Study in Florence - Florence University of the Arts – ISEP Study Abroad

Study in Florence - Florence University of the Arts – ISEP Study Abroad
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Florence University of the Arts
Study in Florence
(in English)
- ISEP Direct
Jump To Section
Overview
Academics
Semester & Prices
Other Programs Available
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy an espresso and then head out to stroll the streets of Florence, often referred to as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Explore historic landmarks like the Medici Palace and awe-inspiring cathedrals that showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage.
• Flourish in an active learning environment at FUA. Gain real-world experience through internships and hands-on projects, perfect for students who love practical, dynamic learning.
• Join a diverse community of 4,000 students from around the world and benefit from FUA’s central location in Florence, providing easy access to the city’s cultural scene.
• Experience the essence of Florentine lifestyle by indulging in an aperitivo/apericena with friends or admiring the picturesque sunset at Piazza Michelangelo.
LIFE ABROAD
Enjoy living in this walkable city, where most social and cultural activities are within 5-20 minutes of the FUA campuses. Unwind during your free time by visiting countless cultural treasures like the Uffizi, Bargello, and Academia museums or shop for authentic leather goods at Mercato Centrale.
LIVE
Make yourself at home in fully furnished, off-campus apartment-style housing with fellow students. Explore the city's charm on foot or with the help of a reliable and frequent bus network. With housing and campus buildings conveniently situated within the historic city center, you’ll be surrounded by a vibrant community of approximately 15,000 international students who study in Florence each term.
DINE
Wander through the city's open-air markets, offering an array of local produce, meats, cheeses, and fish, or take a short 5-10 minute walk to a nearby grocery store before preparing meals in the shared kitchen in your apartment. You’ll receive 5 “units” per week as part of your housing for the duration of your program, which can be used for on-campus activities including dining.  When you feel like trying something new, head to a restaurant and taste local specialties like Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak), Riboli (Tuscan Veggie Soup), Tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (Pasta with mushrooms and truffles), or Crostini Toscano (Tuscan Canapés). Estimate spending around $800 USD for meals per semester.
EXPERIENCE
Kick off your time in Italy with a 1-week, 3-credit field learning course designed to serve as your cultural orientation in Rome. Engage in lectures, visit historic and contemporary sites, savor the local cuisine, and broaden your cultural horizons. Once you are in Florence, enrich your academic experience with optional Educational Field Learning trips or choose select courses that require overnight excursions where you will engage in hands-on learning (additional fees required). Expand your horizons each week with extracurriculars like City Walks and Sport Nights, hosted by FUA’s Student Life and Development (SLD) Office. Discover the dynamic San Lorenzo Market, Mercato Sant'Ambrosio, and Santo Spirito Flea Market, all within walking distance from campus.
EXPLORE
Explore the captivating charm of Florence and its surroundings. Embark on an adventure by train to nearby gems like Pisa, where the iconic Leaning Tower awaits you. Discover Lucca's medieval allure enclosed within its historic walls. Journey to Arezzo, known as the city of high fashion and gold. Extend your horizons to Italy's iconic cities: Milan's fashion scene, Torino's chocolate legacy, Bologna's culinary delights, Rome's historical treasures, and Naples' original authentic Italian pizza. If you’re looking to venture farther away to other parts of Europe, you can catch flights at Peretola Airport in Florence or from nearby Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa.
THRIVE
Take classes from the Department of Happiness Sciences in yoga, meditation, health and fitness, walking, wellbeing, and philosophy. Unwind at Sorgiva, the wellness learning lab managed by fellow students and faculty from AUF’s Apicius International School of Hospitality. Immerse yourself in spa therapies, rejuvenating massages, and nature-infused treatments during service hours. Further enrich your experience by applying to be matched with a local Florentine family through the Italian Family Club, fostering personal connections through shared experiences.
INTERNSHIP
Consider a credit-bearing, hands-on internship experience and apply your learning through supervised placements across various public-serving outlets. Seamlessly integrate these unpaid opportunities, lasting 6 to 11 weeks, into your class schedule, dedicating up to 20 contact hours per week (average 10 hours), and enhance your skills while embracing the local culture. Please see additional details in the course description.
What We Love About Florence
Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is a city that effortlessly blends the enchantment of medieval history with modern-day conveniences. As you stroll through its streets, you'll find yourself transported to an era of artistry and tradition that still thrives today. Beyond its captivating architecture, the city embraces a dynamic international student community. With a variety of cultural festivals, volunteer opportunities, and student events, you'll find ample chances to immerse yourself in Italian life while fostering global connections.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Fall)
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses (Spring)
Program Website
Course Description
FUA offers courses from International Business, to Fashion, to Culinary Arts, all taught entirely in English. To truly immerse yourself in the local culture, we highly recommend enrolling in one of the many Italian language courses such as Communicating in Italian or Italian Language for Beginners. More advanced students can improve their language skills as well.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn between 12-15 US Credits per term. Most courses are worth 3 US Credits each. Please note that required Field Learning course is worth 3 credits and goes toward the total credit amount included per semester.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Required Course
All students will automatically be enrolled in a 1-week, 3-credit field learning course designed to serve as your cultural orientation. This course starts with arrival in Rome and ends in Florence.
Internships
Students can elect to enroll in credit-bearing internships in a variety of fields. Internships can last from 6-11 weeks normally allowing for 10-20 contact hours per week. Internships are worth 3 credits and students can sign up when registering for courses.
Service-Learning
Courses designated as ‘Service-Learning’ or ‘Experiential-Learning’ help students earn valuable hands-on experience in collaboration with course instruction. Courses with these designations are worth 3 credits and can contain between 30-150 hours of applicable involvement along with in-class hours.
Sample Classes Available:
Fashion
Art and Photography
Journalism
Italian Language & Culture
Social Sciences
Style and the City: Florentine Fashion Walks
Introduction to Photography: From Darkroom to Digital
Art, Fashion, Food, and Wine Journalism
Communicating in Italian
Eastern Religions and Philosophy
Special Project: Experiential Learning in the Fashion Industry - Fashion and Accessory Design
Florentine Art Walks
Travel Writing
Italian Language Beginner
Philosophy and Science in Early Modern Italy
Athletic Footwear Design and Construction
Fresco Painting
Introduction to Rich Media: Podcast Production
Italian Language Intermediate
World Religions
Fashion Show Production, Coordination, and Promotion
Art Therapy
Photojournalism
Contemporary Italian Literature (in Italian)
Cultural Perspectives: Awareness, Exposure, and Engagement
Digital Knitwear Design
Florence Sketchbook
Special Project: Experiential Learning in Journalism
Florentine Literary Walks
Culture Shock: Cross-Cultural Psychology
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Website for Course Availability
ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER
Destiny Nicholson
703-504-9998 |
DNicholson@isep.org
Thank you for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I’ll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.
Academics
Undergraduate
(in English)
*This program is OK for Sophomores
Fields of Study
Area Studies:
Recommended!
European Studies
Italian Studies
Business:
Accounting
Business Management
Entrepreneurship
Fashion Merchandising
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
Marketing
Communication:
Advertising
Digital Communication and Media
Journalism
Mass Communication/Media Studies
Photojournalism
Publishing
Computer and Information Sciences
Web Page/Multimedia Design
Education
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language
Foreign Languages and Literatures
Recommended!
Italian Language and Literature
Health Sciences:
Art Therapy
Health and Wellness
Nutrition Sciences
History
European History
Hospitality and Tourism:
Culinary Arts
Event Planning
Hospitality Management
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Tourism Management
International/Global Studies
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
Law/Criminal Justice
Criminology
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Humanities
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Psychology
Social Sciences
Sociology
Visual and Performing Arts:
Apparel and Textiles
Art Studies
Ceramics
Design and Visual Communications
Digital Arts
Drawing
Fashion/Apparel Design
Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other
Graphic Design
Painting
Photography
Academic Requirements
U.S. GPA:
2.75 or higher
*accepts lower GPA with explanation
LPR accepted as alternate to TOEFL or IELTS
LPR Writing Score:
B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
LPR Reading Score:
B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
LPR Listening Score:
B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
LPR Speaking Score:
B2 - Intermediate High-Advanced
LPR
= ISEP Language Proficiency Report
Special Application Instructions
Special Notes
All course specifications are listed in course requirements.
- Additional fees may be required in the studio art school as well as the culinary school at the cost of the student.
- Courses with Experiential Learning, or Special Project designations often require a Cover letter, CV, and material pertinent to the chosen area, interview. Some may also require a certain level of Italian.
Host Institution Internal Application
Students must submit a supplemental application which is required of FUA for the purpose of admission and enrollment. Instructions will be sent by your ISEP Student Services Officer via email after placement.
Health & Learning Accommodations Needs
FUA has certain services available to students with reasonable accommodation requests. In general, learning accommodations can be arranged. Students should speak with their ISEP Student Services Officer in advance to request if specific accommodations can be arranged.
Passport
: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
Visa/Residence Permit
: As the semester program does not last longer than 90 days from start to finish, US citizens will not be required to obtain a visa to participate. Students of other nationalities should check to see if a visa is necessary to participate.
All full year students, and some students of other nationalities will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the
ISEP Country Handbook here
Special Needs Support
Learning
Other Academic Conditions
PROGRAM DATES
Both the Fall and Spring semesters last 12 weeks (1 week of orientation + 11 weeks of courses including exams). Some courses are 3-week ‘intensive courses’ while others last the full 11 weeks. It is up to the discretion of the student to determine if they wish to enroll in all 11-week long courses or a combination of 3 week and 11 week courses for a maximum credit load of 15 US credits. The ISEP program fee covers up to 15 credits at FUA, including the Cultural Introduction to Italy course (3 US Credits).
- Fall Semester runs from Late-September through Mid-December
- Spring Semester runs from Mid-February through Early-May
ACADEMIC YEAR PARTICIPATION
Students planning on attending FUA for an academic year are required to obtain an Italian visa for the duration of their stay prior to arrival in Italy. Program dates for Academic year students are as follows:
- Fall Semester: Arrival and departure are the same as all other Fall semester participants.
Full year students will be required to vacate their student residence after the end of the semester
but may leave their belongings within storage at the FUA international office.
- Spring Semester: As academic year students do not need to complete a second orientation for the second semester, they should plan to arrive in Florence earlier than the Spring only participants in order to complete a 15 week semester. In addition, Academic Year participants may select courses from the 15 week semester, the 11, week semester, or a combination of any 3-week intensive courses that fall within the 15 week semester. 15 US credits per semester are included in the program price.
COURSE SEARCH
1. Using the link under Website for Course availability, select the Session Drop down menu, then select the appropriate term (Fall or Spring) 11-Week Semester. Study Abroad should automatically be the next filter.
- It is possible to combine 3-week courses within the 11 week semester if students wish to take some intensive courses. Students can select 3-week session courses from Sessions II, III, & IV but NOT session I.
2. Courses are listed by Department
3. Clicking on the course title will bring up the course description
CREDIT LOAD
The ISEP program fee covers up to 15 credits at FUA, including the Cultural Introduction to Italy course (3 US Credits). Any fees associated with taking more than 15 credits are the responsibility of the student. Additional fees will be billed by FUA directly. Please message your ISEP Student Services Officer to inquire about the cost and process.
HOUSING
The ISEP housing fee will cover the equivalent of the "8-16 multiple apartment" at FUA. "Multiple" is defined by FUA as up to 6 students per room. Any fees associated with a housing upgrade (room type or apartment capacity upgrade) is the responsibility of the student and should be paid to FUA directly.
Sample housing upgrade layouts fees for Fall 2026 can be found here
. Please keep in mind that pricing may change for future terms.
Semester & Prices
(based on your filters)
Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.
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