School Life
Student life at Cours Florent
At Cours Florent, training extends beyond the classroom. Students benefit from a dynamic and supportive environment that combines artistic development with a rich and engaging student experience.
Flexible timetables
Cours Florent has a flexible timetable of classes. We appreciate that some students have commitments beyond their actor training and do our best to accommodate that by offering everyone a choice of time slot (morning, afternoon or evening) for the core acting technique classes.
This allows room for a student job (35% of our students have part-time student jobs to finance their studies) or to pursue a parallel university degree.
Pursuit of outside artistic projects is encouraged and supported. However, commitment to studies and preparation is paramount and necessary to succeed. Academic supervisors in each year group are available to advise students on their curricular choices.
Lectures & masterclasses
Students regularly meet theatre, film, and musical theatre professionals to:
- Be inspired by a wide range of artistic careers, often including Cours Florent alumni.
- Discover the many professions within the performing arts and screen industries.
- Enrich their artistic culture.
Recent guests have included Geoffrey Carey, Tom Wozniczka, Chloé Boréham, and the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Students may also attend all lectures in French. We have recently welcomed Sandrine Kiberlain, Cédric Klapisch, Vincent Lindon, Raphaël Quenard, and Benjamin Voisin.
Artistic events throughout the year
Throughout the year, Cours Florent organises a wide range of events that bring students together to meet, exchange ideas, collaborate, and begin building their future artistic and professional networks. Some events are open to the entire student body, while others are designed specifically for the international departments.
- Welcome Week
At the start of the academic year, Welcome Week offers students an introduction to life at Cours Florent: essential information sessions, performances, and meetings with classmates, teachers, and the pedagogical team.
- Cours Florent’s Third Year student projects Performances
Every Cours Florent student is welcome to attend the third-year project performances (known as Travail de Fin d’Études/TFE), which take place across the different departments. These performances offer a unique exposure to a diversity of artistic forms and works-in-progress. You can find out more about the Travail de Fin d’Études in our curriculum section.
- Cours Florent’s Theatre Festival
Held annually, the Theatre Festival highlights a selection of the most accomplished productions and devised projects created by third-year students. Performances are open to the public, celebrating the diversity and creativity of the school.
- Events within the International Department
The international department organises a series of cultural events throughout the year, celebrating both French traditions and the diversity of the student community. These include occasions such as the Galette des Rois and dedicated cultural evenings, where students are encouraged to share performances and traditions from their home countries, fostering exchange and connection.
- Florent’s Night – Les Jacques
The biggest night of the year at Cours Florent, Les Jacques is our equivalent of the Oscars. Students and teachers are invited to this annual ceremony, which takes place in the iconic Théâtre Mogador, to celebrate the best work produced by our recent graduates. With performances and awards this is an unmissable night for everyone at the school.
- Eloquence Contest
The annual eloquence competition is a key event open to all students. With a category held in English, it also provides non-French-speaking students with the opportunity to take part and showcase their public speaking and performance skills.
- Cours Florent’s Short Film Festival – Prix Florent Image
The Prix Florent Image is the school’s short film competition, open to all students. Participants may submit original films on a topic of their choice, which are then reviewed by a jury of industry professionals. Awards are presented for categories including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress, and selected works are screened at a special event in a Paris cinema attended by film industry guests.
- Olga Horstig Prize
As part of this prestigious award, selected students are given the opportunity to perform in a renowned Paris theatre in front of an audience of industry professionals, offering a valuable platform at the start of their careers.
Support for international students
We welcome students from all around the globe (over 60 nationalities!). Moving to a new country can seem daunting. Cours Florent is here to help make the organisation a bit easier so that you can settle into Paris life with ease. We can for example help our applicants with the visa procedure and subsequent annual renewals.
As busy metropolitan city, it can be difficult to find housing in Paris. As such, we have created several partnerships with organisations which specialise in sourcing accommodation, and which give preferential agreements to Cours Florent students.
To make your arrival in Paris as smooth as possible, the school organises a welcome week during which students receive organisational tips and advice on life in France, in Paris and at our school. Additionally, some student employment agencies present their activities to those students interested in supplementing their studies with part-time work.
A wide range of events are organised to establish a school community and encourage peer support and solidarity. It is our great wish that your stay in Paris becomes an unforgettable experience.