About Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino

Italy’s best-known technical universities, Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino, are among the main destinations for Turkish students in engineering, architecture and design. In this post we introduce these two institutions.

What is a Politecnico?

A “Politecnico” is a technical university in Italy focused on engineering, architecture and design. These institutions combine a strong theoretical education with practice and industry collaboration. Italy’s two best-known polytechnics are in Milan and Turin; both rank highly in the international rankings. For Turkish students these institutions offer a world-class education in technical fields and strong career opportunities. The polytechnic structure promises students an education close to industry and focused on practice. This builds a solid foundation for a technical career.

Politecnico di Milano

Politecnico di Milano is Italy’s largest technical university and one of the top-ranked Italian institutions in the world rankings. It offers a wide range of programmes in engineering, architecture and design, and many English-taught master’s in particular. Its position at the centre of Milan’s industry and design ecosystem gives students unmatched internship and career opportunities. Its international student community is very large too. This institution is a top-tier option for those aiming at an international career in technical fields. Its reputation opens doors for its graduates on a global scale.

Politecnico di Torino

Politecnico di Torino is another leading technical university with a storied engineering tradition and strong industry ties. It is known especially in fields such as automotive, aerospace, mechanical and industrial engineering; Turin’s industrial past is the basis of these strong ties. The institution stands out for its wide range of English-taught programmes and its international collaborations. Turin’s cost of living is generally more affordable than Milan’s, which is an advantage for the budget. Turin is an appealing option for those who want to combine a strong engineering education with a more economical city life.

The application process

Both institutions have their own application portals and calendars for international students; the application is usually made online, and for some programmes an online assessment (for example the TOL, a portfolio or an academic-file review) is wanted. The diploma, transcript, degree recognition (CIMEA/DoV) and a language certificate are needed. As quotas can be limited, it is important to follow the application calendar closely. For the translation of your application documents, see our university application translation page. An early, complete application raises your chance of acceptance.

Language options

Both Politecnicos offer a wide range of English-taught programmes; at master’s level in particular many are run entirely in English. This opens the door to Turkish students who do not speak Italian. As English options may be more limited at bachelor’s level, you must check the target programme’s language in advance. Even so, basic Italian is a great advantage for daily life and internships. The language options make these institutions accessible to international students. The right language-programme match is part of your application strategy.

Scholarships and cost

As both institutions are state universities, the fee is tiered by income and the income-based DSU grants and fee exemptions apply. The institutions may also have their own merit scholarships and international-student scholarships. Milan’s high cost of living makes scholarship planning especially important; Turin is more economical in this respect. You must weigh your scholarship eligibility and the city cost together. To see which scholarships suit you, see our scholarships section. The balance of scholarship and city cost can affect your choice.

Which suits you?

The choice between the two Politecnicos depends on your sub-field, your budget and your city preference. Milan, with its design, architecture and wide range of programmes, is ideal for those seeking a world-class ecosystem but is expensive. Turin, with its strong engineering tradition and more affordable cost of living, may appeal to budget-conscious, engineering-focused students. It is best to compare both institutions’ programmes in your target field and decide accordingly. Weigh both options by your own priorities. The right match supports your academic and career success.

How to start

If you are considering applying to these institutions, determine your target programme and note the entry condition, language, application calendar and scholarship options for each university separately. Start document preparation (apostille, translation, recognition) early; as quotas are limited, timing is critical. For your document translations you can take a free quote, and for the whole of the processes see our guide library. A planned start strengthens your application to these competitive institutions. Acting early is your biggest advantage.

Frequently asked questions