Most of our programmes run in the UK. Two sit outside that: Graphic Design and Fashion Design, delivered at academies in France. That is not a logistical choice but a decision about the field itself.
Why France?
France's position in fashion and design education is not in dispute. Paris is not merely a fashion capital; it is an entire ecosystem of studio culture, material suppliers, the show calendar, museums and archives working together. For a design student, being inside that ecosystem produces a different experience from studying the same curriculum in another city. The same holds for graphic design: the French tradition of visual communication is one of the main strands in the history of the poster and of typography.
Who is Graphic Design for?
For candidates who want to work in visual communication and produce design for both digital and print media. The programme is built around typography, composition, brand identity, editorial design and digital production tools. It suits people heading for agency work as much as designers planning to set up on their own.
In this field the portfolio comes before the diploma. The programme's most valuable output is not the certificate but the body of work you hold at the end.
Who is Fashion Design for?
For candidates interested in collection development, pattern cutting, fabric knowledge and production processes. Fashion design is not, as often assumed, only drawing; knowing materials, calculating cost and designing something that can actually be made are the bulk of the work. The programme is built so that this technical dimension is not neglected.
Is the teaching in French?
No. Although these two programmes take place in France, the language of instruction is English. So, as with every other programme, you must first complete the online English preparation class. Its length is set at 3, 6 or 9 months according to the placement test taken before enrolment.
Learning basic French for daily life will of course make things easier, but it is not a prerequisite.
Entry requirements
The same as the other programmes: at least A1 English, a high-school or university diploma, being over 18, and having no visa impediment. We support you through the visa process, from preparing the file to the appointment stage.
People who want to move into design most often get stuck trying to plan the professional goal and the language preparation separately. In fact the two are parts of one calendar: first the placement test, then the preparation term, then France. Without the test the calendar cannot be set — so the first step is always the same.