Master in Architecture for Sustainability at Polytechnic University of Turin
Two-year LM-4 R architecture master at Politecnico di Torino with an English edition, built on design ateliers in society, environment and innovation, for designing new and existing buildings and spaces for climate change and the energy transition. Entry needs an architecture background and a portfolio.
Master
2 years
Turin
Multiple
Polytechnic University of Turin
Architecture for Sustainability is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-4 R) at Politecnico di Torino in Turin, with an edition taught entirely in English. Entry needs a bachelor's that covers the core of an Italian architecture degree, a portfolio and course syllabus, and English at B2, with IELTS 5.5 as the listed minimum. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Architecture for Sustainability asks for a bachelor's degree or recognised foreign qualification, earned after at least 15 years of education, that covers the core learning activities of an Italian architecture bachelor's (class L-17), a suitable academic record, a course syllabus and a portfolio, and English at B2, with IELTS 5.5 as the listed minimum. There is no entrance test. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and curricular requirement
You need a three-year bachelor's degree or university diploma, or a foreign academic qualification recognised as suitable, from an accredited university and earned after at least 15 years of total education, counting primary school, secondary school and university. A degree in class L-17 meets the curricular requirement. [1][3]
Because the degree trains architects under EU Directive 2005/36/EC, the 2026/27 regulations add a requirement that cannot be waived: your previous studies must cover the essential learning activities set for Italian bachelor's degrees in Architectural Sciences (class L-17). The 2026/27 course table recommends a background in architecture. [1][2]
If you are short of credits, you make them up before the merit evaluation: through single courses for gaps of up to 60 credits or, for larger gaps, by enrolling in a bachelor's programme with credit recognition. [1]
Students in a five or six-year single-cycle programme who have not graduated need at least 15 years of total education, 3 of them at university, and at least 180 ECTS. [1][3]
What this means for your transcript
The regulations do not set credit counts by subject. They ask for the core of an Italian architecture bachelor's, and professors appointed by the Collegio judge your transcript, syllabus and portfolio against it. [1][3] As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Arch, which is the architecture background the course table recommends and gives you design studio projects for the portfolio.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil Engineering, or a B.Plan, which can cover building technology, structures or planning but often has less architectural design studio work than the architecture core expects.
- Often short: a B.Des, B.Sc., BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, which usually lacks architectural design training and the studio projects the portfolio needs.
Any credits the evaluator finds missing must be made up before the merit evaluation. [1]
English and programme language
You need certified English at CEFR level B2 or higher, and the 2026/27 course table lists IELTS 5.5 as the minimum for the English edition, which asks for no Italian. The edition taught partly in Italian, Architettura per la Sostenibilità, also needs Italian at B2. [1][2]
Politecnico accepts the certificates on its own chart, and TOEFL or TOEIC results must be sent with code C285. You do not need an English certificate if your degree followed an English-taught course of study in a listed country, which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore, or was awarded by the US, the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. You then upload an official statement that the medium of instruction was English. [3]
The embassy can still ask for a language certificate for the visa, so we check this for your file. [3]
Portfolio and syllabus
The 2026/27 course table lists both a course syllabus and a portfolio as required for this programme. [2] The syllabus is an official document from your university describing the content of each course you took. [3]
Politecnico's portfolio guidance for its architecture master's asks for: [4]
- A short Europass CV of up to 3,500 characters, covering the skills from your bachelor's and relevant extra activities such as competitions, professional work, workshops or study trips.
- At least two architectural projects from design studios in your previous degree, each with concept sketches, final drawings and a written explanation of the concept and solution.
- The outcomes of at least one other course and one experience from other activities, such as electives, workshops or an internship, with no more than five selected outcomes in total.
- For each item: the project name and location, whether it was academic or professional, your individual share of any group work, and the year, semester and academic year it was done.
- Horizontal A3 format, 10 to 15 pages, text up to 10,000 characters, images at 200 dpi or more, and no more than 20 MB for the CV and portfolio together.
The portfolio must be your own individual work, in Italian or English, and it cannot be the same for two different applications. [4]
Evaluation and no entrance test
There is no entrance test. The Recruitment and Admissions Unit checks your requirements and documents, then professors appointed by the Collegio coordinator assess your academic performance and how well your previous university studies fit the programme, on the Apply@PoliTO platform. [1][3]
The result is eligible, a conditional offer (eligible, but you still need to finish your bachelor's) or not eligible. An offer is valid only for the academic year you applied for, and deferrals are not possible. If the committee finds you not suitable on curricular or academic grounds, you cannot be admitted to any Politecnico master's that year. Entry to this programme is in the first semester only. [1][3]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, applicants with a non-Italian qualification had two calls on Apply@PoliTO, after a 15-day extension: [3]
- First call: 19 December 2025 to 13 February 2026, 2:00 p.m. Italian time. Results on 15 April 2026, and Universitaly pre-enrolment for the study visa by 30 June 2026.
- Second call: 18 March to 20 April 2026, 2:00 p.m. Italian time. Results on 22 June 2026, and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 15 July 2026.
A third call in November 2026 is only for EU applicants and non-EU applicants already living in Italy. First-semester enrolment ran from 31 July to 5 October 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [3]
Documents and non-EU steps
You submit one application per call on Apply@PoliTO, choosing up to two master's programmes in order of preference. Applications cannot be changed after submission, and an incomplete application is rejected for the whole academic year. [3]
- Passport, CV, and your bachelor's certificate or an official document stating your expected graduation date.
- An official transcript listing all completed exams, with the grading and credit system.
- Your course syllabus and portfolio, both required for this programme. [2]
- An English certificate, or the medium of instruction statement if you are exempt.
- A declaration of value or CIMEA statement of comparability if available. It is compulsory for enrolment, and a Diploma Supplement can replace it then.
- One optional extra document, such as a recommendation or motivation letter, or proof of relevant training, internships or work.
Documents must be on letterhead, stamped and signed, and documents not in Italian, English, French or Spanish need an official English or Italian translation. Non-EU applicants living abroad must pre-enrol on Universitaly to get a type D study visa. Politecnico validates the pre-enrolment only once you are eligible and have uploaded proof of your bachelor's degree. [3]
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 Torino, Department of Architecture and Design. Academic regulations, Master's degree programme in Architecture for Sustainability (LM-4 R), academic year 2026/27, issued by Rector's Decree no. 525 of 28 May 2026. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Torino. Course-specific requirements for Master's degree programmes, applicants with a non-Italian qualification, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Torino, Admissions and Enrolment. Applicants with a non-Italian qualification, Master's degree programmes, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Torino. Portfolio requirements for the Master's degree programmes in Architecture Construction City, Architecture for Sustainability and Architecture for Heritage, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Torino, Teaching Portal. Architecture for Sustainability study plan, English-taught track, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Torino. Tuition fees page: tuition fee regulations, ISEE Parificato and EDISU Piemonte scholarships, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Politecnico di Torino. Architecture for Sustainability programme page (degree class, languages, campus, department and admission type). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Architecture for Sustainability (MASt) is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree in class LM-4 R (Architecture and Architectural Engineering), run by the Department of Architecture and Design at the Castello del Valentino campus in Turin.
It has an English edition, taught in English and open to applicants with English only, and an Italian edition, Architettura per la Sostenibilità, taught partly in Italian and partly in English.
Access is uncapped, subject to an evaluation of your admission requirements. [7]
MASt treats architecture as the design of the built environment for people's well-being and for the enhancement of cultural, environmental and economic resources. It suits architecture graduates who want to respond through design to climate change, the energy transition, decarbonisation and social equity.
What you will study
In the English edition you learn how to design new buildings and urban spaces and how to intervene on existing ones, looking at how human-made and natural systems interact so you can plan future changes to the territory.
The 2026/27 English-taught track is built as follows: [5]
- Year 1, first semester: the Architecture, society and territory atelier (14 CFU, joining architectural and urban design, urban sociology and urban planning), Parametric and algorithmic modeling (6 CFU), Energy transition and low-carbon architecture (6 CFU) and one introductory seminar (6 CFU) chosen from Design for climate resilience, Healthy and connected built environment, Knowledge and heritage active preservation, and Theory and history of architecture.
- Year 1, second semester: the Green building design atelier (12 CFU), the Restoration and integrated conservation atelier (14 CFU, with restoration, structural engineering and geomatics) and Environmental history of architecture (6 CFU).
- Year 2: the Adaptive public spaces or Advanced parametric design atelier (14 CFU), Evaluation of project economic sustainability (6 CFU), Materials for architecture, environmental sustainability and innovation (6 CFU), 10 free-choice credits and a 20 CFU thesis.
How the programme is taught
Under the 2026/27 regulations the four semesters follow a sequence: design and society, design and environment, design and innovation, then a final semester for in-depth work and the thesis. Multidisciplinary design ateliers run alongside single-subject courses and introductory seminars, and every course is offered in both an Italian and an English version. [1]
Free-choice credits can go on workshops, research essays, electives, Challenge projects or an internship in Italy or abroad, and you can also spend a study period abroad. The thesis is worth 20 CFU, about 500 hours of work, and can be a design project from building to urban scale or a research thesis, written and defended in English or Italian. [1][5]
One student quoted on the page says the course made them more aware of how an architect's work affects the environment; another singles out the course on the circular economy as the most interesting experience.
Career paths
The degree complies with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. After passing the Italian State Examination (Section A, Architecture), graduates can register with the professional board of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators. The 2026/27 regulations list independent practice, public bodies, energy and environmental consultancy and certification bodies, museums and foundations, and real estate, finance and construction firms as typical employers. [1]
Graduates become European-recognised architects, able to take on the challenges of climate change, energy transition and decarbonisation, social equity and people's environmental well-being. The programme page reports 2 months as the time from graduation to employment for its graduates.
Fees and scholarships
Politecnico di Torino sets tuition in its yearly fee regulations, and students can apply for a reduction or full waiver based on family income, so the programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [6] EDISU Piemonte, the regional right-to-study body, awards scholarships and places in university housing, and international students can apply.
If your family's income and assets are abroad, you need an ISEE parificato, obtained through a CAAF office affiliated with Politecnico. We help you file it at the right time and in the right format. [6]
How to apply from outside the EU
For Architecture for Sustainability the 2026/27 course-specific requirements list a course syllabus and a portfolio as both required, with architecture as the recommended background. [2]
We apply on Apply@PoliTO for the English edition, and can rank up to two master's programmes.
For 2026/27, the two calls open to non-EU applicants living abroad closed on 13 February 2026 and 20 April 2026. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [3]
If you are admitted, we complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, and you apply for a type D study visa. A declaration of value, CIMEA statement of comparability or Diploma Supplement is required to enrol. [3]
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 PoliTo's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Apply@PoliTO application with portfolio and syllabus, and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your EDISU Piemonte 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 Architecture for Sustainability at PoliTo?
A bachelor's or recognised foreign degree earned after at least 15 years of education. Because the degree trains architects under EU rules, your studies must cover the core learning activities of an Italian architecture bachelor's (class L-17), and architecture is the recommended background. [1][2]
Do I need a portfolio?
Yes. The 2026/27 course table lists a portfolio and a course syllabus as both required. The portfolio is a horizontal A3 file of 10 to 15 pages with a short CV, at least two design studio projects, one course outcome and one other experience, up to 20 MB. [2][4]
Is there an entrance exam?
No. Politecnico checks your documents, then professors appointed by the Collegio assess your academic performance and how well your previous studies fit the programme, using the transcript, syllabus and portfolio you upload. Entry is in the first semester only. [1][3]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2 or higher, with IELTS 5.5 listed as the minimum for 2026/27, and no Italian for the English edition. If your degree was taught in English at a university in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or another listed country, an official medium of instruction statement can replace the certificate. [1][2][3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad had two calls: 19 December 2025 to 13 February 2026, and 18 March to 20 April 2026. The November 2026 call is only for EU applicants and non-EU applicants living in Italy. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [3]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. You upload an official document with your expected graduation date or an updated transcript, and you can receive a conditional offer. Politecnico validates Universitaly pre-enrolment for the visa only after you upload proof of your bachelor's degree. [3]
I have a B.Tech in Civil Engineering or a B.Plan. Can I apply?
Possibly, but check carefully. The course table recommends architecture, and the regulations require the core of an Italian architecture bachelor's. Civil engineering and planning degrees often have less design studio work, and missing credits must be made up before evaluation, so we review your courses and portfolio first. [1][2]
What can I do after graduating?
The degree complies with EU Directive 2005/36/EC, so after the Italian State Examination you can register as an architect. The 2026/27 regulations list independent practice, public bodies, energy and environmental consultancy, museums and foundations, and real estate and construction firms. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Architecture for Sustainability at PoliTo?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against PoliTo's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the EDISU Piemonte 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 Architecture for Sustainability?
A recognised Indian B.Arch matches the architecture background the course table recommends, provided it covers the core activities of an Italian architecture bachelor's. You also need a portfolio of studio projects, your course syllabus and English at B2, and an English-medium degree from India can replace the certificate. The steps are Apply@PoliTO, the eligibility letter and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2][3] 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 Architecture for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Apply@PoliTO application, confirmation of eligibility letter 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 Architecture for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Apply@PoliTO application, confirmation of eligibility letter 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 Architecture for Sustainability 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: Apply@PoliTO application, confirmation of eligibility letter 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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