Design
PhD at Politecnico di Milano
Key facts
Status checked 06-Oct-2026: 2027/28 is PARTLY PUBLISHED for this row. Use the fields containing specific 2027/28 dates/amounts as current information. Any 2026/27 REFERENCE/OFFICIAL REFERENCE remains historical planning data and may change. Recheck the linked official call before submission, payment, test booking or visa action.
Programme overview
Design is a 3–4 years English-taught programme at Politecnico di Milano, based in Milan / Polimi campus. It is a doctoral / PhD programme focused on design, culture, communication, spatial or creative practice combined with analytical and project-based work. The programme is most relevant to students who want structured academic training in the exact specialism named in the course title, with progression toward design, cultural/creative industries, communication, planning, heritage, consulting or further research.
What an Indian applicant should understand before applying
- Degree level: doctoral / PhD programme.
- Teaching: English according to the official programme source used for this database; if the row names an English track/curriculum, only that pathway should be treated as English-taught.
- Duration: 3–4 years.
- Location: Milan / Polimi campus.
- Eligibility: read the detailed Admission Criteria column in this row; the university makes the final decision on equivalence of Indian qualifications.
- Application: follow the HOW TO APPLY column from university application through Universitaly/visa steps.
- Intake caution: deadlines, tuition and scholarship amounts are academic-year specific. A 2026/27 figure is labelled as a reference and must not be presented as a 2027/28 figure unless the university has published it.
https://www.polimi.it/en/phd/prospective-phd-candidates/phd-programmes
Frequently asked questions
How long is Design at Politecnico di Milano?
The programme lasts 3–4 years.
When does Design start?
Start date set by the annual PhD call (often autumn; verify programme).. Check the Admissions tab for application deadlines.
Is Design taught in English?
Yes. Design is listed as an English-taught PhD at Politecnico di Milano. If the university offers several tracks, confirm the English track on the official programme page.
What are the admission requirements?
Second-cycle/Master’s degree or equivalent qualification permitting access to doctoral study. Admission is competitive through the annual PhD call and normally evaluates academic record, CV, research proposal/statement, references and/or interview; English requirements are stated in the programme call.
What are the tuition fees for Design?
2027/28 full annual tuition must be checked in the new contribution regulation. 2026/27 REFERENCE: annual contributions included the regional tax, €16 stamp duty and the all-inclusive university contribution; non-EU students with foreign qualifications and no exemption generally fall under the applicable maximum contribution rules.
Can KALINGAEURO help me apply?
Yes. Our counsellors check your eligibility for Design, help you prepare documents and guide you through the university application, Universitaly pre-enrolment and the student visa, free of charge.
Admission criteria
Second-cycle/Master’s degree or equivalent qualification permitting access to doctoral study. Admission is competitive through the annual PhD call and normally evaluates academic record, CV, research proposal/statement, references and/or interview; English requirements are stated in the programme call.
normally hold a recognised Master's/second-cycle qualification (or equivalent qualification accepted for doctoral access). Prepare degree/transcripts, CV, research proposal or statement, references and publications if requested. Admission, scholarship amount, research topic and deadlines are governed by the specific annual PhD call.
Application deadlines
Admissions are organised in calls/semesters and differ for EU/non-EU applicants and degree level. Use the official Prospective Students admissions pages for 2027/28.
How to apply
- Open the annual official PhD call from the university source: https://www.polimi.it/en/phd/prospective-phd-candidates/phd-programmes
- Check eligibility, research topic/track, documents and scholarship positions.
- Submit the online doctoral application before the call deadline.
- If admitted and a visa is required, follow the university’s international/visa instructions and the applicable Universitaly procedure.
Self-service application sequence for an Indian student
- Confirm that this exact programme/English curriculum is active for your target academic year on the official source above.
- Check your applicant category (non-EU citizen residing abroad) and the programme-specific academic/English/test requirements.
- Prepare the academic file: passport; final or provisional qualification; marksheets/transcript; grading scale where requested; English certificate/MOI only if accepted; CV/motivation/references/portfolio/syllabi only where required.
- Create the university's official applicant account and submit the programme application before the non-EU/visa-applicant deadline. Pay an application/test fee only when the official call states one.
- Complete any entrance test, interview, portfolio review or curricular-assessment step required by this programme.
- After a positive result, accept the offer and complete any enrolment deposit/first instalment within the university deadline.
- If a study visa is required, complete the university-approved pre-enrolment on Universitaly: https://www.universitaly.it/it/studenti-stranieri . Universitaly validation is not itself a visa.
- Follow the competent Italian Embassy/Consulate/VFS instructions for the study visa using the documents required for that visa cycle (admission/pre-enrolment, finance, accommodation, insurance and qualification documents as applicable).
- After arrival, complete final university enrolment and the residence-permit procedure within the legally required timeframe.
https://www.polimi.it/en/phd/prospective-phd-candidates/phd-programmes
Application fees
2027/28 CONFIRMED: Laurea Magistrale application fee €50 during the early-bird period (1 Oct–1 Dec 2026); standard application fee €150 from 2 Dec 2026. An additional enrolment/acceptance payment may apply after admission.
Tuition fees
2027/28 full annual tuition must be checked in the new contribution regulation. 2026/27 REFERENCE: annual contributions included the regional tax, €16 stamp duty and the all-inclusive university contribution; non-EU students with foreign qualifications and no exemption generally fall under the applicable maximum contribution rules.
Scholarships
Doctoral scholarships/fellowships and funded research positions are stated in the annual official PhD call. The number of funded positions, amount and conditions vary by programme and cycle; verify the 2027/28 call before applying.
Cost of living in Milan
Official Milan student-budget reference from Politecnico: accommodation about €400–€700/month; food €150–€200/month; social/leisure €100–€200/month; local travel about €20–€30/month; mobile about €10–€30/month. Actual rent can be higher by area and room type.
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