Interior Design Study Abroad Programs in Florence, Italy

Located in the heart of Tuscany, Florence clearly stands out as a cultural, historical, and academic center in Italy. It is known as the Birthplace of the Renaissance, as many Renaissance artists and authors called this city home. Dante, Boccaccio, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and many more all helped make Florence the most important place to be during the Renaissance. With a population of roughly 380,000 people, Florence is a city vast in land area but effortlessly maintains its small-town charm. Students will find that they are able to walk to any major area in less than thirty minutes and, after a few short weeks, they'll instantly feel at home and become comfortable in their new environment. And when they're ready for a bit of adventure, Santa Maria Novella, the main train station, gives them instant access to travel around Italy and Europe.

Your Semester in Florence program lasts a full semester and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses, host institution courses, and courses taught online through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Italian culture. Live and learn in Florence! Florence is Italy’s Renaissance city, offering an inspiring environment for students of all disciplines. The city’s unique blend of Italian culture and history, iconic landmarks like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, bustling markets, and lively arts scene create an enriching backdrop for studying abroad. Whether you're studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Florence is the perfect place to study abroad.

SAI invites students to surround themselves with the refined beauty of Renaissance Italy by studying abroad at the Florence University of the Arts (FUA). FUA offers a wide range of courses in English, which have been carefully planned and designed in keeping with current interests and contemporary subjects including Literature, Sciences, Business, Economics, History, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, and more. SAI oversees and coordinates all aspects of student enrollment, including application processing, course selection and credit, visa advising, housing, student health insurance, and transcripts. In addition, SAI provides comprehensive student services, from the moment of application, through the on-site experience, until students return home. In addition to supporting students throughout their stay in Florence, SAI also coordinates a range of activities and excursions throughout the term, including a walking tour of historic Florence, a “survival Italian” language class, a hike to the Piazzale Michelangelo, and Italian cooking workshop, a weekend excursion to Milan and Lake Como (semester only), and many others.

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici invites you to study abroad in Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region and home to approximately one-third of the world's art treasures! Living and studying in the birthplace of the Renaissance is an unparalleled experience. The LdM Florence campus comprises 16 properties peppered among the iconic Duomo, artisanal gelaterias, and the legacies of great scientists and artists of human history. Walking to classes in Florence’s historical center—the entirety of which is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site—LdM students enjoy the city's jewels, marvel at its beauty, and make meaningful memories every day. At LdM, students can take advantage of over 500 courses ranging across the humanities, creative arts, design fields, social sciences, gastronomic and culinary arts, and Italian language and culture. They also have access to various facilities: Wi-Fi-equipped classrooms, specialized art and design studios, modern culinary labs, a courtyard garden, a library, and a computer center. In addition, the always delicious LdM Cafeteria offers affordable meal plans, frothy cappuccinos, and a cozy space where students can gather between classes.

Florence is an art lover’s dream and a food lover’s paradise. During your winter break, you can dive right into exploring this stunningly visual city on our January in Florence program. To make the most of your time abroad, we’ll quickly immerse you in local Italian and Florentine culture. Join excursions in and around Florence to galleries and famous sites. You’ll study at Florence University of the Arts, and you’ll practice Italian with friendly locals. How do you say, “Another gelato, please?”

Interior design uses research, analysis, and knowledge to meet client needs and goals. The Academic Year in Interior and Furniture Design trains designers to manage the whole process, focusing on space and decoration. It fosters design sensitivity, a personal expressive language, and multidisciplinary knowledge, combining theory and practice. The Academic Year is part of a three-year Interior and Furniture Design course for 2nd-year undergraduates attending IED. It has two semesters to develop cultural, methodological, technical, and technological skills. Students explore interior and furniture design, gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of spaces, tools, processes, and materials. They complete three projects: designing a restaurant, working with innovative materials, and creating a furnishing product from components to disposal. Classes are held Monday to Friday mornings and afternoons. This intermediate program is for students with at least a year of experience in Interior Design, Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or Architecture. Applicants must master drawing, sketching, rendering, computer graphics, modeling, and verbal communication.

A Study Abroad experience in Florence could be considered as the one most similar to that of the ‘Grand Tour’ undertaken by the great travelers of our past. Our aim here at Accademia Europea di Firenze is not to have our students live as tourists, but to ensure that they feel like true residents of Florence and Tuscany: to achieve this we work hard every day to build an all-inclusive experience for them, comprised of education, cultural immersion, entertainment, and a profound knowledge of culture and the Italian way of life. What is more, AEF is the only school that offers study abroad experiences to performing arts students, allowing them to move forward with their degree, here in Florence. AEF was founded in 2005 as an Italian language school for foreigners. Over time, the school expanded its curriculum to include humanistic studies, music, the liberal arts and the performing arts, while providing an extraordinary combination of quality and individual attention: AEF offers the most complete response for any training or educational need. Situated in the very heart of Florence, halfway between the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the church of San Marco, AEF’s students have the grandeur and beauty of the city’s historical centre on their doorstep. Our location is a Renaissance palace, perfectly restructured and equipped with the most modern technologies to make it an ideal site uniting study and beauty, learning and culture.

World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Our summer program is designed for teens from all academic backgrounds who are excited about immersing themselves in Italian culture and lifestyle. This pre-college program offers various course study options, including Art History, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Photography, Architecture, Italian language, and Tuscan Cuisine. Students can choose a major course for daily focus (Monday to Friday) in the mornings for three hours. Then, they attend elective classes, each lasting two hours, three times a week in the afternoons. On weekends, they go on day trips around Italy to explore cultural differences from city to city. Locations vary yearly; previous participants have visited Cinque Terre, Siena, Pisa, and Venice!

Step into the heart of Florence, Italy—a city that breathes art and history—and unlock your creative potential at Accademia Riaci. Known for its personalized instruction and hands-on approach, this program is perfect for students passionate about art, design, and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, fashion designer, or culinary artist, Accademia Riaci offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in your craft while soaking up the vibrant Florentine culture. Participants benefit from small class sizes, one-on-one mentorship, and access to Italy’s renowned artistic heritage. Study in historic studios and gain skills from master artisans who continue centuries-old traditions. Outside of class, explore Florence's cobblestone streets, world-famous museums, and stunning piazzas, connecting with a global community of creatives. Open to students at all levels, the program welcomes dreamers ready to expand their artistic horizons. Requirements vary by course but generally include a passion for art and an interest in cross-cultural learning. Start your creative adventure today with Accademia Riaci—where Florence becomes your classroom!

The one-year Master of Interior Design is perfect for young graduates or design professionals interested in attending a specialization course. It emphasizes a professional dimension by honing the understanding of contemporary Italian interior design through investigations into its history, theory, analysis, and methods. It develops design concepts for real, modern-day problems integrated into historical city situations while focusing on a sustainable future. Its location in Florence is essential in illustrating Italy's relevance in forming the foundations of modern thought and concepts. Graduate students come from various academic and professional practice experiences. The department accepts students with an undergraduate degree in interior design or comparable professional practice experience and individuals with degrees in other disciplines who see a connection between their previous studies and interior design. To obtain robust results, studies in interior design require a 'full-time’ commitment throughout the academic year (for 30 weeks).

Study in the heart of Florence with ISI! International Studies Institute Florence (ISI) is located in the heart of Florence in two historic palazzi. ISI offers a range of programs in architecture, food studies, art history, Italian culture, interior design, STEM, fashion, psychology, studio art, and more. The program is a truly unique educational experience that uses this Renaissance jewel of a city as your classroom and laboratory. ISI also fosters a commitment to engagement with the authentic Italian community through intensive Italian language study, special programs in Community Engagement and Global Leadership, and Internships. If you’re looking for an innovative, personalized experience in one of the world’s most inspiring study-abroad destinations, this program is for you. Have the opportunity to join Arcadia excursions as well! Travel to fascinating places of interest that enhance your cultural immersion and give a meaningful context to your academic courses, including the Amalfi Coast, the city of Florence, a trip to the Roman Baths and the Wine Vineyard in Viterbo, exploring local food culture, and more.

Are you ready to redefine your study abroad experience? Come and study at Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) and pursue your passions and academic interests in the heart of Florence's historic center. SRISA has remained a top art and design school in Italy for over five decades. Our secret? We're all about personalized and immersive learning. SRISA offers undergraduate courses in Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, and Design at the American University level. Except for Italian, all courses are taught in English. Study for one semester or extend your stay for an Accredited Year. Fall and Spring semesters are 15 weeks long. Students enroll in classes ranging between 12-16 credit hours. Fall (September-December) Total Credits: 12-16 Spring (January-April) Total Credits: 12-16 Hit the "Apply Now" button to start your study abroad journey today!

The NECAFlorence Program provides a unique opportunity to study, earn university credits, and experience Italian culture firsthand. Interdisciplinary courses based on experiential learning at NECAFlorence are designed to stimulate students’ interests and to challenge their way of thinking. Small group courses assure a high level of individual attention. Highly-qualified teaching staff. Throughout your stay, you will gain an intimate understanding of Italian and Florentine culture and life. Students must be over the age of 18 to join. Non-traditional participants should contact NECAFlorence for eligibility details. The NECA Scholarship Program has been developed to assist highly motivated students (enrolled in 2-year or 4-year institutions) and adults with academic merit and/or who do not have enough financial resources.

Join us for an unforgettable experience in one of Italy’s most enchanting cities, Florence. Immerse yourself in the rich Italian culture, savor delicious local cuisine, and make lifelong connections with fellow students from around the world. 2026 SUMMER INTENSIVE COURSES - List of subjects Classes held at the school: Painting & Drawing Art History Jewelry Making Jewelry Design Architecture Interior Design Furniture Design Bag Making & Leather Arts Fashion Design Textile Design Graphic Design Glass Art Italian Culture Experience Italian Language Classes held off-campus: Art Conservation & Restoration (some classes may be held at the school) Ceramics Woodworking Furniture Restoration Floral Design Gelato Course Italian Home Cooking Duration: from 1 to 12 weeks 2026 Start Dates (Check-in) May 03 | May 17 | May 31 | Jun 14 | Jun 28 | Jul 12 | Jul 26 | Aug 16 | Aug 30 | Sep 13 | Sep 27

The Accademia Italiana is internationally recognized as one of Europe's most prestigious institutes of art and design. Each year, creative students from all over the world come to the Accademia Italiana to take courses in the Accademia's signature programs in fashion design, graphic design and visual communications, interior and product design, window display design, photography and new media and studio arts. The Accademia also offers study abroad students courses in liberal arts and Italian language and culture. Italian culture courses include art history, history, literature, cinema and style. The Accademia has semester and year-long academic programs, bachelor's and master's degree programs, and short-term summer programs. Design courses are taught in Italian and in English languages. University credit is available.

Study Abroad in Europe offers a summer program at the Florence University of the Arts. The university is a private higher education institution in the heart of Florence's historic center. The institution's position places the university in direct contact with the city's culture, movements, and events. The program's mission is to offer university-level academics and services that foster learning and, most importantly, an active understanding, participation, and contribution to the city by students from all academic fields, personal backgrounds, and nationalities.

At the Italy Program in Florence, accredited by Northern Arizona University, AZ, you can take advantage of a unique opportunity to study and earn NAU university credits in the heart of Florence! Receive instruction and guidance from highly qualified teaching staff. Broaden your academic knowledge in this study abroad program while experiencing the daily way of life in Italy. You can choose between semester and summer programs. You can take upper-division interdisciplinary courses based on experiential learning, immersing you in local life. Throughout your stay, you gain an intimate understanding of Italian and Florentine culture and life. Participants must be over the age of 18 to join. Non-traditional participants should contact us for eligibility details. This program includes excursions in and around Florence and accommodation. Plus, get the chance to apply to available scholarships to reduce your program cost.