Pavillon Bosio, officially the École supérieure d’arts plastiques de la Ville de Monaco (ESAP), is Monaco’s municipal higher art school. The Monaco government lists it as an art school under the responsibility of the Mairie de Monaco that issues the higher-education art diplomas DNA and DNSEP.[1] It is the only higher art school in the principality, and in 2017–18 it had 61 students.[2]
For 2026–27 the school lists registration fees of €662 for Monegasque nationals and residents of Monaco, €725 for EU nationals and €1,365 for nationals of non-EU countries.[3] Entry is by competitive exam, not through Parcoursup; the exam fee is €35.[4] The school is small and is not a general university.
Key facts
| Official name | Pavillon Bosio, École supérieure d’arts plastiques de la Ville de Monaco (ESAP)[5] |
| Location | 1 avenue des Pins, 98000 Monaco[6] |
| Type | Municipal higher art school; falls under the responsibility of the Mairie de Monaco[1] |
| Founded | Former municipal art school (first a drawing school, then an art school); the current training offer has existed since 2004 after a Monaco–France agreement[2] |
| Students | 61 in 2017–18 (39 in the first cycle, 22 in the second); 92% French in the first cycle and 80% in the second[2] |
| Diplomas | DNA (Diplôme national d’art, option Art) after 3 years; DNSEP (option Art, mention Scénographie) in the second cycle; one post-diploma year[2] |
| Recognition of the DNA | Carries the licence grade by right for students who began from the 2015 start of the academic year[5] |
| Focus | Art and scenography (stage and exhibition design)[7] |
| Entry | Competitive exam, outside Parcoursup; candidates must be under 24 and hold the baccalaureate or have started university studies, with derogations possible[4] |
| Exam registration fee | €35[4] |
| Registration fees 2026–27 | €662 Monegasque nationals and residents of Monaco · €725 EU nationals · €1,365 non-EU nationals · €420 reduced rate[3] |
| Language | French (World Higher Education Database entry); the exam includes an English test[8] |
| Ranking | No ranking position could be confirmed |
| Official website | pavillonbosio.com |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 10 November 2026.
About Pavillon Bosio
The school stands in the Pavillon Bosio, built on the site of the former Hôtel-Dieu. It began as a drawing school, then became an art school, and its current training offer has existed since 2004 following a bilateral agreement between the governments of Monaco and France.[2] The Monaco–France agreement on mutual recognition of higher art education in fine arts was signed in Monaco on 11 June 2004.[5] A ministerial order of 2016 changed the name of the municipal art school to “Pavillon Bosio, école supérieure d’arts plastiques de la Ville de Monaco”.[5]
Its stated aim is a polyvalent training in art and scenography, exploring the links between the fine arts, the stage and the exhibition space.[7] A 2019 evaluation by Hcéres, the French higher-education evaluation agency, calls it the only higher art school of the Principality and the only school teaching scenography in the Grand Sud region of France. It belongs to the “Écoles du Sud” network of art schools in southern France.[2]
How is Pavillon Bosio ranked?
We could not confirm a position for Pavillon Bosio in any university ranking, so we give none. Its quality assurance is documented instead by Hcéres: the agency’s directory lists evaluation reports on the DNSEP option Art published on 24 July 2019 and on the master grade of the DNSEP published on 24 July 2019 and 1 July 2015, and an institutional evaluation report published on 18 July 2025.[9]
The 2019 report on the DNSEP found a 100% success rate in the diploma and a very small second cycle: on average 11 first-year and 9 second-year students over the previous five years.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Pavillon Bosio?
The school teaches in two cycles:[2]
- First cycle (three years): leads to the DNA, option Art. The first cycle is a “programme” phase.[2]
- Second cycle: the “project” phase, leading to the DNSEP, option Art, mention Scénographie. It trains students in exhibition scenography and in stage and live-art scenography.[2]
- Post-diploma year: a research-oriented year after the DNSEP.[2]
Teaching is organised as “studio pedagogy” with joint projects, intensive sessions of two to five days, seminars, workshops and internships. Studios cover drawing, colour, scenography, light, graphics, photography, video, sound, object design, space design, digital arts, ceramics, model making, volume and engraving.[10] The school’s menu lists research and creation workshops (ARC) in scenography for dance, theatre, exhibition and fashion.[6] The Monaco government names the DNA and the DNSEP as the diplomas the school issues.[1] The school also runs public workshops (drawing, ceramics, bookbinding, 2D/3D graphics, video, photography) outside the diploma courses.[2]
How much does Pavillon Bosio cost in 2026–27?
| Category | Registration fee 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Monegasque nationals and residents of Monaco | €662 |
| Nationals of EU countries | €725 |
| Nationals of non-EU countries | €1,365 |
| Students with a CROUS scholarship (proof required) | €420 |
| Participants in the Décors programme, students in the 6th year and students on a gap year | €420 |
These are the registration fees (frais d’inscription) the school lists for the academic year 2026–2027. Students already enrolled at the school keep the EU rate even if they are non-EU nationals.[3] The page lists no other tuition, insurance or materials amounts, so ask the school what else you must pay. The entrance exam has a separate registration fee of €35.[4] For living costs in Monaco see our Monaco guide.
How do you apply to Pavillon Bosio?
Admission to the first cycle is by an entrance exam organised by the school, outside Parcoursup.[4]
- Who can enter: you must be under 24 on the date of the exam and hold the baccalaureate, or have started or completed university studies in France or abroad. Final-year secondary students are admitted subject to graduating. Applicants without the baccalaureate or over the age limit can ask for an exceptional derogation, which an admissibility committee decides.[4]
- Exam: four tests: a written test, a plastic expression test, an English test and a 20-minute interview with a jury of three teachers. A score below 6/20 in any test eliminates the candidate.[4]
- Documents: a copy of your ID or residence card, copies of your diplomas, three passport photos, a covering letter and the €35 fee. Foreign applicants must also supply diplomas accepted as equivalent.[4]
The school also lists admission and equivalence commissions, entry partway through a course and derogation requests as separate routes.[6] We give no dates here because they change every year; check the admissions pages and contact the school (the exam page names perrin@pavillonbosio.com for questions).[4]
Which language do you need?
The World Higher Education Database lists French as the language of instruction, in an entry last updated on 2 October 2018.[8] The school’s exam page sets no French-language requirement, and the exam itself includes an English test.[4] The 2019 Hcéres report says English is taught both as a separate subject and within the courses.[2] Ask the school which language level it expects before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pavillon Bosio a university?
No. It is Monaco’s municipal higher art school and issues the DNA and DNSEP art diplomas.[1]
How much does Pavillon Bosio cost?
For 2026–27 the school lists registration fees of €662 (Monegasque nationals and residents of Monaco), €725 (EU nationals) and €1,365 (non-EU nationals), with a €420 reduced rate for certain students.[3]
How do I get into Pavillon Bosio?
Through an entrance exam, not Parcoursup. You must be under 24 and hold the baccalaureate or have started university studies, unless the school grants a derogation. The exam has four tests and a €35 registration fee.[4]
What degrees does Pavillon Bosio award?
More about studying in Monaco
- Monaco: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Monaco
Sources
[1] Government of Monaco (MonServicePublic): Higher education in Monaco (page shows “Last updated: 03/02/2025”)
[2] Hcéres: Évaluation du DNSEP Art, Pavillon Bosio (campaign 2018–2019) (report published 24 Jul 2019; figures refer to 2017–18)
[3] Pavillon Bosio: Tuition fees (frais de scolarité) (page for the academic year 2026–2027, otherwise without a date)
[4] Pavillon Bosio: Entrance exam (page without a date)
[5] Journal de Monaco: Avenant to the Monaco–France agreement on art higher education (arts plastiques) (annex to the Journal de Monaco of 6 Aug 2021; signed 18 Mar 2021)
[6] Pavillon Bosio: Home page (page without a date)
[7] Pavillon Bosio: Presentation (page without a date)
[8] World Higher Education Database: École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques de la Ville de Monaco (page updated 2 Oct 2018; language of instruction only)
[9] Hcéres: Directory entry for Pavillon Bosio (page without a date; lists reports of 2015, 2019 and 2025)
[10] Pavillon Bosio: First cycle (pedagogy) (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.