Master in Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs at University of Milan
Two-year English-taught interclass master at the University of Milan, run with Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, that joins political science and philosophy to study conflict, institutions, ethics and justice. Entry needs related credits and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
University of Milan
Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs is a two-year, 120 ECTS interclass master's degree (classes LM-62-R and LM-78-R) taught in English at the University of Milan, jointly with Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. Entry needs a bachelor's in philosophy or political science, or 42 credits in related fields, plus English at B2. Regional scholarship winners pay no second instalment, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Milan's Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs master asks for a bachelor's in philosophy or political science, or another degree with at least 42 credits in philosophy, political and social sciences, law, anthropology, history or economics, plus English at B2. An admission committee assesses your application and may invite you to an online interview. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree and credit requirements
You need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent Italian or foreign qualification. [1]
- Considered directly: a bachelor's in Philosophy (class L-5) or Political Science and International Relations (class L-36), or an equivalent Italian or foreign degree.
- Other degrees: at least 42 credits (ECTS or equivalent) in philosophy (M-FIL/02 to 06), political and social sciences (SPS/01, 02, 04, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11), law (IUS/07 to 10, 13, 14, 20 and 21), anthropology (M-DEA/01), contemporary history (M-STO/04) or economics (SECS-P/01).
- Within those 42: at least 12 credits in moral philosophy (M-FIL/03), political philosophy (SPS/01), history of political thought (SPS/02), political science (SPS/04) or philosophy of law (IUS/20).
For 2026/27, applicants still finishing their bachelor's could apply if they graduated and met the entry requirements by 31 December 2026. [2]
What this means for your transcript
Credits on a foreign transcript are not the same unit as Italian CFU, and the committee looks at the subjects behind them. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a BA in Political Science or Philosophy, or a BA in International Relations or Public Administration built on political science and political theory courses.
- Check carefully: a BA in Sociology, History, Economics or Anthropology, or an LL.B. or BA LL.B. These can reach 42 credits, but at least 12 must be in moral or political philosophy, history of political thought, political science or philosophy of law.
- Often short: a B.Tech, B.E., BCA, B.Sc., B.Com or BBA, which rarely include 42 credits in these philosophy, social science and law fields.
Meeting the credit rule makes you eligible for assessment. The committee then reviews your application and may invite you to an online interview. [1]
English
English at CEFR level B2 or higher is required for admission. You can show it with a B2 or higher certificate issued no more than three years before you apply, uploaded with the online application, or by taking the University Language Centre (SLAM) entry test. University of Milan graduates can rely on an English level certified by SLAM in the last four years. [1]
If you do not take or pass the entry test, you must deliver an accepted certificate by the programme's deadline, or you are not admitted. The programme description does not list specific test scores. [1]
Selection and interview
The programme rules set no entrance test. An ad hoc admission committee assesses applications and may invite applicants to an online interview to check that they have the basic knowledge and skills to complete the programme. [1] The 2026/27 admission notice allowed the board to set an interview, a written test or both, in person or remotely. [2]
The programme website says interviews run from March to September, are scheduled in order of application and are announced by email at least a week ahead. They focus on your academic background and argumentation skills, and no specific preparation is needed. [3]
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU citizens applying for a visa had to apply online between 22 January and 30 April 2026. EU candidates and equivalents could apply until 20 July 2026. Applications not completed by the admission deadline were excluded. [2]
Applicants still finishing their bachelor's had to graduate and meet the curricular and language requirements by 31 December 2026. Enrolment ran from 5 May 2026 to 15 January 2027. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Documents and non-EU steps
With a foreign degree you upload your bachelor's degree certificate (in Italian, English, French, German or Spanish), a Diploma Supplement or a transcript showing courses, marks, credits and the grading system, and a passport or other valid ID. Submitted applications cannot be changed. [2]
Admitted non-EU visa applicants complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, which closed on 31 July 2026 for 2026/27. By 30 November 2026 they also had to provide the legalised degree certificate and a statement of comparability from an ENIC-NARIC centre such as CIMEA, or a declaration of value, with the other listed documents, or enrolment was cancelled. [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 Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA), classes LM-62 R and LM-78 R, students enrolling in 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Admission notice for the Master's degree programme in Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA), classes LM-62 R and LM-78 R, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan, Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs programme website. Application and admission interview, 2026/27 intake. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan, Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA) course page: language of instruction, departments, access and 2026/27 admission dates. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Milan. Fees for academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA) is a two-year interclass master's degree in classes LM-62-R (political science) and LM-78-R (philosophical sciences), taught in English and in person in Milan. [1][4]
The University of Milan offers it jointly with Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. Applications and enrolment go through the University of Milan, and the degree is run by its Department of Social and Political Sciences and Department of Philosophy. [2][4]
The degree brings political theory, empirical political science and moral philosophy to bear on public questions such as conflict and legitimacy, the design of institutions, justice, rights and hard ethical choices.
It suits graduates in philosophy, political science, law, economics or history who want to analyse public affairs with both normative and empirical tools.
What you will study
The first year has 51 ECTS of compulsory units plus two 6 ECTS electives: one on economy, labour and social justice, and one on gender, migration and cultural diversity. In the second year you choose one philosophy elective, such as climate ethics, bioethics, neuroethics or reasoning with data, and one politics elective, such as global challenges to democracy or justice and international affairs. The core units are: [1]
- Conflicts, Political Arrangements and Legitimacy (9 ECTS)
- Political Order, Violence and Institutions (9 ECTS)
- Rationality, Rules and Institutions (9 ECTS)
- The Western Tradition: Moral and Political Values (12 ECTS)
- Ethical Theory and Hard Choices (6 ECTS)
- Critical Thinking and Argumentation (3 ECTS)
- Empirical Research in Political Sciences (3 ECTS)
- Differences and Non-Discrimination: Rights in Action, and Welfare State and Social Innovation (year 2)
How the programme is taught
The second year combines two compulsory units with electives, 6 ECTS for an internship or other activities such as language courses (3 ECTS units in Italian, French, German or Spanish are offered), 12 ECTS of free choice and a 15 ECTS master's thesis, an original piece of work written under a supervisor. You need at least 105 credits before the final exam. [1]
Attendance is not compulsory but highly recommended. [1]
Erasmus+ agreements link PPPA with universities including Heidelberg, Leipzig, Bayreuth, Bremen, Flensburg, Copenhagen and Mykolas Romeris University, and the 4EU+ alliance gives access to online courses at partner universities. [1]
Career paths
The university sets out five professional profiles for PPPA graduates: [1]
- Political adviser for public institutions, NGOs and research centres
- Political science specialist researching political and social issues
- Philosophy specialist working on ethical questions and policy analysis
- Internal consultant in strategic roles in public and private organisations and companies
- Cultural manager in media, foundations and the cultural industries
Fees and scholarships
The University of Milan charges fees in two instalments. The first covers the regional tax and stamp duty. The second depends on family income (ISEE) and on the programme's tuition area. [5]
For students whose family income and assets are abroad, the second instalment is a fixed amount set by country group (A, B or C) and tuition area. [5]
Winners of regional or University of Milan scholarships get a waiver on the second instalment, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [5]
How to apply from outside the EU
The programme rules set no entrance test: an ad hoc committee assesses your application and may invite you to an online interview. [1] The 2026/27 admission notice also allowed the board to set a written test. [2]
For 2026/27, non-EU citizens applying for a visa had to apply online between 22 January and 30 April 2026. Other candidates had until 20 July 2026. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Admitted visa applicants then complete Universitaly pre-enrolment, which closed on 31 July 2026 for 2026/27, and apply for a study visa. By 30 November 2026 they also had to provide a statement of comparability from an ENIC-NARIC centre such as CIMEA, or a declaration of value, or enrolment was cancelled. [2]
Compare related master's programmes
If you are exploring politics, diplomacy and communication, compare the curriculum and entry requirements on these programme pages before choosing your shortlist.
- Master in Politics, Administration, and Organization at University of Bologna
- Master in Public and Corporate Communication at University of Milan
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 admission application, supporting documents 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
What bachelor's degree do I need for Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs at Milan?
A bachelor's in Philosophy (L-5) or Political Science and International Relations (L-36), or an equivalent. Other graduates need at least 42 credits in philosophy, political and social sciences, law, anthropology, contemporary history or economics, with at least 12 in moral or political philosophy, history of political thought, political science or philosophy of law. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
The programme rules set no written test. An ad hoc committee assesses your application and may invite you to an online interview on your academic background and argumentation skills. The 2026/27 admission notice also allowed the board to set a written test. [1][2][3]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at CEFR B2 or higher, shown by an accepted certificate issued within the last three years or by passing the university's English entry test. The programme description does not list specific 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 citizens applying for a visa had to apply between 22 January and 30 April 2026 and complete Universitaly pre-enrolment by 31 July 2026. The 2027/28 admission notice sets the next dates. [2]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. For 2026/27, applicants still finishing their bachelor's could apply if they graduated and met the curricular and language requirements by 31 December 2026. Visa applicants still had to submit the application by 30 April 2026. [2]
I have a BA in Economics or an LL.B. Can I apply?
Possibly. Economics and law courses count towards the 42 credits, but at least 12 must be in moral or political philosophy, history of political thought, political science or philosophy of law. A degree without those courses is often short. [1]
What is the role of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University?
PPPA is offered jointly by the University of Milan and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. Applications and enrolment go through the University of Milan, whose Department of Social and Political Sciences and Department of Philosophy run the degree. [1][2][4]
What careers does PPPA lead to?
The university lists five profiles: political adviser, political science specialist, philosophy specialist, internal consultant for companies and public or private organisations, and cultural manager in communication, publishing, foundations and the cultural industries. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs 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 Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs?
A recognised Indian bachelor's in political science or philosophy, such as a BA in Political Science, can meet the rule. Other degrees need at least 42 credits in philosophy, social sciences, law, history or economics. You also need English at B2. The steps are the online application, a possible online interview, admission 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 Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online admission application, a possible online interview, admission 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 Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online admission application, a possible online interview, admission 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 Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs 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 admission application, a possible online interview, admission 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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