The CampusArt network
A network of French art schools
CampusArt is a network of French institutions offering university level programs within the field of art, led by CampusFrance with the support of the French Ministries of Education, Foreign Affairs and Culture.
The CampusArt network offers students from all over the world a wide choice of programs in art tailored to the needs of the international student, at both Bachelor and Master levels.
These programs (currently about one hundred), mainly run by public or private post-secondary art schools, are presented in the CampusArt programs section of this website.
An innovative application process
From January 2006, international students with at least 3 years of university-level studies in art (or who are currently in their third year) will be able to file a single online application that will be sent to all the institutions belonging to the network.
Students will also have the opportunity of meeting an CampusFrance representative (available in 45 countries) to assist them in filling out their electronic application form.
List of Espaces CampusFrance Offices worldwide.
1- Create Art: today, the CampusArt network is mainly focused on fine arts, applied arts and design. The network comprises both private and public schools offering programs geared towards candidates destined for a career in art in various creative fields, including fashion, interior design and graphic design: in other words, those who wish to create art.
2- Study / Manage Art: the network now incorporates universities that offer not only many theoretical programs, but also management programs for a career in art. The network constitutes a center of excellence in French post-secondary education. In fact, cultural operators, event managers, directors and managers of artistic companies and various cultural centers of all kinds throughout the country now boast extensive and widely recognized know-how. Theorists and art critics, as well as “cultural managers” often come from universities.
3- A larger choice of programs: CampusArt is also widening the choice of programs on offer within the field of artistic creativity, such as theatrics (theatrical music, dance, street art and the circus), new technology (interactive digital cinema, animation, video games) and architecture/urban planning, thereby enhancing the overall array of programs available within the artistic field in France. The various subject information sheets will provide you with details and help you to make the right choice.
1- Recognition and certification of degrees:
The « Commission nationale de la certification professionnelle » is a government organization in charge of introducing a new classification for the certification of degrees. Thanks to a greater degree of transparency, this will enable European and international qualifications to be easily compared. The commission has created a national directory of professional qualifications with over 2300 descriptive sheets. In addition to post-secondary education level I and II certification (Bachelor, Master…), all other recognized qualifications should be included shortly.
(to find out more : http://www.cncp.gouv.fr )
2- A brief description of national degrees on offer:
Level Bac + 3:
A Bachelor’s degree is awarded following six semesters in higher education and the validation of 180 ECTS “credits”. Students gradually specialize in their chosen field: arts, law, economics, math, physics, philosophy, history…
The third year of the long academic program of the Ministry of Culture’s art schools (leading to a DNSEP, Visual Arts National Advanced Degree) is accredited by the DNAP (Visual Arts National Degree).
The third year of the short academic program of the Ministry of Culture’s art schools is accredited by the DNAT (Arts and Techniques National Degree).
The DMA (Art and Craft Degree) in applied arts relates to traditional trades and techniques: instrument building, architectural sets, home arts, engraving-binding-illustrations, embroidery and ceramics. It opens the doors to a career as a designer’s assistant and also enables students to gain the necessary qualifications to open and manage a company.
Provisional intermediate level bac + 4:
A Maîtrise is an intermediate-level degree (during the transition period of the European study level reform) and awarded after 4 years’ study. Currently, there is also a 4-year postgraduate degree in science and technology (MST) for a specialization in the conservation / restoration of artwork.
The DSAA (Applied Arts Advanced Degree) is a level II degree (bac + 4). It trains future designers in applied arts, enabling them to take on positions of responsibility in business start-ups and agencies. The degree can be prepared in two years after a DMA or equivalent qualification.
The program involves professional, artistic and general education as well as a period within a company. During the second year, students must complete a project on a given subject.
Level Bac + 5:
A Master’s degree is awarded after four additionalsemesters of study following a bachelor’s degree and the validation of 120 ECTS « credits ». A Master’s degree has two main orientations: - the professional Master’s degree, the purpose of which is to enable students to join the workforce; - the research Master’s degree, which basically leads on a doctorat.
In addition, until the reorganization of education system is completed, various other degrees also exist including the DESS (post-graduate degree) and the DEA (research oriented post-graduate degree), which has the same objectives as the research Master’s degree.
The DNSEP (Visual Arts National Advanced Degree) is awarded after five years at one of the Ministry of Culture’s art schools.
Level Bac + 8:
A doctorat can be obtained after a research Master’s degree or a DEA, which is awarded after one year’s research on a specific topic: a dissertation is compulsory as it is one of the conditions for obtaining a doctorat. Three years of doctoral study (or more) once the topic for research has been accepted: dissertation, seminars, etc.