FOUNDATION YEAR IN APPLIED ARTS AND FRENCH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (FLE)
Overview of the Sorbonne Foundation Year in Applied Arts and French as a Foreign Language (FLE)
IESA and LISAA, two leading institutions in the fields of arts and design, have joined forces to offer a unique foundation year dedicated to international students wishing to pursue studies in Fashion, Graphic Design, Design, or Interior Architecture. Developed in partnership with the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS), this program enables students to reach a B2 level in French while becoming familiar with the French artistic and cultural environment.
This FLE and Applied Arts Foundation Year is an ideal stepping stone for international students aiming to join top art and design schools. By combining language learning, cultural immersion, and applied arts practice, the program provides a solid and confident transition towards future specialised programs. A comprehensive pathway designed to support long-term academic success.
With a strong academic heritage, the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS) are rooted in a long-standing university tradition. CCFS holds the official “FLE Quality” certification, awarded by three French ministries and based on rigorous quality criteria in teaching and student services.
Classes take place across the campuses of the three partner institutions, all located in the heart of Paris, offering privileged access to cultural outings in museums, galleries, and other major cultural institutions.
This foundation year represents a unique opportunity for students who do not yet meet the required level of French. It prepares them both linguistically and culturally to enter art and design schools. Beyond language acquisition, students also develop essential academic methodologies required to succeed in demanding higher education programs.
Program structure
Program duration: 1 year – 640 hours
- Semester 1: IESA and CCFS
- Semester 2: LISAA and CCFS
- Advanced French language courses
- Phonetics courses with language laboratory
- Academic methodology
- English applied to arts and culture
- Visits to Paris exhibitions with a French instructor and illustrated written reports
- Artistic project management
- Thematic projects and personal research
- FabLab: applied artistic practice workshops
- Photography courses including studio practice and smartphone reportage
- Applied risography workshop
- Applied screen-printing workshop
- Portfolio coaching and personal branding
- CV writing, cover letter, and artistic biography in French
- Interview coaching and training in French
- Specialised courses: art history, European civilisation, introduction to performing arts, cinema, music, and live performance in collaboration with Cours Florent
- Introduction to areas of specialisation
- Personalised academic support
This program aims to enable students to:
- Develop French language skills adapted to artistic and academic contexts
- Acquire foundational knowledge of the main applied arts disciplines to better understand career opportunities and refine academic orientation
- Master learning methodologies essential for success in higher education, including brief analysis, time management, public speaking, and research methods
- Continuous assessment throughout the year
- End-of-semester examinations
- Classes led by experienced industry professionals
- Museum visits and live performance outings including music, theatre, dance, and cinema
- Specialised workshops with access to FabLabs, dedicated equipment, and a creativity-focused environment
- Individual coaching and personalised support
- Meetings with professionals and alumni
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent qualification in their home country.
- Required French language level: TCF B1 or equivalent for the one-year program
- Pre-admission based on an artistic portfolio
Applicants must have a clear academic project in the field of applied arts, with the intention to pursue Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programs at LISAA or other art schools.
Admission process
- Application file
- Remote academic interview
- Admission results are communicated by post and email.
Admissions are open from October to August for a September intake. Applications are processed within a maximum of three weeks after receipt of a complete file. Registration remains possible until the start of the program, subject to availability.
By exception, late enrolment may be authorised after the program has started, following an assessment of the student’s ability to catch up, within a maximum of two months after the beginning of the course.
Tuition fees
Full details of tuition fees and related costs are available on the dedicated page.
This program does not offer advanced standing based on prior qualifications.
This program does not offer transfer pathways to another program.
At the end of the program, students may continue their studies in Fashion, Graphic Design, Design, or Interior Architecture programs at LISAA, or pursue studies at other universities or art schools.
Academic partners
To ensure high-quality teaching, LISAA collaborates with recognised academic institutions:
- IESA for artistic and cultural studies
- La Sorbonne for French as a Foreign Language courses delivered by subject specialists
- FLE certification, validated by the official FLE quality label
