CIS Abroad is able to offer a wide range of programs around the world that cater to Art & Design majors, whether they are looking for a short-term summer experience or a semester or year abroad. We are committed to matching each student with the program that best accommodates their academic goals, as well as matching them with an international environment and culture that nurtures a well-rounded and full learning experience.
When it comes to semester study abroad for majors/minors in Art & Design, we recommend the following programs:
Expect your creative juices to flow fully on this program at LCI Barcelona, an art and design school in trendy Barcelona! Between its avant-garde nature, social street life, cutting-edge companies, and innovative start-ups, Barcelona naturally sparks creativity. The unique academic focus of this program will have you learning about entrepreneurship and marketing, as well as delving into the design and communication skills necessary to succeed in today’s creative industries. You’ll receive personalized attention and support in a small and creativity-inspiring urban campus setting. And when you need a brain break, Barcelona’s beaches will beckon!
"ACG" provides the best of both worlds as the largest American college or university in Europe with a truly international learning experience - with 60% of students attending from Greece. A robust catalog of course offerings are available at their School of Fine and Performing Arts, all with a focus on understanding a fast globalizing art environment. Take unique courses in music, theater, art history, graphic design, and visual arts.Florence University of the Arts is dedicated to experiential and hands-on learning for students. Class sizes have the unique benefit of being smaller, which affords faculty more focused attention on each student. Many classes use the rich history of the city as part of its curriculum, which makes FUA a fantastic option for Art & Design students interested in areas such as Architecture & Urban Design/Planning, Culinary Arts, Digital Media & Design, Fashion, Photography, and Studio Art.
Bond University is one of Australia’s newest and most innovative schools. As one of the country’s few private universities, students are able to get a more intimate campus experience, as well as flexibility in creating a US-compatible semester schedule. Courses offered for Art & Design majors include the areas of Architecture & Urban Design/Planning, and Digital Media & Design.
Considered one of the best private universities in Central America, Universidad Veritas offers students a wonderful academic experience as well as an immersive cultural experience through their commitment to homestay accommodations. Courses offered for Art & Design majors include the areas of Architecture & Urban Design/Planning, Art History, Dance, Digital Media & Design, Film & TV Studies, Photography, Studio Art, and Theatre & Performing Arts.
University of Roehampton is a friendly, cozy campus tucked away in southwest London. With the “Growhampton'' sustainability program, the campus is a lively, eco-friendly, and stimulating environment to socialize and learn in. Especially renowned for a wide variety of programs in the arts, Roehampton is a unique and rare setting for Art & Design students looking for courses in Architecture & Urban Design/Planning, Dance, Digital Media & Design, Film & TV Studies, Photography, and Theatre and Performing Arts. Dance is a particular strength of Roehampton’s.
A world-class institution, The University of Newcastle offers arts students a number of opportunities to cultivate their skills and knowledge in the field of Art and Design. Using the on-campus studios and labs, students can take courses in Fine Art, Design, Architecture, and Music. Students at the University of Newcastle are also just minutes away from the city of Newcastle’s thriving art scene, along with its gorgeous beaches and forests.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (or "UAB" for short) is a young, thriving university in one of Spain’s most vibrant cities, ranking as #3 in the country and #190 in the world by QS. Students can take courses in either Spanish or English, and have the choice between two campus locations, both of which are near to Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia. For Art & Design, UAB offers a rare opportunity for Art History students to immerse themselves in a richly artistic and historical setting. There are also courses in Architecture & Urban Design/Planning and Photography.
Surrounded by exquisite ancient art and architecture, the city of Rome offers students of the arts countless opportunities to explore their area of academic interest. Students at the American University of Rome get the chance to go beyond their classrooms and textbooks, and into the local galleries and museums. Explore places like the Galleria Borghese, the MAXXI museum, and more!
Summer courses for this field of study are a little more rare, but the institutions that do offer them provide an exciting variety in beautiful settings. Art & Design majors/minors that are interested in summer programs also have the option of taking engaging and stimulating electives, as well as fulfilling general requirements during their abroad experience. Here are a couple of the top summer programs for Art & Design students:
Ranked number 1 in the UK for media and design, Westminster is a great choice for design majors. Internship placements are available in various business sectors, NGOs, humanities, arts, and social sciences. Learn more about the Semester study + Intern in London University of Westminster program.
Also check out our Intern in Barcelona program for placement options in graphic design, fashion, and more.
To dive deeper into any of these courses or particular programs, take a look at the pages for each program that you are interested in. There you can scroll down to Academics, look under “Choose your courses”, and find information on course offerings and availability. For intern programs, sample placements can be found on each program page.
While studying in Tokyo for a semester, I aimed to live by the quote: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Because of that, I have gotten to experience incredibly fascinating things and meet amazing people. Tokyo almost feels like a second home to me now. I am immensely thankful for the opportunity to have experienced the beauty of Japan and its rich culture.
Based on personal experience from my home university, Australia does not tend to be a popular destination for study abroad, likely due to its distance. However, I am extremely grateful I made the decision to come here. The geographical diversity, numerous cultural representations, and major cities so close to nature make Australia a truly unique and unforgettable country. Spending three and a half months here will be an experience I treasure for the rest of my life.
CIS provided a brilliant network of people so I never felt alone, and everyday was a new adventure. I got to explore a place completely different from anything I could have imagined. It was challenging navigating a new culture, a language I didn't know completely, and a new environment, but that was the beauty of it all. No one goes abroad searching for comfort, but you learn that comfort can be found anywhere, if you know how to look.
Studying abroad has allowed me to grow as a person. I have conquered fears, experienced new things, tried new foods, and met wonderful people who helped make my experience unforgettable. I am more confident in myself and the person that I want to be in the future.
Studying abroad in London has been an experience I will never forget. Living in a new country is something I think everyone should experience in their life. I've made so many new life long friendships I never would have unless I came here. I've also grown so much as a person and become more independent. The CIS team has been so supportive during the whole process. From applying to my program to arriving on campus in London. My site directors have been so helpful and supportive answering any questions I have. The social program activities were amazing and helped me see a different side of London than I would have without it. I will never forget this experience; it really has changed me for the better.
Studying abroad changed my life in all of the best ways and CIS Abroad made it all happen!! Through CIS, I was able to make my first friends and integrate into the culture way easier than I would have on my own.
My time abroad has been the most eye opening journey and I’m a more independent person because of it. I’m so grateful for all the experiences, friends, and memories I’ve made along the way!
Unlike many people on this trip who come with the intention of being a tourist, I feel like I had a different goal. I wanted to rediscover my culture and where I belonged. Being a hafu living in America and not fluent in Japanese, I was never really able to get in touch with my Japanese heritage. This trip completely changed that and I now have a goal of one day living in Japan for the rest of my life.
The CIS program was truly a one of a kind experience. I was able to meet many students from all across America, attend several events (such as food tours or a trip to Kyoto), and make many friends. I would not trade it for anything. I am thankful I decided to study with CIS Abroad. Before this, I was thinking about just plowing through my degree, getting my master's and PhD, and immediately entering society. However, this experience changed my life. Through meeting many people from many places, and living in a new area for an extended period of time, my view of my own philosophies, culture and place of living, changed. This would not have happened if I stayed in the States. I would say if you are able to go, you should go. There is no time like the present.
Studying abroad in Japan was lifechanging! Embracing a rich culture, forging international friendships, and gaining valuable insights broadened my perspective, fostering personal growth and unforgettable memories.
I knew I wanted to study abroad, particularly in Japan, because it was on my bucket list. Thanks to CIS, I was able to go to Tokyo! Even now, it is surreal to me that I got to go! I can't put it into words how much fun I had in Tokyo. I enjoyed every second of my time there, from walking around the bustling streets of Shibuya and Shinjuku, to going to class, eating delicious Japanese cuisine, and even going to the convenience store. Even the simplest things were incredibly fun to me. I was initially anxious about being homesick, my Japanese skills and traveling alone, but I'm happy to say that I very quickly made lovely, lifelong friends and was met with nothing but kindness from the locals. I learned not to let my worries get in the way of an opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you, CIS Abroad. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Tokyo.
During my time in Costa Rica, I took Intermediate Conversation and Cultural Photography at Veritas University. I really enjoyed how relaxed the classes were and how the teachers taught us not only Spanish, but also culture and day-to-day life. I was also involved in the biology lab here (BIOMOL) and had fun doing some lab work every week. I got to explore multiple places with my program, such as Manuel Antonio, Curubandé, and Jaco. I went surfing for the first time and got to hike some amazing trails. I highly recommend traveling to Costa Rica for study abroad; it is a beautiful country with beautiful people and memories to make!
I took Spanish for Healthcare Professionals and Conflict Resolution & Healthcare at Universidad Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica. I really enjoyed how interactive my elective class was; the students often led the class by doing presentations on various topics. We also had a field trip to the local school. My favorite part of the study abroad experience was all the weekend trips. It was awesome to see so many different places in the country. My favorite trip was to Tamarindo and Curubande where I got to take a surf lesson and hike to waterfalls.
This past month I spent my time studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy with CIS Abroad. The opportunity of being able to study in Italy was a dream come true! From my peers in the program to Frankie and Kayla, everyone has been so open and welcoming. CIS has done any amazing job making sure I felt prepared for my travels and was available to answer my many questions. Without CIS, this opportunity would have seemed like a dream, but they helped me turn it into a reality. I have met some amazing friends and grown into a better person during my time in Sorrento!
I’ve always wanted to study abroad, even though I was initially very nervous since I had never been over seas before. But even my imagination could never have dreamed of the amazing things I got to see and experience while abroad. I didn’t get to just see all these new places but studying abroad allowed me to have the time to fully submerge myself into so many different cultures. I’ll never forget my time over here and I will forever be grateful I was able to experience studying abroad!