Master in Geophysics at University of Milan
Two-year English-taught LM-79 R master at the University of Milan in seismology, applied geophysics and fluid Earth physics, with field and lab work, a compulsory internship and a 33 ECTS research thesis. Entry needs 60 relevant credits and B2 English.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
University of Milan
Geophysics is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-79 R) taught in English at the University of Milan's Città Studi campus. Entry needs a science or engineering degree with at least 60 relevant credits, including 15 in physics and geosciences and 15 in maths and computer science, plus English at B2. Scholarship winners get a waiver on the second instalment, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Milan's Geophysics master asks for a science or engineering degree with at least 60 credits in physics, maths, statistics, computing, chemistry, geosciences or engineering, including 15 in physics and geosciences and 15 in maths and computer science. You also need English at B2 and a positive review by the admission commission, which may include an interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a bachelor's degree in science or engineering, or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable: the programme description sets 180 credits for admission. Your degree must include at least 60 credits in total in these subject areas: [1]
- Eligible areas: physics (FIS/01 to FIS/08), mathematics (MAT/01 to MAT/09), statistics (SECS-S/01 and SECS-S/02), computer science (INF/01), information engineering (ING-INF/01 to ING-INF/05 and ING-INF/07), chemistry (CHIM/01 to CHIM/07 and CHIM/12), geosciences (GEO/01 to GEO/12), civil engineering (ICAR/01 to ICAR/03 and ICAR/06 to ICAR/09) and industrial engineering (ING-IND/01 to 07, 09 to 12, 18 to 20 and 28 to 30).
- At least 15 of those credits in physics and geosciences (FIS/01 to FIS/08, GEO/01 to GEO/12).
- At least 15 of those credits in mathematics and computer science (MAT/01 to MAT/09, SECS-S/01 and SECS-S/02, INF/01 and ING-INF/05).
Italian graduates of class L-30 (Physical Sciences and Technologies) and of many degrees in class L-34 (Geological Sciences) meet these criteria. For a foreign degree, the admission commission checks how your course units match the rule in credits and content. A published syllabus sets out the physics, mathematics and computer science knowledge expected at entry. [1]
You must meet all requirements by 31 December 2026. [2]
What this means for your transcript
Credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit as Italian ECTS, and the commission looks at the content of each course. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Physics with mathematics courses, or a B.Sc. in Geology or Applied Geology that includes physics and mathematics.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical or Computer Engineering, which usually covers the maths and computing block but must show 15 credits in physics or geosciences; and a B.Sc. in Mathematics or Computer Science with little physics.
- Often short: a BCA, B.Com, BBA or BA, or a life sciences degree, which rarely reaches 60 credits in the listed areas with 15 in physics or geosciences.
English
English at CEFR level B2 is required, and the ability to communicate effectively in English is a crucial element for admission. The commission does not assess your English if you hold an official certificate at B2 or higher issued no more than three years before the application, or a bachelor's degree taught in English. Otherwise it may check your English at the interview. [1]
On the university's list, B2 corresponds to IELTS 5.5 to 6.5, TOEFL iBT 72 to 94, PTE Academic 59 to 75 or Cambridge B2 First. Certificates must cover reading, writing, listening and speaking. [3]
Admission review and interview
There is no set entrance exam for everyone. The admission commission checks your credits, evaluates your previous studies and decides whether you need an in-depth interview on your personal preparation and English. It then admits or does not admit you, and any refusal must be explained. [1]
The admission notice also allows the board to ask for an interview and/or a written test, in person or remotely. [2]
For 2026/27, 30 places were reserved for non-EU students living abroad, and 10 for candidates of the Marco Polo programme. [1][2]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants needing a visa applied between 22 January and 30 April 2026, while other applicants had until 30 October 2026. Admitted students enrol between 5 May 2026 and 15 January 2027. [2]
Applicants still finishing a degree could apply if they graduated and met the entry requirements by 31 December 2026. [1][2]
Visa applicants also had to complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026, or they were excluded from the selection and from enrolment. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
Applicants with a foreign degree apply on the university's international platform by the deadline. You upload: [2]
- your bachelor's degree or degree-awarding certificate, in Italian, English, French, German or Spanish;
- a Diploma Supplement or a transcript with courses, marks, ECTS, subject areas and the grading system;
- your passport or another valid ID.
The application cannot be changed once submitted. [2]
To finalise enrolment you provide your bachelor's degree legalised or apostilled, your high school diploma, an official Italian translation unless the documents are in English, French, German or Spanish, a Statement of Comparability from an ENIC-NARIC centre such as CIMEA or a declaration of value from the Italian embassy, an Italian tax code and, for non-EU citizens, your residence permit or the receipt of its application. For 2026/27 these were due by 30 November 2026, and admission stays provisional until they are checked. [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.
- University of Milan. Programme description (manifesto), Master's degree in Geophysics (LM-79 R), students enrolling in 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Admission notice for the Master's degree programme in Geophysics (LM-79 R), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Accepted English language certificates, list updated June 2025. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Fees for academic year 2026/27, with the annex of country groups. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Regulations on tuition and fees, academic year 2025/26, annex listing programmes by tuition area. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Geophysics is a two-year master's degree in class LM-79-R (geophysical sciences), run by the Department of Earth Sciences "Ardito Desio" together with the Department of Physics at the Città Studi campus in Milan.
It is worth 120 ECTS, has a single curriculum and is delivered in English, with open access subject to a check of entry requirements. [1]
The programme trains specialists who build mathematical and numerical models of geophysical systems, design geophysical surveys at scales ranging from environmental and cultural heritage sites to civil engineering and natural resources, and analyse strategies to reduce natural and environmental risks. [1]
It suits physics, geology or engineering graduates with solid quantitative skills.
What you will study
Four compulsory units (24 ECTS) lay the base in physics and Earth materials. Three of them can be replaced by a core unit of the Earth Sciences or Physics master if you already hold more than 12 credits in the matching areas. [1]
You then choose four units from the geophysical disciplines (seismology and solid Earth, applied geophysics, fluid Earth) and three from interdisciplinary areas such as data analytics, statistics and environmental law, plus two free electives. Units in the 2026/27 study plan include: [1]
- Earth Materials: Genesis, Composition, Evolution, Properties
- Geological Environments and Structures
- Introduction to Continuum Physics
- Advanced Topics in Physics
- Seismology and Laboratory, and Seismic Imaging
- Electrical, Electromagnetic and Gravimetric Methods for Environment and Exploration, and Well Logging
- Physics of the Atmosphere, and Physics of the Hydrosphere and the Cryosphere
- Geostatistical Methods for Geophysics, and Spaceborne Earth Observation
All compulsory units are taught in English. Two optional units, Environmental Physics and Methods for Processing, Analysis and Representation of Geophysical Data, are taught in Italian.
How the programme is taught
Every course unit includes laboratory or field exercises, and attendance at practical activities is compulsory. Each student completes a 9 ECTS internship in university laboratories or outside (6 ECTS for international students who take the Italian language unit). [1]
The 33 ECTS thesis requires at least one semester of research and can be carried out at a foreign university or research centre under a mobility agreement. The thesis is written, presented and defended in English. [1]
Career paths
The professional profile is a specialist in modelling geophysical processes and in acquiring and analysing geophysical data. The university lists employers such as: [1]
- The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and other research institutions
- Geophysical exploration companies
- Environmental protection bodies and meteorological services
- Software development firms
- Public administration, or freelance consulting
Roles range from technical and research posts to project coordination and management.
Fees and scholarships
Geophysics sits in tuition Area B. [5]
Students whose household income and assets are abroad pay a second instalment fixed by country group for 2026/27, with the lowest rate in Group A (countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana). [4]
Students who win a regional or University of Milan scholarship get a waiver on the second instalment, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
The admission commission checks your credits in physics, geosciences, mathematics and computer science, and decides case by case whether to interview you. [1]
We apply on apply.unimi.it in the non-EU visa applicant category, uploading your transcript and English certificate. [2]
For 2026/27, visa applicants had until 30 April 2026, while the general deadline was 30 October 2026. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Visa applicants must also complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, which we submit for you, by 31 July (for 2026/27), or they are excluded from the selection and from enrolment. After admission you apply for a study visa. Your degree then needs a CIMEA statement of comparability or a declaration of value, due with your other enrolment documents by 30 November for 2026/27. [2]
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 Milan's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application with your transcript and English certificate, and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your University of Milan 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
Is the Master in Geophysics taught in English?
Yes. The programme is delivered in English with a single curriculum, and the thesis is written and defended in English. All compulsory units are in English; two optional units are taught in Italian. You need English at B2. [1]
What bachelor's degree do I need for Geophysics at Milan?
A science or engineering degree with at least 60 credits in physics, maths, statistics, computing, chemistry, geosciences or engineering areas, including at least 15 in physics and geosciences and at least 15 in maths and computer science. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no set exam for everyone. The admission commission reviews your credits and previous studies and decides whether you need an in-depth interview on your preparation and English. The admission notice also allows a written test. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. With an official certificate issued within three years, such as IELTS 5.5 or above, or a bachelor's taught in English, your English is not assessed. Otherwise the commission may check it at an interview. [1][3]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU visa applicants applied between 22 January and 30 April 2026 and had to complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026. The degree reserved 30 places for non-EU students living abroad. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [1][2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. For 2026/27, you could apply if you expected to graduate and meet the entry requirements by 31 December 2026. [1][2]
I have a B.Tech in Civil Engineering. Can I apply?
Possibly. Civil engineering subjects count towards the 60 credits, and your maths courses may cover the 15 credits in maths and computer science. The usual gap is the 15 credits in physics or geosciences, so we check your transcript course by course. [1]
Is there practical work?
Yes. All units include laboratory or field exercises, attendance at practical activities is compulsory, and every student completes a 9 ECTS internship, or 6 ECTS with the Italian language unit, before the 33 ECTS research thesis. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Geophysics at Milan?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Milan's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the University of Milan 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 Geophysics?
A recognised Indian bachelor's such as a B.Sc. in Physics or Geology, or a B.Tech or B.E. with enough physics, can fit if it shows 60 relevant credits, with 15 in physics and geosciences and 15 in maths and computer science. You also need English at B2. The steps are the online application, the commission's review with a possible interview, 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 Geophysics are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, the commission's review with a possible interview, 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 Geophysics are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, the commission's review with a possible interview, 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 Geophysics 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, the commission's review with a possible interview, 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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