Master in Architectural Engineering at Polytechnic University of Milan
Two-year English-taught master at Politecnico di Milano's Lecco campus on high-performance, low-energy building design, combining building physics, services, structures and integrated design studios.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
Polytechnic University of Milan
Architectural Engineering is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-24) taught entirely in English at Politecnico di Milano's Lecco campus. Entry needs a degree in engineering or architecture, or a qualification recognised as suitable, English at B2 and a merit score of at least 65 out of 100. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
PoliMi's Architectural Engineering master asks for a first-cycle degree in engineering or architecture, or a qualification recognised as suitable, English at B2 and a merit score of at least 65 out of 100 from a committee review of your career. International students also need Italian at B1 before the final exam. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a first-cycle degree (EQF level 6) or a comparable qualification. Graduates in engineering or architecture may apply, with priority for Italian classes L-23 Building Sciences and Techniques, L-7 Civil and Environmental Engineering and L-17 Architecture Sciences. Other Italian or foreign qualifications can be accepted when recognised as suitable. [1]
An admissions committee assesses your previous academic career and personal preparation. The programme expects an adequate background in mathematics, building physics and related physical-technical subjects, mechanics and structural design, building technologies and the basics of building and built-environment design. It may run support and bridging activities, especially for international students, but these do not replace the admission requirements. [1]
What this means for your transcript
As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil Engineering, or a B.Arch, with building physics, structures, building technology and design.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Mechanical, Environmental or another engineering branch is an engineering degree, but scores lower on fit unless it covers building physics, structures and building technology.
- Often short: a B.Sc., BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA is not an engineering or architecture degree. It can only be considered if recognised as suitable, and it usually lacks the expected background in building physics, structures and building technology.
With a foreign degree, the fit of your previous studies carries up to 60 of the programme's 100 points, so the closer your subjects are to building engineering, the stronger your score. [1]
English and Italian
English at CEFR B2 or above, shown with one of the certificates and score thresholds Politecnico di Milano recognises. It is mandatory for admission and enrolment. The programme rules do not list the scores themselves. [1]
International students must also reach Italian at B1 before registering for the final exam. Politecnico runs 40-hour Italian courses over one semester, with at least 75% attendance and a final assessment. [1]
Selection for applicants with a foreign degree
For applicants with a degree from outside Italy, the programme awards up to 100 points: [1]
- Fit of your previous studies: up to 60
- Geographical area of origin: up to 10
- Duration of your university education: up to 10
- Order of preference in your application: up to 10
- Other supporting documents: up to 10
This score is weighted 50:50 with a grade from Politecnico's International Projects Office, based on your academic performance and the quality of your institution. The minimum for admission is 65/100. Selection is on your file, and the rules set no written test. [1]
Applicants with an Italian degree are scored differently: bachelor's average up to 50, fit up to 30, duration up to 10 and preference up to 10, with the same 65/100 minimum. [1]
Places, intake and deadlines
For 2026/27 the programme has 95 places, 15 of them reserved for Italian, EU and EEA candidates. Students with non-Italian qualifications are admitted only for the first semester, which starts in September, and apply by the dates Politecnico publishes for international students each year. [1]
The School considers requests to defer to the second semester, subject to places. You apply from June to August, hear the outcome in early October and, if granted, confirm the deferral. [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, School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering. Educational Rules of the Laurea Magistrale in Architectural Engineering (LM-24), with the technical annex on admission, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Milano, School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering. Architectural Engineering programme page, academic year 2026/27 (campus, teaching language and course list). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Architectural Engineering is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale) in class LM-24 Construction Engineering, worth 120 ECTS and taught entirely in English at Politecnico di Milano's Lecco campus. It is run by the School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering (AUIC) and has been offered since 2014/15.
The programme prepares professionals to reduce environmental impacts and decarbonise the construction sector. Its focus is high-performance, energy-efficient and low-impact design, construction, refurbishment and management of buildings. It gives priority to graduates in building sciences, civil engineering and architecture who want to combine design with specialist engineering skills.
What you will study
The first year builds advanced knowledge of building physics, materials, services and structures, together with multidisciplinary design studios. The second year concentrates on integrated design, renovation and structural design projects. Core units include:
- Building Physics (12 ECTS)
- Sustainable Multidisciplinary Design Process Studio
- Building Materials
- Building Services
- Structural Design
- Urban Design + Studio
- Sustainable Building Technologies + Studio
- Building Renovation Studio
Electives worth 12 ECTS can include Energy Efficient Buildings, Acoustics in Buildings, Buildings in Seismic Areas and Advanced Fire Safety Engineering.
How the programme is taught
Teaching combines lectures, tutorials, design studios, workshops, seminars and study visits, and attendance at design studios is compulsory. A 3 ECTS internship is part of the plan. The third semester centres on the integrated design of a complex building, which can form the basis of your thesis. The thesis itself is the design of a complex new or refurbished building, or a detailed study of one or more specific aspects. You can study abroad through Erasmus or non-EU agreements, with up to 48 ECTS recognised, or join a double degree with a partner university. [1]
Career paths
The regulations describe graduates as consulting engineers, design engineers for buildings and their structures, and project managers, as well as specialists in technological innovation for low-energy buildings.
- Architectural and engineering firms
- Construction companies
- Building management and maintenance companies
- Technological innovation for low-energy buildings
Fees and scholarships
Tuition is set by the university's yearly fee rules, which we check for 2026/27 on the tuition fees page. Students with financial need who meet merit conditions can apply for the DSU scholarship, managed and awarded by the Politecnico.
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27 the degree has 95 places, 15 of them reserved for Italian, EU and EEA candidates. With a foreign degree, the programme scores you out of 100: fit of your previous studies (up to 60), geographical area of origin (10), duration of your university education (10), order of preference (10) and other supporting documents (10). This score is weighted equally with a grade from Politecnico's International Projects Office based on your academic performance and institution, and you need at least 65. English at B2 is required, and Italian at B1 before you register for the final exam. [1]
Applications go through PolInternational by the published deadlines, and students with non-Italian qualifications are admitted only for the September intake. Once you are admitted, we complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment with you and prepare your type D visa file. [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 transcript against PoliMi's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your PolInternational application 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 bachelor's degree do I need for Architectural Engineering at PoliMi?
A first-cycle degree in engineering or architecture, or another qualification recognised as suitable. Priority goes to building sciences, civil and environmental engineering and architecture graduates, and a committee reviews your career and preparation. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No written test is set in the 2026/27 rules. With a foreign degree, the programme scores you out of 100, mainly on the fit of your studies, and weights that equally with a grade for your academic record and institution. You need at least 65. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2 or above, with a certificate and score that Politecnico di Milano recognises. It is mandatory for admission and enrolment. The programme rules do not list the scores, so we check which certificate and score your file can use. [1]
Do I need to speak Italian?
Not for admission. International students must reach Italian at B1 before registering for the final exam, and Politecnico runs 40-hour Italian courses over one semester to help. [1]
When can non-EU students start, and when is the deadline?
Students with non-Italian qualifications are admitted only for the September intake. Politecnico publishes the application dates each year, and we track them for eligible students. A deferral to the second semester can be requested between June and August, subject to places. [1]
I have a B.Tech in Civil Engineering or a B.Arch. Can I apply?
These are usually the closest fit. The rules admit engineering and architecture graduates, with priority for civil engineering and architecture, and foreign qualifications count when recognised as suitable. Your score then depends mainly on how closely your subjects match building engineering. [1]
Where is the programme taught?
At Politecnico di Milano's Lecco campus, built on the site of the former city hospital. The degree is run by the School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering and taught entirely in English. [1][2]
How many places are there?
For 2026/27 the programme has 95 places, 15 of them reserved for Italian, EU and EEA candidates. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Architectural Engineering at PoliMi?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript 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 Architectural Engineering?
A B.Tech or B.E. in Civil Engineering, or a B.Arch, is the closest match, since the rules admit engineering and architecture graduates and foreign degrees recognised as suitable, with priority for building, civil and architecture backgrounds. You need English at B2 and a merit score of at least 65 out of 100. The steps are the PolInternational application, the admission decision 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 Architectural Engineering are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: PolInternational online application, admission decision 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 Architectural Engineering are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: PolInternational online application, admission decision 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 Architectural Engineering are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: PolInternational online application, admission decision 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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