Overview

The Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano, abbreviated as Polimi) is the largest public technical university in Italy, established on 29 November 1863 by Francesco Brioschi, secretary of the Ministry of Education and mathematician of great renown in Italian academia. Inspired by German and Swiss polytechnics, Brioschi founded the institution to advance Italy's scientific and technological progress. Its original name was Istituto Tecnico Superiore, and only Civil and Industrial Engineering were taught initially. Architecture was introduced in 1865 in cooperation with the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. 

Established in 1863, Politecnico di Milano is one of Europe's leading technical universities and a global reference point for education and research in Engineering, Architecture, and Design. Its academic structure comprises 12 Departments responsible for research, and four Schools dedicated to education, ensuring strong integration between teaching and cutting-edge research. 

Politecnico di Milano is a large community of 48,383 enrolled students, of which 7,482 are architects, 4,694 are designers, 36,207 are engineers, and 2,398 are PhD students. International enrolled students total 8,802, from more than 140 countries worldwide. 

The university operates across seven campuses located in Milan and nearby Italian cities, including Lecco, Cremona, Mantova, and Piacenza. The two main campuses in Milan are the Leonardo campus (in Città Studi) and the Bovisa campus.

Politecnico di Milano enjoys an excellent reputation among employers. Cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art laboratories are the driving force behind the tremendous success of this institution. The university has established partnerships with leading global institutions including ETH Zurich, TU Delft, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The university's notable alumni include world-renowned professionals such as Renzo Piano and Aldo Rossi — both Pritzker Prize winners in Architecture — and Giulio Natta, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (1963). Politecnico di Milano is an active member of prestigious international alliances including ENHANCE, IDEA League, and Alliance4Tech. 

Intakes

Politecnico di Milano has two main intakes each year — September (autumn semester) and February (spring semester). Engineering students can apply for either semester. Architecture and Design students typically apply for the September intake only. 

• September Intake (Autumn Semester) — Primary intake; open to all Engineering, Architecture, and Design programs
• February Intake (Spring Semester) — Available for most Engineering programs only

Application Deadlines (Indicative):

Note: Deadlines vary by program. Early Bird applications may receive scholarship consideration. Always verify on the official Polimi website (polimi.it).

Top Courses

Politecnico di Milano's educational offerings are divided into four main areas: Urban Planning, Architecture and Construction Engineering; Industrial and Information Engineering; Design; and Management Engineering. The university offers 89 bachelor's and master's degree programs, almost all of which are available in both Italian and English.

Almost the entire postgraduate portfolio is taught in English, making Polimi highly accessible to international students.

Key schools and flagship programs include:

• School of Engineering — MSc in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Aerospace Engineering, MSc in Civil Engineering, MSc in Electrical Engineering, MSc in Computer Science and Engineering, MSc in Chemical Engineering, MSc in Environmental Engineering, MSc in Biomedical Engineering, MSc in Telecommunications Engineering
• School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering — MSc in Architecture, MSc in Urban Planning and Policy Design, MSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc in Architecture
• School of Design — MSc in Product-Service System Design, MSc in Integrated Product Design, MSc in Interior and Spatial Design, MSc in Fashion Design
• School of Management (MIP) — International MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Management Engineering, MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• School of Industrial and Information Engineering — MSc in Data Science and Engineering, MSc in Mathematical Engineering, MSc in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology
• PhD Programs — Doctoral programs across all engineering, architecture, design, and management disciplines, fully funded for eligible students

Cost of Studying at Politecnico di Milano

One of Italy's most compelling advantages for international students is the remarkably affordable tuition fee structure, as Polimi is a public university supported by the Italian government.

The annual tuition fees for non-EU international students range between €3,900 and €4,000 per year. In addition to tuition, living expenses — including accommodation, food, and transportation — average around €10,000 per year, bringing the total annual cost to approximately €13,900 to €14,000. 

Tuition fees are calculated according to the student's total family income (ISEE). For Italian and European students, annual fees range from a minimum of €167 to a maximum of €3,893, depending on declared income. International students who are not eligible for a scholarship are required to pay the maximum tuition fees for their course. 

Note: Figures are approximate based on 2024–25 data. Tuition may vary slightly by program. Please verify at polimi.it before applying.

Scholarships

Politecnico di Milano offers one of Italy's most generous scholarship programmes for international students, with multiple merit-based and need-based options.

Politecnico di Milano has allocated part of its tuition fees to a fund supporting equal opportunities and promoting merit. This merit fund finances merit-based exemptions for first-year master's degree students, integration of Erasmus scholarships, and contributions to international competitions. 

Key scholarships available to international students include:

Key Note: International MSc applicants who apply during the Early Bird round are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships — no separate application is needed. Students must submit a valid English language proficiency certificate at the time of application.

Admissions

As of 2024, Politecnico di Milano had an acceptance rate of approximately 28%, making it a selective institution that balances accessibility with high academic standards. 

For Undergraduate Programs (Laurea / BSc):

• Completion of 12 years of secondary education (equivalent to Italian Maturità or equivalent qualifying certificate)
• Strong academic performance — minimum 75% or equivalent in Class 12
• TOL-I (Test Online Lingue e Informatica) — Polimi's online aptitude test, mandatory for all undergraduate applicants
• IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 minimum for English-taught programs
• Italian B2 level for Italian-taught programs
• Application fee: €30 (non-refundable)

For Postgraduate Programs (Laurea Magistrale / MSc):

For admission to Politecnico di Milano master's programs, international applicants typically need a minimum GPA equivalent to around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field — Engineering, Architecture, or Design — is required. 

• Bachelor's degree (Laurea) in a relevant field with minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 (equivalent to 60–65%)
• IELTS 6.0 minimum / TOEFL iBT 78 minimum for English programs (IELTS 6.5 recommended)
• Portfolio required for Architecture and Design programs (showcasing best academic and creative works)
• Motivational letter / Statement of Purpose
• CV / Résumé
• Academic transcripts with certified English translations
• GRE optional but recommended for Engineering applicants

For PhD Programs:

• Master's degree with strong academic record
• IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 88 minimum
• Research proposal
• Letters of Recommendation from academic supervisors
• Interview with the department

Placements

Politecnico di Milano has one of the most impressive graduate employment records in Europe, consistently delivering near-full employment outcomes.

According to the 2025 Employment Survey by Polimi's Career Service — involving over 7,000 Italian and international graduates — 97% of Italian master's degree graduates are hired within one year of graduation, and almost half are already hired upon graduation. After five years, the employment rate reaches 99%, with 90% of graduates on permanent contracts. One year after graduation, 94% of graduates find a job within six months, 82% work in the private sector, and 90% have a job directly related to their studies. 

Average salary is €1,944 net per month one year after graduation, with higher peaks in technology and innovation sectors. Salaries have increased by 55% over the last four years, reflecting the strong and growing demand for STEM expertise. Five years after graduation, average net salary reaches €2,404 per month. 

A particularly significant figure is that 61% of international graduates choose to stay in Italy within one year of graduation — confirming the attractiveness of the Polimi degree and the Italian production system's ability to retain global talent.

MIP MBA graduates from Politecnico di Milano earn on average $80,000 three years after graduating — a 58% increase on their pre-MBA salary. Top recruiters for MBA graduates include Accenture, Hilti, Microsoft, Amazon, McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, and Nestlé. Some 90% of MIP MBAs launch careers in Europe. 

Polimi's Career Service supports students through:

• Annual Job Fair — Over 200 companies visit campus each year to recruit graduates directly
• Weekly Company Visits — Employers invited to campus to meet students and conduct informal interviews
• Assessment Center — Career advising, CV workshops, mock interviews, and job preparation
• POLIHUB Incubator — Ranked in the global top 5 incubators by UBI Global; supports entrepreneurial graduates
• Internship Portal — Direct placement in leading Italian and multinational companies
• Study Permit (Post-Graduation Stay) — International students may remain in Italy for up to 12 months after graduation to seek employment

Jobs After Graduating from Politecnico di Milano

Note: Salary figures are indicative net monthly values based on 2024–25 official Polimi Graduate Employment Survey data. Figures vary by role, employer, industry, and experience.

For personalised guidance on Politecnico di Milano admissions, scholarships, and the Italy student visa process, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.