Master in Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication at Sapienza University of Rome
Two-year LM-12 master's at Sapienza University of Rome with an English curriculum in visual, multimedia, information and exhibit design, taught through studios. Entry is by ranking on your grade, portfolio and an oral test, with English at B2.
Master
2 years
Rome
Multiple
Sapienza University of Rome
Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-12) with an English-taught curriculum at Sapienza University of Rome. Entry needs a design bachelor's, or at least 40 ECTS in listed design, art, communication, computing or management sectors, plus English at B2, a portfolio and an oral test. Fees follow family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Sapienza's Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication master asks for a bachelor's in industrial design (class L-4) or an equivalent design degree, or another degree with at least 40 ECTS in listed sectors, plus English at B2. Places are limited and awarded by a ranking based on your grade, a portfolio and an oral test. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
The degree and 40-credit rule
You need one of the following. [1]
- A bachelor's degree in industrial design (class L-4) or an equivalent first-level design degree, including degrees from courses whose subjects can be matched to Italian scientific-disciplinary sectors.
- A bachelor's in another field with at least 40 ECTS in these sectors: industrial design (ICAR/13), architectural and urban design (ICAR/14), interior architecture and exhibit design (ICAR/16), drawing and representation (ICAR/17), computer science (ING-INF/05), sociology of culture and communication (SPS/08), contemporary art history (L-ART/03), performing arts (L-ART/05), cinema, photography and television (L-ART/06), and business management (SECS-P/08).
Graduates from another degree class submit a graduation certificate listing every exam with its credits and sector. Each exam counts only once, and applicants without at least 40 recognised ECTS are left out of the final ranking. For foreign qualifications and the English curriculum, the committee establishes how your qualification matches these subjects. [1]
What this means for your transcript
Credits on an Indian or other South Asian transcript are not the same unit as ECTS, and the committee matches your exams to the listed sectors one by one. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Des in communication, graphic, visual, product or industrial design, the closest match to an Italian design degree.
- Check carefully: a B.Arch, a BFA in applied arts, or a bachelor's in mass media, film or multimedia. Drawing, architecture, art history, cinema and communication exams can reach 40 ECTS if each matches a listed sector.
- Check carefully: a BCA, a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Computer Science, a BBA or a B.Com. Computer science or business management exams count towards the 40 ECTS, but you compete with design graduates on the portfolio.
- Often short: a B.Sc. in physics, chemistry or biology, a B.Pharm, or a B.Tech in civil or mechanical engineering, which usually have few exams in the listed sectors.
Whatever your degree, the portfolio carries as many points as your grade. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher. You show it with a scanned language certificate or a self-certification of your level. The call does not name specific tests or scores. [1]
Selection: grade, portfolio and oral test
Places are awarded by a ranking out of 70 points. [1]
- Bachelor's grade: 2 to 30 points, from a table based on the Italian 110 scale. Other grading systems are converted, and for non-European degrees the committee sets the equivalent grade case by case.
- Portfolio: 0 to 30 points for graphic or multimedia projects from your degree or professional work, further courses and certificates, design prizes, exhibitions, workshops, internships and publications. Multimedia projects can include frames and links to repositories such as YouTube or Behance.
- Oral test: up to 10 points, focused on your portfolio and the skills behind it.
You need at least 15 points to enter the ranking. Ties go first to applicants who graduated within the regular duration, then to the earlier graduation date, then to the younger applicant. [1]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad who needed a student visa had to: [1]
- complete MoveIn pre-selection and download the pre-acceptance letter by 15 May 2026
- submit Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 June 2026
- register on Infostud, pay the call fee and apply between 16 June and 13 July 2026
- sit the oral test on 17, 20 or 21 July 2026
Rankings for this group were published by 30 July 2026, and enrolment fees were due between 1 and 29 September 2026. EU applicants and non-EU residents in Italy applied by 1 September 2026, sat the oral test on 7, 8 or 9 September and saw rankings by 15 September 2026. The 2027/28 call is not yet published. [1]
Applying before you graduate
For 2026/27, only Sapienza students graduating by 31 January 2027 could take part conditionally. Applications from students about to graduate at other universities were excluded, and non-EU visa applicants had to meet every requirement by 13 July 2026. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
Every application includes an ID document, the fee receipt and your English certificate or self-certification. EU applicants and non-EU residents in Italy also upload a CV, a portfolio and a graduation certificate listing exams. [1]
Non-EU applicants living abroad who need a student visa must hold a pre-acceptance letter from MoveIn pre-selection and complete Universitaly pre-enrolment before applying. The letter does not by itself give a right to a visa or to enrolment: you still need to pass the selection. After ranking, holders of foreign qualifications enrol by submitting the listed documents to Sapienza's international student office and paying the first fee instalment. [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.
- Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Architecture. Call for applications to the restricted-access Master's degree programme in Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication (LM-12), academic year 2026-2027, Rector's Decree no. 1131/2026. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- Sapienza University of Rome, Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication programme page (degree class, teaching languages, duration, faculty and department). Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication is a two-year master's degree in class LM-12 (design), worth 120 ECTS, in Sapienza's Faculty of Architecture. It is run by the Department of Planning, Design and Technology of Architecture in Rome and taught in person. The degree has two curricula: Design Comunicazione Visiva e Multimediale in Italian, and Design Multimedia and Visual Communication, in which every unit is taught in English. This page describes the English curriculum. [1][2]
The degree joins theory with studio work across multimedia design, performing arts, visual and graphic design, information design and exhibit design. Access is limited: the 2026/27 call set 60 places for EU applicants and non-EU residents in Italy, and 40 for non-EU applicants living abroad, 2 of them reserved for the Marco Polo programme. [1] It suits graduates in design, architecture or communication who can show their work in a portfolio.
What you will study
The first year builds skills in typography and editorial graphics, brand design, image analysis, storytelling and the history and practice of the performing arts. The second year turns to experimental design for companies, agencies and organisations, with game design, data visualisation and design for digital education. Studios in the English curriculum include:
- Book Design and Typography Studio
- Image and Storytelling Studio
- Multimedia Design Studio
- Branding Studio or Editorial Design Studio (a choice of one)
- Performance Design Studio or Exhibit and Spatial Design Studio (a choice of one)
- Information Design Studio
- Computer Graphics and Gaming Studio
- Design for Digital Education Studio
How the programme is taught
Most units are 9 ECTS studios that pair lectures with project work. The final semester holds a 9 ECTS elective, 9 ECTS of further learning and training, and a 15 ECTS thesis. The course presentation also points to supplementary courses, seminars, workshops and internships in Italy and abroad to prepare you for work.
Career paths
The university describes three profiles: visual and graphic design, multimedia design, and exhibit and performance design. Graduates can work in companies, public and private bodies and communication agencies, or as freelancers. Roles it lists include:
- Art director or creative director
- Visual, communication, graphic or brand designer
- Type and editorial designer
- Digital, interface or UX designer
- Motion designer, video maker, interaction or game designer
- Exhibit, retail, fair and digital installation designer
Fees and scholarships
The admission call has its own non-refundable fee, paid through Infostud. Sapienza sets tuition by family income (ISEE): the lower your ISEE, the lower the fee. Students with foreign citizenship or income earned abroad who cannot produce an ISEE pay a fixed yearly amount that depends on their country of origin. [1]
The regional scholarship body for Rome is DiSCo Lazio, and the region decides scholarship awards. Because fees follow family income, this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
This degree has its own call, with a separate calendar for non-EU visa applicants. For 2026/27 they registered on Infostud, paid the call fee and applied between 16 June and 13 July 2026, sat the oral test on 17, 20 or 21 July 2026, and rankings were published by 30 July 2026. Ranked students then paid enrolment fees between 1 and 29 September 2026. The score adds your bachelor's grade (up to 30 points), your portfolio (up to 30) and the oral (up to 10). [1]
Before that, non-EU applicants needed a pre-acceptance letter from Sapienza's pre-selection on the QS MoveIn platform, which is separate from the call. The 2026/27 deadline was 15 May 2026. Universitaly pre-enrolment followed by 30 June 2026, then the type D study visa. The pre-acceptance letter does not by itself give a right to a visa or a place: you still need to pass the selection. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [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 Sapienza's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your MoveIn pre-selection, Universitaly pre-enrolment and Sapienza application with your portfolio.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your DiSCo Lazio 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 Sapienza's Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication master?
A bachelor's in industrial design (class L-4) or an equivalent design degree. Graduates in other fields need at least 40 ECTS in listed sectors: design, architecture, drawing, computer science, communication, art history, performing arts, cinema and photography, or business management. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no written test. You are ranked out of 70: up to 30 points for your bachelor's grade, up to 30 for your portfolio and up to 10 for an oral test on your portfolio. You need at least 15 points to enter the ranking. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2 or higher. The call accepts a scanned language certificate or a self-certification of your level and does not name IELTS or set test scores, so we check which proof of B2 your file can use. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants needing a visa had to finish MoveIn pre-selection by 15 May 2026, Universitaly pre-enrolment by 30 June and the Sapienza application by 13 July 2026, with oral tests on 17, 20 or 21 July. The 2027/28 calendar is not yet published. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Only if you study at Sapienza. For 2026/27, Sapienza students graduating by 31 January 2027 could take part conditionally, while applications from students about to graduate at other universities were excluded. Non-EU visa applicants had to meet every requirement by 13 July 2026. [1]
I have a BCA or a BBA. Can I still apply?
Possibly. A degree outside design needs at least 40 ECTS in the listed sectors. Computer science exams can count for a BCA and business management exams for a BBA, with each exam counted once. You still compete on a portfolio of graphic or multimedia work worth up to 30 points. [1]
Is the Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication master taught in English?
The degree has two curricula, one in Italian and one in English, run by Sapienza's Faculty of Architecture in Rome with in-person teaching. Non-EU visa applicants who choose the English curriculum need a MoveIn pre-acceptance letter and English at B2. [1][2]
What jobs do graduates do?
The university lists art and creative direction, visual, brand and type design, interface and UX design, motion design, video making, game design, and exhibit, retail and installation design, in agencies, companies, public bodies or as freelancers.
Can someone handle my whole application to Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication at Sapienza?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Sapienza's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DiSCo Lazio 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 Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in design, such as a B.Des, is the closest match. Other degrees, such as a B.Arch, BFA, BCA or BBA, need at least 40 ECTS in the listed design, art, communication, computing or management sectors, plus English at B2 and a strong portfolio. The steps are MoveIn pre-selection, Universitaly pre-enrolment, the Sapienza application and an oral test. [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 Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: MoveIn pre-selection, Universitaly pre-enrolment, the Sapienza application with a portfolio and the oral test, 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 Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: MoveIn pre-selection, Universitaly pre-enrolment, the Sapienza application with a portfolio and the oral test. 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 Design, Multimedia and Visual Communication 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: MoveIn pre-selection, Universitaly pre-enrolment, the Sapienza application with a portfolio and the oral test, 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.
More English-taught programmes at this university
Other public universities in this city
They began right where you are
