SCHOLA is not a design school; it is an atelier where you master a craft by practicing it.

Unlike traditional academic institutions, our programs are 80% hands-on and built for total immersion. In just 10 weeks, you complete around 300 hours in the workshop, the same practical experience an academic course spreads across an entire semester.

You train in small classes of 4 to 12 students alongside master artisans and industry leaders: Stefano Bemer for bespoke shoemaking, Scuola del Cuoio for leather craft, and top Florentine restaurants for culinary arts. We select candidates based on motivation rather than academic credentials: you don’t leave with a degree, but with a trade, a professional portfolio, and finished creations.

SCHOLA works with selected partners of Florentine and international craft excellence.

In July 2026, the Kering Academy for Excellence selected SCHOLA as one of its eight global partner institutions. Our training combines this international recognition with the expertise of key collaborators, including Stefano Bemer and Scuola del Cuoio, ensuring direct mentorship from active master artisans.

We continuously partner with specialized workshops and industry leaders to enrich our courses. A complete and updated overview of collaborators is available on our Partners page.

Our courses are led by active Mentors, true Maestri and leading practitioners in their respective fields, from master craftspeople and chefs to perfumers and pattern makers. Rather than learning from theoretical lecturers, you will train alongside professionals who practice, refine, and live their craft every day. At SCHOLA, learning is a hands-on mentorship designed to pass down authentic expertise, technique, and vision directly from Master to student.

Admission is based on a thoughtful review of your background and motivation.

To submit your application, you will need:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Portfolio (optional)

Upon successful selection, you will finalize your enrollment with:

• A copy of your passport
• A signed copy of the School’s Terms & Regulations
• Proof of payment for the deposit

No. SCHOLA has no academic or portfolio prerequisites. Admission is based on a conversation with our team and a motivation letter: we look at commitment and vision, not previous qualifications. Technical skills are what you come to learn.

Enrollment operates on a rolling basis and remains open until all places in a cohort are filled. Because class sizes are strictly limited, we recommend applying as early as possible. For non-EU students enrolling in programs longer than 90 days, we strongly advise submitting your application at least three to four months before the start date to allow sufficient time for visa and documentation procedures.

If you are a non-Schengen citizen enrolling in a program longer than 90 days, such as our 20-week courses or 1-year combo programs, you will need to apply for a Type D Study Visa.

Upon admission, SCHOLA will provide all the official school documentation required for your application, while you will be responsible for preparing your personal documents. Our admissions team is always at your disposal to offer advice and help you navigate the process.

For programs under 90 days, a standard tourist visa or visa-free entry may apply depending on your citizenship. Feel free to contact us to clarify your specific case.

Feel free to ask our admission staff any questions you may have about it.

Finding a home is a key part of your new journey, and we are here to help. Once your enrollment is complete, we will immediately provide you with direct links and contact details of our trusted institutional partners and exclusive school channels. While housing costs are separate from the tuition fee and the ultimate choice of accommodation is yours, these resources are designed to make your search as smooth as possible.

SCHOLA does not offer continuous or standard income-based scholarships. Any dedicated support programs or partner initiatives, when active, are clearly announced on the relevant course pages and communicated during the admissions process. To ensure full transparency, we only confirm financial aid opportunities when they are officially available.

We take care of providing all the necessary materials for your journey here, but feel free to bring along any favorite items of your own. Each course may have other tools or equipment you will need to bring over; hence why you will receive a detailed list of what to bring to school before starting the course. When it comes to your final project, you’ll have total creative freedom to select unique materials; just note that these personal choices will be at your expense.

Yes, tuition fees can be paid either in full or through scheduled installments.

You may choose to pay the full tuition upfront upon enrollment or opt for our standard installment plan, which requires an initial deposit to secure your place followed by scheduled payments prior to the start of the program.

Exact payment options, deadlines, and applicable terms are detailed in your offer of admission and the school’s Terms & Regulations. Our Admissions Team will confirm your personalized payment plan during the enrollment process

Refund policies depend on the timing of your cancellation relative to the course start date. In cases where a refund is applicable, an administrative fee may be retained to cover processing costs. Full details regarding eligible cancellation windows, applicable administrative fees, and options to defer your enrollment are set out in our Terms & Regulations.

All courses at SCHOLA are taught in English. Our community is truly international, welcoming students from all over the world. While English is the primary language of instruction, our staff and instructors are multilingual and always happy to support you.

Please note that we do not require any official language certifications. However, since all our courses are taught in English, it is important that you feel comfortable understanding the lessons and actively participating in class conversations. We want you to get the absolute best out of this experience!

Bag Making Course: February and September

Fashion Making Master program: September

Womenswear Patternmaking module: September

Draping & Textile Experimentation module : November

Menswear Patternmaking module: February

Collection Development module: April

Ceramics Crafts Course: February and September

Bespoke Shoemaking Course: September

Culinary Arts Course: April and September

Herbalism Course: May

Shoe Design & Making Course: June

Summer Courses: July

SCHOLA is a working atelier environment in Florence’s Oltrarno. Days are intensive (generally 5 to 7 hours of practice). Students share spaces across disciplines – fashion, ceramics, perfumery, culinary – in the same ecosystem. There is no canteen; cafés and shops are nearby and common spaces are available for breaks.

Our main campus is located in Florence’s historic San Frediano neighborhood, in the heart of the Oltrarno district. The campus is easily accessible on foot, by bicycle, or via local public transportation, with several bus lines connecting the neighborhood to the rest of the city and the main train station (Santa Maria Novella).

At SCHOLA, bringing your projects to life in the workshop is what matters most. To ensure you get the most out of your training, full attendance is required. Programs offer an intensive, full-immersion experience, typically running on full-day schedules such as 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, though specific hours vary depending on the course. All lessons are held exclusively on-site, providing the opportunity to work directly with tools and materials and engage with the true art of craftsmanship.

Upon successfully completing your program, you will receive an official SCHOLA Certificate of Attendance. In Italy, high-level professional craft training is distinct from traditional academic degrees. The true value of our programs lies in hands-on mastery, studio practice, and tangible results. Every student leaves SCHOLA with a refined portfolio and completed physical work ready to present to the industry, ranging from a set of finished one-off pieces in short programs to a fully realized capsule collection in our longer courses.

SCHOLA focuses on intensive studio training to equip you with real skills, a solid portfolio, and a master trade, rather than a job guarantee or a formal placement service. While we do not place graduates directly, our network and proximity to leading industry partners, such as Kering, Stefano Bemer, Scuola del Cuoio, professional kitchens, and artisan ateliers, create natural pathways into
the industry. Graduates leave with the expertise and the project concepts needed to open their own independent workshops, join established ateliers and design studios, or pursue advanced opportunities with partner workshops. What we deliver is the craft and the skills; your career trajectory is built on the strength of what you create here.

No prior experience is required. Technical skills can be taught, but passion and commitment are up to you. Our programs feature no prerequisites and are structured to take complete beginners from fundamental techniques to advanced craftsmanship. If you already have experience, our instructors will help you refine your technique and tailor project complexities to challenge your current skill level.

Of course, we would love to welcome you!

We encourage prospective students to visit our facilities, experience the studio atmosphere, and see our workshops in action. All you have to do is reach out to our staff to schedule your visit. If you can’t make it in person, you can always check out our online tour.

Yes, we host regular online Open Days to introduce our programs and campus life. Follow our social media channels or visit our events page to find upcoming dates and registration details. If you cannot attend live, you can watch the recording of our latest session here. If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to our team.

Stefano Bemer was one of the most revered master shoemakers (maestro calzolaio) of modern times, having established a legendary Florentine brand synonymous with bespoke men’s footwear and uncompromising craftsmanship. Through our partnership with Stefano Bemer, we showcase the highest standards of authentic Italian heritage in our Bespoke Shoemaking course, passing down a legacy of technique, materials, and passion directly to our students.

The Scuola del Cuoio is one of Florence’s most famous and historic artisan institutions. Founded in the immediate aftermath of World War II, it is a unique combination of a working artisan laboratory, an international academy, and a high-end boutique, dedicated entirely to the traditional art of Florentine leather craftsmanship. In our Bag Making courses, Scuola del Cuoio generously shares its decades of expertise and rich artisan heritage

SCHOLA provides all the necessary materials and professional tools for your daily training, including the leather used for all technical exercises. For your final project, selecting your own materials is a vital part of your creative journey and design process. While you will be responsible for sourcing the leather for your final piece, we will introduce you directly to our trusted suppliers and tanneries in the Florentine area. This hands-on experience allows you to explore the local market and choose the specific materials that best bring your personal vision and style to life.

During the program, you will craft multiple garments to master different techniques, but the size of your final collection is entirely up to you and your design approach. At SCHOLA, we value quality and conscious creation over sheer quantity. Whether you choose to present a single garment or a broader collection, what matters most is that your final output truly reflects both your artistic identity and the high-level craftsmanship acquired throughout the course.

Your creative choices are open, but they are guided by quality, intention, and sustainability. SCHOLA provides the toile and essential supplies needed for your daily technical exercises, while you select and source the final textiles for your individual project. We place a strong emphasis on material awareness and conscious design. Throughout the program, you will learn about the specific properties and environmental impact of different fabrics, supported by dedicated meetings with specialized suppliers offering certified and deadstock materials sourced in Italy.

Yes, the program covers a broad range of traditional, sculptural, and contemporary ceramic techniques, allowing you to explore different approaches to form, structure, and design.You will master fundamental handbuilding methods like coiling and slab construction, wheel throwing, and sculptural modeling to explore three-dimensional form and texture. Depending on your specific course module, you will also be introduced to the fundamentals of 3D design to explore digital modeling. Rather than limiting you to a single method, we encourage you to combine these techniques to develop your own distinct creative voice.