Fashion Design & Merchandising Study Abroad Programs in Florence, Italy

Spend a summer in the artistic and cultured city of Florence, Italy, with AIFS Abroad! Explore a range of academic programs that award credit through Fairfield University. The AIFS Abroad Florence Global Education Center is located in the Palazzo Michelozzi, a 16th-century palace between the Arno River and the Pitti Palace. You’ll earn up to 10 credits awarded by Fairfield University. Choose from 2 available sessions of the traditional academic program or the popular Wine Marketing program. You will live in a student apartment in the center of the city. Wine Marketing students stay in a hotel for the first week, and students taking both Sessions 1 and 2 may also choose to stay in a homestay. You will receive meal vouchers to use in a choice of selected local restaurants, cafés, and grocery stores. If you take the Wine Marketing Program, you will also receive breakfast and dinner at the hotel for the first week of the program. An optional 3-day trip to Rome and an optional 3-day visit to Venice are available. A 2-night tour of London, England, is available to students on the AIFS Abroad Flight Package.

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!

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.

Study at NYU Florence and experience one of the world's most culturally significant cities. Students live either on the NYU Florence estate or in an apartment or homestay in downtown Florence. Take full advantage of the city’s many historic and cultural offerings through faculty-led trips throughout the city and the Tuscan region. NYU’s academic center is housed on La Pietra, a 57-acre estate situated in the hills above Florence. The beautiful, historic estate contains five 15th-century villas where students live and learn. Villa La Petra, for instance, features a museum showcasing a collection of early Renaissance art and furnishings. Villa Ulivi has classrooms, a computer lab, a book reserve reading room, and a cafe. And Villa Natalia contains staff offices, a lounge, a small gym, and a dining hall. The estate offers ample open space, including several gardens and olive groves where students can relax, explore, and enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Florence. Please note that spring semester programs tend to fill early. Opportunities vary based on local restrictions. Visit the NYU Florence website for up-to-date information.

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.

Ready for an Italian summer that's a perfect mix of coastal relaxation and vibrant city life? This unique two-city program is designed for students who want to experience it all, splitting time between two distinct and iconic locations. Your adventure starts in La Spezia, a charming seaside city and the perfect home base for exploring the world-famous Cinque Terre. You'll spend your days hiking breathtaking trails and soaking up the sun on the Italian Riviera. Then you’ll head to the bustling, creative hub of Florence. Here, you'll be surrounded by centuries of history, from the awe-inspiring Duomo to the iconic Ponte Vecchio. You’ll study at Florence University of the Arts, known for its hands-on approach. Whether you’re learning about art, business, or culinary arts, your lessons will be as vibrant as the city itself. This program offers the best of both worlds—the laid-back beauty of the coast and the dynamic energy of a major city—all packed into one amazing summer.

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!

In our Bag Making & Leather Arts course, veteran Italian artisans teach students how to construct a bag from start to finish. Learn how to make sewing patterns, cut, skive (to reduce the thickness), and sew the leather applying the traditional rules of Italian craftsmanship. The goal is to produce high-quality leather bags for which Italy is well known around the world. During this time, students will have the opportunity to fully develop their creativity, mastering every leather-related technique, exploring all fields of employment, and manufacturing methods (both hand sewing and machine sewing). Depending on the length of the program, students will be able to produce a wide range of leather works, from small accessories and handbags to interior components and furniture. Our hands-on training course consists of lessons with the professor and individual practice in the school leather laboratory. We offer both long-term (One-Year, Semester, and Master's) and short-term (Short, and Summer Intensive) programs. During the summer (from May until the end of September), we offer a special program called "Summer Intensive Course" (from 2 to 12 weeks) which includes housing, meals,

The Fashion Design: Design your Capsule Collection enables students to experiment with the basic tools of design. Theoretical lessons are enhanced by creative workshops, trade fairs, and possible seminars with industry professionals. Florence, with a centuries-old tradition in the world of fashion and its manufacturing excellence, has an enviable international reputation in fields ranging from fashion and artistic craftsmanship to design and technological innovation. In such an incomparable place, students will observe and analyze current creative realities and trends. This course is held in the English language. Start Date: June

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!

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!

See different sides of Italy while studying at an Italian school or university! Enroll in your chosen non-profit, low-cost, direct study program. We connect you to university-level, academic-type programs that are available all year round. Choose from weekly, monthly, summer, quarterly, semester, and academic year terms. Plus, stay in low-cost housing on campus or in nearby areas. Overall, avoid expensive, for-profit programs and register directly with a school in Italy. After successful completion, you will earn academic credits that are transferable to your home school. These study abroad programs are open to students worldwide. See more details on the NPSA website. Use this website to review and book your study abroad program in Italy.

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.

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 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 in the authentic Italian community, with intensive study in the Italian language and special programs in Community Engagement and Global Leadership, as well as 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 Amalfi Coast, the city of Florence, a trip to Roman Baths and Wine Vineyard in Viterbo, exploring local food culture, and more.

The One and Two-Year Certificate Program in Fashion Design and Technology programs at Study Abroad in Europe provide the professional training necessary for designing and creating fashion products. Throughout each program, students receive individualized attention and support from professional faculty and visiting artists. The school provides students the opportunity to develop their skills by learning from a team of highly recognized academic faculty flanked by visiting fashion designers. The end of each year will culminate with the event of a runway fashion show organized by students, faculty, and professional fashion designers supported by local business.

Learn or improve your Italian while strolling the streets of Michelangelo and Dante. Study art in world-famous museums and work side by side with locals as an intern. Explore contemporary and historical issues facing Italy through excursions around Tuscany and a study tour to Sicily. Take classes in art history, Italian language, psychology, retail design, and more. Experience Italian life and culture, both past and present, in the beautiful and lively city of Florence. Famous for its Renaissance legacy, Florence is a thriving city with a fascinating mix of historic and contemporary culture. You'll be based in the Oltrarno neighborhood, within easy walking distance of major monuments and museums; inhabited by Florentines; and full of artisans, artists, galleries, trattorie, and antique shops.