Istituto Marangoni Paris

Istituto Marangoni Paris is the French school of the Italian fashion group founded by Giulio Marangoni in Milan in 1935. It is a private higher education institution teaching fashion design, fashion business, styling and communication, and fragrance and cosmetics management in English, near the Trocadéro.

The key advisory point is the credential: the three-year course leads to a French professional title registered in the RNCP, and students who meet Regent's University London's entry rules can also receive a UK-validated BA (Hons). It is not a French public university degree.

• Next BA starts: 25 January 2027 and 27 September 2027.
• Good fit: applicants set on the fashion industry who want studio work, industry projects and a Paris address.
• Weak fit: students who need a low-cost academic licence or plan to enter a French public master's without extra checks.

At the end of a three-year course in Paris, students sit certification tests for an RNCP level 6 title awarded by decision of France Compétences, alongside the school certificate and 180 ECTS. For example, BA Fashion Design leads to "Fashion Designer" (RNCP 37821) and BA Fashion Business to "Responsable de la stratégie marketing et commerciale de mode" (RNCP 36378).

An RNCP title is a state-registered professional certification, not the academic "licence" or "master" grade. Public French universities assess such titles case by case, so graduates planning further academic study should favour the Regent's-validated route.

The school is at 15 rue Boissière in the 16th arrondissement. Students can start on the RNCP track and switch to the Regent's track in year two or three once they meet that university's requirements.

Industry links show in projects rather than rankings: the Paris school has announced a mentorship with Viktor&Rolf, and the group runs a talent contest with Altagamma, the Italian luxury association.

The Paris course finder lists 14 undergraduate options, from three-year courses to one-year intensives, a foundation year and single-semester study.

• Three-year: Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Fashion Communication & Image, Fashion Product, Fragrances & Cosmetics Management.
• One-year: Fashion Design, Fashion Business & Digital Marketing, Global Fashion, Fashion Styling & Digital Art Direction.
• Foundation: Foundation in Fashion, with English B1 required and validation by Regent's University London pending.
• Master's: level 7 titles such as "Directeur de collection" (RNCP 36151) for Fashion Design and "Responsable de la communication globale" (RNCP 36636) for Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media.

Applications are made online and include proof of payment of the enrolment fee. The school then reviews creative or business work rather than grades alone; from the Winter 2026 intake the old multiple-choice skill test has been dropped.

1. Four to six months before the start: choose the course and track (RNCP only or RNCP plus Regent's).
2. Application: online form, signed personal statement, school diploma with English translation, passport copy, enrolment-fee transfer.
3. Selection work: six creative ideas for creative courses, or a 700-word trend analysis for business courses.
4. After the offer: pay the tuition instalment set in the contract, arrange housing, then the visa.

Mistakes we see with fashion-school applicants

• Assuming the RNCP title equals a French licence and planning a public master's around it without checking.
• Budgeting only tuition: the $4,542 (€4,000) enrolment fee is charged every year.
• Sending a generic portfolio: the six ideas should show the chosen field (design, styling or product).
• Choosing the Regent's route without a B2 English certificate ready.

Creative courses ask for six creative ideas: sketches, drawings, photographs, moodboards or collages, or a personal reinterpretation of objects and places. Business courses ask for a 700-word piece identifying one emerging trend in fashion or luxury consumer behaviour, with visuals.

• Online application form
• Signed personal statement and passport-size photo
• High-school diploma and certificates, translated into English if needed
• Passport copy
• English B1 (RNCP) or B2 (Regent's BA)
• Master's: recognised bachelor's degree and transcript, CV, two reference letters and a portfolio for creative programmes

Over three years a non-EU BA student pays about $101,500 (€89,400) to the school before rent. Other Paris courses have their own fee lines on each course page.

Istituto Marangoni runs scholarship calls for specific intakes, including the Winter 2027 intake; the school sets the criteria and selects recipients.

The school does not run residences; it partners with housing agencies and providers offering short and long-term options, and students contract with them directly. Rents around the 16th arrondissement are among the highest in Paris, so compare commuting options before signing.

Non-EU students on three-year courses apply for a French long-stay student visa, in many countries through Campus France's Études en France platform; the consulate decides. See French student visa steps and housing in France.

It suits motivated creatives and fashion-business students who want English teaching, a professional title aligned with French industry jobs, and a portfolio built in Paris. Graduates head to design studios, buying and merchandising, brand communication, styling and luxury retail; the job comes from portfolio and internships, not the certificate alone.

It is less suitable for anyone who wants a broad academic business degree; for that, compare the state-approved grades at SKEMA Business School.

Course and track selection, portfolio and personal-statement review, the application and visa-stage support are provided under an agreement with StudyU; Istituto Marangoni decides admission and scholarships, and the French consulate decides the visa.