Polytechnic School of Design is the first graduate school for design disciplines in Italy, founded in Milan in 1954. Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD in short) is very important for Italy in this sense, as the period of its foundation was during the time when Italian design was developing as an industrial and cultural entity and becoming an international brand.
As a result of its long transformation, today the Scuola Politecnica di Design is an international laboratory that is active at every stage of a product design, testing and production. Young professionals graduating from this school have a chance to find a job in various large companies and to develop and implement the ideas they have designed.
Scuola Politecnica di Design is an educational institution that has connections with numerous famous companies. Thanks to its close links with the market, it develops collaborative projects with companies such as Microsoft, Audi, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, IKEA, Volkswagen, Beiersdorf, Poltrona Frau Group, Heineken and many others.
All courses offered by the SPD are organized in cooperation with IULM University. Students studying at this educational institution receive academic degree certificates recognized and validated by the Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) and the ECTS system.
What is the Curriculum at Polytechnic School of Design
The education at Scuola Politecnica di Design is predominantly organized on a project-based approach and uses all its connections to connect students with professionals and companies.
During the year of study at the Polytechnic School of Design, students acquire a global vision of their profession through different activities such as intensive week-long workshops or full-semester studio experiences. They then complete their design ideas and acquire solid skills through hands-on practice.
Each student in the educational institution is evaluated at least once a week by their teachers in order to continuously improve themselves. Designs of students are criticized for their pros and cons and they are encouraged to improve their next work.
You can also check our article about “The University Education System in Italy“.
What are the University Facilities? | Polytechnic School of Design
The building of educational institution includes classrooms, independent study spaces, fully equipped computer rooms, printing laboratories, a library with resources for innovative and recycled materials and a cafeteria.
The lower floor of the campus hosts modeling workshops and the main lecture hall; the tower houses seminar rooms, computer labs with Mac and PC equipment and specialized software applications, a photo studio, exhibition spaces, offices and technical areas.
The building is located in the Navigli district and is part of a recent addition to the IULM University campus, which has been operating closely with SPD since 2011 to develop joint academic programs. Students also have access to nearby facilities of IULM University such as the library and canteen. There are also bookstores and recreational areas around the campus.
Where is Scuola Politecnica di Design Located?
Polytechnic School of Design (SPD) is located in Milan, in northwestern part of Italy. Milan is located in the Lombardy region of Italy and is the second largest and most touristic city in the country.
SPD is located in the Brera district in the city center of Milan. Brera is not only a historically and culturally important area, but also plays an important role in the fashion, design and art sectors. There are many famous art galleries, fashion and design shops and restaurants here. Near the building where the SPD is located, there is also an important art museum, the Pinacoteca di Brera.
The city center can be easily reached by bus or metro line within minutes from the university. Romolo station is a 3-minute walk from the campus.
You can also take a look at our related article “Cities to visit in Italy“.
Student Life at Scuola Politecnica di Design | Polytechnic School of Design
Studying in Milan, where the Scuola Politecnica di Design is located, offers unique opportunities in various ways. Milan is very famous internationally in the fields of design, furniture and fashion and is one of the first alternatives for students who are willing to study in this fields.
Professional names gather in this city and young people can meet these names and step into business life thanks to the design week organized every year in the city.
Milan is very rich not only in terms of industry but also in cultural terms. The city transforms into a space where presentations and events take place for weeks during the fashion week, which is organized 6 times in a year. At the same time, the presence of art galleries, architectural studios and design studios around the Scuola Politecnica di Design directs students to areas other than their studies. Students can reach the center of the city within minutes by subway and explore the museums and monuments of the city, as well as entertainment venues for young people.
Students enrolled at Scuola Politecnica di Design have an opportunity to get familiar with vibrant, dynamic and international environment where foreign students make up 70% of the total student population and cultural differences exist.
You can also check our articles about “Moving to Italy and Living in Italy” and “Making a Living as a Student in Italy“.
Departments of Scuola Politecnica di Design
The language of instruction at Scuola Politecnica di Design is English. Here English is recognized as the official language. The education at the educational institution organized in two phases: One Year Course and Master’s programs, which are offered for one year.
You can also get information by reading the subjects of Undergraduate Education and Postgraduate Education in Italy.
One Year Courses
The One Year Courses last for one academic year between October and July. Attendance is compulsory and full-time attendance is required for in-course exercises and institutional visits. These courses aim to provide basic training in products and designs and are carried out through a well-designed curriculum that includes methodological tools.
The courses, which vary according to the chosen field, aim to provide students with a general and technical knowledge, to develop an understanding of design and to prepare projects that can be heard on a global scale. The courses offered at Scuola Politecnica di Design are directly related to the requirements and skills needed for the Master’s year, which is an ideal continuation of this course.
Here are some of the one-year courses offered at the SPD:
- Interior Design – This course aims to equip students with skills of interior design, providing practical and theoretical training in areas as interior design and furniture design.
- Product Design – The purpose of this course is to provide students the knowledge and skills needed in developing products. Students get engaged in a variety of design tasks while learning the product design process.
- Transportation Design – This 1-year program aims to provide students with knowledge and skills in vehicle design. Students gain knowledge and experience on different means of transportation such as cars, motorcycles and even ship modeling.
- Fashion Design – The goal of this program is to provide students with design abilities that will expand their views in the world of fashion design. This is a highly desirable chance for students, especially in a fashion city like Milan.
Admission requirements for one-year courses are:
- bachelor’s degree certificate
- presenting examples of work done in the past, if any (portfolio presentation)
- transcript
- application form
- a letter of intent of at least 20 lines
- English proficiency in an intermediate level
Students successfully completing the one-year course will receive an internationally recognized diploma from the SPD and IULM University. And with this diploma, they will be eligible to apply to further postgraduate programs.
Do not forget to take a look at our articles about “University Education in Italy (Bachelor’s Degree)” and “Postgraduate Study in Italy“!
Postgraduate – Master’s Programs
The master’s program at Scuola Politecnica di Design lasts for 15 months. In this programs, which corresponds to 60 ECTS credits, students take various courses in the department they are admitted to. In the last three months of the master’s program, students are required to participate in an internship program in order to improve their working skills in professional firms or companies and contribute to their careers.
Some of the master’s and postgraduate programs offered at SPD are:
- Visual Communication Design
- Interaction Design
- Industrial Design
- Fashion Design Management
- Innovative Design Management
- Creative Management
- Artificial Intelligence Aided Design
Admission to the Master’s program requires graduation from an appropriate undergraduate program. Students who meet these requirements can apply to Scuola Politecnica di Design as long as they submit a CV, a letter of intent of at least 20 lines, a portfolio of work in this field and a document proving their intermediate level of English.
One Year Course – Prices
- Visual Design 11.400 €
- Product Design 11.400 €
- Car Design Tools 11.800 €
Postgraduate (Master’s) Program – Prices
- Industrial Design 16.400 €
- Interior Design 21.900 €
- Visual Design 16.400 €
- Transportation and Car Design 16.800 €
- Web and Digital Design 21.900 €
- Food Design and Innovation: 15.600 €
There are also many scholarship opportunities available for international students enrolled at SPD or any other university in Italy. International students who apply for scholarships provided by the Italian Government might benefit from these scholarships and thanks to this annual scholarship, they can cover their living expenses quite easily.
Dormitory and Accommodation Facilities at Scuola Politecnica di Design | Polytechnic School of Design
Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD), located in Milan, offers students a variety of accommodation options. These options include public or private dormitory rooms, studio apartments or shared apartments, which can be considered as low-cost alternatives.
Since the cost of living in Milan is slightly more higher than other cities of Italy, low-cost accommodation options and scholarship opportunities are very important for students. Students who benefit from the scholarship opportunities provided by Italian Government and low-cost accommodation opportunities do not face any difficulties in any scenario.
You can also check our article “Accommodation in Italy” on the subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) public or private?
Scuola Politecnica di Design is a private university offering programs for specific technical, artistic and vocational training. Students who wish to study at this private university may undergo pre-assessment procedures to test their technical skills for some programs during the application process.
What programs does Polytechnic School of Design offer?
SPD is an educational institution where design and vocational programs as industrial design, interior design, fashion design, automotive design and digital publishing are predominant. The courses are mostly completely practical and application-oriented and students can advance very quickly in their careers with the technical skills they gain after graduation.
What is the language of instruction at the SPD?
The programs at Scuola Politecnica di Design are taught in English and majority of the students who choose this school are international students. Students studying design in a city of fashion and art like Milan also have a lot of opportunities to learn Italian.
Which degrees does the Polytechnic School of Design offer?
The study programs at Scuola Politecnica di Design include one year courses, master’s and doctoral (PhD) degrees. Students who meet the academic technical qualifications can directly transfer to master’s programs, but students who do not have the qualifications must first succeed in the one year course programs.
What are the requirements for student admission at SPD?
SPD may ask for documents such as a portfolio of academic or design-related work, diploma/certificate of academic degree or experience and English language proficiency certificate. In addition, student visa, passport issuance and other consular procedures must be completed and if there are prerequisites for the programs, they must be examined and qualified.
