Overview

The University of Milan was founded in 1924 from the merger of two institutions that boasted a great tradition of medical, scientific and humanistic studies.  Affectionately known as La Statale, it stands as Italy's most prestigious public research university and one of Europe's most distinguished seats of learning — housed partly in the breathtaking 15th-century Ca' Granda at the heart of Milan's historic city centre.

The University of Milan, founded in 1924, is a public teaching and research university with around 64,000 students. The university's scientific faculties are housed in Città Studi (the City of Studies), the university quarter constructed from 1915 onwards, while humanities faculties are based in buildings in the historic city centre. The university's artistic and cultural heritage includes botanical gardens and the former Brera Observatory building commissioned by the Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th Century. Among the other historic buildings housing the university are the 15th-century Ca' Granda in the heart of the city centre, and the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi, designed by the architect who built the city's Scala Theatre, Giuseppe Piermarini. 

With its 8 Faculties and 2 Schools — Humanities, School of Exercise and Sports Science, Pharmacy, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Political, Economic and Social Sciences, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Science and Technology, and the School of Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication — La Statale offers 160 degree courses at undergraduate and graduate level, 35 PhD programs, 65 Postgraduate schools, and several vocational Masters, Summer and Winter Schools. 

It is the only Italian university among the 24 prestigious institutions that belong to the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and a proud member of the 4EU+ Alliance.  The 4EU+ Alliance is a network of eight leading European public universities committed to developing an integrated European university system. 

The university has been frequented by many notable alumni, including Enrico Bombieri (Fields Medal recipient, 1974), Riccardo Giacconi (Nobel laureate in Physics, 2002), Fabiola Gianotti (two-time CERN General Director), Alberto Mantovani (Robert Koch Prize recipient, 2016), as well as former Italian prime ministers Silvio Berlusconi and Bettino Craxi, and former Greek president Karolos Papoulias. The university has also been affiliated with notable faculty such as Giulio Natta (Nobel laureate in Chemistry, 1963). 

International students are truly welcome at the University. The university offers over 40 English-taught programs across all levels — Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD — along with more than 20 Double Degree programs, free Italian language and culture courses, and fixed favourable tuition fees. 

Intakes

The University of Milan operates on an Italian academic calendar with two primary intakes.

Fall Semester (September/October) — Primary and main intake; open to nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs.

• Applications for open-admission Master's programs: 22 January 2025 onwards (for 2025/26)
• Non-EU students residing outside Italy can generally apply for open-admission Master's degree programs until 30 April Capped programs (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Architecture) have specific calls published March/April; entrance exams are held May–July

Spring Semester (February/March) — Available for select programs; limited intake.

• Application deadline: December 31 (program-dependent)

Important for Indian Students:

• All non-EU students residing abroad are required to submit a pre-enrolment application on the Universitaly website in order to obtain a study visa; pre-application must be made for one university and one study program only, and must be presented on Universitaly by 31 July of the year of intended enrollment, under penalty of exclusion 
• Application fee (Master's programs): €30 (non-refundable; paid online during application)
• Indian students must have completed 12 years of formal schooling (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC recognised as equivalent)
• Italian students on a study visa are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year
• Post-Study: EU Blue Card and Italian job-seeker visa options available for graduates

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to verify specific intake dates and program availability on the official UNIMI portal (unimi.it).

Top Courses

UNIMI is home to 10 faculties and schools with about 2,200 teaching staff and a wide variety of disciplinary fields: School of Humanities, School of Exercise and Sports Sciences, School of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Law, School of Political Economic and Social Sciences, School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, School of Science and Technology, and School of Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication. 

Over 40 English-taught programs are offered across all levels — Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD — along with more than 20 Double Degree programs.  Key faculties and popular programs include:

School of Medicine (Scuola di Medicina)

• Single-Cycle Degree in Medicine and Surgery — International English-taught program (IMAT entrance exam)
• Single-Cycle Degree in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics
• Master of Science in International Medicine — English-taught
• Master of Science in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics — English-taught
• Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences — English-taught
• PhD in Molecular Medicine

School of Science and Technology

• BSc in Artificial Intelligence (inter-university, English-taught — a new flagship program)
• MSc in Data Science and Economics — English-taught
• MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Science and Technology — English-taught
• MSc in Physics — English-taught
• MSc in Chemistry
• MSc in Geophysics — English-taught
• MSc in Sustainable Industrial Chemistry — English-taught

School of Political, Economic and Social Sciences

• BSc in International Politics, Law and Economics (IPLE) — English-taught
• MSc in Global Politics and Society (GPS) — entirely English-taught
• MSc in Economics — English-taught
• MSc in Migration Studies and New Societies

School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

• MSc in Food Science — ranked Top 100 globally (QS)
• MSc in Agriculture and Food Sustainability — English-taught
• MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology

School of Law

• Single-Cycle Degree in Law (Giurisprudenza — Italian-taught)
• MSc in International Law — English-taught
• LLM in European and International Law

School of Humanities

• MA in Philosophical Studies (partly English-taught)
• MA in History
• MA in Languages and Literature

School of Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication

• BSc in Languages and Cultures for International Communication
• MA in Specialized Translation and Intercultural Communication — English-taught

School of Veterinary Medicine

• Single-Cycle Degree in Veterinary Medicine (TOLC-V entrance exam)

School of Pharmacy

• Single-Cycle Degree in Pharmacy (Italian-taught)
• MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Cost of Studying at University of Milan

Tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's, and single-cycle Master's degree programmes consist of: a Regional tax for the right to study of €140.00, a stamp duty of €16.00, and an all-inclusive fee of variable amount, determined by the University based on the financial situation of the family unit as documented by the University ISEE certificate, the programme fee category, and merit as measured by university credits (CFUs). 

The average annual tuition fee for international students at the University of Milan is nearly €1,000 to €4,000.  For non-EU students, fees are fixed at a maximum cap regardless of family income — making La Statale one of the most affordable universities in Italy and Europe for international students.

A no-tax area is set for students on track with exams and off track for one year with ISEE certification until €30,000. Students enrolled on track with a regular career who have earned 90% of academic credits (CFU) by 30 September are granted a €500 discount on the second instalment automatically. 

Note: Tuition at La Statale is income-based (ISEE system). Non-EU students pay fixed rates with a maximum cap — far below comparable universities in the UK, USA, or Australia. Milan is Italy's most expensive city, but the university's extremely low tuition means the overall cost is still significantly lower than most English-speaking destinations. Please refer to UNIMI's official website (unimi.it) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

For academic year 2025/2026, 160 incentives are available to the best international students admitted to a Master's degree program, of which 60 scholarships worth €8,000 each with the right to exemption from the all-inclusive tuition fee, and 100 total exemptions from the all-inclusive tuition fee. 

In line with its internationalisation strategies for increasing incoming mobility and attractiveness to foreign students, the University of Milan gives its international students the possibility to be offered scholarships and exemptions from tuition fees. International students can compete at the same conditions as Italian students for all the other scholarships and incentives based on merit and on the financial situation of the student. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• Excellence Scholarships (Borse di Eccellenza) — 60 scholarships worth €8,000 each, plus full tuition fee exemption, for the most outstanding international students admitted to a Master's degree program; and 100 additional total tuition fee exemptions; awarded by an ad-hoc Commission among all who apply for a Master's program by 31 May  — no separate application required; automatic consideration upon admission
• DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) Scholarships — Italy's national right-to-study scholarship program; covers tuition, canteen, accommodation, and a living stipend of up to €5,000–€6,000/year for eligible low-income international students; apply through Lombardy's regional DSU provider (EDISU/ER.GO)
• MUR-CRUI Scholarships — Scholarships for university students holding international protection status; administered through the Italian Ministry of University and Research and CRUI Foundation
• Tuition Fee Exemption (No-Tax Area) — Students with ISEE University income below €30,000/year pay zero all-inclusive fee; a significant benefit for international students from developing countries who can obtain an ISEE certification
• Italian Government Scholarships (Borse di Studio del Governo Italiano) — Fully-funded scholarships for non-EU students offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; covers tuition, living allowance, and health insurance; apply via the Italian Embassy in India; highly competitive
• Erasmus+ Mobility Grants — For exchange periods within Europe; coordinated through UNIMI's International Office; open to all enrolled students
• Regional Merit Scholarships — Lombardy region offers additional merit-based incentives for high-performing students irrespective of nationality
• UNIMI Research Scholarships / PhD Grants — Fully-funded PhD positions with a stipend of approximately €15,000–€18,000/year (net); automatically included in competitive PhD admission processes

Note: Indian students should apply for the Italian Government Scholarship through the Italian Embassy in New Delhi well before the academic year of intended enrollment. The Excellence Scholarship requires no separate application — strong academic merit at the time of Master's program application is sufficient for consideration.

Admissions

The overall acceptance rate is around 21% for international students, which makes it fairly selective. Admissions are program-specific — fields like Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry, and Architecture use entrance tests or quota-based systems, making them even more competitive. Broader open programs like Humanities or Social Sciences are less strict, with acceptance rates that can go as high as 50–60%. 

For Graduate (Master's) Programs — Open Admission:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a recognised university; equivalent to an Italian Laurea Triennale (180 credits / 3 years)
• Verified transcript of records showing course-by-course grades
• Language Proficiency for English-taught programs: IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall / TOEFL iBT 79+ / Cambridge C1 Advanced or equivalent
• Italian Language Proficiency (B2 level — e.g., CILS, CELI, or equivalent) for Italian-taught programs
• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter
• CV / Résumé
• Letters of Recommendation (for select programs)
• Application fee: €30 (online payment during application)
• Pre-enrolment on Universitaly platform (mandatory for non-EU students outside Italy) by 31 July
• Valid study visa obtained through the Italian Embassy in your home country

For Master's Programs — Capped / Competitive Admission:

• All of the above, plus passing a program-specific admission test or meeting GPA thresholds set by each faculty
• Some programs require an interview conducted online or in Milan

For Undergraduate / Single-Cycle Degree Programs:

• Higher secondary school certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC) with minimum 12 years of schooling; transcripts and grade verification required
• Medicine and Surgery (English track) — IMAT (International Medical Admissions Test) mandatory; held annually in September
• Veterinary Medicine — TOLC-V entrance test
• Architecture — entrance test held in July/August
• Open-admission programs — non-selective test (TOLC) mandatory but not eliminatory
• Italian language proficiency (B2 / C1) for Italian-taught programs

Indian students can check the University of Milan's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

The University of Milan's location in Milan — Italy's financial, fashion, technology, and manufacturing capital — places graduates at the heart of one of Europe's most dynamic economies. Milan is home to the Italian Stock Exchange (Borsa Italiana), Italy's leading fashion houses, Europe's largest trade fair complex (Fiera Milano), and a rapidly growing startup and tech ecosystem in the Lombardy region.

Business and economics graduates often find placements in financial institutions, consulting firms, and multinational companies. Science and technology graduates can access opportunities in research, development, and innovation in industries. The university's international collaborations and partnerships facilitate global job opportunities for graduates. Offering courses in English and other languages prepares students for careers in international environments. 

The University of Milan offers a guidance service to help future students with their study choices and to provide graduates with career advice. The university also helps students approach the job market by offering internships, interviews with companies, as well as advertising job vacancies on the online noticeboard. The university has over 1,500 partnerships which offer worldwide mobility opportunities for its graduate and undergraduate students. 

Jobs After Graduating from University of Milan

Note: Italian graduate salary figures reflect typical starting salaries in Milan and the Lombardy region. Salaries in Italy are generally lower than in Northern Europe, UK, or Australia, but the extremely low cost of study means the ROI is exceptionally strong. International graduates who remain in the EU or move to Germany, Switzerland, or the UK after graduation command significantly higher salaries. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

The University of Milan's career support ecosystem includes:

• UNIMI Career Service (Orientamento e Job Placement) — Personalised career advising, CV workshops, company presentations, internship matching, job board access, and individual counselling sessions for all enrolled students and recent graduates
• 1,500+ Industry & University Partnerships — Worldwide mobility opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students through research collaborations, internship programs, and bilateral exchange agreements 
• LERU Research Network — As the only Italian member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) , UNIMI graduates benefit from a prestigious pan-European research and career network spanning Oxford, Cambridge, KU Leuven, University of Amsterdam, and ETH Zurich
• 4EU+ Alliance — A network of eight leading European public universities committed to developing an integrated European university system ; opens career and research pathways across Paris, Prague, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Geneva, and Heidelberg
• Erasmus+ Network — Strong bilateral exchange and career agreements with 400+ European universities; supports post-graduation mobility across the EU
• Milan Industry Network — Direct connections to Ferrari, Pirelli, Barilla, UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mediobanca, McKinsey Italy, ENI, and Italy's leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies through the Lombardy innovation ecosystem
• CERN Partnership — The university's physics and data science graduates have strong pathways into CERN (Geneva) through UNIMI's longstanding research partnerships
• Italian Post-Study Visa — International graduates can apply for a job-seeker visa allowing them to stay in Italy for up to 12 months after graduation to seek employment; EU Blue Card pathway available for qualified STEM and medical graduates
• UNIMI Alumni Network — A global community of graduates spanning science, medicine, law, economics, humanities, and the arts; active across Italy and European capitals

For personalised guidance on University of Milan admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.