Erasmus guide Politecnico di Milano
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy.
Study abroad at Politecnico di Milano: overview
Study abroad at Politecnico di Milano makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. Politecnico di Milano is Italy's largest and most prestigious technical university, founded in 1863 in Milan. Useful proof points: 50,000 students; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Architecture and Urban Planning, Industrial Design, Computer Engineering. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
50,000 students
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Architecture and Urban Planning, Industrial Design, Computer Engineering and are willing to check language, seats and campus rules before choosing. In milan, housing and the daily route matter as much as reputation.
Language of instruction: Italian (primary at bachelor's); English primary for most exchange programmes and all English master's
Exchange & application at Politecnico di Milano
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Politecnico di Milano, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, online incoming application, learning agreement, ID or passport, language preparation for selected courses, and backup course choices for studios or labs with limited capacity.
📨Nomination Process
Contact your home university International Office; they submit a formal nomination to the host Italian university before the faculty deadline.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students do not need a visa. Non-EU students staying >90 days need a Type-D student visa from the Italian consulate in their home country; university issues acceptance letter for visa application.
🧭Orientation Week
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn/Full year | Typically April–May | Typically May–June — confirm with faculty |
| Spring | Typically October–November | Typically November–December — confirm with faculty |
Arrival Checklist
- Check whether your courses are on Leonardo or Bovisa before choosing housing.
- Apply to accommodation options immediately; Milan fills fast.
- Prepare a backup course list because studio and lab availability can be limited.
Academics & courses at Politecnico di Milano
Academics combine ECTS credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Course choice can be excellent but practical: campus location, timetable clashes, and studio/lab capacity matter.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Italian 18-30 grading scale with 30 e lode for distinction, alongside ECTS credits; home universities convert the final transcript according to their rules.
✍️Exam Culture
Engineering courses often rely on written exams, while architecture and design studios add critiques, portfolios, lab work, and project presentations.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at Politecnico di Milano
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 tuition + EUR 140–170 tassa regionale + EUR 16 bollo | Public Italian universities (Politecnico Milano, Bologna): tuition waived for exchange, but regional tax (tassa regionale) €140–170/year required + €16 bollo… |
| Full degree – international | EUR 3,500–4,200/year | Polimi income-based bands: same rate for all nationalities. Band 1 (lowest income) ~€800/year, Band 5+ ~€3,500–4,200/year. Average non-EU international pays … |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page. |
EUR 0 tuition + EUR 140–170 tassa regionale + EUR 16 bollo
Public Italian universities (Politecnico Milano, Bologna): tuition waived for exchange, but regional tax (tassa regionale) €140–170/year required + €16 bollo…
EUR 3,500–4,200/year
Polimi income-based bands: same rate for all nationalities. Band 1 (lowest income) ~€800/year, Band 5+ ~€3,500–4,200/year. Average non-EU international pays …
Check official fee page
Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status.
Check official fee page
Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Politecnico di Milano
Housing near Politecnico di Milano should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Milan
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Politecnico di Milano
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EU: EHIC; non-EU: Italian SSN registration or private insurance valid in Italy.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
Polimi has an on-campus occupational health service with periodic prevention checks. Nearby hospitals include Policlinico di Milano. Campus infirmary accessible during office hours.
🧠Mental Health
PoliPsi (Polimi Psychological Support) offers free individual counselling and psychotherapeutic support (up to 5 sessions) for all Polimi students and PhD candidates.
EHIC
Home-country dependent
Covers medically necessary care for EU/EEA students in Italy.
Italian SSN (National Health Service)
€149.77/year
Register at local AUSL office; choose a GP and access full Italian public healthcare network.
WAI / Private insurance
€71–120 for 6–12 months (WAI)
Required for non-EU students. WAI (Welcome Association Italy) is a popular low-cost option.
Campus services
Incoming exchange guidance
Application, mobility, and arrival information for nominated students.
Accommodation guidance
Official accommodation references and housing advice for international students.
Disability & SpLD Support (Polimi)
Polimi Multichance team: support for students with disabilities, critical health conditions, and neurodivergence from entrance through graduation and career guidance.
Psychological Support (PoliPsi)
PoliPsi: free counselling and psychological/psychotherapeutic support for Polimi students and PhD candidates. Up to 5 individual sessions in educational psychological counselling.
Career Advisor (Polimi)
Polimi career advisor: CV writing workshops, job interview simulations, and employer connections. Specialist programme for students with disabilities entering the job market.
Student life at Politecnico di Milano
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Student Clubs
- Strong technical, design, and international-student networks across Milan.
Buddy Program
Use Polimi international and ESN channels early; they are the easiest arrival layer.
Sports & Recreation
- Campus and city sports options
Public Groups & Communities
ESN Politecnico Milano - main Erasmus social route for Polimi exchange students.
Polimi student groups - useful for campus-specific tips and course reality checks.
Milan language exchanges - useful if you want a broader city circle beyond Polimi.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Confirm your campus before signing a room.
- Join ESN Polimi and one course/campus group.
- Set up transit, codice fiscale steps, and a realistic weekly commute.
Key exchange dates at Politecnico di Milano
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Nomination window (Autumn intake)
April – May
Home university must formally nominate before host opens the application portal.
-
2
Application window (Autumn intake)
May – June
Complete host university online application + learning agreement after nomination.
-
3
Nomination & application (Spring intake)
October – November
Same flow as autumn but compressed; check with host international office.
Campus events hub: Browse all events