Bachelor in Engineering Science at Polytechnic University of Milan
Three-year English-taught L-9 bachelor's at Politecnico di Milano that joins science and engineering: a shared core, elective direction courses, a third-year focus area and a capstone project. Entry needs a school diploma, a TOL score of 30 or an alternative test, and proof of English.
Bachelor
3 years
Milan
English
Polytechnic University of Milan
Engineering Science is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree (class L-9) taught entirely in English at Politecnico di Milano, first offered in 2026/27. Entry needs a high school diploma and a TOL score of at least 30 out of 100, or a converted TOLC-I, CEnT-S or SAT score, plus proof of English before enrolment. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
PoliMi's Engineering Science bachelor asks for a high school diploma, a TOL score of at least 30 out of 100 or an accepted alternative (TOLC-I, CEnT-S or SAT), proof of English before enrolment, and a place in the ranking phases, with Universitaly pre-enrolment for non-EU applicants. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
School-leaving qualification
You need a high school diploma. For 2026/27 the standard enrolment phase was open to candidates with a diploma from an earlier school year and to those finishing school at the end of 2025/26. [1]
Enrolment is only complete once you record the completion of your secondary education in PoliMi's Online Services, which had to be done by 10 September 2026 for 2026/27. [1]
What this means for your school results
As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: Class 12 or Higher Secondary results with mathematics and physics, or A levels including mathematics and physics. The TOL gives up to 65 of its 100 points to logic, mathematics and statistics, and it also tests physics.
- Check carefully: results still pending in your final school year. You can take the test before you finish school, but enrolment needs your completed diploma recorded by the deadline.
- Often short: Class 12 without mathematics. The call lists no required school subjects, but admission rests on a test score of at least 30 out of 100 and a ranking by score, so weak mathematics makes a place harder to reach.
PoliMi ranks candidates on their best registered test score, not on school marks. [1]
English
Engineering Science is taught in English. [3] For bachelor's degrees taught in English, proof of English is an entry requirement that you must show before enrolment. You need a certificate from PoliMi's recognised list; the call does not set scores itself. [1]
You are exempt if you are a citizen of a country where English is the official language, such as the United Kingdom, the USA, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Malta, or if you hold a qualification, at least at high school level, obtained in English. [1]
Italian
Italian is not needed to start. Without proof of Italian you are given an Italian OFA, an additional learning requirement that you must clear before the degree exam, with a CLIQ B2 certificate or by passing the final test of a free PoliMi Italian course after attending at least 75% of the lessons. A TOLC-I score of at least 30 out of 100 exempts you. [1]
Entrance test: TOL or an alternative
You need PoliMi's Online Test (TOL) with at least 30 out of 100, or one of three alternative tests that PoliMi converts to a TOL score: [1]
- TOL, taken online from home and set in Italian. It has 65 multiple-choice questions in 100 minutes: English (30), logic, mathematics and statistics (25), verbal comprehension (5) and physics (5). A wrong answer costs 0.25 points. In 2026 you could sit it once in each of two windows.
- TOLC-I from CISIA, set in Italian.
- CEnT-S from CISIA, set in English: 55 questions in five sections (mathematics, reasoning on texts and data, biology, chemistry and physics). PoliMi leaves the biology and chemistry sections out when it converts your score. [2]
- SAT from the College Board, set in English.
Alternative test scores count only if you register them in PoliMi's Online Services by the deadline. Places are given by ranking on your best registered score, and the logic, mathematics and statistics section breaks ties. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
Engineering Science, Industrial Engineering and Process Engineering, PoliMi's new English-taught degrees, were not open in the 2026/27 early enrolment phase, so places went through the later ranking phases. [1]
- 1 February to 10 March and 11 March to 31 May 2026: the two standard TOL windows, one attempt in each.
- 4 June 2026: last date to register a SAT (taken 1 January 2025 to 4 May 2026) or another alternative test score.
- 18 June 2026: last date to set or change your preferences for the standard phase.
- 22 to 24 June 2026: first standard ranking and enrolment, followed by rankings on 29 June, 6 July and 13 July.
- 20 July to 5 August 2026: third phase, for remaining places.
- 24 August to 9 September 2026: fourth phase, for further remaining places.
- 10 September 2026: last date to record your completed secondary education.
You enrol in Online Services by paying the first tuition instalment within your ranking's deadline. These were the 2026/27 dates. The next call sets the 2027/28 dates. [1]
Non-EU applicants living abroad
Non-EU candidates resident abroad compete for the reserved quota of places, through the same tests, phases and deadlines as other candidates. [1]
If you win a place, you complete the study visa application through the Universitaly portal, under the Ministry's yearly rules for international students. [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.
- Politecnico di Milano. Call for applications for the Engineering Bachelor degree programmes, academic year 2026/2027, with the early entrance test for 2027/2028 (English information version of the Italian call, 19 November 2025). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Milano, Rector's decree. Integration to the call for applications for admission to the Engineering Bachelor degree programmes, academic year 2026/2027, on the conversion of CEnT-S scores (1 December 2025). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Milano, Engineering Science bachelor's programme page (teaching language, campuses and structure). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Engineering Science is a three-year bachelor's degree (laurea, class L-9, industrial engineering) worth 180 ECTS and taught entirely in English. It opened in 2026/27 and is run jointly by the School of Industrial and Information Engineering and the School of Civil, Environmental and Land Management Engineering, with classes on the Milano Leonardo and Milano Bovisa campuses.
Instead of committing to one branch of engineering on day one, you study the principles that all branches share and treat maths and physics as working tools rather than hurdles. It suits curious students who enjoy science, like modelling real problems and want time to find the engineering field that fits them.
What you will study
The degree is built in three layers. The CORE area, mostly in the first two years, is compulsory for everyone. The DIRECTION area, across years two and three, lets you try electives such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, fundamentals of electronics, or systems and control methods. In the FOCUS area of year three you pick one of 17 planned domains, from Aerospace and Autonomous Systems to Biomedical Technologies, Computing Systems, Energy, Physics and Telecommunications. Core units include:
- Mathematical Analysis and Linear Algebra I and II (9 ECTS each)
- Fundamentals of Computer Science (9 ECTS)
- Mechanics: Physics and Engineering, and Thermal Physics and Engineering
- Chemistry and Materials Science
- Digital Modelling and Engineering Drawing
- Fundamentals of Management Engineering (9 ECTS)
- Electromagnetism and Circuit Theory, Probability and Statistics for Engineering, and Scientific Computing and Machine Learning
How the programme is taught
Teaching mixes lectures with guided exercises, experimental and computational labs, and group projects, supported by review sessions and self-assessment. First-year students take a short Exploring Engineering unit, and each student gets an academic tutor from the faculty. The degree ends with an interdisciplinary capstone project, which can be done with research groups or industrial partners, and study periods abroad count towards your plan through PoliMi's exchange agreements.
Career paths
The degree is designed mainly as a route to a master's in engineering or applied science, at PoliMi or elsewhere. Graduates who go straight to work start in technical and analytical support roles in manufacturing firms, consulting companies, research and development centres, tech start-ups and public bodies. After the State Examination you can join Section B of the Italian Register of Engineers.
- Support for technology analysis and feasibility studies
- Product and process innovation
- Data analysis for digitalisation and performance evaluation
- Numerical modelling and design support
- Technical and organisational consulting
Fees and scholarships
Engineering Science has no fee of its own: PoliMi sets fees for every bachelor's student by family income (ISEE), and families with income abroad use the Equalised ISEEU (ISEE parificato). PoliMi also runs the Lombardy DSU scholarship itself, with a call each June, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Non-EU applicants living abroad compete for a reserved quota of places through the same tests, phases and deadlines as other candidates. You take the TOL online (minimum 30 out of 100) or register a TOLC-I, CEnT-S or SAT score, which PoliMi converts to a TOL score, then join the ranking phases. [1][2]
For 2026/27, Engineering Science was not open in the early enrolment phase, so places went through the rankings. Standard TOL sessions ran from 1 February to 31 May 2026, alternative test scores had to be registered by 4 June 2026, the first ranking came out on 22 June 2026 and later phases for remaining places ran until 9 September 2026. [1]
If you win a place, we complete your Universitaly pre-enrolment for the study visa, and you apply for a type D study visa. Before enrolment you also need proof of English, unless you are exempt. The next call sets the 2027/28 dates. [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 PoliMi's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your TOL or alternative test registration, ranking preferences, enrolment and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your Politecnico di Milano 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 qualification do I need for Engineering Science at PoliMi?
A high school diploma. For 2026/27 the standard phase was open to diploma holders from earlier years and to students finishing school in 2025/26. You also need a TOL score of at least 30 out of 100 or an accepted alternative test. [1]
Is there an entrance exam? Can I use the CEnT-S or SAT?
Yes. You need PoliMi's online TOL with at least 30 out of 100, or a TOLC-I, CEnT-S or SAT score that PoliMi converts to a TOL score of 30 or more. [1] For the CEnT-S, the biology and chemistry sections are left out of the conversion. [2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
Proof of English is needed before enrolment, through a certificate on PoliMi's recognised list. The call does not set scores itself, so we check which proof your file can use. Citizens of English-speaking countries and holders of a school qualification obtained in English are exempt. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, Engineering Science was not open in the early enrolment phase, so places went through the rankings. Standard TOL sessions ran until 31 May 2026, alternative scores had to be registered by 4 June 2026 and the first ranking came out on 22 June 2026. The next call sets the 2027/28 dates. [1]
Can I apply before I finish Class 12?
Yes. For 2026/27 the call admitted students finishing school at the end of 2025/26, as long as they recorded their completed diploma in PoliMi's Online Services by 10 September 2026. You can take the TOL or an alternative test before your final results. [1]
I did Class 12 without mathematics. Can I still apply?
Possibly. The call lists no required school subjects, but admission rests on a test score of at least 30 out of 100, and logic, mathematics and statistics give up to 65 of the TOL's 100 points. Without mathematics a place is harder to reach, so we check your profile first. [1]
Is Engineering Science taught fully in English? Do I need Italian?
PoliMi lists the teaching language as English. [3] Italian is not needed to start, but without proof of Italian you get an Italian OFA to clear before the degree exam, with a CLIQ B2 certificate or a free PoliMi Italian course. A TOLC-I score of 30 or more exempts you. [1]
Do I have to choose a specialisation at the start?
No. Everyone follows a common core in maths, physics, chemistry, computing and engineering fundamentals, then takes elective direction courses and chooses a focus area in year three. The degree ends with a hands-on interdisciplinary capstone project, often with industry or research labs. [3]
Can someone handle my whole application to Engineering Science at PoliMi?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your school results against PoliMi's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the Politecnico di Milano 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 Engineering Science?
A Class 12 or Higher Secondary certificate is the high school diploma this call asks for, and you also need a TOL score of at least 30 out of 100 or a converted CEnT-S, TOLC-I or SAT score. A school qualification obtained in English exempts you from an English certificate. The steps are test registration, the ranking phases and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] 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 Engineering Science are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: a TOL score of 30 or a converted CEnT-S, TOLC-I or SAT score, a place in the ranking phases 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 Engineering Science are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: a TOL score of 30 or a converted CEnT-S, TOLC-I or SAT score, a place in the ranking phases and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Engineering Science are the same whatever your nationality, and your school results are assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: a TOL score of 30 or a converted CEnT-S, TOLC-I or SAT score, a place in the ranking phases and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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