It's understandable to be surprised when you're told that the
Parsons School of Design is one of the best fashion schools in Paris. Parsons is best known as among the most famous design schools in New York City, not the French capital. You probably didn't know that it has a campus anywhere else, did you? Well, it has! And much like its American counterpart, the Parsons School of Design in Paris is just as prestigious. It's one of the best places to learn more about fashion, both the art form and the industry it has become.
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History of Parsons School of Design
The Parsons School of Design is among the oldest fashion schools in
Paris. The French campus was established in 1921, the first American art school founded in Paris. Even during its first years, the institution has devoted itself to teaching and training students about design. Though admittedly, the fashion program is a lot newer, thus other
fashion schools in Paris gained more prominence. This is also why this Parisian Parsons campus doesn't share the same level of prominence as its New York counterpart, which opened back in 1896. It's also a substantially smaller school.
What Does Parsons School of Design Look Like?
As already mentioned, the Parsons Design School in Paris is a lot smaller compared to the original campus in New York City. While the latter boasts its own building, the former is housed in a classic, pre-war building on Rue Saint-Roch in the
1st arrondissement. Even its exterior looks more like a storefront than a fashion school, though its sign is bright red and easy to spot. Moreover, while it may look small from the outside, the inside is a different story. Despite its size, the Parsons School of Design in Paris has ample space for fashion design and other courses.
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The Parsons School of Design Student Body
The Parisian campus of Parsons School of Design accepts about 350 enrollees per year. That includes new applicants and returning students who have yet to finish their multi-year programs. Each class has approximately 17 students, allowing for ample space for each one to accomplish their tasks properly. And since it's an
international school in Paris, it's also no surprise that foreign students make up a good percentage of the student body. To be more specific, they make up at least 35% of the students for undergraduate programs and 42% for the postgraduate programs.
Parsons School of Design's Best Programs and Courses
Much like its American counterpart, Fashion Design is the best program to take in the Parsons School of Design in Paris. Whether as an undergraduate or postgraduate program, the school boasts an extensive curriculum that will help you become a great designer in the industry. Beyond that, they also offer further fashion studies. There's business management, fashion media, art & technology, and history of design, among many others. No matter what part of the industry you want to take on, there's a course that can help you in this prestigious institution.
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Parsons School of Design's Prerequisites
The school's prerequisites depend on the program you're enrolling in. Typically, an undergraduate course will only require a high school diploma. Postgraduate programs, on the other hand, require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in your related field. Acquired technical skills related to the sector of the industry you're planning to study will help too, especially when presented via a well-curated portfolio. And since Parsons School of Design is an international school in Paris, you're also required to have a level of proficiency in both English and French.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Parsons School of Design?
As a prestigious art
college in Paris, it's no surprise that enrolling in Parsons School of Design costs a lot. All undergraduate programs cost €18,473.58 per semester. For Masters degrees, on the other hand, it can cost up to €21,362.90 per semester. They all come with per-credit tuition of around €1,300.00 to €1,800.00. On top of all that, the school imposes extra fees (e.g. university fees, orientation fees, books & supplies, etc.) too, which vary depending on your specific program.
Where is the Parsons School of Design in Paris?
Located on Rue Saint-Roch, the Parsons School of Design is in one of the best
neighborhoods in Paris. The affluent arrondissement is near various headquarters of the biggest French luxury brands, making it easy for you to possibly intern in any of them while you continue your studies. The area is also near various famous places, such as the Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, Palais Royal, and Place de la Concorde, among many others. You couldn't have asked for a better place to study fashion, even more so to
rent a luxury apartment in Paris!
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The Parsons School of Design is truly one of the finest fashion schools in Paris. Much like its New York City counterpart, the school puts equal emphasis on both the design and business sides of the industry.