International Admissions
Art and Design create connections and initiate change all over the world.
A diversity of cultures, ideas, points of view, and methods of creative expression form an integral and essential element of the educational experience. And at CCS, we’re proud to welcome creative students from all over the world to be a part of undergraduate, graduate, and pre-college and continuing studies programs.
Our inclusive community includes students and faculty from more than 15 countries around the world. CCS alumni work in countless international organizations and companies, on nearly every continent.
Create change, connection and your future at CCS.
What Sets Us Apart
College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit, private college authorized to grant Associate, Bachelor, and Master’s degrees. CCS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
CCS offers 11 BFA degrees, 1 BA degree plus an Art Education Certificate and 5 graduate degrees with several of our programs being STEM-designated. programs. International students completing a STEM-designated program can apply for the STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) Extension.
Proud participant in the Fulbright International Scholar Program
CCS is the only Carnegie Classifications Opportunity College in Michigan with an art and design focus, proving that CCS fosters opportunities for student success.
CCS Rankings & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report
Graduate School — Best Fine Arts Programs
Graphic Design USA
Top Graphic Design School
Niche
Best Colleges for Design in America
Best Colleges for Art in America
Colleges with the Best Academics in America
Safest College Campuses in America
College Rank
Best Bachelors of Art & Design
Best Bachelors in Interior Design
Intelligent.com
Best Interior Design Degree
College Factual
Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelors Degree School
Best Visual & Performing Arts Bachelors Degree School
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Transfer Honor Roll Recipient 2019 – 2025
Collaborative Culture
Through the enrollment of international students and by coordinating study abroad opportunities, we foster an atmosphere of dynamic idea exchange among students and faculty.
A diversity of cultures, ideas, points of view and methods of creative expression form an integral element of the educational experience at CCS. The work of the Global Engagement Office (GEO) serves to enrich the student and faculty experience, is crucial to academic success at CCS, and ensures alumni success in the creative workplace and beyond.
The GEO supports and encourages cross-cultural exchange and understanding by building community through:
- Student & Campus-Led Cultural Activities & Events
- Programs
- Workshops
- Peer support from current international student ambassadors for incoming students
- Holiday celebrations
- Departmental events
- First Year Experience course
- Student organizations
- Student-led off-campus activities
- Group excursions
Life in Detroit
Midtown Detroit is where CCS makes its home. It’s just north of Downtown Detroit and arguably the most progressive and fastest-growing part of our rapidly changing city.
Admissions
Ensure you have everything you need to navigate the application process by checking the specific requirements for your area of study.
Deadlines
International applicants are recommended to submit their applications by the individual degree level early action or regular application deadlines on the Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions pages.
The final application deadline for all international applicants is April 1.
Schedule an Appointment
If you need help with the admissions process, our friendly International Admissions staff can help! Virtual appointments are available.
CCS Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources
We strongly encourage applying by the earliest application deadline to be considered for the highest amount of scholarships available.
CCS Merit Scholarships
CCS’s tuition and fees are the same for every student — whether they come from in-state, out-of-state or another country.
All applicants to CCS are automatically considered for CCS merit-based scholarships once they complete their admissions requirements. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to continue receiving these scholarships.
Awards are based on the portfolio, academic achievement and any other required materials and can vary from student to student during the admission process.
$27,833 USD (per academic year)
Average CCS Scholarship for incoming international BFA students who began their studies during the 2025 – 2026 academic year
$29,500 USD (per academic year)
Average CCS Scholarship for incoming international graduate students during the 2025 – 2026 academic year.
International Student Grant
New and returning international students are awarded $1,500 in the first semester of enrollment each academic year. To be eligible, a student must be a citizen of a foreign country (non-U.S. resident).
Additional Campus Resources for Students
Cost of Attendance
Visit Campus
Campus Safety
Housing
International Student Services
Careers and Experiential Learning
International Student and Alumni Highlights
International CCS Student Changemakers
“Although I’m still holding a foreign passport, the word ‘immigrant’ already became my identity.”
“The more cultures I gain exposure to, the more my empathy for people grows. In the realm of communication design, this growth has helped me reach out to different audiences in nuanced ways.”
“The methods that I have learned here and the research that I have applied in my projects have shown amazing outcomes.”
“Living, breathing, eating and studying in a city like London has contributed to the continuous building of my multicultural approach to the concepts and ideas I use to design.”
“Studying film here, in this environment, CCS, my classmates, my mentor, Detroit and its citizens, released something in me I did not expect.”
“I am an Indian, I am an American, I am a fusion of cultures.”
International CCS Alumni
Jose Casas ‘11 BFA Transportation Design
Senior Designer at BMW Group (Munich)
Senior Industrial Designer at Fjord (San Francisco, CA)
Uijung Kim ‘13 BFA Illustration
Freelance Illustrator (Brooklyn, NY)
CMF Designer at Rivian (Plymouth, MI)
Hee Won Jeon ’18 MFA Color & Materials Design
CMF Designer at HP (South Korea)
Jose Alberto Casas ’11 BFA Transportation Design
Head of Exterior Design BMW Midsize & Luxury models at BMW Group (Mexico)
Studio Artist (Canada)
Veda Huang ’22 MFA Transportation Design
Junior Industrial Designer at Pride Mobility Products Corporation (Taiwan)
Material Designer at Nike (India)