First year - semesters 1 and 2 

The first year is spent acquiring the essential foundations for studying art. Students familiarise themselves with the resources available at the school, experiment with a wide range of techniques, and develop analysis skills. Students begin to establish their individual learning path in their first year, through meeting people, attending conferences and visiting exhibitions. They are introduced to the methodology aspect of applied arts training for their chosen subject, Art or Design. They practise drawing as a means of research and to understand notions such as space and volume, and to learn about the perception and imagination of colour. They are also introduced to techniques and technologies, explore the history of art, and learn or improve a foreign language (English).

Second year – semesters 3 and 4
and third year – semesters 5 and 6

These two years provide students with a deeper insight into recent and less recent creation techniques by following specific learning modules. These tools allow students to acquire or improve skills needed to produce their projects, which is an essential requirement for autonomous project management. Students are also taught how to put different methodologies into perspective in order to find out what works best for them.

Teaching focuses on methodological approaches and more assertive creative engagement. To help get projects off the ground, students attend research and creation workshops, where the emphasis alternates between individual and group projects, documentation and research work, workshops, technical internships, and study trips.

Credits (ECTS)

60 ETCS (European Credit Transfer System) credits can be obtained in one year, and 48 credits are required to move on to the next year. A committee of second-year teachers may arrange a procedure for making up a shortfall of credits if needed.

In the third year, students who have obtained the 45 credits required for the DNA can sit the exam. Credits are awarded as a single block and there is no need to make up for any shortfall. 

DNA Art degree

The Diplôme National d’Art is a French art qualification awarded after the three years of first cycle studies. It is a higher education degree (level II). Students must obtain 65 credits to be eligible to sit the exams, which usually take place in June. Students who pass the DNA are awarded an extra 15 credits, making a total of 180 credits for the three years.

The jury

The DNA jury is made up of three members: a teacher from the school and two outside experts, one of whom will chair the jury.

Assessment

The DNA assessment consists of a review of the candidate’s academic achievements, a portfolio of significant work from the three years of study, and an interview with the jury. Candidates cannot be assessed more than twice. For a second attempt, the school’s director must approve a proposal put forward by a Teaching Committee made up of third-year teachers.

The DNA enables students to take internal and external entrance exams for the CAPES qualification and external entrance exams for the CAPET qualification.