American University of Paris (France)
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tucked into the elegant streets of Paris’s 7th arrondissement, just steps from the Seine and the Quai d’Orsay, the American University of Paris (AUP) offers something rare: a fully American-style liberal arts education delivered in one of the world’s most culturally rich cities.
With 1,283 students representing 110 nationalities, AUP is small, intensely international, and deeply rooted in its founding mission—helping students understand perspectives beyond their own.
Here are some of the highlights from my visit!
Campus
AUP is one of the only universities located completely in the center of Paris; one of its buildings is nearly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower!
Founded in 1962 with support from the U.S. Department of State, AUP emerged from a post–World War II desire to “deprovincialize” Americans—to encourage global awareness, cultural understanding, and intellectual exchange.
The university’s first classes were held modestly in the basement of the American Church in Paris.
AUP’s campus isn’t a traditional enclosed quad.
Instead, its academic buildings are integrated into the historic neighborhood of the 7th arrondissement.
The entire campus is just an 8- to 12-minute walk across, giving students the feel of a cohesive community within one of Paris’s most beautiful districts.
The university’s small size shapes the academic experience:
10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Average undergraduate class size: 16
Average graduate class size: 10
This creates a highly personalized learning environment where professors know their students well.
In contrast to the bureaucratic reputation of many European universities, AUP prides itself on accessibility and responsiveness—something students notice immediately.
One of AUP’s defining features is that it is not primarily an institution for visiting or study abroad students; fewer than 25% of students are study abroad participants.
Most are full-degree students who choose to spend their entire undergraduate experience in Paris.
Academics
AUP offers programs across four main academic divisions:
Arts & Communication
Economics & Management
Computer Science & Psychology
History, Law & Politics
The most popular majors include:
International Business Administration (IBA)
Psychology
Flexibility is central to the liberal arts model.
About one-third of students change their major before graduating, often after discovering new academic interests.
AUP has also recently launched an MFA in Creative Writing, strengthening its appeal for aspiring authors and storytellers drawn to Paris’s literary legacy.
One of AUP’s greatest advantages is its location.
Academic departments regularly organize short cultural programs across Europe, typically lasting 3–5 days and involving small groups of 10–15 students and two faculty members.
Financial aid is available for these excursions, making these experiences accessible to more students.
Paris itself also serves as a living laboratory—particularly for students interested in entrepreneurship.
Roughly 40% of AUP students say they want to start their own business, and Paris’s thriving startup ecosystem makes it an ideal place to begin.
Student life is highly active and student-driven.
The student government has a €100,000 annual budget to support clubs, events, and initiatives.
Student Media—including TV, radio, and publications—are among the most popular extracurricular activities.
AUP also offers a Summer School program open to students age 16 and older.
Participants live in residence halls and take intensive 3- or 6-week courses in June and July, an excellent opportunity for students to experience university-level academics in an international environment.
Summary: American University of Paris
The American University of Paris is best suited for students who are independent, curious, and eager to engage with the world beyond their home country.
What sets AUP apart isn’t just its location—it’s also its community.
Students don’t simply study abroad for a semester; they build their lives in Paris, forming friendships and perspectives that span continents.
For students seeking a close-knit academic experience combined with the intellectual and cultural richness of one of the world’s great cities, AUP offers something truly unique: an American liberal arts education with a global soul.
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