Admission to the first year of studies

France Jacquel-Blanc — 2018-09-27T06:56:45Z

For whom ?

Candidates must be curious and open-minded youngsters with a feel for culture and arts. They must hold a Baccalauréat (A-levels or equivalent) and be under 35 years old. Foreign candidates should have a minimum French level of B2. Preparatory year is not mandatory.

What for ?

To satisfy your tremendous curiosity and your taste for experimentation. To engage in exciting studies and feed your artistic practice, your general knowledge and your critical mind. To obtain a European degree allowing you to spend a semester abroad.

If you are worried about entering higher education straight away or unsure about your choice of career, or if you do not feel ready to pass the entrance exam yet, you are free to register for the school's preparatory class located on Cherbourg campus. Registration for admission to the prep class happens after the results of the first year's entrance exams.

How to register ?

Registration is only possible through the general higher education platform Parcoursup :

Registration on Parcoursup from January 19th to March 12th, 2026
Online publication of test subjects on April 10
Answers to be submitted online by April 27
Videoconference interviews from May 4 to 6

The 2025 entrance exam for ésam Caen/Cherbourg includes three admission tests :

An interview with a jury of teachers (coefficient 4) and a plastic test (coefficient 3), combined into a single mark (coefficient 7)
A written test of general artistic culture (coefficient 2).

Archives (in French only) :

• entrance exam 2024
• entrance exam 2023
• entrance exam 2022
• entrance exam 2021

Contacts for registration

scolarite@esam-c2.fr
+33 (0)2 14 37 25 12
+33 (0)2 14 37 25 13

Fatima El Kaddoumi : f.elkaddoumi@esam-c2.fr / +33 (0)2 14 37 25 12
Shirley Herbreteau : s.herbreteau@esam-c2.fr / +33 (0)2 14 37 25 12
Nahomie Labussière : n.labussiere@esam-c2.fr
Juliette Louis-Philippe : j.louis-philippe@esam-c2.fr / +33 (0)2 14 37 25 13

Admission to the following years of studies

France Jacquel-Blanc — 2018-09-27T06:56:43Z

For whom ?

Students who have validated one or several years of studies in one of the Art schools led by the French Ministry of Culture go through a “commission d'admission”. Students who have validated at least two years of studies in another art school, in France or abroad go through a “commission d'équivalence”.
Last year, 40% of the candidates came from an Art school, 40% from a Technical degree and 20% from University.

What for ?

By asserting their former experience and showing a strong wish (for themselves and for the school) to join one of the courses offered at ésam Caen/Cherbourg, candidates can be included in the second or the third year of the Bachelor degree in Art or Graphic Design, or a Master degree.
Among the 117 applications received in 2017, 36 have been accepted (10 in the second year of Graphic Design, 9 in the second year of Fine Arts and 10 in the fourth year of Fine Arts).

How to register ?

After applying online, the candidates are called for an interview with a jury of teachers, taking place at the school in June. They must bring a portfolio of their work and show great motivation.

Contacts for registration

scolarite@esam-c2.fr
+33 (0)2 14 37 25 12
+33 (0)2 14 37 25 13