Foundation year in Architecture & Design
Préparatory class for schools of architecture (1 year)
Program structure and pace
727 hours per year
Approximately 24 hours per week
Courses are delivered on-site in full-class sessions. The timetable is communicated during the September orientation period.
Classes take place from Monday to Friday. Some sessions may occasionally be scheduled on Saturdays.
This preparatory year is centered on creativity and fundamental learning, including art history, ideation, representation techniques (drawing in all its forms and 2D digital tools), and project workshops. Students prepare for entrance examinations to national schools of architecture and/or design.
UE1 – Fundamental Artistic Teaching
Color
Creative Process & Experimentation
Life Drawing
Observation & Analytical Drawing
Outdoor Sketching
UE2 – Cultural and Creative Teaching
Methodology
Creative Process & Project Techniques
Languages
UE3 – Specialized and Technical Teaching
Architecture
Design
Scenography
UE4 – Theoretical and Technical Teaching
Art History
Site Analysis
Digital Tools
Semiology
Jury | Examination | Workshop
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold, or be preparing to obtain, a high school diploma (general, technological or vocational track).
Under the current French Baccalaureate reform, all specializations may be considered, as each provides useful competencies for this program.
Applicants admitted prior to receiving their high school diploma results must provide proof of successful completion before the start of the academic year.
How to apply to the Foundation Year
Admission to LISAA is based on an admissions interview and is not processed through Parcoursup.
Applicants must attend an oral interview during which they present a portfolio of personal work.
The interview assesses motivation and includes:
Evaluation of general and artistic culture
Presentation of personal work (drawings, illustrations, photographs, graphic work, research projects, models, etc.)
Applicants are informed of the admissions decision within one week following the interview.
Admissions are open from October to August for a September intake. Applications are processed within a maximum of three weeks after receipt of a complete file. Enrolment remains open subject to availability.
By way of exception, enrolment may be authorised after the start of the program, subject to an assessment of the student’s ability to catch up on missed coursework, within a maximum of two months after the program start date.
Full admission procedures are available on the dedicated page.
Tuition fees
Full details of tuition fees and additional costs are available on the dedicated page.
During this preparatory year, students develop creativity, learn essential representation techniques in applied arts, deepen their understanding of architecture and design culture, explore semiology, and engage in specialized workshops introducing project-based pedagogy.
The year focuses on creativity and the acquisition of fundamental learning, including art history, ideation, representation techniques (drawing in all its forms and 2D digital tools), and project workshops.
Students are assessed throughout the year through continuous assessment.
All subjects are evaluated through project submissions, oral presentations, written assignments and multiple-choice assessments.
End-of-semester assessments allow students to review their progress and validate progression to the next academic stage.
LISAA’s pedagogy supports student progression toward successful professional integration through varied teaching methods:
- Courses delivered by active industry professionals
- Project-based pedagogy with individual and group professional simulations based on real or representative cases
- Oral and written project presentations evaluated by instructors and, when applicable, partner professionals
- Individual academic support to monitor competency acquisition and career orientation
- Industry talks and alumni conferences
- Internship periods integrated into the program to develop practical field experience
