Featured Programs
Experiential Learning Opportunities
French Language Studies at Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne
Paris, France
About the Program
Immerse into French language at one of France’s most well-known language schools. Attend class with other international students at the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne, a center dedicated to teaching French to students from around the world. Semester and academic year programs are designed for students who speak French at the high-intermediate level and above. Along with language classes, choose from elective courses that increase your proficiency while deepening your understanding of French culture. The summer program is designed for students at all language levels and incorporates two components: language (cours pratiques) and phonetics. All courses are taught in French and according to the traditional French instruction method.
Requirements
Overview
Paris
8/25/25 - 12/20/25
$18,495
12 - 14
Deadlines
5/1/25
6/1/25
Requirements
Eligibility
High Intermediate And Above
2.5
High School Graduate
Where You'll Study
Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne
French language courses for CEA CAPA students are taught by the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS), a university center dedicated to teaching French language and culture to i...
Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne
French language courses for CEA CAPA students are taught by the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS), a university center dedicated to teaching French language and culture to international students.
The CCFS was founded in 1919 by the Société des Amis de l’Université de Paris and is today an independent institution of higher education that retains institutional ties to Sorbonne University.
CEA CAPA students attend courses at the CCFS’ campus in the 7th arrondissement. This location features classrooms and phonetics laboratories, creating a learning environment within a beautiful Parisian neighborhood.
Credit Transfer Information
Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne utilizes a 60-minute contact hour whereas the United States higher education system utilizes a 50-minute contact hour. Recommended U.S. credits listed on CEA CAPA's website reflect a conversion of these contact hours. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Students receive a transcript from Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne upon successful completion of the program. Transcript includes the number of hours per week and the weeks in the semester so US colleges/universities may calculate the appropriate number of US credits they choose to award their students.
Accreditation
In addition to it’s 3-star rating by the Qualité FLE (on a three-star scale), the Cours de Civilisation Française de Sorbonne is monitored by the French Ministry of National Education as an official state institution.
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
- Language courses are taught by faculty at the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS).
- Periodic homework assignments and final examinations will be administered.
- Class attendance is mandatory and monitored by each professor. CCFS regularly communicates attendance records to CEA CAPA Paris.
- Course enrollment ranges between 10 and 25 students, allowing for personalized attention.
- Courses are specifically offered to be taken with other international students of equivalent language level and not with native French students.
- The French style of teaching differs from that in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
Amenities
Student Offices
Student Lounge
Study Room
University Library
Student ID
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Academic Advising
Language Learning Services
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
12-14
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
Enroll in 1 language course and 2 - 4 elective courses. Language courses meet for 174 contact hours/10 credits; elective courses each meet for 20 contact hours/1 credit. You may earn 12 - 14 credits (up to 254 contact hours) per semester; academic year students may earn 24 - 28 credits (up to 508 contact hours).
Language courses meet 5 days per week, Monday-Friday. The language (cours pratiques) component meets 2 hours per day and the phonetics component meets for 1 hour per day, every other week. Elective courses meet once a week for 1.5 hours.
You'll take an online language placement exam before you leave for Paris. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the result of your placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for France. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Language courses meet 5 days per week, Monday-Friday. The language (cours pratiques) component meets 2 hours per day and the phonetics component meets for 1 hour per day, every other week. Elective courses meet once a week for 1.5 hours.
You'll take an online language placement exam before you leave for Paris. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability and the result of your placement exam. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for France. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
High Intermediate Level Course Structure
Available Levels
Courses
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Intermediate French I | 300 | Fr | 145 | 10 |
| High Intermediate French II | 300 | Fr | 145 | 10 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History of Art in France I | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| History of Paris: From the Origins to the French Revolution * | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspects of French Cinema | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18th Century French Literature | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| 19th Century French Literature | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Literature and Civilization: From the Renaissance to the Classical Age * | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regions of France: Part I * | 300 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic and Social Issues in France * | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Political & Economic Issues in Modern France * | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Society: From the Middle Ages to the Present * | 300, 400 | Fr | 20 | 1 |
Interested in taking your career to the next level?
Where You'll Stay
*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.
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Studio
Available:
Semester
Summer
Summer
Studios are located in student residences that house approximately 200-300 local and international students in single or shared studios. The Studio residences are a typical housing solution for local students, both providing the privacy of an apartment
(with kitchenettes and bathrooms in-suite) and the environment of student living. The Studio residences are located in a several different neighborhoods across the city, including the 20th arrondissement, the 13th, 15th, and 17th, as well as in nearby St Mandé, Montreuil, Levallois, and Ivry. Living in a studio in Paris will provide you with a true sense of French student life, will allow you to cook your own meals at home, and meet up with other residents in your building.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Paris Center: 30-45 minutes by metro
- Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne: 30-45 minutes by metro
- Institut Catholique de Paris: 30-45 minutes by metro
Meals Included
- Not included
Roommates
- 1-3 students per studio
Unit Amenities
- Kitchenette
- Bathroom
- Full bed linens included
- Towel included
- Internet access
- Pay-per-load washing machines and dryers
- In-room heater or central heating
Additional Fees
This housing option carries a supplemental fee which may vary based on housing inclusions (i.e. meals, amenities, etc.) as well as program length. Exact amount will be confirmed on the housing application form.
- Private room: Supplemental fee
- Shared room: No supplemental fee
Residence Hall - Shared
Available:
Please note, this housing option is not available in 2025
If you crave a taste of university life abroad, live in a Parisian Residence Hall with local, international and North American students. Located in some of the most popular residential neighborhoods in Paris, Residence Halls are lively places that each house 80 to 200 students. If you enjoy living in a student community and seek to make friends from all over the world, this housing option is a great fit for you.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Paris Center: 30-45 minutes by metro
- Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne: 30-45 minutes by metro
- Institut Catholique de Paris: 30-45 minutes by metro
Meals Included
- Not Available
Roommates
- 2-4 students per room
- 80-200 students per Residence Hall
- *Please note that if you choose a Residence Hall as one of your preferred housing options, there is a possibility of your roommate being an international student or local French student/young professional.
Unit Amenities
- Shared full kitchen
- Shared-co-ed bathroom
- Partial bed linens included
- Internet access
- Telephone access available
- Washer and dryer, pay-per-wash
- In-room heating or central heating
- Fans available
Apartment
Available:
Semester
Summer
Summer
Located within the 20 arrondissements (districts) of Paris, CEA CAPA apartments are a great match for independent, do-it-yourself type students who want to experience Paris just as the Parisians do. In addition to a shared bathroom and kitchenette, apartments also have a common living room. Cook your own French meals with roommates and friends, get to know your local shops and cafés and make your new Parisian apartment a home.
Typical Commute
- CEA CAPA Paris Center: 30-45 minutes by metro
- Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne: 30-45 minutes by metro
- Institut Catholique de Paris: 30-45 minutes by metro
Meals Included
- Not Available
Roommates
- 1-3 per Room
- 2-8 per Apartment
Unit Amenities
- Shared full kitchen or shared kitchenette
- Shared bathroom
- Full bed linens included
- Towel included
- Internet access
- In-room heater or central heating
- Fans available
Additional Fees
This housing option carries a supplemental fee which may vary based on housing inclusions (i.e. meals, amenities, etc.) as well as program length. Exact amount will be confirmed on the housing application form.
Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
What's Included in your Program
From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Paris. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.
- Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
- Visa & Immigration Advising
- Financial Advising
- Tuition and Registration
- Airport Pick-up
- Onsite Orientation
- City Tour
- Onsite Staff Support
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Travel Medical Insurance
- International Emergency Service Support
- Welcome & Farewell Events
- Centrally Located Housing
- Wellness Activities
- Cultural Engagement
- Language Exchanges
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Excursions
- Student Clubs & Organizations
- Host Institution Services & Amenities
- Official Transcript(s)
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
|
August 25
|
Arrival/Program Begins
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive in Paris on this date. |
|
August 26 - 29
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation will be held. |
|
September 01 - 12
|
Cultural Activity
Séminaire d'Intégration à la Culture Française - Students will participate in a seminar, an integration program that will provides practical tools for navigating daily life and doing so using as much French as possible. |
|
September 12
|
Orientation
Mandatory CCFS Orientation will be held. (Date to be confirmed) |
|
September 15
|
Classes Begin
French classes begin at CCFS on this day. |
|
September 17
|
Drop/Add Deadline
This is the last day to drop and/or add French classes at CCFS. |
|
September 22
|
Classes Begin
Conference courses begin at CCFS on this day. |
|
October 03
|
Drop/Add Deadline
This is the last day to drop and/or add a conference course at CCFS. |
|
October 27 - 31
|
School Break
CCFS are closed for Fall Break. No classes will be held. |
|
November 07
|
Course Withdrawal Deadline
This is the last day on which students can withdraw from a CCFS conference course. |
|
November 11
|
Holiday
Holiday. No classes will be held. |
|
December 15 - 19
|
Final Exams
Final examinations week will be held at CCFS - written/oral examinations. |
|
December 19
|
Classes End
This is the last day of all classes and final examinations at CCFS. |
|
December 20
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. |
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.