Visual Arts Study Abroad Programs in Florence, Italy

Spend a semester or academic year in the classic city of Florence with AIFS Abroad. Choose from a wide variety of courses at the AIFS Abroad Global Education Center with credit awarded by Fairfield University. Select the Traditional Academic Program to begin or advance your Italian language skills and select courses from a variety of subjects. During the Spring semester, a Fashion Management and Marketing Program is also available. AIFS Abroad in Florence includes a one-week orientation before the semester begins to help you acclimate to life in Italy. Fall semester orientation is on the coast of Tuscany, while spring semester orientation is in Rome. Live in a shared student apartment and receive a meal plan. You’ll enjoy cultural and social activities, including: • Guided city walks • Visits to the many museums, churches, and cultural sites of Florence • Italian cooking classes • Opera and ballet performances • Italian cheese tastings • A gelato tour • Day trips to Pisa, Lucca, the Vespa Factory, and more

La Spezia is the gateway to Cinque Terre, a gem in the awe-inspiring Italian Riviera. With a centrally located campus and a vibrant regional culture, La Spezia offers many opportunities to engage with your surroundings and participate in experiential learning. Its location offers both coastal charm and urban convenience, where you can easily explore on foot, navigate public transit, or use it as a gateway to other regions of Italy and Europe. Experience Florence’s Renaissance charm and La Spezia’s Mediterranean breeze through this immersive semester program at Florence University of the Arts. Dive into hands-on coursework across business and liberal arts classes and internships for credit as you study in both the cultural capital of Italy and the coastal gateway to the Cinque Terre.

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.

With 12 locations around the globe, the world is your classroom when you study abroad at NYU. Whether you’re interested in exploring music at NYU Prague, diving into history at NYU Florence, or studying global business at NYU London or NYU Shanghai, regardless of your course of study, NYU offers students of all interests and backgrounds unparalleled global experiences. Immersive, experiential learning is at the heart of NYU study abroad. So, in addition to classes that get you out exploring a new place, you’ll embrace the local culture and build community with internships, academic excursions, and volunteer opportunities. From NYU Buenos Aires to NYU Berlin and NYU Tulsa to NYU Tel Aviv, you’ll experience these dynamic cities and cultures while also fulfilling elective requirements, meeting new people, and gaining a new perspective. Additional NYU global locations not previously mentioned include: NYU Accra, NYU Madrid, NYU Paris, and NYU Washington, DC.

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.

In summer, the streets of Florence come alive with locals and tourists dining outside amidst jaw-dropping architecture, churches, statues, and fountains. In Summer in Florence, you can have your own mini Renaissance in the city that gave birth to the Renaissance. Soak in the creative vibes as you study at Florence University of the Arts and live near all the action. To make the most of your time abroad, we’ll quickly immerse you in local Italian and Florentine culture. You’ll tour galleries and famous sites, and you’ll practice Italian as you order your next Tuscan meal—with gelato, of course.

You’ll enhance your expertise and confidence in the many aspects of photography and visual design in this three-week summer course. With a deep understanding of techniques, lighting, postproduction, and design principles, you’ll learn to create compelling visual narratives that engage with contemporary contexts. You’ll also gain valuable insights into conceptual photography, visual storytelling, and the integration of graphic design. During this immersive course, you’ll explore Renaissance masterpieces and Florence's rich artistic heritage as sources of inspiration for developing a complete photographic project. You’ll create a visually striking poster that synthesizes your journey while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary artistic vision. Taught in English and starting in June, the course is designed for students with foundational knowledge or basic professional experience in the field who are looking to enhance their professional skills. Participants should have prior familiarity with photography, graphic design, and editing.

Capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and known as “the cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence has long been a source of inspiration for visionaries such as Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, and Niccolò Machiavelli. It's known for the Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo, a domed edifice engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, which includes an iconic bell tower rising high above the city. This present home to fashion designers and major wine labels was once a Roman city established by Julius Caesar in 59 BC. The CEA CAPA Florence Center and Santa Reparata International School of Art offer a variety of learning opportunities in English and Italian. Get the most out of this cultural and academic experience through CEA CAPA's volunteer opportunities, excursions to other cities, and various cultural and learning activities, which complement course offerings and turn Florence into a classroom. In addition to our study abroad programs, explore CEA CAPA Internships Abroad in Florence — gain hands-on, pre-professional experience as you dive into a career field and develop professional skills needed to rise above the competition. Interested in going abroad with CEA CAPA? Contact us!

Have the opportunity to study abroad by joining one of our Non-Profit, Low Cost, Direct Study Programs in these top destinations – Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, England, and France. These are offered throughout the year to university-level students from around the globe, with the option to enroll in a weekly, monthly, summer, quarterly, semester, or academic year term. Stay in low-cost housing on campus or at a nearby apartment or hostel. You can also stay with a host family to experience the local way of life in your host country. You can earn academic credit for completing any of our study abroad programs. Upon completion, you will receive (or request) transcripts, certificates, or letters of attendance. If you need an official transcript sent to your school back home, be sure to request this and provide the exact mailing address. Do you wish to know more? Please feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Master of Graphic Design is perfect for working professionals or young graduates interested in attending a specialization course. It mainly focuses on providing a professional dimension to the field by fostering the understanding of contemporary graphic design through investigations into its history, theory, criticism, and methodology. Its setting in Florence is essential in illustrating the relevance of Italy in forming the foundations of modern thought and imagery. The Graphic Design Master's is intended for graduates, young designers, and students with professional training and/or experience in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Interactive Media, Communication Sciences, and Computer Sciences. Graduate students come from various academic and professional practice experiences. Acceptance to this graduate program requires a degree in design. Each one-year graphic design master course has a duration of 30 weeks.

Picture yourself in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance and a hub for artistic and commercial design! You'll study with Arcadia at Accademia Italiana Florence, one of the leading fashion design and art schools in Europe. Courses range from graphics to textiles to design, fashion, and culture. The classroom setting is two beautiful Renaissance buildings directly across from the famous Pitti Palace in Florence's Oltrarno district, only steps away from the Ponte Vecchio. This unique and innovative program option will excite, motivate, and inspire you at every turn. Courses are offered in English for students without a background in Italian.

Immerse yourself in historic art and design in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, with a thriving contemporary art scene. Here, you take studio courses on SACI’s iconic campus, which has two 17th-century palazzi in the heart of Florence. The campus is centrally located, allowing you to study many important art collections, including the Uffizi and the Accademia. It hosts visiting artists, public lectures, and exhibitions in the gallery space. This means access to contemporary exhibitions, collaborating with contemporary Florentine artists, and visiting important international exhibitions. Famous for its Renaissance legacy, Florence features a fascinating mix of historic and contemporary culture. Buses, taxis, and mopeds drive within feet of the Duomo, the city's magnificent cathedral. Chic shops and elegant restaurants line the charming avenues, and historic piazzas ringed with outdoor cafés host performance artists and flea markets. Enjoy the region's mild climate and world-famous cuisine in one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

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.