Delicious food, a home for fashion and lots of cultural activities make Milan an interesting place for students
Milan for students
A global trendsetter in the fashion industry and Italy’s leading financial hub, Milan has plenty to offer creative and corporate-minded students alike.
Of the five ranked universities in Milan featured within the QS World University Rankings® 2022, the Politecnico di Milano is the highest-ranked at 142nd in the world. It’s also currently the highest-ranked university in Italy.
Milan’s also been very well received by its students, appearing in the top 50 for both the student view indicator and the desirability indicator. When asked in our student survey what the best things about Milan are, one respondent said: “the opportunities the city offers, the people, the food, the nightlife and the education.”
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Milan?
It’s a fun and friendly city
Milan is full of culture and the city’s many concerts, cinemas, theatres, festivals and art exhibitions means there is plenty to keep students entertained after lectures.
Home to Italy’s best university
Milan’s Politecnico di Milano ranks 142nd in the world this year and is the best performing university in Italy.
Delicious Italian Food
If you’re constantly hungry for pizza and pasta, there’s nowhere better to study than Milan. Going out to eat in Milan isn’t too costly, as long as you avoid the touristy areas, and you can always try the tasty street food.
Excellent public transport
Getting around the city is easy and Milan’s buses and trams open through the night. It’s also affordable – you can get a monthly travel pass for less than US$35.
Although the city has a reputation for being quite pricey, Milan ranks 90th worldwide this year for affordability.
Tuition fees are a lot lower in Milan than in other European cities, costing international students an average of US$6,600 each year. In comparison, Amsterdam’s tuition fees are around US$9,900 each year and London’s fees are approximately US$21,200.
However, Milan’s fees are significantly higher than other Italian cities, such as Rome, where annual tuition fees cost around US$1,000 and France’s capital, Paris, where fees cost approximately US$2,100.
A one-bedroom apartment in Milan’s city centre costs, according to Numbeo, around US$1,073, which is 29 percent higher than Rome.
Life and culture in Milan
Milan still holds something of a reputation for glamour and consumerism, and it’s true that the city center’s range of swanky designer stores – especially within the stunningly designed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping center – offer a taste of luxury and expense that’s hard to rival, even if you’re only window shopping!
However, Milan isn’t solely a millionaire’s playground – there’s also a huge range of student-friendly activities and events, both cultural and sporting (Milan is home to two of the biggest football teams in Italy, AC Milan and Internazionale Milano), as well as a vibrant nightlife.
Career in Milan
Milan’s highest score in the Best Student Cities ranking is for employer activity, for which it’s ranked 18th in the world. Corporate-minded students will find numerous internship and career opportunities within the city, with recruiters across Europe identifying universities in Milan as producers of highly employable graduates.
Niamh is Deputy Head of Content at QS (TopMBA.com; topuniversities.com), creating and editing content for an international student audience. Having gained her journalism qualification at the Press Association, London and since written for different international publications, she's now enjoying telling the stories of students, alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs and organizations from across the globe.
Our expert teams can help start your academic journey by guiding you through the application process.
Save
Study in Milan
By Niamh O
Updated July 28, 2021 Updated July 28, 2021Delicious food, a home for fashion and lots of cultural activities make Milan an interesting place for students
Milan for students
A global trendsetter in the fashion industry and Italy’s leading financial hub, Milan has plenty to offer creative and corporate-minded students alike.
Of the five ranked universities in Milan featured within the QS World University Rankings® 2022, the Politecnico di Milano is the highest-ranked at 142nd in the world. It’s also currently the highest-ranked university in Italy.
Milan’s also been very well received by its students, appearing in the top 50 for both the student view indicator and the desirability indicator. When asked in our student survey what the best things about Milan are, one respondent said: “the opportunities the city offers, the people, the food, the nightlife and the education.”
Are you studying in Milan? Share your experience.
Best universities in Milan - QS Best Student Cities ranking: =46th
Politecnico di Milano (142nd); University of Milan (316th); Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (390th); University of Milano-Bicocca (450th); Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (551-560).
More about Milan
Number of universities ranked by QS
5
Highest-ranked institution
Politecnico di Milano (137th)
Population
3,140,000 (total metropolitan area)
Average international fees (at ranked unis)
US$6,600
Desirability rank
=37th
Employer Activity rank
18th
Affordability rank
90th
Student View rank
62nd
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Milan?
It’s a fun and friendly city
Milan is full of culture and the city’s many concerts, cinemas, theatres, festivals and art exhibitions means there is plenty to keep students entertained after lectures.
Home to Italy’s best university
Milan’s Politecnico di Milano ranks 142nd in the world this year and is the best performing university in Italy.
Delicious Italian Food
If you’re constantly hungry for pizza and pasta, there’s nowhere better to study than Milan. Going out to eat in Milan isn’t too costly, as long as you avoid the touristy areas, and you can always try the tasty street food.
Excellent public transport
Getting around the city is easy and Milan’s buses and trams open through the night. It’s also affordable – you can get a monthly travel pass for less than US$35.
Need more convincing? Here are four more reasons why you should study in Milan.
Cost of studying in Milan
Although the city has a reputation for being quite pricey, Milan ranks 90th worldwide this year for affordability.
Tuition fees are a lot lower in Milan than in other European cities, costing international students an average of US$6,600 each year. In comparison, Amsterdam’s tuition fees are around US$9,900 each year and London’s fees are approximately US$21,200.
However, Milan’s fees are significantly higher than other Italian cities, such as Rome, where annual tuition fees cost around US$1,000 and France’s capital, Paris, where fees cost approximately US$2,100.
A one-bedroom apartment in Milan’s city centre costs, according to Numbeo, around US$1,073, which is 29 percent higher than Rome.
Life and culture in Milan
Milan still holds something of a reputation for glamour and consumerism, and it’s true that the city center’s range of swanky designer stores – especially within the stunningly designed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping center – offer a taste of luxury and expense that’s hard to rival, even if you’re only window shopping!
However, Milan isn’t solely a millionaire’s playground – there’s also a huge range of student-friendly activities and events, both cultural and sporting (Milan is home to two of the biggest football teams in Italy, AC Milan and Internazionale Milano), as well as a vibrant nightlife.
Career in Milan
Milan’s highest score in the Best Student Cities ranking is for employer activity, for which it’s ranked 18th in the world. Corporate-minded students will find numerous internship and career opportunities within the city, with recruiters across Europe identifying universities in Milan as producers of highly employable graduates.
This article was originally published in July 2021 .
Want more content like this Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.
Niamh is Deputy Head of Content at QS (TopMBA.com; topuniversities.com), creating and editing content for an international student audience. Having gained her journalism qualification at the Press Association, London and since written for different international publications, she's now enjoying telling the stories of students, alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs and organizations from across the globe.
+ 20 others
saved this article
+ 21 others saved this article
Share via
Share this Page
Related Articles Last year
Preparing to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Dublin by the sea: where to go in summer
Why I decided to study a master's abroad in London
What high paying careers could you get with a postgraduate degree in agricultural business?
How can universities create a diverse environment for students?
A week in the life of a management master’s student in Milan
Most Shared Last year
Top 10 Universities in Paris
4 things you need to know about studying abroad in Italy
Study in London
QS Best Student Cities Methodology
7 reasons to study in Italy
10 of the Cheapest Top Student Cities in the UK 2018
Most Read Last year
Top 10 Universities in Paris
10 of the Cheapest Top Student Cities in the UK 2018
Study in London
Study in Vancouver
QS Best Student Cities Methodology
Study in Berlin