Master in Urban Planning and Policy Design at Polytechnic University of Milan
Two-year English-taught planning master at Politecnico di Milano (Milano Leonardo): urban planning, master plan and urban policy design studios, planning theory, sociology of the city, regional economics, transport and climate.
Master
2 years
Milan
English
Polytechnic University of Milan
Urban Planning and Policy Design is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-48) taught in English at Politecnico di Milano's Milano Leonardo campus. It combines urban planning and design studios with planning theory, urban policy, economics and sociology. Tuition follows the university's yearly fee rules.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent foreign qualification giving access to EQF level 7, with subjects closely related to urban planning.
- A portfolio prepared to the AUIC School's guidelines, which cover this degree.
- A grade average that meets the minimum Politecnico di Milano sets for your country.
- An English certificate recognised by the university, or a university statement that your bachelor's was taught entirely in English.
- No written entrance test, and a Diploma Supplement, declaration of value or CIMEA statement before enrolment.
About the programme
Urban Planning and Policy Design is a two-year master's degree (laurea magistrale) in class LM-48, Regional, urban and environmental planning, worth 120 ECTS and run by the School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering (AUIC) at the Milano Leonardo campus. It is taught in English and has a single curriculum, with no separate tracks.
The degree joins two sides of planning: the physical design of cities and territories, and the design of the public policies that shape them. It suits graduates who want to work on how cities and regions change, combining spatial design with policy.
What you will study
The first year sets the base in planning theory, urban history and sociology alongside several studios. Units taught in English in the 2026/27 course list include:
- Urban Planning and Design Studio
- Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Design Studio
- Master Plans Studio
- Urban Policies Design Studio
- Planning Theory and Sociology of the City
- Urbanism History and Practice
- Territorial Challenges and Urban Space
- Regional Economics and Policy, and Transport Planning and Economics
How the programme is taught
Studios (laboratori) are the core of the degree, from the first-year urban planning and spatial planning studios to the master plans and urban policies studios. Options in English cover housing and neighbourhoods, energy, climate and urban planning, conflict management, smart cities and urban innovation, institutional design and rule-making, and territories and polycrisis. Workshops, a traineeship (tirocinio) and the final examination complete the plan. A few optional units, mostly on transport and commercial planning, are taught in Italian.
Career paths
The studios and courses point to careers where spatial planning meets public policy:
- Urban and regional planning in public administrations
- Planning and policy consultancy
- Urban regeneration and housing projects
- Transport, mobility and infrastructure planning
- Climate and energy planning for cities
- Research on cities and territories
Fees and scholarships
Tuition follows Politecnico di Milano's yearly fee rules, published for 2026/27 on the tuition fees page. The PolInternational route also lets you apply for merit scholarships. For need-based support, the university administers the DSU scholarship directly; eligible students can apply, and the Politecnico decides the awards.
How to apply from outside the EU
You will need a portfolio: the AUIC School's July 2026 portfolio guidelines cover Urban Planning and Policy Design and ask for a clear, well-edited selection of your most significant work. AUIC published the 2026/27 first-semester rankings for this degree.
With a foreign degree you follow the PolInternational pre-enrolment path by its deadlines, via the international admissions page. The foreign-qualification requirements ask for EQF level 7 access, related subjects, a grade minimum by country and English proof. Universitaly pre-enrolment, a type D visa and a Diploma Supplement, declaration of value or CIMEA statement follow.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the Master in Urban Planning and Policy Design taught in English?
Yes. The School page lists the degree as taught in English, and its studios and core courses in the 2026/27 list are in English. A few optional units are in Italian.
Where is the programme taught?
At Politecnico di Milano's Milano Leonardo campus, within the School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering (AUIC).
Do I need a portfolio?
Yes. The AUIC School's portfolio guidelines cover this degree. They ask for a clear index and a well-edited selection of your best and most significant work.
What will I study?
Urban planning and design, spatial planning and infrastructure, master plans and urban policy studios, plus planning theory, sociology of the city, urban history, regional economics and transport planning.
How much does it cost?
Tuition follows Politecnico di Milano's yearly fee rules, published on its tuition fees page. Applicants through PolInternational can apply for merit scholarships, and eligible students can apply for the university's DSU scholarship.
When can I start?
The programme starts in autumn. The 2027/28 application calendar for international applicants was not yet published in September 2026.
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