Master in Building Engineering for Sustainability at Polytechnic University of Milan

Detailed entry requirements

PoliMi's Building Engineering for Sustainability master asks for a first-cycle degree with a background in building, construction or civil engineering or architecture, an admission score of at least 62 out of 100, and a recognised English certificate. There is no entrance test. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree and background requirements

You need a first-cycle degree (EQF level 6) or a comparable qualification. The knowledge expected is that of a bachelor's in building engineering or construction engineering, and the programme is also open to civil engineers and architects. In general terms, incoming students need mathematics, building physics, structural engineering and construction technology. Gaps found by the admission committee can be filled through set educational obligations. [1]

For foreign graduates, PoliMi also requires a degree that gives access to EQF level 7, from a university in the official system of its country, with subjects closely related to the programme. Franchised degrees are not accepted. [2]

Country rules and minimum grades

PoliMi sets strict country rules for some degrees, with no exceptions: [2]

• India: a bachelor's of at least four years, such as a B.Tech, B.E., B.Des. or B.Arch. A three-year B.Sc. may be considered only if it is an Honours programme. Minimum average 70 out of 100.
• Pakistan: a four-year continuous bachelor's, as 2+2 degrees are not accepted. Minimum GPA 3.3 out of 4.
• Bangladesh: minimum GPA 3.3 out of 4.
• Sri Lanka: an Honours degree (SLQF level 6). SLQF level 5 qualifications are not evaluated.
• UK: an Honours degree or equivalent, from a recognised institution.

What this means for your transcript

As a guide, based on the rule above:

• Usually a fit: a four-year B.Tech or B.E. in Civil, Building or Construction Engineering, with structural engineering, construction technology and maths on the transcript and an average that meets your country's minimum.
• Check carefully: a B.Arch, or a four-year B.Tech in Environmental or Mechanical Engineering, which may be light on structural engineering, building physics or maths.
• Often short: a three-year B.Sc. without Honours from India, a 2+2 degree from Pakistan, or a degree without an engineering or architecture base, such as a BCA, B.Com or BBA.

The admission board gives up to 70 of its 100 points for how well your bachelor's fits the programme, so a closer subject match scores higher. [1]

English

Certified English is necessary for admission. [1] For 2026/27, accepted results include: [3]

• IELTS Academic or General Training 6
• TOEFL iBT 78, or 4.5 for tests taken from 21 January 2026
• Cambridge B2 First at grade B, or C1 Advanced at grade C
• PTE Academic 59
• Trinity ISE II, or LanguageCert B2 Communicator

If English was the medium of instruction of your bachelor's for at least three years, a document certified by your university confirming that at least 75% of your courses were taught in English can replace the certificate. [5]

PoliMi's admissions office lets foreign-qualification applicants upload the certificate after the application deadline, but you need it for your admission letter, visa and enrolment, so we make sure it is in your file. [5]

Italian

The three English tracks are taught in English. The 2026/27 regulations ask international students to show knowledge of Italian: PoliMi runs 40-hour Italian courses with an exit test, Italian is a prerequisite for the graduation exam, and a certificate at B1 or above exempts you. [1]

PoliMi's general admission pages ask for an Italian B2 certificate for programmes taught in Italian and English, so we confirm what applies to your English-track application. [2][5]

Selection and places

There is no entrance test. For foreign degrees, the programme's admission board awards up to 100 points: [1]

• Up to 70: how well your bachelor's fits the programme.
• Up to 10: the duration of your university education.
• Up to 10: the order of preferences in your application.
• Up to 10: other documents supporting your application.

This score is weighted 50:50 with a grade from PoliMi's International Projects Office, based on your academic performance and the quality of your institution. The minimum score for admission is 62 out of 100. [1]

For 2026/27, the English track had 90 places, 75 of them for non-EU students, and the Italian track had 80 places, 10 of them for non-EU students. [6]

Intake and deadlines

The School admits students with a non-Italian qualification in the first semester (September) only. It considers requests to defer to the second semester, made from June to August, subject to places. [1]

For the September 2027 intake, engineering master's programmes, including this one, have two calls open to applicants living outside Italy: [4]

• First call: 1 October to 1 December 2026.
• Second call: 12 January to 25 February 2027.

Outcomes are due by the end of May 2027. A third call from 1 to 18 March 2027 is only for EEA students and non-EEA students living in Italy with certain permits. You can apply to at most two programmes. [4]

You can apply in the final year of your bachelor's, using an enrolment document from your university, as long as you obtain the degree before enrolment. [2][5]

Documents for non-EU applicants

The application needs a scanned original transcript, your degree certificate or an enrolment document for your final year, a cumulative GPA statement showing your average and the grading scale, and a CV of up to two pages. PoliMi lists a motivation letter, a recommendation letter, GRE scores and detailed course descriptions as optional. [5] Because supporting documents can earn up to 10 of the board's points, we prepare them with care. [1]

Indian applicants upload scanned originals of the transcript or consolidated grade sheet, and screenshots are not accepted. Pakistani applicants also need a university letter stating their weighted average. [2]

To enrol you need a Diploma Supplement where your country issues one, a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement. Without one of these, a positive evaluation does not lead to enrolment, and PoliMi can ask for them at any stage. [2]

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.

1. Politecnico di Milano, School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering. Academic regulations and technical annex, Master's degree in Building Engineering for Sustainability (class LM-24), academic year 2026/27, English and Italian versions. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
2. Politecnico di Milano. Admission to Master of Science programmes with a foreign qualification: requirements and country-specific rules, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
3. Politecnico di Milano. English language requirements for Laurea Magistrale programmes, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
4. Politecnico di Milano. Application deadlines for Master of Science programmes with a foreign qualification, September 2027 intake. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
5. Politecnico di Milano. List of documents required by the Admissions Office for Master of Science applicants with a foreign qualification, accepted certificates updated for 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
6. Politecnico di Milano. Places available for Master of Science applicants with a foreign qualification, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
7. Politecnico di Milano, Building Engineering for Sustainability programme page and 2026/27 course list. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Building Engineering for Sustainability at PoliMi?

A first-cycle degree, ideally in building or construction engineering. The programme is also open to civil engineers and architects. Your background should cover mathematics, building physics, structural engineering and construction technology, and the committee can set extra obligations to fill gaps. [1]

Is there an entrance exam?

No. For foreign degrees, an admission board scores the fit of your bachelor's (up to 70 points), its duration, your preferences and your supporting documents. It weights this 50:50 with a PoliMi grade based on your academic record and institution. You need 62 out of 100. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

You need a recognised certificate at PoliMi's minimum, such as IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 78 (4.5 for tests from 21 January 2026), Cambridge B2 First at grade B or PTE Academic 59. A bachelor's taught at least 75% in English for three years or more can replace it. [3][5]

Do I need to know Italian?

The three English tracks are taught in English. The 2026/27 regulations ask international students to show Italian before the graduation exam, through PoliMi's 40-hour courses or a B1 certificate. PoliMi's general pages ask for Italian B2 for programmes taught in Italian and English, so we confirm what applies to you. [1][2][5]

When is the deadline for non-EU students?

For the September 2027 intake, applicants living outside Italy can apply from 1 October to 1 December 2026, or from 12 January to 25 February 2027. Outcomes are due by the end of May 2027. Foreign-qualification students start in September only. [1][4]

How many places are there for non-EU students?

For 2026/27, the English track had 90 places, 75 of them reserved for non-EU students. The Italian track had 80 places, 10 of them for non-EU students. You need an admission score of at least 62 out of 100. [1][6]

I have a B.Tech in Civil Engineering or a B.Arch. Can I apply?

Yes. The regulations say the programme is open to civil engineers and architects, and PoliMi accepts four-year Indian degrees such as a B.Tech or B.Arch with an average of at least 70 out of 100. The board then scores how closely your subjects fit building engineering. [1][2]

Which tracks are taught in English?

Three: Digital Construction, Innovative Envelope and Facade, and Performance Modeling and Design. They share a first-year core in building physics, sustainable building design, structural design, scientific computing and construction management. A fourth track, Strutture, Tecnologie, Materiali, is taught in Italian. [1][7]

Can someone handle my whole application to Building Engineering for Sustainability 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 Building Engineering for Sustainability?

PoliMi accepts Indian bachelor's degrees of at least four years, such as a B.Tech, B.E. or B.Arch, with an average of at least 70 out of 100. This programme expects a background in building, construction or civil engineering or in architecture, and English proof such as IELTS 6. The steps are the online application, the admission board's evaluation 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 Building Engineering for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application in the first or second call, the admission board's evaluation 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 Building Engineering for Sustainability are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in the first or second call, the admission board's evaluation 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 Building Engineering 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: online application in the first or second call, the admission board's evaluation 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.