Admission is based on a competitive entrance exam after secondary school (lycée), though candidates may also apply after two or three years of university studies in the subjects of history, classics, literature, geography, philosophy and art.

In 1998, following the development of the Grand Louvre, the school moved to its present location in the Aile de Flore, the river-facing wing of the museum.

Undergraduate students follow a core course called HGA (General Art History studying various periods and areas).

In addition to the core course, in their first year students choose a specialisation area to study for the duration of the degree, known as cours organiques or spé.

Currently 31 specialisations (or cours organiques) exist such as painting, drawing, sculpture, engraving, furniture, architecture, industrial design, cinema, fashion, photography created in various areas all over the world such as in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania or Middle and Far East.

The École du Louvre has exchange agreements with the Université de Montréal in Quebec, the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti in Venice, Italy and the University of Heidelberg in Germany.