Milan

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, despite dropping four places in the QS Best Student Cities 2019.

Of the five ranked universities in Milan featured within the QS World University Rankings® 2020, the Politecnico di Milano is the highest-ranked at 149^th 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: 40th

Politecnico di Milano (137th); University of Milan(=301st); Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore(511-520); University of Milano-Bicocca(521-530)

More about Milan

Number of universities ranked by QS	4
Highest-ranked institution	Politecnico di Milano (137th)
Population	3,000,000 (total metropolitan area)
Average international fees (at ranked unis)	US$3,200
Desirability rank	42nd
Employer Activity rank	15th
Affordability rank	91st
Student View rank	35th

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, theaters, 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 137^th 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 a modest 91^st 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$3,200 each year. In comparison, Amsterdam’s tuition fees are around US$13,900 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$1,600 and France’s capital, Paris, where fees cost approximately US$2,100.

A one-bedroom apartment in Milan’s city center costs, according to Numbeo, around US$1,330, 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 15^th 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.