Master in Music and Acoustic Engineering at Polytechnic University of Milan

Detailed entry requirements

PoliMi's Music and Acoustic Engineering master asks for a bachelor's of at least three years and 180 credits, with at least 30 credits in maths and physics and 15 in computer science, a positive review by an Admission Committee, and English at B2 with a recognised certificate or an English-taught bachelor's. There is no entrance test. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]

Degree and credit requirements

You need a bachelor's degree, preferably a Bachelor of Science, of at least three years and 180 CFU (Italian credits, equivalent to ECTS), including: [1]

• At least 30 credits in mathematics and physics.
• At least 15 credits in computer science.

The programme expects a solid background in the subjects information engineering relies on: maths, physics and computer science. Basic electronics and automation help. Degrees in information engineering, such as computer science, telecommunications, electronics or automation, are the preferred route, but entry is not limited to them. [1]

An Admission Committee examines foreign applications and the equivalence of qualifications. To fill gaps, it can assign compulsory units that count within the 120 credits of the degree. It can also reject an international application and suggest extra exams to take in your home country first. International students without enough computer science background are assigned compulsory units in that area. [1]

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. If you hold both a bachelor's and a master's, you are evaluated on the bachelor's only. [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, as a percentage or weighted score.
• Pakistan: a four-year continuous bachelor's, as 2+2 degrees are not accepted. Minimum GPA 3.3 out of 4, with a university letter stating your weighted average.
• Bangladesh: minimum GPA 3.3 out of 4.
• Sri Lanka: an Honours degree (SLQF level 6). SLQF level 5 qualifications are not evaluated.
• United Kingdom and Canada: an Honours degree or equivalent, from a recognised institution.

The Gulf states, the United States, Singapore and Malaysia are not on PoliMi's country list, so no extra country rule applies to degrees from there. [2]

What this means for your transcript

Italian CFU and the credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit, and the committee looks at your subjects, not just your total. As a guide, based on the rules above:

• Usually a fit: a four-year B.Tech or B.E. in Electronics and Communication, Computer Science, IT, Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering, with engineering maths, physics and programming on the transcript and an average that meets your country's minimum.
• Check carefully: a four-year B.Tech or B.E. in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, which may fall short of the 15 computer science credits, or a three-year B.Sc. Honours in Physics or Computer Science, which must also cover the other subject block.
• Often short: a three-year B.Sc. without Honours or a three-year BCA from India, which do not meet PoliMi's four-year rule for Indian degrees, a 2+2 degree from Pakistan, or a music, B.Com, BBA or BA degree without the maths, physics and computing credits.

English

English at CEFR B2 or higher, certified with a score at PoliMi's minimum. [1] For the 2027/28 intake, accepted results include: [3]

• IELTS Academic or General Training 6
• TOEFL iBT 78 for tests taken until 20 January 2026, or 4.5 for tests taken from 21 January 2026
• Cambridge B2 First at grade B, C1 Advanced at grade C or C2 Proficiency at grade C
• PTE Academic 59, or Pearson English International Certificate 59
• Trinity ISE II, or LanguageCert B2 Communicator

If your bachelor's was taught in English for at least three years, a document certified by your university confirming that at least 75% of your courses were in English replaces the certificate. [3]

The programme rules ask for the certificate in your application. PoliMi's admissions office lets you upload it after the application deadline, but you need it to receive your admission letter, apply for the visa and enrol. Expired certificates are not accepted. [1][3]

Italian is not an entry requirement. International students enrol with an Italian learning requirement (OFA) and must certify Italian before the graduation exam. [8]

Selection and places

There is no entrance test. The Admission Committee, appointed by the programme's study council, evaluates your CV, qualifications, background and motivation. [1]

For 2026/27, PoliMi's places list showed 85 places for Music and Acoustic Engineering under the Cremona campus, 20 of them for non-EU students. [5]

The 2026/27 regulations note that a new admission model for PoliMi master's programmes starts from 2028/29. [1]

Deadlines for the September 2027 intake

Engineering master's programmes have two calls open to applicants living outside Italy: [4]

• First call: 1 October to 1 December 2026, at the €50 early bird fee.
• Second call: 12 January to 25 February 2027, at the €150 standard fee.

Outcomes are due by the end of May 2027. A further 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 once per semester, to at most two programmes. [4]

The programme is built so that students can also start in the second semester, in late February, with a study plan agreed with the teaching committee. [1]

Documents and non-EU steps

You upload your transcript, your degree certificate, a cumulative GPA statement showing your grading scale and a CV of up to two pages. If you have not graduated yet, an enrolment document confirming you are in the final year of your bachelor's is accepted, but you must graduate before enrolment. A GRE score, a recommendation letter, a motivation letter and course descriptions are optional and can strengthen your file. [2][3]

Indian applicants upload scanned originals of the transcript or consolidated grade sheet, and screenshots are not accepted. [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 Industrial and Information Engineering. Academic regulations, Master's degree in Music and Acoustic Engineering (class LM-32), academic year 2026/27. 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. List of documents required by the Admissions Office for Master of Science applicants with a foreign qualification, updated for academic year 2027/28. 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. Places available for Master of Science programmes with a foreign qualification, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
6. Politecnico di Milano. Tuition fees for Laurea, Laurea Magistrale and single-cycle programmes, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
7. Politecnico di Milano. Call for DSU financial aid benefits, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
8. Politecnico di Milano. English language requirements for Laurea Magistrale programmes, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
9. Politecnico di Milano, Cremona Campus. Study programmes brochure, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.

What bachelor's degree do I need for Music and Acoustic Engineering at PoliMi?

A bachelor's of at least three years and 180 credits, with at least 30 credits in maths and physics and 15 in computer science. Information engineering degrees are preferred but not required. An Admission Committee reviews your background and can add compulsory units to fill gaps. [1]

Is there an entrance exam?

No. An Admission Committee evaluates your CV, qualifications, background and motivation. It can assign compulsory units within the 120 credits, or turn down an application and suggest extra exams to take in your home country first. [1]

What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?

English at B2, certified with a recognised test such as IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 78 (or 4.5 for tests from 21 January 2026), Cambridge B2 First at grade B or PTE Academic 59. A university document showing at least 75% of your three-year bachelor's was taught in English can replace it. [1][3]

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, at the €50 early bird fee, or from 12 January to 25 February 2027, at €150. Outcomes are due by the end of May 2027. [4]

Is the programme in Milan or Cremona?

Both, one campus per track. Acoustic Engineering runs in Cremona, home of the musical acoustics labs, and Music Engineering at Milano Leonardo. Units shared by both tracks are taught remotely with lecturers alternating between campuses, and the second year of each track is offered only on its own campus. [1][9]

I have a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication or a BCA from India. Can I apply?

A four-year B.Tech or B.E. in Electronics and Communication or Computer Science usually covers the maths, physics and computing credits. A three-year BCA does not meet PoliMi's four-year rule for Indian degrees, and a three-year B.Sc. counts only if it is an Honours degree. You also need an average of at least 70 out of 100. [1][2]

Can I apply before I graduate?

Yes. You can apply in the final year of your bachelor's with an enrolment document from your university, as long as you graduate before enrolment. [2][3]

What careers does it lead to?

Acoustic Engineering points to musical instrument and loudspeaker design, sound systems, room acoustics and noise control. Music Engineering points to music labels, broadcasters, streaming platforms and companies building audio processing for professional and consumer products. Graduates can sit the Italian state exam for the register of information engineers. [1]

Can someone handle my whole application to Music and Acoustic Engineering 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 Music and Acoustic Engineering?

PoliMi accepts Indian bachelor's degrees of at least four years, such as a B.Tech or B.E., and considers a three-year B.Sc. only if it is an Honours degree. You need an average of at least 70 out of 100, with at least 30 credits in maths and physics and 15 in computer science. The steps are the online application, the Admission Committee's evaluation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] 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 Music and Acoustic Engineering 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 Committee'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 Music and Acoustic Engineering are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application in the first or second call, the Admission Committee's evaluation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

I'm applying from the UK, US, Canada, Singapore or Malaysia. Is anything different?

The academic rules are identical. Non-EU applicants who live abroad, including citizens of these countries, follow the same route: online application in the first or second call, the Admission Committee's evaluation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa. Read our guides for London, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.