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Study in Italy in English: Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) Guide
English-taught programs in Italy: What makes Politecnico di Milano exceptional
Founded in 1863, the Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) is Italy’s oldest engineering school and one of Europe’s most respected public Italian universities. With nearly forty English-taught programs in Italy across architecture, design, engineering, and computer science, it gives international learners a clear route to study in Italy in English without language barriers.
The university consistently ranks among the global top 20 for architecture and civil engineering, and within the worldwide top 150 overall. These positions confirm its reputation for rigorous teaching, cutting-edge labs, and close industry ties. Faculties are split across two main Milan campuses (Leonardo and Bovisa) and five regional hubs. Key departments include:
- School of Architecture Urban Planning Construction Engineering – famous for pioneering sustainable design.
- School of Industrial and Information Engineering – home to aerospace, mechanical, biomedical, and AI research clusters.
- School of Design – Italy’s first public school entirely devoted to design disciplines.
Programmes follow the European Bologna framework, so credits transfer easily across borders. Because the university is a public Italian university, standard tuition is already low. Through regional aid schemes it can become effectively free, turning Politecnico di Milano into one of the most attractive tuition-free universities Italy offers. ApplyAZ supports applicants with the DSU grant (regional need-based scholarship) and other scholarships for international students in Italy that can erase remaining fees and cover living costs.
Beyond academics, the university nurtures innovation culture. Its PoliHub incubator ranks second in Europe for start-up acceleration. Students with entrepreneurial dreams find mentors, seed funding, and co-working space on campus. This practical ecosystem boosts employability and ensures classroom theory meets real-world demands.
Milan: a dynamic, affordable, and welcoming city for students
Studying at Politecnico di Milano also means living in Milan, the beating heart of Italy’s economy and a cosmopolitan hub of 1.4 million residents. Despite its global fame for fashion and finance, Milan remains student-friendly:
- Cost of living – Monthly budgets start from €800–€1,000 if you share flats, cook at home, and use student discounts. Those receiving the DSU grant access subsidised housing and meals that cut costs further, bringing total spend closer to €650.
- Public transport – The ATM travel network unites metro, trams, and buses. A yearly student pass costs about €200 and gives unlimited rides. Night buses run every hour, so late study sessions or social events are easy to reach.
- Climate – Milan enjoys warm summers (average 29 °C) and cool winters (about 5 °C). Snowfall is rare, and central heating is standard in dorms and rentals. You can reach ski slopes in under two hours or Mediterranean beaches in 90 minutes.
- Culture and entertainment – The city hosts over 90 museums, hundreds of live-music venues, and Europe’s most prestigious opera house, La Scala. Many galleries run “free first Sunday” schemes. Student bars in the Navigli canals district offer aperitivo buffets where one drink buys unlimited snacks.
- Safety and diversity – Milan scores high on safety indexes and welcomes over 200 nationalities. English is widely understood in shops and transport, easing daily life for newcomers.
The city’s walkable centre, plentiful bike lanes, and connected train network also make weekend trips affordable. Fast trains reach Florence in 1 hour 40 minutes, Rome in 3 hours, and the Swiss Alps in under 4 hours. This accessibility lets you explore Italy’s cultural heritage while you study in Italy in English.
Internship and work horizons in the capital of design and tech
Milan accounts for roughly 10 percent of Italy’s GDP and hosts headquarters for global firms such as Armani, Pirelli, Luxottica, and UniCredit. For STEM and creative majors alike, it is an employment goldmine:
- Engineering and manufacturing – Lombardy is Europe’s second-largest manufacturing region. Companies like Siemens, ABB, STMicroelectronics, and Leonardo recruit interns directly from Politecnico di Milano career fairs.
- Digital innovation – The Porta Nuova and Isola districts house Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and many scale-ups. Students in computer science or data science secure part-time roles while finishing degrees.
- Design and fashion – With Milan Fashion Week and Salone del Mobile furniture fair, product design and industrial design students collaborate on real collections. Brands provide studio projects, turning coursework into portfolio pieces.
- Finance and consulting – Piazza Gae Aulenti is the home of Italy’s stock exchange and several consulting giants (BCG, Accenture, Deloitte). Knowledge of modelling software and fluent English are valued, making international students competitive.
- Green tech – The city’s push for a low-carbon economy fuels demand for expertise in renewable energy, smart mobility, and circular economy. Politecnico di Milano’s Energy Department partners with ENEL and Eni for research placements.
Tuition-free universities Italy: funding tips for public Italian universities
Although living in Milan costs more than smaller Italian towns, study costs at Politecnico di Milano remain modest thanks to Italy’s unique public financing. Here is how you can keep your degree affordable:
- Regional DSU grant – A need-based scholarship for international students in Italy that covers tuition, housing, meals, and a small monthly stipend. Eligibility depends on family income and assets, evaluated through an official “ISEE parificato” form.
- Merit scholarships – Politecnico di Milano awards Platinum, Gold, and Silver scholarships that waive fees and provide up to €10,000 per year. Requirements include high GPA and a strong motivational letter.
- Fee flexibility – As a public Italian university, Politecnico di Milano ties fees to income brackets. If your household income is below €23,000, tuition can drop to zero.
- Part-time student jobs – Italian law lets non-EU students work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during breaks. Campus offices hire library assistants, lab technicians, or peer tutors.
- European mobility grants – Through the Erasmus+ scheme you can spend a semester abroad while receiving a stipend of €330–€550 per month, yet remain enrolled at a tuition-free rate.
Together, these options turn Politecnico di Milano into one of the most attainable tuition-free universities Italy lists for high-achieving applicants. ApplyAZ’s finance team guides you step by step: assessing eligibility, collecting documents, and submitting forms before deadlines.
Public Italian universities and the DSU grant: your pathway with ApplyAZ
Politecnico di Milano embodies why public Italian universities are a smart choice for global talent: quality teaching, worldwide recognition, and manageable costs. With ApplyAZ you do not navigate the process alone. Our counsellors explain each English-taught program in Italy, clarify entry tests, and schedule online interviews. We also track DSU grant criteria and ensure applications are error-free.
Why choose ApplyAZ for Politecnico di Milano?
- Personalised programme matching across 40 bachelor’s and master’s tracks.
- Free pre-assessment of grades and portfolio within 24 hours.
- Direct communication with admission officers to fast-track offers.
- Scholarship dossier preparation, including merit awards and regional grants.
- Visa document checks, insurance advice, and accommodation search.
Studying in Milan means joining more than 45,000 students already enjoying a vibrant campus and a city where design meets industry. Whether you dream of building sustainable skyscrapers, launching apps, or designing carbon-neutral fashion, the Polytechnic University of Milan delivers the networks and resources you need.
Your next step
Picture yourself cycling through the leafy Bovisa campus, attending a robotics lab in the morning and sharing aperitivo with classmates beside the canals at sunset. Imagine weekend trips to Florence or Zurich, mid-week hackathons, and a CV packed with internships at world-class firms. That future starts with a single decision: apply.
In two minutes we’ll confirm whether you meet the basic entry rules for tuition-free, English-taught degrees in Italy. We’ll then quickly see if we still have space for you this month. If so, you’ll get a personalised offer. Accept it, and our experts hand-craft a shortlist of majors that fit your grades, goals, and career plans. Upload your documents once; we submit every university and scholarship application, line up multiple admission letters, and guide you through the visa process—backed by our admission-and-scholarship guarantee.
Why Choose Civil Engineering LM-23 at Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) – Study in Italy in English
Choosing an English-taught master at a top public Italian university is easier than you think. Civil Engineering LM-23 at the Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) sits among the leading English-taught programs in Italy. When you study in Italy in English you gain world-class technical skills while paying public university fees—often reduced to zero under DSU grants—so the course feels like joining the circle of tuition-free universities Italy promotes. Public Italian universities also open doors to European careers. This guide explains how the programme works and how ApplyAZ supports your journey.
English-taught programs in Italy: Why Civil Engineering LM-23 Stands Out
Polytechnic University of Milan is Italy’s largest technical university and ranks high in global engineering tables. The Civil Engineering LM-23 course offers:
- Full instruction in English across all semesters.
- A balanced curriculum that blends structural design, geotechnics, hydraulics, and transport planning.
- Access to cutting-edge laboratories for materials testing, seismic simulations, and digital modelling.
- Lectures by professors involved in flagship European research projects.
- Links with industry partners who host student workshops and thesis projects.
The result is an academically rigorous yet practical path toward professional registration across Europe.
Study in Italy in English: Curriculum Snapshot
The LM-23 programme carries 120 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System). You complete them over two academic years:
- Core foundations (Year 1):
- Advanced Mathematics for Engineers
- Continuum Mechanics (behaviour of materials under load)
- Hydraulics and Hydrology
- Structural Analysis and Design
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Specialised tracks (Year 2): Choose one focus and tailor electives:
- Structural Engineering – seismic design, steel and composite structures, bridge engineering.
- Infrastructure and Transport – road and rail planning, smart mobility, asset management.
- Water and Environmental – river engineering, coastal defences, flood mitigation.
- Research project or industry thesis: Six-month capstone worth 30 credits. Many students collaborate with international firms or research centres on real-world challenges.
Throughout, small group workshops help you master software such as SAP2000, Abaqus, and BIM (Building Information Modelling). Guest lectures from practising engineers show how theory meets daily site decisions.
Learning Methods and Academic Support
Teaching blends lectures, problem-solving sessions, and studio projects. You refine your communication skills through:
- Oral presentations in English to mixed faculty panels.
- Written reports that follow European technical standards.
- Group projects where multicultural teams solve design briefs under tight deadlines.
For non-native speakers the university offers free language clinics. Specialist tutors review technical writing to ensure clarity. Academic advisers meet you each semester to plan elective choices and keep your study load balanced.
Entry Requirements and Application Timeline
Because LM-23 comes from a public Italian university, admission follows national guidelines:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field (180 ECTS).
- English certificate at minimum B2 level (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79, or equivalent).
- Mathematics and physics fundamentals checked through transcript evaluation.
- Statement of purpose outlining research interests and career goals.
- Reference letter from an academic supervisor or workplace mentor.
Key dates
- October–December: Online portal opens for non-EU applicants.
- January–March: Early evaluation rounds; conditional offers released.
- April–June: Visa document preparation, DSU grant application window.
- September: Classes start.
Submit early to secure visa timing and scholarship reviews.
Tuition-Free Universities Italy and Funding Options
Polytechnic University of Milan sets fees on a sliding scale based on family income. Annual tuition can reach €3,900, but many international students pay far less thanks to:
- DSU grant (Diritto allo Studio Universitario). This regional scholarship covers tuition, meals, and housing allowance. The grant is need-based; applicants show family income documents translated and legalised.
- Merit scholarships for international students in Italy. The university awards “Excellence Scholarships” that waive tuition and grant a living stipend of €10,000 per year.
- Fee reductions for public Italian universities: Students from low-income countries may qualify for flat-rate tuition below €1,000.
Because LM-23 belongs to the network of public Italian universities, you can mix funding sources. Many students pay only administrative taxes after the DSU grant. That is why lists of tuition-free universities Italy often include Polytechnic University of Milan.
Scholarships for International Students in Italy: How to Apply
Follow these steps:
- Gather income certificates for the previous calendar year.
- Translate documents into Italian and get an apostille (official stamp).
- Upload files in the online scholarship portal before 30 June.
- Await ranking. Provisional results arrive in August; final awards confirm after enrolment.
- Open an Italian bank account (required for stipend transfer).
If you miss the deadline, small bursaries still exist for second-year achievers. Keep grades above 27/30 to maintain merit funding.
Facilities and Campus Life
The main civil engineering labs sit in the Leonardo campus. They feature:
- Shake tables for earthquake testing.
- A flume channel for hydraulic models.
- 3D printing stations for structural prototypes.
- A materials library holding hundreds of concrete mixes and smart composites.
Beyond labs, student societies run technical field trips and design competitions. The civil engineering club partners with European institutions to host annual bridge-building challenges on campus. Membership improves teamwork, networking, and project management skills.
International Career Prospects
Graduates enter roles such as:
- Structural engineer in consultancies designing high-rise buildings, bridges, and stadiums.
- Project manager for large infrastructure builds across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- Water resources specialist working on flood defence and coastal adaptation.
- Geotechnical consultant for tunnelling and foundation projects.
- Transportation planner developing smart mobility schemes.
The course grants the “Laurea Magistrale” title. With it you can register as a professional engineer in Italy (after the state exam) and in many EU countries via mutual recognition. Alumni also secure PhD positions at leading universities in the UK, Germany, and the United States.
Public Italian Universities and Post-Study Stay
Italy offers a 12-month “job-search” permit after graduation. You can extend it into a full work visa once you sign an employment contract. Employers value graduates who:
- Speak English fluently.
- Understand European technical codes (Eurocodes).
- Can operate advanced software.
- Have experience from project-based learning.
Because LM-23 is delivered in English, you start work ready to brief international clients and coordinate multicultural teams.
Ready for this programme?
If you qualify and we still have a spot this month, we’ll reserve your place with ApplyAZ. Our team will tailor a set of best-fit majors—including this course—and handle every form and deadline for you. One upload, many applications, guaranteed offers, DSU grant support, and visa coaching: that’s the ApplyAZ promise. Start now and secure your spot before this month’s intake fills up.
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