Paris University (ParisU) is an international institution of higher education with five locations in Europe (Paris, Rome, Florence, Madrid, and London). Its mission is to prepare the next generation to be globally aware, engaged, and open-minded citizens, equipped with the critical thinking and creative skills necessary to address complex challenges. The institution fulfills its mission by offering US-accredited degrees in English at the undergraduate and graduate levels, language immersion study abroad programs, and study abroad programs in English.
Paris College of Art
Since 1986, Paris College of Art (PCA) has combined the strengths of the American higher education model with the cultural and creative richness of Paris. With a curriculum taught entirely in English, PCA attracts a distinctly international student body from around the world, creating a diverse and collaborative learning environment at the heart of one of the world’s great centers for art, design, fashion, and culture.
The college offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a broad range of creative disciplines, leading to American-accredited Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Through its studio-based education, interdisciplinary approach, and close engagement with Paris’s museums, galleries, creative industries, and cultural institutions, PCA gives students the opportunity to develop both their artistic practice and their understanding of the global creative landscape.
As an entity of Paris University, PCA contributes a distinctive international and creative dimension to the university’s academic community, providing students with an education that connects American academic traditions with the cultural and professional opportunities of Paris.
Accent Global Learning
Since 1975, Accent Global Learning (Accent) has partnered with colleges, universities, and university systems to expand the possibilities of global education through thoughtfully designed, academically rigorous programs abroad. Working as an extension of each institution, Accent combines pedagogical expertise, extensive local networks, and a highly collaborative approach to create programs that reflect the academic priorities, values, and goals of its university partners. Its offerings span faculty-led programs, internships, specialized programs, and customized semester experiences, with curricula developed to connect students’ fields of study to the cultural, professional, and intellectual resources of their host cities.
Accent’s Study Centers in Paris, Rome, Florence, Madrid, and London provide a substantial presence on the ground, supporting students and faculty through academic advising, cultural programming, housing, health and safety, and local expertise. By integrating classroom learning with experiential education, internships, research, site visits, and engagement with local communities, Accent helps institutions make global learning an integral part of the university experience.
Center for University Programs Abroad
Since 1963, the Center for University Programs Abroad (CUPA) has offered students an individualized pathway to academic and cultural French language immersion in Paris. As one of the oldest independent study abroad programs in France, CUPA combines rigorous university-level study with intensive French language development and the opportunity to experience French academic and everyday life firsthand.
Through semester and academic-year programs, students can build a curriculum around their interests, taking courses at CUPA or, with sufficient French proficiency, enrolling directly in partner French universities alongside local students. Academic advising, language support, and methodology training help students navigate the differences between American and French higher education while developing greater independence and confidence in a French-speaking environment. Beyond the classroom, CUPA integrates Paris itself into the learning experience through museums, performances, excursions, internships, research opportunities, and homestays with French families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditation does ParisU hold?
Paris University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880
+1 (781) 425 7785
E-Mail: info@neche.org
ParisU issues American Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees taught in English.
In addition, Paris College of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). NASAD, an association of approximately 322 schools of art and design, is the US national accrediting agency for art and design and art and design-related disciplines.
What is ParisU’s mission?
ParisU’s mission statement reads:
Paris University’s mission is to prepare the next generation to be globally aware, engaged, and open-minded citizens, equipped with the critical thinking and creative skills necessary to address complex challenges. In a rapidly evolving world, we fulfil this mission by:
- Delivering education of the highest international standards within an American higher education framework, emphasizing critical reflection on the present and visionary thinking for the future through open, honest dialogue that embraces diverse perspectives;
- Bridging cultures by drawing inspiration from our European context and expanding educational access to students from around the globe;
- Fostering mentorship and professional development while cultivating awareness of global issues across disciplines.
How does ParisU serve students?
Students enrolled in Accent, CUPA, and PCA programs will continue to receive the same services and support that they enjoyed prior to the integration within ParisU.
For practical matters such as visas, the only notable change is that the sponsoring entity issuing proof of enrollment will eventually be Paris University. Students will continue to receive support from the entity (Accent, CUPA, PCA) in which they are matriculated. Students will receive degrees from Paris College of Art at Paris University.
For PCA students, being matriculated at an entity within a larger NECHE-accredited institution has important benefits. NECHE accreditation is considered equivalent to a national accreditation, which means that students from certain countries, such as Denmark, can now enroll at PCA with their government-sponsored loans and scholarships. It also opens the possibility of taking classes at other locations within Paris University. Starting this fall, PCA students will be able to choose from a selection of classes in French at CUPA, creating new opportunities for language development and interdisciplinary study alongside their existing PCA curriculum.
For students participating in Accent Global Learning programs, the immediate experience will remain largely unchanged. Accent will continue to work directly with students and their home institutions to deliver customized global learning programs, with its Study Centers provide the local academic, administrative, and student support that students rely on while abroad. Accent’s strength is its ability to build programs around the specific academic goals of each partner institution, combining coursework with experiential learning, site visits, research, internships, and engagement with the host city. As part of Paris University, Accent’s students will benefit from being part of a broader university community while retaining the highly customized program structure and on-the-ground support that define the Accent experience.
For CUPA students, the integration into Paris University will similarly provide greater opportunities for connection while preserving CUPA’s distinctive model of individualized French immersion. CUPA students will continue to receive the academic advising, language support, methodology training, and personal guidance that help them navigate the French university system. Students with the appropriate level of French may continue to combine CUPA courses with direct enrollment in courses at French universities, while students at earlier stages of language development can take CUPA courses taught entirely in French. CUPA students will have the benefit of being part of a larger academic community that includes students studying art, design, and other disciplines at PCA and students participating in Accent programs.
Overall, students should expect continuity in their day-to-day academic experience, with new opportunities emerging over time. Paris University provides a common institutional framework while allowing PCA, Accent, and CUPA to retain the distinct programs, expertise, and student support that make each entity unique. The goal is not to make students navigate a larger or more complicated institution, but rather to give them access to a broader academic community and additional opportunities while preserving the individualized experience they chose in the first place.