AT-A-GLANCE
TERMS
Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Academic Year, Summer Term
HOUSING TYPES
Apartment
INCLUDED DAYTRIPS
Siena, San Gimignano,
Pisa, Lucca, Rome, and Verona
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English and Italian
SEMESTER
FALL 2027
APPLICATION DEADLINE
May 5
SPRING 2027
APPLICATION DEADLINE
September 30
CREDITS
15
VISA
Required
SUMMER
2027 APPLICATION DEADLINE
March 17
CREDITS
6
VISA
Not Required for U.S. Citizens
WHY FLORENCE?
IAU offers two study abroad programs in the historic and captivating city of Florence, Italy. Situated in the heart of Tuscany, studying in Florence allows students to connect to Italian culture and experience daily life in one of Europe’s most influential cultural centers. In both programs, students can engage with other international and local Italian students through IAU’s partnerships.
IAU’s Florence Center is located in the historic Piazza della Repubblica. Surrounded by cafes and restaurants, this piazza has been a central point in the city since the Roman times, as the original site of the forum, and serving as the commercial hub during the Middle Ages. IAU’s center is on the top floor, with views of the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile.
ACADEMICS
At the Florence center, students will be able to:
- Choose their courses across a variety of disciplines.
- Learn alongside local Italian university students.
- Participate in field study trips and tours as a part of all classes offered.
Programs
IAU’s Business, Fashion, and Liberal Arts program is offered in partnership with the Accademia Italiana, which is considered one of the most important European Institutes in the field of design and applied arts. Accademia Italiana is accredited by the Italiana Ministry of Education and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees to local Italian and international students. The courses offered at Accademia Italiana in art and design are complemented by IAU course offerings in business and liberal arts.
IAU is proud to offer students access to unpaid, for-credit Internships and Service-Learning placements at local businesses, NGOs, and non-profits during the Summer term.
Application Requirements
- Completed IAU Application – including the additional application process requirements listed below:
- Internship Questionnaire
- Resume Submission
- Cover Letter Submission
- Virtual Internship Interview
- Regular and professional communication with the Internship Coordinator throughout the internship placement process including timely responses to communication
- Signed Internship Agreement between the student, Internship Coordinator, and Company Mentor outlining expectations, work assignments, and policies
- Italian language skills useful, but not required.
On-Site Requirements
- 10-20 hours at the internship site each week (number of hours vary by program location)
- Participation in the weekly academic component of the internship course alongside placement hours
- Demonstration of reliability, enthusiasm, and professionalism throughout the entire process
Preparing for an Internship
Before the internship begins, students will work with the IAU Internship Coordinators to create a resume, to practice interviewing standards and techniques, and to prepare for the chance of a local placement. Virtual interviews for these positions will be conducted prior of the semester. Students will receive their internship placement offer before they arrive on-site. If an internship placement cannot be made, students will be given the opportunity to enroll in the summer program and select an alternative course.
Internship Expectations
During the term, students complete a seminar directed by the IAU Internship Coordinator in tandem with their internship experience. They meet and communicate regularly to follow their progress, learn about topical issues in European labor, and complete reports and projects. Students can expect to spend 10-20 hours per week at their internship placement, along with an additional 2 hours per week of academic study outside of their internship. Students are awarded 3 academic credits upon successful completion of their internship. Students in Florence will be expected to have two weekdays free of other classes and have a regular work schedule during the term.
Internship Fields
Below are some examples of fields IAU students have interned with in past terms. The IAU Internship Coordinators work diligently to find new and relevant placements each term. If there is a topic a student is interested in that is not represented below, there is a possibility a placement in that field can still be made. Reach out to the U.S. Office of Admissions for specific previous and current examples of internship placement opportunities.
- Commercial Development
- Community Management
- Communications
- Education
- Event Planning
- Fashion & Design
- Human Resources
- Law
- Library Science
- Marketing
- Museum Science
- Research
- Public Relations
- Sales
- Social Media
- Support – Purchasing – Finance
- Theatre
- Tourism
- Translation
- Web Development & Animation
Please keep in mind that participating in an internship is unlike any other course because it involves significant preparation, and expectations are set early on in the placement process. Students cannot withdraw from the internship once preparations are finalized.
Please note that placement in an internship cannot be guaranteed and is subject to eligibility and availability.
Courses
Discover IAU’s complete Course Catalogue, filterable by term and IAU center location, through the link below. IAU semester students are required to take 15 units/5 courses, and IAU summer students select between 6 units/2 courses.
All courses are taught in English unless otherwise indicated (e.g., SPA courses). Course offerings are subject to change and must meet minimum enrollment as determined by IAU staff.
Example Courses
Find an example of our course offerings for a semester program in Florence below. Please note that not all courses you see will be offered in any given term. For information on courses and course times we are currently offering, please see the Course Search By Term option above.
Art History
- ARH 274: History of Italian Renaissance Art
- ARH 372: The Life and Works of Michelangelo
- ARH 376: History of Contemporary Art I
- ARH 377: History of Contemporary Art II
Art
- ART 103: Printing on Textiles
- ART 202: Sketching Florence
- ART 203: Painting Techniques
- ART 221: Connecting Art and Community in Florence
- ART 271: Mixed Media
- ART 286: Photographing Florence
- ART 335: Latest Trends in Visual Arts
Business
- BUS 303: Intercultural Management
- BUS 304: Business Ethics in the Global Market
- BUS 305: Global Marketing
- BUS 318: The Business of Social Media
Cross-Cultural Studies
- CLT 336: Italian Style and Culture
Economics
- ECO 342: Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECO 343: Intermediate Macroeconomics
Film Studies
- FLM 376: Italian Cinema
Finance
- FIN 301: International Finance
History
- HIS 374: History of 20th Century Fashion
International Relations
- IRL 340: Italy in the European Union
Italian
- ITA 101: Beginning Italian I
- ITA 102: Beginning Italian II
- ITA 201: Intermediate Italian I
Literature
- LIT 331: Medieval and Renaissance Literature
Management
- MGT 311: Operations Management
- MGT 318: Organizational Behavior
Marketing
- MKT 311: Principles of Marketing
Philosophy
- PHI 312: Ethics in Society
Religious Studies
- REL 301: The Problem of God
Wine Studies
- WGS 307: Wine and Food Pairing
Syllabus Library
Access IAU’s Syllabus Library at the link below. It is important for students to consult with their home university’s study abroad office to confirm course approvals and transfers. If a syllabus for a planned term of study is not yet available, students may reference and submit a syllabus from the most recent available term.
HOUSING
Students in Florence are invited to reside in IAU Student Apartments. All IAU housing is within convenient access of public transportation and within an approximately 40-minute commute time to the IAU Florence Center.
In a student’s IAU application, a student will complete a Housing Questionnaire which asks for a student’s roommate preference (if any) and additional essential details used by our housing teams to complete their placement. IAU will consider student preferences in housing placements, but cannot guarantee that all stated preferences can be met.
All program participants are required to live in IAU-arranged housing and sign and abide by the IAU Student Handbook and Housing Agreement.
PLEASE NOTE: Housing schedules are aligned with the IAU academic calendar. Students who arrive early or depart late are invited to book their own accommodations, as program housing is only available during the confirmed program dates.
COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID
For information about deadlines, scholarships, and financial policies, navigate HERE.
| Item | Inclusions | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
Tuition (12–18 credits), academic resources, course materials, academic field studies, and official ACM-IAU transcript
*School of Record Transcript carries an additional fee |
$13,600 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee |
Housing, Orientation, 24/7 Emergency Assistance, On-Site Support, Wellness Support
*Meal inclusions may be provided by location and housing type |
$5,500 |
| Program Fee | On-Site Activities, Study Tours, Pre-Departure Advising, International Insurance, Administrative Costs | $2,500 |
| Total Cost | $21,600 |
| Item | Inclusions | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
Tuition (12–18 credits), academic resources, course materials, academic field studies, and official ACM-IAU transcript
*School of Record Transcript carries an additional fee |
$13,600 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee |
Housing, Orientation, 24/7 Emergency Assistance, On-Site Support, Wellness Support
*Meal inclusions may be provided by location and housing type |
$5,500 |
| Program Fee | On-Site Activities, Study Tours, Pre-Departure Advising, International Insurance, Administrative Costs | $2,500 |
| Total Cost | $21,600 |
|
Summer 2027 Program Costs |
6 Weeks/2 Courses Session A |
| Tuition | $6,230 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee | $2,390 |
| Program Fee | $1,320 |
| Total Cost | $9,940 |
What's Included?
Preparation & Arrival Support
• Personal study abroad advising
• Visa application assistance
• Pre-departure resources and orientation
• On-site orientation to your new home
• Arrival day support
Academics
• Tuition
• Academic resources
• Academic study tours
• Textbooks and course materials
• High-quality academic facilities
• Full-time faculty(only include if we have in all sites)
• IAU transcript sent directly to your home university
• Access to IAU alumni network and fellowship opportunities
Student Life
• Experienced full-time on-site team
• Housing
• Activities, clubs, community engagement activities
• Academic and cultural experiences
• Day and overnight trips
• Collaboration with The American College of the Mediterranean students receiving their international master's degree
Student Health & Wellness
• 24/7 emergency support
• Comprehensive health, wellness, mental health & safety support
• International medical insurance
• Connection to local English-speaking hospitals or medical centers
•Risk management, emergency preparedness, and student well-being aligned with NAFSA and The Forum on Education Abroad's best practices
CALENDAR
Students will be advised when they should make their travel arrangements by the IAU Admissions Team after they are accepted. Students will be expected in person at the IAU center location of their program on the Arrival Day to move into their housing accommodation, and must vacate their accommodation on the program Departure Day.
Students should not make any personal extracurricular travel arrangements before the first week of classes. Field studies and course excursions can be scheduled during weekends and breaks, so IAU recommends not purchasing any tickets or scheduling any travel until after learning of course requirements on-site.
Fall 2026
| Arrival | Wednesday, September 9 |
| Orientation | Thursday, September 10 - Friday, September 11 |
| Classes Begin | Monday, September 14 |
| Last Day to Drop/Add/Change a Course Without a "W" | Friday, September 18 |
| National Holiday | Tuesday, December 8 |
| Last Day of Class | Thursday, December 10 |
| Final Exam Period | Monday, December 14 - Thursday, December 17 |
| Departure | Friday, December 18 |
Spring 2027
| Arrival | Wednesday, January 13 |
| Orientation | Thursday, January 14 - Friday, January 15 |
| Classes Begin | Monday, January 18 |
| Last Day to Drop/Add/Change a Course Without a "W" | Friday, January 22 |
| Spring Break | Friday, March 26 - Sunday, April 4 |
| Easter Monday (No Classes) | Monday, March 29 |
| Last Day of Class | Thursday, May 6 |
| Exam Period | Monday, May 10 - Friday, May 14 |
| Departure | Saturday, May 15 |
Summer 2027
| Session | Dates | Duration | Course Load |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Wednesday, June 9 - Friday, July 23 | 6 weeks | 2 |
STUDENT LIFE
Center and Student Support
IAU is proud to offer a robust system of support, which culminates in student success while abroad. Before traveling abroad, our Admissions team provides pre-departure resources, including virtual orientations and visa advising. Once on-site, students have access to 24/7 support, on-site orientations, and a team of professionals ready to help them succeed. Learn more about student support on our Student Life page.
Center Activities
The IAU Student Life team coordinates a variety of activities each term designed to help students connect with one another, experience everyday life in Florence, and engage with the local community. Activities may include soccer nights, walking and gelato tours, social and cultural events, and opportunities for community engagement, immersion, and outreach.
Field Studies and Study Tours
While abroad, students participate in course-related field studies that use Florence as a classroom, including visits to museums, historical and cultural sites, and local businesses. Students also take part in academic and cultural excursions such as day trips or weekend study tours, cooking classes and wine tastings, language exchanges, and guided walking tours that deepen their understanding of the city and its culture.
Included cultural excursion examples (subject to change and depending on season):
- Day trip to Siena and San Gimignano
- Day trip to Pisa and Lucca
- Weekend in Rome
- Weekend in Verona and Mantua