Academics
Study in Paris. Study in French. Study What You Love.
At CUPA, academics are built around one goal: helping you succeed in immersive French university study while pursuing your own academic interests in the heart of Paris.
With more than 60 years of experience in international education, CUPA offers structured academic pathways, close advising, and flexible course options across disciplines. You can build a program that fits your goals, your major, and your level of French.
Common fields of study include literature, history, political science, art history, economics, sociology, international relations, mathematics, computer science, and studio arts. However, at CUPA we pride ourselves on working with every student to prepare a bespoke, enriching learning experience.
If you are interested in specific direct-enrollment courses at a French university, students are encouraged to submit an academic inquiry before arrival. CUPA advisors will help determine feasibility based on language level, course availability, and university requirements. Students are also strongly encouraged to consult with their home university French department prior to enrollment.
Because CUPA works closely with our partner universities in Paris, all logistics around course enrollment are handled by the CUPA Paris team.
French Placement Test & Academic Pathway
Your CUPA academic pathway is determined by your French placement result, a test you complete during the application process.
To better understand your current French-level please review the following CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages self-assessment – Here.
If you would like to take the placement test before submitting your full application, you may request to do so. Early placement results are honored for admission; however, students are allowed only one official placement attempt, so consider this before requesting.
Placement Results & Course Options
Based on your placement score, you will be placed into one of the following academic tracks:
- B1 / B1+
- Access to a full load of CUPA-run courses taught entirely in French
(Students who test at a “B1-” are considered on a case-by-case but generally this result is not sufficient for admission)
- Access to a full load of CUPA-run courses taught entirely in French
- B2-
- Access to a full load of CUPA-run courses taught in French
- Access to a petition process for up to 2 direct-enrollment university courses (case-by-case approval)
- B2 or above
- Access to a combination of CUPA-run courses and direct-enrollment in French university classes (most popular option)
- Access to all 4 courses taken as direct enrollment at French universities
Our French university partners require proof that students have achieved the B2 level (high intermediate) or higher in French. So our direct-enrollment policies are built to ensure CUPA students are set up for success.
What You’ll Study
CUPA students generally take four courses per semester, each carrying full credit recommendation for transfer to their home university.
CUPA In-house
CUPA offers academically rigorous, fully French-taught courses designed specifically for U.S. students studying abroad. Courses are small, discussion-based, and taught by faculty with advanced academic credentials in their fields.
In-house course offerings change each semester, but have historically included topics such as French literature, French history, Gender Studies, film studies, art history, and contemporary social issues.
CUPA French University Direct Enroll
CUPA has long-standing partnerships with many of Paris’ most prestigious academic institutions. For students who qualify, and under CUPA’s guidance in alignment with home university requirements, students have the opportunity to curate a highly individualized curriculum by selecting courses across multiple French universities and academic departments.
Our students regularly take courses at leading institutions such as:
Sorbonne Université – Faculté des Lettres (Paris IV legacy)
One of the world’s oldest and most prestigious humanities institutions, offering programs in literature, history, philosophy, art history, sociology, languages, and music studies in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3)
Specialized in languages, literature, theater, cinema, media, business, communication, and European studies, with additional institutes in Latin American studies and applied linguistics.
Université Paris 8 – Saint-Denis
Known for its progressive academic tradition and strength in humanities, social sciences, philosophy, cinema, gender studies, sociology, political science, computer science, mathematics and the arts.
For more on CUPA’s affiliated French institutions, please visit French University Partners
The majority of CUPA students choose 1 primary French University for direct enrollment.
During the application process, students only need to outline their required courses and academic interests. After reviewing this information, the CUPA team will send an individualized PDF with a selection of available courses for applicants to choose from.
Students who would like full course planning or who have questions about direct enrollment eligibility before applying should submit an academic inquiry.
Advising, Credits & Academic Support
CUPA serves as an academic liaison between students, professors, and partner universities in Paris. Advising is individualized and considers a student’s French level, academic background, major requirements, and personal academic goals.
From course selection to credit transfer documentation, CUPA supports students at every stage of their academic journey. While CUPA assures that coursework is sufficient to justify the transfer of credits, students are responsible for confirming credit transfer policies with their home institution prior to arrival.
Grades are recorded exactly as submitted by instructors (French grading scale or equivalent conversion), and official transcripts are issued at the end of the program.
