Advanced Fragrance Formulations (APF Level 3 Certification)
ISIPCA Level 1 – Advanced Fragrance Formulation (3-Day Intensive)
International Perfumery Certification | France
Offered in partnership with ISIPCA (France) and Asia Perfume Foundation (APF)
For Asian students seeking advanced international perfumery training
About This Program
The APF Level 3 Perfumery Course, conducted at ISIPCA in France, is an advanced fragrance formulation program designed for students who have completed foundational perfumery training and are ready to work at international professional standards. ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et de l’Aromatique Alimentaire) is the world’s leading higher education institution for perfumery and fragrance creation, based in France
This 3-day intensive focuses on advanced fragrance formulation, material function, and professional perfumer thinking—going beyond basic scent creation into how formulas are structured, evaluated, and refined in real-world fine fragrance practice.
Recognized as the global reference for perfumery education, France and ISIPCA provide the academic and cultural context for students seeking to align their work with European and international perfumery standards.
Who This Is For
This program is ideal for:
- APF Level 2 certified students
- Advanced perfumery students in Asia
- Practicing perfumers and fragrance formulators
- Indie perfume brand founders with formulation experience
- Product developers in fine fragrance and personal care
- Perfumery educators seeking international alignment
Please note: PH Delegation is Limited to 6 Slots Only
This intake includes a maximum of 6 students from the Philippines, to ensure close guidance, smooth coordination, and group visa support.
What You’ll Learn
- Advanced fragrance formulation techniques
- How professional perfumers structure formulas
- Material roles, proportions, and formulation logic
- International evaluation methods used in fine fragrance
- Global perfumery standards applied in professional settings
- (Course content follows the official ISIPCA Level 1 – Advanced Fragrance Formulation curriculum.)
Schedule & Format
- 3-Day Intensive Program
- Location: Versailles, France
- Exact venue details will be shared with confirmed students.
- Classes are conducted in an immersive, professional learning environment with an international cohort of advanced perfumery students, including participants from Asia.
What's Included
- ISIPCA Level 1 – Advanced Fragrance Formulation training
- Professional-level lectures and formulation sessions
- Course materials and academic instruction
- Visa invitation / school documentation support (if applicable)
- Optional perfume-related visits and cultural activities may be arranged depending on group interest.
Course Fee & Payment Schedule
- Total Course Fee: €3,000
- €500 /US$590 deposit – due February 5, 2026
- €2,500 / US$2950 balance – due March 30, 2026
- Rolling enrollment until March 30, 2026
- Additional Costs to Take Note Of will be discussed in the info session on January 10, 2026.
- ⚠️ Slot confirmation is based on deposit payment. Once the 6 PH delegation slots are filled, registration for Philippine students will close.
Certification Path
This program is equivalent to Asia Perfume Foundation Level 3 and represents the highest level of APF-aligned training, conducted in partnership with ISIPCA, France.
Completion of APF Level 2 is a prerequisite for enrollment.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is APF Level 3?
APF Level 3 represents the advanced level of perfumery training under the Asia Perfume Foundation framework.
This program is conducted through ISIPCA Level 1 – Advanced Fragrance Formulation in France and is recognized as equivalent to APF Level 3.
What is ISIPCA?
ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et de l’Aromatique Alimentaire) is a France-based higher education institution internationally recognized as the global benchmark for perfumery education.
It trains professional perfumers and fragrance specialists to a shared international standard and works closely with the global fragrance industry.
Is this course suitable for beginners?
This program is an advanced-level course equivalent to APF Level 3.
However, beginners are welcome to start their perfumery journey through APF Level 1 and APF Level 2, which are offered prior to this France program. These courses are designed to build the foundation required for APF Level 3.
Students may progress through Levels 1 and 2 before joining the ISIPCA program when ready.
Where is the course held?
The course is held in the ISIPCA Campus in Versailles, France. Versailles is 45-50min away from Paris. Exact venue details will be shared with confirmed students.
How long is the course?
The program runs for 3 intensive days, focusing on advanced fragrance formulation, material function, and professional perfumer thinking.
How many students are accepted from the Philippines?
The Philippine delegation is limited to 6 students only.
This ensures focused learning, close guidance, and smooth coordination for travel and visa documentation.
How do I secure a slot?
Slots are confirmed upon payment of the €500 deposit.
Once all 6 PH delegation slots are filled, registration for Philippine students will close.
What is the course fee and payment schedule?
Total course fee: €3,000
€500 (US$590) deposit: due February 5, 2026 (Php36,300 when paying through this website to take transaction fees into account)
€2,500 (US$2950) balance: due March 30, 2026 (Best to pay USD via Bank Deposit to avoid huge transaction fees)
Enrollment is on a rolling basis until March 30, 2026, subject to slot availability. (Meaning as long as there are available slots, we will be accepting enrollees until March 30, 2026)
Will there be briefing sessions before departure?
Yes. All enrolled students will attend two online pre-departure briefing sessions.
- First briefing – April 6, 2026 (after Holy Week):
- Discussion of visa requirements (if applicable), recommended accommodations, course schedule in France, and important preparations.
- Second briefing – on or before May 8, 2026:
- Final coordination session to gather student travel details and ensure smooth communication and group coordination while in France.
These sessions are designed to ensure all students are fully prepared, aligned, and supported before and during the trip.
Will I receive documents for visa application?
Yes. School and visa invitation letters will be issued via email to eligible students once enrollment requirements are completed, allowing students to begin their visa application process.
Do you assist with visa applications?
While we are not the best people to help out with visa processing, we can recommend an experienced travel agency who can help you out with this. Please note that while visa approval is handled by the embassy, official school documentation required for visa applications will be provided by ISIPCA via APF. Other requirements for Visa application will be care of the applicant.
What additional expenses should I prepare for?
In addition to the course fee, students should budget for:
- Accommodation: approx. USD 120–180 per night
- Meals: approx. €30–40 per meal
- Airfare (Asia–France): approx. USD 1,000–1,200 round-trip
- (Costs may vary depending on season and availability.)
Are accommodation, meals, and flights included?
No. Accommodation, meals, and airfare are not included in the course fee.
Will there be activities outside the classroom?
Depending on enrollment and group interest, optional perfume-related activities may be arranged, such as perfume house visits, meet-the-perfumer sessions, or museum visits.These activities are not guaranteed and may vary each year.
I'm interested to join and learn more. Is there an information session before paying the reservation fee?
Yes. An online information session will be held on:
📅 January 10, 2025 | 6:00 PM | Manila time (Online via Zoom)
📅 February 2, 2025 | 6:00 PM | Manila time (Online via Zoom)
This session is recommended for students who would like to understand if the program aligns with their perfumery goals before enrolling.
Who can I contact for more information?
You may send a message directly to @thefragrancespecialist for inquiries, guidance on the APF learning pathway, or enrollment questions.
