Preparatory class admissions 2025-2026

PARCOURSUP registration is not required to apply to VIA FERRATA.

Via Ferrata is part of the APPEA network of public art preparatory classes.

Entrance to the Via Ferrata preparatory class is by competitive examination. Candidates must be between 17 and 23 years of age on September 1 of the current year, and hold a baccalauréat or equivalent diploma at the time of final registration.

For candidates who do not hold a baccalauréat or equivalent diploma, or who are not enrolled in their final year of secondary school at the time of application, the École management may grant an exemption, after consulting an advisory committee, whose composition and operating procedures it determines. Should this be the case, please attach a handwritten letter to your application, marked “request for exemption” and addressed to the Paris School of Fine Arts, explaining the reasons for your request.
 
Candidates who speak a foreign language must be able to follow the preparatory classes, which are taught in French only. This level of French language proficiency will be assessed at the admissions interview. It is not necessary to include proof of TEFL level or equivalent in the application.
 

1. Application procedure

• Candidates must register administratively and pay an application fee of €27.50 on the OASIS platform (link to come from February 3).
• Candidates with scholarships are exempt from the application fee. 
• Candidates must then hand in their complete application (administrative file + artistic file) at the Via Ferrata office, on the day dedicated to the submission of application files - or send it by ordinary mail or by colissimo delivery without signature, following the selection schedule, to the following address: Concours classe préparatoire VIA FERRATA - École des beaux-arts de Paris, 14 rue Bonaparte 75006 Paris.
• Applications exceeding the indicated format will not be accepted. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

After an initial examination of applications by a panel of judges, selected candidates are invited to attend a personal interview. The list of students admitted to the preparatory class is announced at the end of these interviews. Candidates must be physically present at the admission interviews: no interviews will be conducted by video-conference.

2. Composition of the application file

The application file must include :

• The artistic file
• The following administrative documents:
  - The printed ADMISSIONS 2025-2026 information form, duly completed (first two pages). You will receive this form once you have completed your administrative registration on the OASIS platform.
  - A handwritten cover letter, maximum two pages long.
  This letter - of great importance for the jury - should explain your background, your desires, your singularities, your passions, your motivations for joining Via Ferrata, for pursuing your studies in the field of artistic creation, the artists whose work interests you, and any other elements or information that might shed light on your application.
  - A photocopy of proof of identity (national identity card or passport).
  - A photocopy of your most recent diploma (if you have a bachelor's degree).
  - A photocopy of your 2024-2025 scholarship notification, if applicable (documents and information available on the PARCOURSUP and CROUS websites).
  - A self-addressed envelope for forwarding the artistic file.
  ATTENTION: This envelope must be of a suitable size and bear sufficient postage to enable the artistic file to be returned. 

These administrative documents - excluding the forwarding envelope - will be printed, stapled together, with the ADMISSIONS information sheet (first 2 pages only) on top.

3. Composition of the artistic file

• The artistic dossier comprises a maximum of 10 items.
• The artistic dossier consists of personal work.
• Mediums (drawings, photographs, volumes, videos, texts, etc.) are free.
• These works may be originals and/or photocopies-imprints-scans of these works.
• There is no penalty for submitting only photocopies/prints/scans.
• Artwork should not exceed A3 format (42 x 29.7cm).
• Works in volume or exceeding this format will be shown in photographic form.
• Sketchbooks, art editions and series of works on the same theme/idea are counted as a single item.
• Moving images and digital images will be presented on a USB key.
• All works submitted must be grouped together in a single, easily handled folder.

IMPORTANT: As far as possible, the artistic file should reflect the candidate's technical skills, as well as his/her motivation, creativity, personality and inspiration.

4. Application calendar

Monday, February 3, 2025:
Opening of administrative registration and payment of application fees on the OASIS platform (link to come from February 3)

Thursday, March 13, 2025: 
Deadline for administrative registration and payment of application fees on the OASIS platform

Thursday, March 20, 2025:
Application documents (administrative documents + artistic file) must be sent by post to the following address: Concours Via ferrata - École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, 14 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris. (date as postmark).

OR

Submit your application (administrative documents + artistic file) to the Via Ferrata office from 2pm to 5pm: École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, 14 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris.

Thursday, April 17, 2025: 
Publication of preselection results on the École website and invitation to individual interviews by email.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 2 to 5 p.m.: 
Candidates can pick up their application forms at the Via Ferrata office: École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, 14 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris.

Tuesday, May 2, 2025: 
Date on which files are returned by post.

Monday 19, Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 May 2025 :
Individual interviews with the jury for eligible candidates.

Friday, May 30, 2025: 
Results of final admissions to Via Ferrata preparatory class published.

Friday, June 13, 2025: 
Registration validation deadline for admitted candidates.

If you have any questions, please write to anna.stellittano@beauxartsparis.fr