IED Milan European Institute of Design
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, Borsa e Finanza, L'Economica, la Repubblica.it, artemagazine, innovami.news
Programs and prices, tuition fees in IED Milan European Institute of Design
SHORT-TERM COURSES
For summer short courses of improvement of professional skill and a level of knowledge students can arrive on several various specialties:
- Fashion Design
- Graphic design
- The profession of a fashion stylist
- Interior and Showroom Design
- Graphic Design and Portfolio
- Fashion events and PR
- Marketing in Fashion
- Design Experience.
Applicants must provide the admission committee with a diploma of higher education, an IELTS certificate of 5.0 or TOEFL (iBT) of 61, it is highly desirable to have a portfolio and personal resume. The cost of studying depends on the chosen specialty.
Duration of studying - 1 month (4 study weeks).
BACHELOR
A bachelor's degree is available in the following specialties:
- Graphic Design
- Fashion Design
- Photography
- Product design - Italian / English to choose from
- The profession of a fashionable stylist
- Interior Design
- Communication in the field of fashion
- Fashion Marketing
- Design of vehicles
- Creation of video and film production
- Design of jewelry.
Duration of studying - 3 academic years, the registration fee is paid separately. Requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Certificate of secondary education
- Motivation letter
- Passing a personal interview
- Personal Portfolio (desirable)
- Certificate of IELTS from 5.5 or TOEFL IBT from 68.
At the Milan Institute, you can get a bachelor's degree in the following specialties:
- Graphic Design ITA
- Interior Design
- Car Interior Design
- Fashion Design
- Product design (Brand Management and Communication ITA)
- Communication in the fashion industry is a profession of stylist and PR (Fashion Communication - Styling)
- Marketing in the field of fashion - product management and retail chains (Fashion Marketing).
Duration of study - 1 academic year, a registration fee is paid separately. Requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Diploma and Bachelor's Degree (Higher Education)
- Personal Portfolio and resume
- Motivation letter
- IELTS certificate from 5.5 or TOEFL IBT from 68
- Certificate of sufficient level of the Italian language (from advanced).
A bachelor's degree is available in the following specialties:
- Graphic Design
- Fashion Design
- Photography
- Product design - Italian / English to choose from
- The profession of a fashionable stylist
- Interior Design
- Communication in the field of fashion
- Fashion Marketing
- Design of vehicles
- Creation of video and film production
- Design of jewelry.
Duration of studying - 3 academic years, the registration fee is paid separately. Requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Certificate of secondary education
- Motivation letter
- Passing a personal interview
- Personal Portfolio (desirable)
- Certificate of IELTS from 5.5 or TOEFL IBT from 68.
At the Milan Institute, you can get a bachelor's degree in the following specialties:
- Graphic Design ITA
- Interior Design
- Car Interior Design
- Fashion Design
- Product design (Brand Management and Communication ITA)
- Communication in the fashion industry is a profession of stylist and PR (Fashion Communication - Styling)
- Marketing in the field of fashion - product management and retail chains (Fashion Marketing).
Duration of study - 1 academic year, a registration fee is paid separately. Requirements for applicants are as follows:
- Diploma and Bachelor's Degree (Higher Education)
- Personal Portfolio and resume
- Motivation letter
- IELTS certificate from 5.5 or TOEFL IBT from 68
- Certificate of sufficient level of the Italian language (from advanced).
SEMISTRIAN PROGRAMS
Curriculums for the duration of 1 semester can be both effective upgrading of qualifications, as well as preparation for more serious and long curricula, full adaptation to the new environment. The course duration is 15 weeks, full-time education is provided, mainly in English. The beginning of classes is in September. The following specialties are provided:
- Interior and roomy design
- Italian contemporary design and trends
- Fashion design - collection building
- Fashion design - research and creativity
- Fashion jewelry.
Description of IED Milan European Institute of Design
- Organization: European Institute of Design (IED),
- Location: Milan, Italy; the network has campuses in Italy, Brazil and Spain,
- Network founded: 1966,
- Founder: Francesco Morelli, who is still the network's president,
- Status: The world's largest private network of specialist educational institutions,
- Languages of instruction: English and Italian in Milan; Spanish and Portuguese are also available within the network,
- Areas of education: Fashion, design, visual art and various forms of communication,
- Programs in Milan: First-Level Academic Diplomas, Master’s programs, Master of Arts and Continuing Education courses.
The European Design Institute in Milan (IED Milan) is one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious universities in Italy in this network. It is registered in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is a part of international and national professional organizations. The programs, specially developed for the Institute, are simultaneously based on accumulated theoretical knowledge and are oriented to practical application, combine historical traditions and innovative approaches. The aim of the institute is to select the most creative, talented, gifted students and give them a quality education in Italy so that their love for creativity could grow into a prestigious high-paying profession.
The total number of students reaches 9000 people - they are representatives of 80 countries around the world, a friendly international team of students in love with their work. In the Institute there are 4 faculties:
- Design
- Fashion
- Visual arts
- Communication.
Studying is conducted in both English and Italian (information in the detailed description of each program). Bachelor's degree is available for 3 years - the document is accredited by the national Ministry of Education (Diploma Accademico di I Livello).
Do all universities have an ESL supportive program for foreign students? Do you think is it important?
Usually yes, in one form or another ESL is taught by the university, as well as supporting classes / seminars for foreign students, a pre-sessional English course.
Educational process
At IED Cinema, students work on set with professional crews and figures from the film industry. The Communication Design program offered the IEDforGOOD Social Communication Workshop.
Admission Advisors at the Admission Center help applicants understand specializations, course content and career opportunities based on their interests and background. The International Student Desk supports their adjustment to the city's social and cultural life. The Faculty Office helps students assess their progress and achieve academic goals. IED Campus provides access to notices, class schedules, course materials and study plans.
The Career Service helps graduates find internships and jobs through a network of companies, professional studios and creative agencies. The IED Alumni community supports the exchange of professional experience, job openings and cultural initiatives. Sportello Ascolto offers each student up to three free listening and discussion sessions and a follow-up meeting with a clinical psychologist registered in the Lombardy Region.
Computers at the Milan campuses provide access to WGSN for style analysis and trend forecasting. Content on trends, market research, visual imagery, streetstyle and graphics can be downloaded in high resolution. A partnership with Material ConneXion provides access from the institute's computers to a database of more than 5,000 innovative material sheets with images, specifications and manufacturer information. Students can also visit the Milan library, which has more than 2500 material samples. The Adobe Design & Web Collection package is available in the laboratories and on personal computers. Students have free access to Autodesk 3D Max, Autocad and Maya software and Microsoft applications for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, notes, databases and publishing.
Faculties and colleges
Programs are grouped by level and format.
Bachelor of Arts Programs
- Sound Design,
- Fashion Styling and Art Direction,
- Product Design,
- Jewelry Design,
- CG Animation and Game Design — computer animation and game design,
- Communication Design — duration: 3 years,
- Fashion Design,
- Photography,
- Interactive Media Design,
- Interior Design,
- Graphic Design and Art Direction,
- Illustration and Animation,
- Video Design,
- Cinema,
- Fashion Marketing and Communication,
- Arts and Communication,
- Marketing and Management for Creative Industries.
Master's Programs
- Fashion Communication and Styling,
- Fashion Marketing,
- Interior Design,
- Animation Design,
- Creative Direction,
- Design - Innovation, Strategy and Product,
- Event Management,
- Graphic Design,
- Brand Strategy and Management,
- User Experience Design,
- Fashion Art Direction,
- Fashion Design - Haute Couture,
- Fashion Trend Forecasting,
- Fashion Photography,
- Screenwriting, Film Directing and Production,
- Beauty Industry Management,
- Fashion Brand Management,
- Fashion Merchandising and Buying,
- Film Distribution, Communication and Marketing.
Master of Arts Programs
- Products for Design (P4D),
- Interior Design,
- Fashion Design,
- Visual Communication,
- Design X Other Species — design involving other biological species.
Specialization Courses
- Fashion Styling,
- Art Direction,
- 3D Studio Max® with Vray®: Animation and Photorealistic Rendering,
- Lighting Design,
- Design Tools,
- Cool Hunter — trend spotting,
- Interior Design 2,
- Interior Design 1,
- Marketing and Communication,
- Content Management and Copywriting,
- Music Marketing and Branding,
- Clo3D - Fashion Design Software,
- Event Management.
Summer Courses
- Fashion Marketing,
- Interior and Showroom Design,
- Beauty Industry Essentials,
- Fashion Creative Lab,
- Film Production,
- Brand Communication Strategy,
- Illustration,
- Jewelry,
- Fashion Styling and Photography,
- Graphic Design.
Semester and Academic Year Programs
- Jewelry Design - Fall Semester,
- Interior design - Academic year - Fall intake,
- Italian Contemporary Design and Trends - Spring Semester,
- Interior and Spatial Design - Fall Semester.
Continuing Education Programs
- Art Direction Lab.
Scientific achievements
In 2022, former Communication Design students won a bronze Clio Awards medal for Invisible Failures, a campaign for LinkedIn. At the Spot School Awards 2021, the institute received the Silver School Trophy, a silver award in the category for Italy's best creative school. Projects by students in three-year and master's programs won five silver and bronze awards. Three projects from the Creative Direction master's program also received recognition in the competition.
At the D&AD Awards 2022, IED Milano student projects won five awards in the New Blood category:
- Stolen Phones for Giff Gaff — Yellow Pencil,
- Off the Map for Airbnb — Graphite Pencil,
- Swap On for Dirt is Good — Graphite Pencil, a project by Art Direction Lab students,
- Sky Scents for Sky — Wood Pencil,
- Hot Tea Time for Durex — Wood Pencil.
In 2023, four graduates of the Milan institute were among the ten Fashion Trust Grant finalists. One received one of the three main awards and mentoring support. Another won the MAX&Co award for her brand Florania and the opportunity to collaborate on a special project. Designer Francesco Murano won Milano Moda Graduate 2019 with his graduation collection Ossimoro plastico and the Who is on Next? competition in 2020.
Aria, a project involving IED and led by Redo Sgr, won the international Reinventing Cities competition to redevelop Milan's former slaughterhouse site. The institute's 100% IED / Students of the year award recognizes four students who best represent its values and offers the winners an opportunity to pursue advanced education.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The Institute specialists understand that it is difficult for foreign students to find suitable housing, and they are ready to help in choosing the accommodation option and to find the right option.
Many residences and hostels located near the educational building work with the university on partnership agreement and provide IED Milan students with the best rooms. Each residence or hostel has well-equipped common kitchens, cozy living rooms for joint recreation and socializing, comfortable rooms with all the necessary furniture. If necessary, you can reserve options for B & B (with breakfast), choose the most suitable for you area of the city. The cost of living is always specified on an individual basis.
The institute's accommodation partners are personally vetted and selected. Arrangements vary by residence or accommodation provider.
| Accommodation option | Arrangements |
|---|---|
| Camplus College | Accommodation with a package of included services and educational activities. |
| Cohabs | Private rooms, large shared common areas and a dedicated support team. One Cohabs home is 150 meters from the institute's Sciesa/Bezzecca campus. |
| Collegiate Milan North | Single apartments with a private kitchen and bathroom. Facilities include a quiet study room, group work rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a spa, a gym and a fitness suite. There is also a private green courtyard and a games court. The front desk operates 24/7, and events are organized for residents. Utilities and internet are included in accommodation. |
| Collegiate Milan Bovisa | Single studios with a private kitchen and bathroom opposite Bovisa Politecnico railway station. Facilities include a panoramic terrace, an indoor swimming pool, a spa, a gym, a fitness suite and a private green courtyard. The front desk operates 24/7, and events are organized for residents. Utilities and internet are included. |
| CX | Furnished rooms and apartments. CX PACK provides shared spaces with a gym, study rooms and a kitchen, community events on and off campus, support and maintenance. Security operates 24/7. Residents use the CX-Place app to make payments, report a guest's arrival and receive notifications. |
| In-Domus | A 24-hour reception desk, broadband internet and a utilities package with water, electricity, heating and air conditioning. Bed linen and towels are changed weekly. Rooms and apartments are cleaned once a week, and common areas daily. Facilities include an ironing room, a TV room and reading room, a gym, a study room, a break room and a shared kitchen. |
| Tribera Milan | A residence in Sesto San Giovanni, a few metro stops from central Milan. Six in the City offers six furnished private rooms with their own bathrooms and air conditioning, plus a shared kitchen and dining area. The Studio has an area of 17.3 m², and Big and Bold Studio has an area of 26.65 m². Both are furnished and have a kitchenette, a bathroom and air conditioning, while the larger studio also has a dedicated study area. On-site facilities include a 24/7 gym, study rooms and a shared kitchen. Recreation spaces include a cinema room, a party room, music and podcast rooms, a terrace and a garden. There are also a laundry room, parking spaces and a calisthenics area. Events take place throughout the year. |
| Villaggio Managed by CX | More than 1,700 beds in several types of furnished accommodation with high-speed Wi-Fi. Facilities include study and coworking areas, shared kitchens, gyms and fitness areas. Basketball and paddle courts and lounges provide recreation spaces. Laundry facilities and bicycle parking are also available. Residents can access events and professional networking through an app. |
| Chiaralba | Studios, two-room and three-room apartments, and lofts ranging from 43 to 85 m² for one or two residents. The direct No. 91 bus reaches IED in 9 minutes. The administration and a Residential Assistant are available seven days a week. Internet and weekly cleaning are included in the package. Contracts have a duration of 12 months, starting in late August. Shorter stays depend on availability. |
| La Casa di Alice | 16 apartments of different sizes, most with balconies. They have air conditioning, a kitchen, Sky satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a safe and a washing machine. Daily cleaning with bed linen and towel changes is included. Night surveillance and a gym with Technogym equipment are available. Pets stay at no additional charge. |
| Residence PDN Milan | Furnished serviced apartments for short- and medium-term stays by students and professors. The residence is located about 10 minutes from Loreto metro station, where M1 and M2 intersect. Comfort and Superior apartments range from 40 to 60 m² and accommodate 1–3 people. They have a separate kitchenette, a living area, a bathroom and a bedroom. Cleaning with linen and towel changes takes place weekly or every two weeks. Utilities, Wi-Fi and SKY satellite channels are included. |
| QUO Milano | A complex 650 meters from the IED Sciesa premise, with a hostel, apartments, a bar, a coworking space, an event space and a terrace. The apartments have furnished rooms, an equipped kitchen and high-speed Wi-Fi. Utilities are included in accommodation, and residents can use the hostel facilities. The hostel is intended for short stays and has a large common area and a 24-hour bar. IED students have priority when booking apartments. |
Subjects, specialties
Activities IED Milan European Institute of Design
Creative Careers Uncovered and IED Talks are series of meetings with professionals in design, culture and innovation. The Student Council and Assembly submit proposals to the Academic Council on education, student services, and cultural and project activities.
In May 2026, the institute organized a lecture by Armando Milani on visual design as a tool for communication, responsibility and social engagement. The event was part of the Giants of Visual Design series. In September 2025, the UNSTAGE fashion show took place at Galleria Lia Rumma during Milano Fashion Week: 13 recent graduates presented 50 looks curated by Umberto Sannino, Head of Fashion School. The show opened with a live performance by artist Scarlett Rouge.
During Milan Design Week 2023, Ecocentrico occupied the Alcova space at the former Porta Vittoria slaughterhouse, the site of the planned campus. Seven workshops involving students, lecturers and tutors were open to the public:
- Yurte - Once we were all nomads — building a geodesic yurt,
- 1/1000 - BANGS OF LIFE — making seed-filled earth balls using 3D-printed molds,
- TAPESTRY — creating a paper tapestry from graphics produced during ten years of Giacimenti Urbani's activities,
- FANZINE — documenting the project in a self-published format,
- FLUID SHAPES — exploring soap bubble shapes as a source of creative ideas,
- RIDU-RIPA-RIU-RIC — exploring the urban landscape through material traces,
- LUZ-SOMBRA-COLOR — experimenting with stage lighting, color and shadows.
Ecocentrico also offered an exhibition resulting from the Studi visuali urbani workshop, whose participants explored and mapped the former slaughterhouse site before redevelopment.
Advantages
- The IED Group is an official partner of the New European Bauhaus Initiative.
Facilities and equipment at IED Milan European Institute of Design
For the whole world, Milan is the center of art, fashion, creativity, industry and finance. It was here that the legendary Leonardo and Bramante, Marinetti and Boccioni (founders of futurism) worked, the brothers Castiglioni, Magistretti, Armani and Versace. Arts and culture are at the base of this city, they are the foundation of his life, industry, pragmatism, creative spirit. Also there are many famous universities of Milan.
The Aria project will bring IED's Milan sites together in a new international campus. When the project was being developed, the institute occupied 10 sites totaling just under 20,000 m². The new campus is planned to provide 30,000 m².
The campus was designed by CZA Cino Zucchi Architetti within a large park. It is planned to bring classrooms, laboratories, dedicated spaces, libraries and the institute's other services together.
Admission dates and extra charges
Compulsory enrollment fee is paid.
Laundry at In-Domus is charged separately. Additional services at Residence PDN include a coin-operated laundry, vending machines and parking spaces.
Start dates depend on the level and individual program. The calendar provides the following periods:
- Bachelor of Arts programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design and Graphic Design and Art Direction — January and October,
- Bachelor of Arts program in Sound Design — October,
- Master's programs in Fashion Communication and Styling and Fashion Art Direction — November and April,
- Master's program in Brand Strategy and Management — November and April,
- Master of Arts programs in Products for Design (P4D), Interior Design, Fashion Design, Visual Communication and Design X Other Species — October,
- Specialization courses: Lighting Design — January, Content Management and Copywriting and Cool Hunter — March, 3D Studio Max® with Vray® — April,
- Italian Contemporary Design and Trends - Spring Semester — February.
In 2026, summer courses started in late June, while fall semester and academic year programs began in September and October.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
The requirements for applicants differ depending on the chosen program.
1) Basic programs (1 year):
- TOEFL certificate (450 points) or its equivalent
- Secondary education certificate.
2) Undergraduate:
- TOEFL certificate (500 points) + a certificate of sufficient knowledge of the language in which the studying will be conducted Italian, from advanced
- Secondary Education Certificate
3) Master:
- TOEFL (from 500 points) or its equivalent
- Personal Portfolio (Not less than 10-15 works on design with detailed description and the date of implementation of each)
- Diploma of Higher Education (bachelor's degree)
- Personal resume
- Experience from 2 years in the chosen specialty is desirable (in some cases it can replace the bachelor's degree).
4) Summer programs.
A package of documents from applicants for the next year is accepted from December 1 to August 31 (minimum 3 months before the expected start of classes). The package should include:
- Advanced level of English.
- A completed application form
- Passport and its copy, 4 passport-size photographs
- Medical certificate
- Receipt for the prepayment of the educational course
- Secondary school certificate
- Certificate of sufficient level of English + the language in which the studying will take place
- Portfolio.
Additionally, applicants pass a telephone interview with a representative of the Institute, so that he can be convinced of the level of the language.
Please note that all basic documents (certificates, medical certificate) must be translated into Italian and notarized. In the diploma and the certificate should be a list of studied disciplines, the number of hours each.
Scholarships IED Milan European Institute of Design
IED and Accademia di Como are running a competition for 120 scholarships for Undergraduate and Foundation courses. This is the total number of scholarships available through the competition.
Literature and references
-
Istituto Europeo di Design — Wiki
-
IED: quanto costa la retta e come entrare all’Istituto Europeo di Design
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Ied: nuovo campus a Milano (nell’ex macello), 100 milioni per nuove sedi e formazione
-
L'Istituto europeo di design (Ied) inaugura l'anno accademico in piazza: "Portiamo alla città la nostra esperienza ed energia"
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A Milano il primo campus internazionale IED
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IED - Istituto Europeo di Design — Top Universities
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Best Fashion Schools In The World For 2025 — CEOWORLD magazine
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How Caruso and Vitale Barberis Canonico support young talents — the-spin-off.com
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about IED Milan European Institute of Design
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
