Get up to $1,250 in flight credits or grants toward study or internship programs abroad when you apply by June 30, 2026. See our Official Rules for full details.
Language: French
Climate: Continental
Currency: Euro
Stroll down the elegant Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, where sparkling fountains and imposing aristocratic buildings remind you of the city’s historical wealth and cultural significance. Savor your daily baguette from a local boulangerie or practice your French with friendly farmers market vendors. This idyllic town, known for its cafés, theaters, and vibrant markets, offers a quintessential French experience under its sunny skies.
Our partner universities offer academic programs tailored to your interests, with classes taught in English or French, while internship opportunities are designed to develop your professional skills and kickstart an international career. Beyond the classroom, immerse yourself in the town’s rich traditional culture through activities like volunteering at a local soup kitchen or an after-school children's center. Participate in excursions to the Roman town of Arles or the seaside town of Cassis, where you can sample local wines and visit the breathtaking Calanques National Park by boat, or explore Marseille, France’s cosmopolitan second-largest city. Engage with contemporary issues such as sustainability, migration, and intercultural diversity, all set against the backdrop of the region's thriving tourism industry and its deep-rooted connection to the Mediterranean basin.
IAU
Starting at $9,595
Aix Marseille University
Starting at $17,395
IAU
Starting at $10,795
IAU
Starting at $10,095
IAU
Starting at $10,795
Aix Marseille University
Starting at $6,595
Aix Marseille University, one of the oldest universities in France, boasts many prominent government leaders among its alumni. The university is centrally located near the famous Cours Mirabeau.
You’ll take courses through the Service Universitaire des Langues (SUL), the university’s French language school. Founded in 1953, SUL (previously known as Service Universitaire de Français Langue Etrangère, SUFLE) is regarded as one of the best French-language teaching centers in the country and hosts about 1,000 students from 65 countries.
SUL offers instruction in French at all levels—from beginning to advanced—and prepares students for the diplomas of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and other diplomas and certificates. At SUL, you won’t just learn French language: you’ll also gain an understanding of and appreciation for France's literature, history, and culture.
Aix Marseille University is recognized by the French Ministry of National Education as a degree-granting institution.
Aix Marseille University awards credits based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) system. CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations for semester programs are based on the following conversion: 2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. semester credit. CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations for summer programs are based on the following conversion:15 contact hours equals 1 U.S. credit. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Students receive a transcript from Aix Marseille University upon successful completion of the program. Summer students also receive a credit overview letter from AMU to help with credit articulation.
Founded in Aix-en-Provence, France in 1957 under the auspices of l'Université d'Aix-Marseille and initially chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, Institute for American Universities (IAU) is one of Europe’s oldest and largest education abroad programs. IAU serves as the study abroad institute of The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM), a U.S. non-profit institution which provides American degree programs at its Aix-en-Provence campus.
IAU welcomes undergraduates from U.S. colleges and universities who wish to study abroad for a semester or summer term. Courses in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts are taught in French and English. Previous French language experience is not necessary. In the context of Provence's rich Mediterranean heritage, IAU delivers curriculum that guides students to cultural competency while fostering a life-long affinity for the culture, language, and people of France.
Since its inception, IAU has enrolled more than 30,000 students and worked with over 700 U.S. public and private colleges and universities, many of which are familiar with the high standards of IAU’s programs and which accept IAU’s recommendations for the direct transfer of academic credit to the home institution. A number of U.S. universities and colleges have signed direct affiliation agreements with IAU and provide for direct transfer of academic credit.
ACM-IAU is recognized as an institution of higher learning by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the French Ministry of the Interior, and the Rectorat of Aix-Marseille University.
Further, ACM, IAU’s parent institution, has been granted candidate for U.S. accreditation status by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Candidacy is not accreditation nor does it assure eventual accreditation. Candidacy is a formal affiliation with the New England Commission of Higher Education. It indicates that the institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward accreditation.
IAU curricula and class schedules follow a U.S. university model. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Students receive an official transcript from IAU’s parent institution, ACM, complete with traditional American letter grades upon successful completion of the program. It is understood that some institutional policies require students to obtain their study abroad credit from accredited U.S. institutions. For these cases, IAU has an agreement with a U.S. school of record. Students are encouraged to work directly with their study abroad office or academic advisors to determine if they will accept an official IAU transcript or will require an official school of record transcript for credit transfer.
Tips for budgeting while studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France.
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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.
We offer different housing options to match your budget, preferences, and study abroad goals. 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.
Health and safety are a top priority when selecting and reviewing program housing. When evaluating housing, CEA CAPA considers several factors including the surrounding location, commute time to academic or internship settings, as well as the condition of the building exterior and interior, common areas, the individual housing unit, and other living spaces. CEA CAPA works to ensure that program housing meets established minimum health and safety guidelines and aligns with best practices in the field.
Regular cleaning of communal areas for programs longer than 4 weeks.
Reliable internet access is included in every housing option we offer.
Typically 1–2 students per bedroom, with a maximum of 3 per room.
Housing is located within 60 minutes of campus by foot or transportation.
Cooling and heating appliances are provided (AC not always included).
A shared space with basic utensils, refrigerator, freezer, and a stove, oven, or microwave.
Access to laundry is guaranteed onsite or within walking distance. Drying racks included.
A desk in your room or a table in a common area.
Practical, modest storage space for personal belongings.
Pillows, blankets and sheets.
Global Housing Standards apply to CEA CAPA-sourced housing only, beginning Summer 2026.
Housing provided by partner universities may differ slightly.
Share a student residence hall studio with a fellow CEA CAPA student, providing an immediate connection as you discover your new city. The student residence halls are in the city center within walking distance of IAU and AMU campus and are also occupied by local students. The studios include a small kitchenette in the living area, bedroom space and bathroom.
This housing option is included in the program price.
Immerse yourself in a French home located in or near the city center. You'll enjoy the privacy of your own bedroom and may share the homestay with up to two other CEA CAPA students, fostering a unique group experience within a local setting. Homestay includes breakfast & dinner Monday - Friday, as well as breakfast on weekends. This option is ideal for students eager to fully immerse into the local culture, experiencing customs, cuisine, and traditions with their host family.
This housing option carries a supplemental fee that may vary depending on the included amenities as well as the length of the program. The exact amount will be provided on the housing application form.
Live like a local in an apartment located near the city center. You'll enjoy the comfort and privacy of your own bedroom. You'll share the apartment's communal spaces with fellow CEA CAPA students, creating a lively home base and instant community. The fully equipped kitchen and common area offer space to cook, relax, and connect with others.
This housing option carries a supplemental fee that may vary depending on the included amenities as well as the length of the program. The exact amount will be provided on the housing application form.
