Admissions process

© Antoine Wdo – Spéos 2022
© Ankit Acharya – Spéos 2022
© Theo Hagege – Spéos 2021

How to apply to a photography program at Spéos?

Admissions to the professional photography programs offered by Spéos are open year-round. However, as the number of places is limited, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Most programs are accessible with a high school diploma (or equivalent), although admission requirements may vary depending on the chosen program. Applications are reviewed based on a submitted application file, and the admission process is entirely free of charge.

The steps to apply, be admitted, and enroll are as follows:

1. Application file

Complete the online application form and upload the required documents:
– a CV/resume,
– a letter of motivation/statement of intent,
– a portfolio of 10-15 photos,
a certified copy of Bachelor’s degree.

Applicants whose native language is neither French nor English must provide proof of a B2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) through a recognized French or English language test. This certificate must be submitted at the beginning of the chosen program.

Go to the Enrollment form

2. Application review & interview

Once the complete application has been received, it is reviewed by an admissions committee.

If the application is considered eligible, an interview (either on campus or via video call) may be scheduled to assess the applicant’s motivation and the relevance of their goals to the chosen program.

3. Admission decision

After the full review of the application, candidates receive an admission decision (accepted or rejected) by email.

4. Deposit

To secure their place in the chosen program, admitted applicants must pay a non-refundable deposit:
– €2,000 for students from the European Union,
– €5,000 for international students.
Enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of this deposit.

For international students, payment of the deposit is required to obtain a student visa for France.
In the event of a visa refusal, all amounts paid will be fully refunded.

5. Tuition payment

After paying the deposit, tuition fees can be paid in full or in 3 installments.
Payment is made by credit card via a secure online payment page.
> Pay tuition fees by credit card via Spéos’ secure payment page

6. Student and Campus Life Contribution

Since the 1st July 2018, students who are definitely enrolled in higher education courses in France have to pay the “student and campus contribution” (CVEC: “contribution de vie étudiante et de campus”).
The amount of €105 for 2025-2026 has to be paid directly on the CVEC payment portal of the French government.
The first step in order to pay is to create a MesServices.etudiant.gouv.fr account.
> Download the CVEC Procedure step-by-step guide

7. Prepare your stay

Prepare for your arrival in Paris: visa application, accommodation search, travel arrangements…
For international students, the Campus France checklist can be helpful.

Practical information

The tuition fees are indicated in the “Practical information” paragraphs on each course presentation page.

The prices indicated include registration fees and tuition fees allowing access to:
– the infrastructure and teaching resources,
– the loan of professional photo equipment (professional lighting kits, lenses, flashes),
– the school’s computer facilities (computer classrooms equipped with Adobe Creative Suite licences),
– certain photo supplies (paper, prints, paper backgrounds) when used during class work.

These fees do not include:
– the “student life and campus contribution” (CVEC) fee of €105 for the year 2025-2026,
– the cost of supplies used for personal work, such as digital SLR cameras, lenses, personal laptops, personal software, portfolios, prints, business cards, and website memberships, which are the responsibility of the students.

Spéos offers courses in English and French.
For all courses (except the workshops), students whose mother tongue is not French or English must provide a language level validated by a test of French or English at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
This language requirement is to be provided at the beginning of the chosen course.

Unfortunately, Spéos cannot offer any scholarships or financial aid. Please contact your home university, government or private associations as to funding possibilities.

In France, employees can sometimes benefit from a “Professional Transition Project” (PTP, ex-CIF) or use their “Personal Training Account” (CPF, ex-DIF), which allows them to have all or part of their training financed by organisations such as Transitions Pro, AFDAS or any other OPCO.

These are long procedures and it is strongly advised to prepare the file at least 6 months before the start of the training. Only Spéos’ certifying trainings (delivering all or part of the blocks of competences) can be taken in charge by these financing schemes.

For international students, Spéos has concluded a partnership with the Caisse d’Epargne, allowing you to obtain easier account opening conditions. For more information, see the conditions (PDF).

As a private higher education course registered with the Rectorat d’Académie de Paris, Spéos is approved by the Social Security and confers Student Status on its students. Except in special cases, the Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC – “Contribution Vie Étudiante et Campus”) is mandatory.
Each student in initial training at a higher education institution must obtain, prior to enrollment, a certificate of payment of the Student Life and Campus Contribution, by payment or exemption.
The amount of the CVEC for the year 2025-2026 is 105€. The procedure is to be followed on the official portal: https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr/

Housing
Spéos can assist students in their search for housing for the duration of their program by providing them with addresses and indications of housing possibilities in Paris. Students enrolled in the Professional Photography Programs should arrive at least one week before the beginning of the program to take care of practical matters.

Visa
Non-EU students must obtain a student visa in order to remain in France for longer than three consecutive months.
For further information on how to obtain a student visa, please contact Campus France (www.campusfrance.org – “Obtain your student visa”), as well as officials at the nearest French consulate or embassy in your country. Speos will assist students in obtaining their residence permit from the French authorities at the beginning of the program.

Bank
Spéos Paris can assist foreign students in the opening of a bank account for the length of their stay with Caisse d’Epargne Ile de France. For more information, see the conditions (PDF in French). With this partnership, it is possible to have a state-guaranteed student loan with BPI France. Visit the BPI website for more information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Spéos.

Spéos has developed a policy of welcoming and including people with disabilities. Anne-Laure Koning is the person in charge of the school’s services for people with disabilities. The referent will receive your request and will endeavour to provide all the solutions and adaptations necessary for the smooth running of your training course.

Access to the school for people with reduced mobility: the premises are accessible on the ground floor and are equipped with access ramps (on request). It is recommended that you contact the secretariat before arriving in the premises to ensure the best possible welcome and assistance.

Examinations: in order to ensure that candidates with special needs can take the examinations under fair conditions, the person in charge of the organisation of the examinations studies the necessary means adapted to the specific context of the candidate (as far as the duration and the logistic or human organisation are concerned) without modifying the content of the examinations in order to maintain the required level of examination.
For more information, please contact Spéos.

To apply for one of our photography workshops in Paris, please submit the Enrollment form at the latest one week before the beginning of the program. We recommend students who wish to attend more than one workshop to apply at least 3 weeks before the first day of class.

The summer workshops and part-time programs are subject to a minimum of participants. In the event of insufficient numbers, Spéos retains the right to cancel a workshop or postpone it to a later date. In the latter case, enrollment becomes only firm upon the participants’ approval of the change in dates.

In addition to this information, you can consult Spéos’ FAQ or contact the school directly.

Go to the Enrollment form

How to get to Spéos Paris

Spéos Paris
8 rue Jules Vallès
75011 Paris | France
Phone: +33 (0)1 40 09 18 58
Email: contact@speos.fr

Come by visit Spéos!