Erasmus guide Politecnico di Milano
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy.
Snapshot
Milan's strongest technical exchange option, especially for engineering, architecture, design, and students who want a career-facing semester in Italy.
Why students shortlist it
A Milan technical university focused on architecture, design, engineering, management engineering, and applied technology. Exchange students should choose housing based on whether most classes sit at Leonardo, Bovisa, or another campus.
Teaching languages: Italian (primary at bachelor's); English primary for most exchange programmes and all English master's
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Exchange Basics
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.
| Semester | Nomination | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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.
Tuition & Fees
| 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 … |
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 …
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Where to Stay
Insurance & Campus Support
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
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 & Erasmus 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 Dates
Nomination window (Autumn intake)
April – May
Home university must formally nominate before host opens the application portal.
Application window (Autumn intake)
May – June
Complete host university online application + learning agreement after nomination.
Nomination & application (Spring intake)
October – November
Same flow as autumn but compressed; check with host international office.
Orientation & welcome week
Late August / Early September (autumn) or Late January / Early February (spring)
Mandatory for international students; ESN, buddy programmes, and admin all start here.
Final exam periods
January (autumn semester) and June (spring semester)
Resit/retake windows usually in late August. Book travel only after exam dates publish.
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