- Politecnico di Milano was founded in 1863 and now enrols 49,395 students, including 9,940 international students
- In the QS World University Rankings 2026 it placed 98th, the first Italian university ever to enter the global top 100
- Non-EU tuition reaches about 3,943 euros per year under the official ISEE fee schedule.
Politecnico di Milano, also known as the Polytechnic University of Milan, is one of the largest and most prestigious technical universities in Italy. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes in engineering, architecture, and design, and traces its history back to 1863.
What Is Politecnico di Milano Known For?
Politecnico di Milano is Italy's largest technical university, founded in 1863 in Milan. It specialises in engineering, architecture, and design, teaching more than 49,000 students across seven campuses. Renowned alumni include architects Renzo Piano and Aldo Rossi and Nobel laureate Giulio Natta, reflecting its long research and innovation heritage.
The university operates from seven locations. Its two main campuses sit in Milan, at Citta Studi (Milano Leonardo) and Bovisa, where most teaching and research take place. Additional campuses are located in Cremona, Lecco, Mantova, and Piacenza, along with a joint campus in Xi'an, China. The Citta Studi headquarters has been the university's principal hub since 1927.
Best countries to study architectureRead →How Is Politecnico di Milano Ranked in 2026?
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, Politecnico di Milano placed 98th overall, becoming the first Italian university to enter the global top 100. By subject it ranked 6th worldwide for Architecture, 7th for Art and Design, 20th for Engineering and Technology, and 14th for Mechanical and Civil Engineering.
Politecnico di Milano is consistently ranked among the world's leading institutions for engineering, architecture, and design. Its strong performance in the QS subject tables reflects decades of research output and close ties with industry across Europe.
| QS 2026 Category | World Rank |
|---|---|
| Overall (QS World University Rankings 2026) | 98th |
| Architecture & Built Environment | 6th |
| Art & Design | 7th |
| Engineering & Technology | 20th |
| Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering | 14th |
| Civil & Structural Engineering | 14th |
What Are the Tuition Fees at Politecnico di Milano in 2026?
Tuition at Politecnico di Milano is income-based, calculated on the ISEE bracket. Fees range from about 157 euros to roughly 3,943 euros per year for standard study plans. Non-EU international students admitted without a scholarship pay the maximum band, around 3,943 euros annually, according to the university's official 2025 to 2026 fee schedule.
| Fee Component 2026 | Amount (EUR/year) |
|---|---|
| Minimum tuition (low ISEE) | ~157 |
| Maximum tuition (high ISEE / non-EU) | ~3,943 |
| Estimated living costs | ~10,000 |
All tuition fees are paid through PagoPA, the official Italian government payment gateway. The university also offers merit-based and need-based scholarships that can substantially reduce or waive tuition for eligible international students.
Domus Academy, MilanRead →How Is the Academic Year Structured at Politecnico di Milano?
The academic year runs across two semesters, the first from mid-September to late January and the second from March to late June, with exam sessions in February, July, and September. Following the Bologna Process, a bachelor's degree requires 180 ECTS over three years and a master's 120 ECTS over two years.
The university maintains partnerships with institutions worldwide and runs extensive student-exchange programmes. It offers many courses in English and participates in networks such as TIME (Top Industrial Managers for Europe). The Alta Scuola Politecnica, run jointly with Politecnico di Torino, trains selected students in interdisciplinary leadership alongside their master's studies.
Bachelor of Engineering guideRead →How Do You Get Admitted to Politecnico di Milano?
Admission to engineering programmes requires the university's own entrance test, covering logic, mathematics, statistics, verbal comprehension, physics, and English. Architecture and design applicants sit a national test supervised by the Ministry of Education. International applicants are also assessed on academic records and English proficiency, with many programmes taught fully in English at master's level.
Prospective international students should apply through the Politecnico di Milano online portal within the published deadlines, submitting transcripts, a study plan, and English-language certification where required. Early application is advised, as scholarship consideration and non-EU visa processing can take several months.