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Universities in Milan

  1. Why study in Milan?
  2. Universities in Milan

Why study in Milan?

Situated in the North of Italy, in the Po Basin, Milan is the second largest city in the country, with a population of 3.4 million in greater Milan itself. The capital of Lombardy, is a prosperous city and the financial centre of the country – although, in popular legend, it is probably best known for its role in fashion, since Armani, Versace, Gabbana, Missoni, Moschino and Prada all have their wonderful ateliers here. Milan is one of the richest cities in Europe, and has made a huge contribution to Italy’s economy and culture over the years. Its art galleries, famous La Scala opera house, and San Siro stadium draw thousands of visitors every year, to wander through Milan’s many galleries, marvel at its palaces, scream for its football teams, gaze at the stunning Gothic Duomo cathedral – which can hold 20,000 worshippers – and to stand in awe in front of  Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. While Milan is known for its heritage and rich history, and the Baroque architecture it has preserved, the city is also at the forefront of the sector of design. Innovation and creativity are the hallmarks of fashion, furniture design, architecture, advertising and interior design in this buzzing city, which has carved out a name for itself in these fields, as well as communication, photography and film making. Milan is the home of Italy’s private television network and attracts technological innovators and media specialists from all over the globe. Its dynamic economy is supported by a highly efficient transport system, involving trams, trains, major roads networks, buses, subways and two international airports. International student satisfaction rates, when assessing their university experience in Milan, are sky-high, and former and current students alike warmly recommend doing a degree in Milan.

Milan offers multiple opportunities for international students. Fashion, arts, design, engineering, … In the city, you can find all the courses you’re interested in.

Universities in Milan

Of the 14 universities located in Milan, five are ranked in the 2023 QS World University Rankings:

Of course, while rankings can give you some kind of general idea of the standing of the university, you need to bear in mind that there are huge differences between ranking systems – some of which focus mainly on research output, while others look at teaching outcomes etc. – and, most importantly, that the overall rank does not reflect the highest subject rankings. To take one example, Bocconi University is ranked 879, whereas the Financial Times recently ranked the School of management’s MBA programme 13th in the world, and the 2023 QS listings ranked its business and management program 6th, globally.

You need to consider what you wish to study rather than simply decide to apply to a university which comes in the top of one or other table. In addition, remember that while there is broad agreement on global rankings by subject, placings can differ slightly, so engineering can be ranked 11th or 20th – but this nevertheless offers you an idea of the standing of the course.

When it comes to Milan, the highest subject rankings are as follows:

RankingSubjectUniversity
5Art and DesignPolitecnico di Milano
11Engineering
12Physical sciences
15Architecture
16Economics and econometricsBocconi University
29Agricultural sciencesUniversity of Milan
34Pharmacy and pharmacology
49Computer science and information systemsPolitecnico di Milano
51MathematicsUniversity of Milan

Of course, choosing a university is not just a matter of sifting through long lists of its courses. Some individuals like small student communities, while others revel in huge campuses, with their diverse student bodies and virtually small-town environment. You might be looking for a long-established or a modern university, and the following table will compare five of the highest-ranked institutions in Milan, and give you a general idea of what they offer.

UniversityDate establishedPublic or privateNo of studentsAcademic information
Politecnico of Milan1863Public42,000Five satellite campuses. Highly rated for: aerospace engineering, engineering, architecture and design.
University of Milan1924Public61,00010 schools and over 140 programmes. Known for its courses in art and design, physical sciences, engineering and economics.
Cattolicà University1921Private41,000The largest Catholic university in Europe, with five affiliated campuses. Respected courses in social sciences  and management, life sciences and medicine, arts and humanities.
Milan-Bicocca1998Public35,000Eight faculties. Highly rated programmes in: law, education, psychology, sociology.
Vita-Salute Raffaele1996Private4,000Well rated courses in medicine, psychology and philosophy.

Many students who decide to come to Milan are attracted by its creative and artistic possibilities, and three of the best known design colleges are:

  • IED, Milan, which was established in 1966. This private institution has approximately 13,000 students and specialises in four areas: design, fashion, visual communication and management
  • Domus Academy, a private post-graduate school of design which opened its doors in 1982, and currently has around 4,000 students. It offers courses in design, fashion, business and experience.
  • Institute Marangoni, probably the best known of the three, since many world famous designers originally studied here. The Institute opened in 1935 and has a student body of 3,500, as well as branches in India, China, the UK and France. Courses cover: fashion and design, style, furniture, clothing, accessories and new media.

As you can see, Milan is an academic hub in Italy and provides hundreds of options for international students, whether they are looking for a strictly creative and career-orientated degree, to study medicine or to become part of the next generation of aerospace engineers, pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge. Milan is a wonderful city to live in, and one which will inspire and enrich your curiosity, interests and future plans.

If you would like to know more, call or email Elab, and one of our experienced consultants will guide you towards choosing the best university, for you, in Milan. Elab has two offices in Italy – Rome and Milan – and we are well-placed to give you all the information you may need about practical matters, such as the cost of living, accommodation, tuition fees, visa requirements etc.  Get in touch and we can start preparing your applications to universities in Milan.

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