Bachelor in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World at University of Milan
Three-year English-taught L-1 bachelor run by the University of Milan with Ca' Foscari Venice, covering the archaeology, history, art and literature of Greece, Rome, the Near East, Egypt, India, China and Japan, with compulsory internships. Entry is by an online CISIA test.
Bachelor
3 years
Milan
English
University of Milan
Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-1) taught in English by the University of Milan with Ca' Foscari University of Venice, with classes in Milan and Venice. Entry needs 12 years of schooling, a ranked place in the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES and English at B2. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
The University of Milan's Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World bachelor asks for a school diploma obtained after at least 12 years of schooling, a ranked place in the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES and English at B2. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
School-leaving requirement
You need an upper secondary school diploma, or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university in the country that issued it. The university assesses whether a foreign qualification is valid. [1][2]
If your school system lasts fewer than 12 years, you also need a university enrolment certificate with a transcript, or proof of a non-university post-secondary qualification or foundation year. If your country requires a certificate of academic eligibility, you need that too. [1]
The programme also expects a general grasp of historical, cultural and methodological topics and the ability to understand a non-specialist literary text in English. [2]
What this means for your school results
Places are ranked on your admission test score, so your school results mainly need to show the right length of schooling. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: an Indian Class 12 (CBSE, ISC or a state board), a Pakistani HSSC, a Bangladeshi HSC or Sri Lankan GCE A levels, completed after 12 years of schooling.
- Check carefully: a qualification from a system with fewer than 12 years of schooling, which also needs a university enrolment certificate and transcript, or a foundation year.
- Often short: Class 10, O levels or a polytechnic diploma on their own, since they do not complete 12 years of schooling.
You do not need Latin or Greek from school. Before the Greek and Latin literature exams you must pass a basic language test, and beginners are encouraged to attend training workshops. [2]
English
English at CEFR B2. You can show it with a recognised certificate at B2 or higher obtained within the three years before submission, a secondary school diploma taught in English, or the University Language Centre (SLAM) online placement test, which for 2026/27 had to be passed by the end of October 2026. Students who fail the test take a SLAM course. You must meet the English requirement before sitting any exam. [1][2]
Students without an Italian school diploma are recommended to reach Italian at A2, which can count for 3 elective credits. [2]
Admission test: CISIA English Test HUMANITIES
Entry is limited. For 2026/27 there were 75 places, 45 in the April session and 30 in the summer session, plus 25 for non-EU applicants living abroad who need a visa. Selection uses the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES, taken remotely online: 30 multiple-choice questions in three sections of 10, with 30 minutes per section. [1]
- The sections are reading and comprehension, clues and inductive reasoning, and reasoning on texts and data.
- Each correct answer earns 1 point, and wrong or blank answers score 0. Ties go to the higher score in reasoning on texts and data, then in clues and inductive reasoning, then to the younger candidate.
- The benchmark is at least 50% correct in each section. Admitted students below it get additional learning requirements (OFA) to clear in their first year, before sitting second-year exams.
- The application fee was €30.
2026/27 deadlines
These dates come from the 2026/27 call, and the 2027/28 call sets new ones. Non-EU visa applicants had to use the April session, whether or not they already held their diploma. Applications ran from 12 March to 2 April 2026, the test was on 10 April with a retake on 17 April, the ranking came out on 22 April and admitted candidates reserved their place from 5 to 7 May 2026. [1]
Visa applicants had to submit Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026. Documents for foreign qualifications are due by 30 November 2026. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applicants with a foreign qualification apply through the university's international application portal and upload these documents by the deadline: [1]
- Your secondary school diploma, legalised or apostilled unless exempt, with an Italian translation unless it is in English, French, German or Spanish
- A certificate of academic eligibility, if your country requires one
- A university enrolment certificate with transcript, or proof of a post-secondary qualification or foundation year, if your school system lasts fewer than 12 years
- A Statement of Comparability from CIMEA or another ENIC-NARIC centre, or a declaration of value from the Italian embassy; for Lisbon Convention countries, an ARDI correspondence statement can replace both
- An Italian tax code and, for non-EU citizens, proof of a residence permit application or a valid permit
Late documents lead to cancelled enrolment, unless you show reasons beyond your control. [1]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Milan. Call for applications, Bachelor's degree programme in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World (class L-1), run with Ca' Foscari University of Venice, April and summer sessions, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Programme description, Bachelor's degree in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World (class L-1), academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan, Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World programme page (course sheet, academic year 2026/2027). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Fees, academic year 2026/2027. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World is a three-year bachelor's degree in class L-1 (cultural heritage), taught entirely in English. [2][3] The University of Milan runs it with Ca' Foscari University of Venice and is its administrative seat, so we apply and you enrol in Milan. Classes are held live at both universities, and each student is assigned to Milan or Venice according to their preference and the balance between the two seats. [1]
The degree looks at the ancient world well beyond Greece and Rome: the Near East, Pharaonic Egypt, India, China and Japan sit alongside classical history, archaeology and literature. Entry is limited: for 2026/27 there were 75 places plus 25 for non-EU applicants who need a visa. [1] In 2026/27 only the first year was running: the second year is offered from 2027/28 and the third from 2028/29. [2] It suits school leavers who want to work with cultural heritage, museums or cultural communication.
What you will study
The first two years build a base in history, archaeology and literature across civilisations; the third moves to art history, cultural law and performance. Units in the 2026/27 study plan include: [2]
- Greek and Roman History (12 ECTS, first year)
- Archaeology of Western Asia (12 ECTS, first year)
- Introduction to Pharaonic Egypt and The Bhagavad Gita (first year)
- European and Mediterranean Archaeology (12 ECTS, second year)
- Cultural Anthropology and Introduction to Greek and Latin Literature (second year)
- History of Chinese and Japanese Art (12 ECTS, third year)
- Art and Law and History of Indian Art (third year)
- Electives such as Archaeology of the Silk Road, Introduction to Byzantine Civilization or Introduction to Chinese Thought
How the programme is taught
The university lists the degree as blended learning, and attendance at lectures is highly recommended. Workshops and internships have compulsory attendance, and from the second year you complete at least 6 ECTS of internship. The Greek and Latin literature units require a basic language test, with training workshops for beginners. In the third year you can use elective credits for Italian at A2 level, and the degree ends with a 6 ECTS final exam. Erasmus+ links cover more than 300 European universities, and the 4EU+ alliance offers online courses. [2][3]
Career paths
The official profiles point to public and private institutions, non-profit organisations, foundations and companies that manage, protect and promote cultural heritage. The roles named include: [2]
- Cultural services operator: visitor services at museums and archaeological sites, cataloguing, assistant curator, excavation or museum technician
- Cultural communicator and public engagement specialist: digital content, social media and press work for cultural bodies and publishers
- Entertainment industry consultant: checking historical and cultural accuracy for video games, film production, theme parks and agencies
Fees and scholarships
If your family's income and assets are abroad, you pay a fixed second instalment set by country group and by the programme's fee area. For 2026/27 it was €200 or €256 a year for Group A, €910 or €1,164 for Group B and €3,204 or €4,101.12 for Group C. Everyone also pays a first instalment of €146 at enrolment, covering regional tax and stamp duty, with a higher regional tax for Groups B and C. [1][4]
Students who receive a regional or University of Milan scholarship get a waiver on the second instalment, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
Visa applicants can only use the April session. For 2026/27 they applied on apply.unimi.it from 12 March to 2 April 2026, paid a €30 fee and sat the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES online on 10 April, with a retake on 17 April for those who could not sit it. They were ranked on a separate list for the 25 reserved places. [1] The 2027/28 call is not yet published.
For 2026/27, admitted visa applicants reserved their place from 5 to 7 May 2026, submitted Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026 and then applied for a type D study visa. The legalised diploma, with a CIMEA statement of comparability, a declaration of value or an ARDI correspondence statement, is due by 30 November 2026. [1]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your school results against Milan's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your application on apply.unimi.it, admission test booking, enrolment documents and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your University of Milan DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What school results do I need for Ancient Civilizations at the University of Milan?
An upper secondary school diploma, or an equivalent foreign qualification obtained after at least 12 years of schooling that gives access to university. Places are ranked on your admission test score, and you also need English at B2. [1][2]
Which admission test do I need?
The CISIA English Test HUMANITIES, taken remotely online. It has 30 questions on reading and comprehension, clues and inductive reasoning, and reasoning on texts and data, with 1 point per correct answer and no penalty for wrong ones. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2. A recognised certificate from the last three years, a school diploma taught in English or the university placement test all count, and you must meet the requirement before sitting any exam. [1][2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, visa applicants had to use the April session: applications from 12 March to 2 April 2026, the test on 10 April and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]
Can I apply before I finish school?
Yes. The 2026/27 call was open to candidates obtaining their diploma in the 2025/26 school year, and visa applicants used the April session whether or not they already held it. Foreign diploma documents are due by 30 November 2026. [1]
I studied commerce or science in Class 12. Can I still apply?
Yes, if your qualification completes 12 years of schooling and gives access to university. The call sets no subject stream, and you do not need Latin or Greek: you pass a basic language test before the literature exams, with workshops for beginners. [1][2]
Do I study in Milan or in Venice?
Classes are held live at both the University of Milan and Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Each student is assigned to one of the two seats according to their preference and the balance between them. [1]
What jobs does the degree lead to?
The university names cultural services roles at museums and archaeological sites, cultural communication and public engagement, and consultancy on historical accuracy for video games, film and theme parks. With further training, graduates can also become licensed tourist guides. [2]
Can someone handle my whole application to Ancient Civilizations at Milan?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your school results against Milan's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the University of Milan DSU scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Ancient Civilizations?
An Indian Class 12 certificate from CBSE, ISC or a state board completes 12 years of schooling, so it can meet the entry rule. Your place depends on your score in the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES, and you need English at B2. The steps are the online application in the April session, the test and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Ancient Civilizations are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application in the April session, the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES, a separate ranking for visa applicants and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Ancient Civilizations are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in the April session, the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES, a separate ranking for visa applicants and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?
The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: online application in the April session, the CISIA English Test HUMANITIES, a separate ranking for visa applicants and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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