Explore what's possible as an international student
Find your home and grow your career in a top-ranked, welcoming college on the West Coast of the United States. As Northern California’s only private nonprofit art and design school, CCA offers an interdisciplinary education that blends craft, design, and emerging technologies.
Why CCA?
A welcoming global community
At CCA, you’ll join a supportive and welcoming community where 36% of degree-seeking students come from more than 40 countries. International students are part of every major here, and their perspectives enrich the classroom, the studio, and the campus community.
Being in San Francisco connects you to unparalleled opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. The Bay Area has long been a center for groundbreaking art, design, and social movements, and today it’s also home to leading technology companies, global architecture firms, and world-renowned cultural institutions. You’ll find countless ways to expand your creative practice and build your career—from internships and industry collaborations to museums, technology conferences, and design festivals.
Extend your study with a STEM-designated degree
F-1 students who graduate with a qualifying degree may be eligible for an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT). CCA’s STEM-designated degrees include:
- BFA Animation
- Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
- BFA Comics
- BFA Graphic Design
- BFA Interaction Design
- BFA Interior Design
- MBA Design Strategy
- MDes Interaction Design
- Master of Architecture (MArch)
- Master of Advanced Architectural Design (MAAD)
What We Do
Valuable networks in the Bay Area and beyond
CCA’s cutting-edge studios, labs, and makerspaces give you the tools to experiment boldly and bring your ideas to life, while collaborative coursework connects you with peers across disciplines.
International students often find that the Bay Area is as much a classroom as the campus itself. From designing alongside local nonprofits, to working on industry-sponsored projects with leaders like NVIDIA and Figma, to exploring sustainability through global initiatives, you’ll graduate with both a portfolio of work and the networks to carry it further.
Real-world opportunities are built in
Design the future with industry partners
Design the future with industry partners
In three fall 2022 sponsored studios, students envisioned designs to support future human needs in partnerships with Samsung, Lenovo, and Google.
Collaborate for social change in San Francisco
Collaborate for social change in San Francisco
Celebrating 10 years of student-led design projects addressing social/environmental challenges through partnerships with organizations
Work on global real-world projects in class
Work on global real-world projects in class
In partnership with Cotton Incorporated and Materevolve, students explore the intersection of design, science, and ecology through interdisciplinary learning.
International student stories: Making art that matters
Centering empathy in digital experience design
Centering empathy in digital experience design
The senior in the BFA Interaction Design program discusses what belonging feels like as an international student, holding on to hope in times of rapid change, and grounding his design practice.
Healing communities through textile storytelling
Healing communities through textile storytelling
Get to know the work of Fashion Design alum Sajida Silva and their thoughts on sustainable fashion.
Inventing sustainable technology with bold vision
Inventing sustainable technology with bold vision
Designing cathartic architecture for migration
Designing cathartic architecture for migration
Interior Design alum Scarlett Zhang shares her thoughts on studying in San Francisco and how she stays creative.
Learning to think independently through film
Learning to think independently through film
Bridging business and craft in design strategy
Bridging business and craft in design strategy
From the intellectual work of design thinking to the physical work of active making, two alumni carry their CCA education into the world.
Contact
Personalized support throughout the application process
Connect one-on-one with a counselor
We're here to help. You can contact counselors through a number of channels, including email, ground mail, fax, and phone. Reach out anytime for help with your international student application or to learn more about CCA.
Tours & Events
Learn with us before you even apply
At CCA, you’ll connect with a range of visiting artists, scholars, entrepreneurs, and others thanks to our access to the Bay Area’s influential art and design communities and business industries. Here are ways to follow along now and learn more about our undergraduate and graduate programs.
Admissions events
Register now for valuable informational events for prospective undergraduate and graduate students, including Q+As with program chairs, current students, alumni, and faculty; and discussions with admissions and financial aid counselors.
RSVP for upcoming events
- National Portfolio Day events
- Undergraduate virtual admissions events
- Graduate virtual admissions events
CCA Public Programming
Many upcoming lectures, screenings, and events in our virtual spaces are free and open to the public, including weekly chats with faculty from various divisions.
Keep Exploring
Learn more about life as a CCA international student
Find funding for your international degree
Visit CCA and attend events
Launch your career in a place of international prestige