Tuition: 8,875 €

Spring Semester 2026: January 22 – May 13, 2026 — Tuition: 8,875 €

Application fee: 70 €. Housing, supplies, and meals are not included.

Spring Semester 2026: January 26 – May 13, 2026 — Tuition: 8,875 €

Fall Semester 2026: September 1 – December 16, 2026 — Tuition: 8,875 €

Spring Semester 2027: January 28 – May 12, 2027

Application fee: 70 €. Housing, supplies, and meals are not included.

The Interior Design semester program totals 18 credits per term.

The Fashion Design semester program also carries approximately 25.5 credits per term across core design, business, and general courses.

Please contact admissions to discuss credit recognition at your home institution.