1 year
after high school graduation
3 worlds
film, sound, and animation
Direct Application
Outside of Parcoursup for preparatory classes
Explore Before You Choose
Three worlds.
Find your path.
Do you love images, stories, and music? Explore the different ways to create and discover what inspires you to take it further.
01 / IMAGE & STORY
Cinema
From film analysis to screenwriting, from filming to editing and post-production, discover how an audiovisual project is created and expand your knowledge of cinema.
Film Analysis · Image · Narrative
02 / LISTENING & CREATION
Sound
Learn the basics of sound engineering, recording a band, and mixing. Develop your listening skills and musical knowledge through hands-on experience.
Sound Capture · Recording · Mixing
03 / IMAGINATION & MOVEMENT
Animation
Explore the world of animation, broaden your visual literacy, and learn more about this field to better understand your creative aspirations.
Exploring Careers · Animation Culture
Culture & Analysis
- Film Analysis
- General Knowledge in Film, Music, and Animation
Writing & Camerawork
- Writing and Narrative Structure
- Hands-on Camera Exercises
Sound & Recording
- Practical Exercises in Sound Recording
- Recording of Music Groups
- Mixing
Editing & Production
- Editing
- Production Fundamentals
Animation
- Drawing
- Modeling
- Artistic Direction
Learning by Doing
The ESRA Prep Program,
, is already part of ESRA.
Starting in the preparatory program, you’re already part of the school: you gain hands-on experience, get an inside look at the professions, and lay the groundwork for what’s to come.
1. Hands-on exercises
From filming to editing, from writing to post-production: courses and exercises to help you develop your technical and artistic skills.
2. A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Filming
You work as an assistant on film sets for first- and second-year ESRA students.
3. A Culture to Nurture
Movies, music, and animation: broaden your horizons and add depth to your project.
The Practice of Sound at ESRA.
Discovering the World of Animation.
Your project, your pace
Is a preparatory program right for you?
The ESRA Preparatory Program is designed for high school graduates who wish to strengthen their technical and artistic knowledge and confirm their academic direction before choosing a major.
You're drawn to several different worlds
Are you torn between film, sound, and animation? This year gives you the chance to explore these fields from the inside and use that experience to help you make your choice.
Do you want to strengthen your foundation?
You want to gain more experience, broaden your horizons, and clarify your career goals before committing to a specialty.
Let's take stock of your career path
Talk to our team about your interests, your initial experiences, and any questions you may have. A guidance counseling session can also be held with your parents.
Have you already decided on a program? Learn more aboutdirect admission to the first year.
Practical Information
Prepare Your Application
Campus
The ESRA Prep Program is offered at the Paris, Nice, Rennes, and Brussels campuses. You’ll spend the year at the school, interacting with first- and second-year students.
Tuition Fees
Tuition is charged annually and amounts to the following this year:
5 500€
Admission procedure
Open to high school graduates. Admission is based on application materials, outside of the Parcoursup system. Application is free and can be submitted directly online on the ESRA website.
Prepare for what's next
After preparatory classes,
Enroll in an ESRA-
You’ll approach the decision about which program to choose with hands-on experience in the field and a stronger foundation to prepare your application for the first year.
01
Choose your major
Use this year’s discoveries to help you choose between ESRA Film, ESRA Sound, or ESRA Animation: three three-year programs leading to a bachelor’s degree.
02
Apply for the first year
Apply for the ESRA entrance exam and submit your Parcoursup application for the “ Programs ” programs that are part of this admissions process.
03
Continue your training
Once admitted, enroll in the program of your chosen field to deepen your expertise and prepare for your professional future.
Enroll in the ESRA Prep Program
Your application starts here
Prep School: Outside of Parcoursup
To enroll in the preparatory program, apply directly online through ESRA.
Would you like to discuss your plans first or learn more about the school? Our team can provide you with information about the application process and help you plan your academic path.
Candidate Portal
Take the first step
Go to the ESRA online application to get started. Already started? Log in to your applicant account.
The Parcoursup process then comes into play for the admission of the relevant “ Programs ” to the first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guidelines to Help You Decide
Not sure which program to choose? The admissions team is here to help.
How does this differ from direct admission to the first year?
The first year places you in the track you’ve chosen. The preparatory year is a preliminary year designed to introduce you to film, sound, and animation, strengthen your foundational skills, and help you confirm your academic direction. The two tracks are geared toward different goals: the staff will help you choose the one that’s right for you.
What courses are offered?
The preparatory program combines general knowledge, film analysis, writing and narrative structure, the fundamentals of production, hands-on work with cameras and sound recording, music recording, editing, post-production, and mixing.
Do I need to know which major to choose already?
You can enroll in the preparatory program even if you’re interested in several different fields. This year is specifically designed to help you explore them through hands-on experience and narrow down your choices.
What role will I play on set?
Prep students participate as assistants on film shoots led by first- and second-year ESRA students. This experience allows them to learn how a film crew works and to explore the various roles on set.
Is the application submitted through Parcoursup?
For the preparatory program, applications are submitted directly online through the ESRA website, outside of the Parcoursup system. To subsequently enroll in a first-year program through Parcoursup, you must follow that procedure and take the ESRA entrance exam.
Does the preparatory program guarantee a spot in the first year?
Admission is not automatic. Upon completing the preparatory program, you choose your field of study and take the ESRA entrance exam. This year allows you to strengthen your foundational knowledge and prepare your application.