FAQ

Parsons Paris currently enrolls approximately 300 undergraduate and graduate students. The average class size for all programs is 17.

Parsons Paris has more than 80 faculty members from around the world, though mostly from European countries. Most Parsons Paris teachers are working artists and designers, offering students a unique educational perspective as a result of their professional creative lives. Additional information and faculty profiles can be found on our Faculty page.

Yes. Parsons Paris, founded in 1921, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and is recognized by the French Ministry of Education as a Private Establishment of Higher Education (Etablissement d’Enseignement Supérieur Privé). Diplomas are delivered by The New School.

Although the percentage varies from year to year, on average 86 percent of Parsons Paris freshmen pursue their studies at Parsons Paris.

At Parsons Paris, the language of instruction is English. Students are encouraged to study French as an elective.

Approximately one third of the student body at Parsons Paris is from the United States, one third is from European Union countries, and one third is from other countries around the world.

The degree programs at Parsons Paris are academically challenging. On average, bachelor's students register for 15 credits, or five classes, per semester. For most students this means 20 to 30 hours per week and an equal amount of time outside class for preparation, research, reading, writing, and production. Students are expected to attend regularly and actively participate in all courses; attendance and participation are part of a student’s grade.

With a few exceptions, BBA and BFA students entering Parsons as freshmen have the same first-year curriculum. These required courses combine theory and practice, preparing you for the various study paths you can pursue at Parsons Paris and The New School. In addition, all students take intensive creative workshops that enable them to acquire technical skills in preparation for their sophomore year.

The first year curriculum is carefully structured to introduce students to the fundamental tools and skills essential to art and design thinking and making while accommodating a wide range of students. The program is designed to enable students to explore broadly across disciplines or focus deeply on a particular area. Students can create an individualized first-year study path by selecting from course options. An assigned academic advisor guides each student in considering short-term and long-term study options and registers each student for first-year classes.

No, it is not possible to pursue a foundation year at Parsons Paris.

Parsons Paris does not offer short-term courses. However, we do offer three-week summer programs in June and July. In addition, degree-seeking students at another college or university can apply to study abroad on our campus for a semester or a full academic year. Please see our study abroad programs page for details.

The work of each major is demanding; therefore, students pursue only one major full-time at Parsons Paris. Undergraduate students interested in a secondary area of study outside of their major may pursue a minor. More information can be found on our Minors page.

A student who wishes to change majors must complete an official internal transfer process, as outlined in the Parsons Paris catalog. While every attempt is made to accommodate timely declarations, a competitive review is necessary for certain programs that are limited in size because of academic requirements, space, and safety considerations.

The internal transfer process is designed to ensure that the student is fully informed about the implications of the change. After gathering information about the new program, the student submits the declaration request form, a brief statement of intent, a link to their Learning Portfolio, and an unofficial transcript. Faculty and designated staff review submissions.

We encourage our students to pursue experiential learning opportunities, and we have a full-time Career Services director on staff to guide students during the search for internships and full-time positions. We also host a job forum and collaborate with many brands and companies, which can lead to further opportunities.

More information can be found on our Career Services page and the Careers and Internships section of our blog.

Parsons Paris students are encouraged to broaden their experience by pursuing studies outside of their major requirements. Both liberal arts and program-supportive electives are built into the curriculum at Parsons Paris.

The academic calendar is divided into fall and spring semesters. The fall semester typically runs from late August through mid-December. There is a break in late December, and students return for the spring semester in mid-January. The spring semester runs through mid-May, with a one-week break in March. Visit the Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Parsons Paris offers study abroad opportunities for all majors. These can include study at Parsons in New York, at one of our exchange partners, or through other approved programs. You can discuss study abroad options and policies for your major with your academic advisor on campus.

All undergraduate programs include a strong liberal arts component to develop students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through coursework in art and design, history, theory, and criticism. These courses provide a context for their studies.

Students are assigned an academic advisor after submitting a tuition deposit to Parsons Paris. Academic advisors provide information to help students navigate university systems and all campus support services. They are available to answer questions about academic policies, programs, transfer credits, degree requirements, course selection, and registration procedures. Academic advisors are available by appointment or during posted walk-in hours.

Incoming students register for courses with the help of their academic advisors. After submitting the tuition deposit, new students receive an email from the Advising Office with instructions for setting up an advising appointment.

Where can I get information about student housing?

As a Parsons Paris student, you join a diverse community in a dynamic city. Parsons Paris has partnered with Academic Programs International (API), a preferred housing provider, to offer convenient and safe housing to students in Paris. Students have access to various housing options, including shared student flats and individual studios in a residence hall, all located in central Paris. We encourage those unfamiliar with Paris, particularly first-year students, to take advantage of student housing.

More information can be found on our Housing page.

Where can I get information about student health services and insurance?

Please see our New Student Information page for information about student health insurance.

How do I apply for a French student visa?

Once a student has been admitted to Parsons Paris and they have submitted their deposit, our Student Success team will provide step-by-step instructions for and assistance with the student visa process.

Are computers available to students on campus?

Students have access to PC computer stations located in the Parsons Paris digital lab. Nevertheless, you should consider purchasing a computer to bring with you.

Incoming first-year Parsons Paris students will need a laptop that meets our minimum technical specifications. Refer to the New Student Information page under the "Laptop Requirements" tab for details. You must check in your laptop for logging and verification to fulfill the requirement. We will share information about the check-in process with you by email during the summer.

Students who have completed AP exams, the French Baccalaureate, the German Abitur, the International Baccalaureate, A-Level Exams, or another equivalent European qualifying exam may be able to transfer credit toward their degree program in accordance with the guidelines below. A maximum of 30 credits of this kind will be awarded.

Advanced Placement (AP), Students may receive 3–4 credits (the equivalent of one semester course) for a minimum score of 4 on AP subject examinations.

British Advanced Level Examinations

Students may receive credit only for A Levels or H Levels (H2 or H1) of General Certificate Examinations. No credit is awarded for AS Levels or O or OA Levels (or General Paper). Students may receive 6–8 credits (the equivalent of two semester courses) for a minimum score of C on A or H Level subject examinations. School-reported scores are not accepted for transfer credit; official scores must come directly from the awarding body.

French Baccalaureate

Students may receive 6–8 credits (the equivalent of two semester courses) for subjects with a coefficient of 5 and a minimum score of 13. Students may receive 3–4 credits (the equivalent of one semester course) for subjects with a coefficient of 5 and a score of 10–13 or subjects with a coefficient of 4 and a minimum score of 13.

German Abitur Final Examination

An official transcription from WES or a comparable evaluation service is required.

IB

Students may receive 6–8 credits (the equivalent of two semester courses) for higher-level subject examinations with a minimum score of 5.

Yes, Parsons Paris accepts a small number of transfer applicants each year.

Applicants can apply to transfer to Parsons Paris from another university by following our normal admissions procedure. Detailed application instructions for your program of interest are available on our How to Apply page.

Please note that transfer students are normally accepted only as first-year students or sophomores, and we do not offer a spring intake. More information can be found on our Transfer Students page. The criteria outlined on that page will help transfer students determine their appropriate level of entry. Please note that the Office of Admission is unable to confirm whether previous coursework can transfer to Parsons Paris until after an applicant has been admitted.

Complete the Common Application. After starting an application for The New School, select “Parsons Paris” in the Academics section. Then, select your preferred degree and major. Parsons Paris must be clearly identified as your campus of choice. Please see the How to Apply page for further details on the application procedure and application requirements. 

All undergraduate applications are reviewed by the admission committee, which includes the Parsons Paris Office of Admission and may also include faculty members. Applications are reviewed holistically on the basis of academic performance and the technical and conceptual abilities displayed in the visual elements of the application. All graduate applications are reviewed by the graduate departments.

Please see the "Campus Tours" section on our Admission Events page to find more about campus visits. You will find the campus visit calendar, where you can register for a visit at Parsons Paris. Please note that campus visits are by appointment only.

Prospective graduate students typically meet program faculty during their visits and meet Admission staff during campus tours.

If you are a prospective graduate student interested in the MA Fashion Studies program or the MFA Fashion Design and the Arts program, please contact the Parsons Paris Office of Admission at [email protected] to inform us of your program of interest and your availability (days and times) for a campus visit. Upon receiving this information by email, we will work with you to organize a campus visit.

Parsons Paris offers online information sessions throughout the academic year. Please see our Admission Events page for upcoming online sessions.

Virtual tours can be found on our Admission Events page under the “Campus Tours” section.

Portfolio requirements vary according to degree program. Undergraduate applicants should visit the Portfolio Help page to find out what the portfolio requirements are. Your undergraduate portfolio should be submitted online via The New School Application Center.

Graduate applicants to the MFA Fashion Design and the Arts program should submit their portfolio in the portfolio section of their online application. Graduate applicants should visit the Portfolio Requirements page to find out what the portfolio requirements are for the program. 

For additional guidance or feedback, join us at a National Portfolio Day.

Your portfolio should be eight to 12 images of visual work. We recommend including work done within the past two years in any visual media. We do not have any media or subject requirements for the portfolio; instead, we are looking for personal work that best reflects who you are as an artist now.

Your portfolio does not need to be limited to work from just your selected major. The first-year experience is about exploring making across media, and students are encouraged to experiment and broaden their practice. If you have visual work from outside of your area of concentration, include it. We encourage you to assemble a portfolio with finished pieces that are strong and creative and reflect your unique point of view.

Please see the Portfolio Help page for more details!

Undergraduate — First-Year

First-year undergraduate applicants should apply for early action by the November 1 deadline or regular priority by the deadline of January 15. After January 15, applications are accepted on a rolling basis if space is available in the program of interest.

Undergraduate — Transfer

Transfer applicants to our undergraduate programs should apply by our transfer priority deadline of April 1. After April 1, transfer applications are accepted on a rolling basis if space is available in the program of interest.

Graduate

The regular priority deadline for graduate applicants is January 15. After January 15, applications are accepted on a rolling basis if space is available in the program of interest.

You can check the status of your application credentials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc.) in the Admission Hub.

English language testing is a required component of the application for non-native English speakers who do not meet our waiver requirements. Applicants can submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo (DET), or Cambridge English Test scores. You can learn more about English language testing, including minimum score requirements, on our How to Apply: Undergraduate Programs and our How to Apply: Graduate Programs pages.

Yes, you may submit your application before taking the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo (DET), or Cambridge English Test. Please be sure to mention your exam date in the appropriate section on the application form.

Students accepted to bachelor's programs can defer entry for up to one year by paying the $500 tuition deposit. Accepted students who would like to enroll at Parsons Paris at a higher level than that at which they were first admitted must reapply; they cannot negotiate higher status by deferring entry. Students who cannot begin classes at Parsons within one year from the semester for which they were admitted must reapply.

Graduate students must contact the Office of Admission to request that their application be held for reconsideration the following year; deferrals are not available for graduate students.

Part-time study is not possible for students enrolled in bachelor’s or master’s programs.

For up-to-date information on tuition and fees, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

The cost of living in Paris and of books and other supplies must also be factored into your total expenses. An estimate of the cost of attendance can be found on our New Student Information page.

Students are required to buy most of their own art materials. The cost of art supplies for courses can vary widely. Parsons works with vendors to provide discounts on supplies when possible.

Students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.ed.gov. The New School/Parsons Paris school code is 002780. Students who file the FAFSA are automatically considered for all New School and Parsons Paris scholarships, as well as federal and state government financial assistance.

Merit-based scholarships are granted on the basis of the strength of a student’s application materials. All timely undergraduate and graduate applications to Parsons Paris, regardless of nationality, are automatically considered for a merit scholarship award. Our merit-based scholarship awards vary in amount.