If you’re drawn to spaces, the way light falls through a window, how a room feels when materials and proportions are right. Interior architecture isn’t just decoration. It’s a discipline that brings together ergonomics, anthropology, aesthetics, and technical precision to make spaces actually work for the people inside them. And in a country where some of the world’s most iconic interiors were built, studying this field means you’re surrounded by the subject matter every single day.
Interior architecture isn’t just decoration. It’s a discipline that brings together ergonomics, anthropology, aesthetics, and technical precision to make spaces actually work for the people inside them. And in a country where some of the world’s most iconic interiors were built, studying this field means you’re surrounded by the subject matter every single day.
This guide covers programs, universities, entry requirements, fees, and the schools most worth your attention at both undergraduate and master’s level.
The country where this aesthetic understanding and professionalism come together is Italy. A wide range of options, from short-term certificate programs to undergraduate and master’s programs in the field of interior architecture in Italy, are waiting for you.
Why Study Interior Architecture in Italy?
Italy’s design industry isn’t just prestigious, it’s active. Milan is one of four global fashion and design capitals, hosting the Salone del Mobile each year, which remains the world’s most influential furniture and design fair. The brands collaborating with Italian design schools from Armani to Cassina to Whirlpool Europe aren’t doing so for prestige alone. They’re there to recruit.
As a student, that means real project briefs, real collaborators, and a network that starts forming before graduation. NABA, for example, reports a 90% employment rate within one year of completing master’s programs.
Beyond career outcomes, Italy offers something more atmospheric: a country where every city is effectively a living archive of architectural history. Studying interior design in Florence, Milan, or Rome means your field trips are literally outside the door.
Undergraduate Education in Interior Architecture in Italy
In Italy, you can study interior architecture in English or Italian at the undergraduate level. In addition to interior architecture education in this field, programs such as furniture design, lighting and product design are also included in the education curriculum. You can study interior architecture in Italy in one of the world’s most famous cities in terms of architecture such as Milan, Rome and Florence.
You can read our article on “Study Architecture in Italy“.
Tuition Fees for Interior Architecture Undergraduate in Italy
Annual fees for interior architecture at the undergraduate level in Italy vary on a school basis. The annual tuition fee for NABA is 18.200 Euros, IED annual tuition is 17.200 Euros, ACCADEMI ITALIANA annual tuition fee is 8.400 Euros, and MARANGONI annual tuition varies between 23.700 and 27.100 Euros. *
* Prices given are valid for the 2025-2026 academic year.
For detailed information, you can look at our “Education Fees in Italy” article.
Master Education in Interior Architecture in Italy
One of the most preferred areas of students who want to study in Italy is interior architecture at the master’s level. The duration of these programs is 1 or 2 years. NABA, DOMUS ACADEMY, MARANGONI and IED, among the best architecture and design schools in the world, are located in Italy. The international network of these schools is well developed. It has campuses in many cities and countries that are identified with fashion and design. They also collaborate extensively with luxury fashion brands and world-renowned design workshops. Many opportunities will be waiting for you to show your skills while you study interior architecture in Italy.
As a student, you will see tremendous support in discovering and demonstrating your talents. Many famous brands and workshops collaborate with these schools and evaluate the products or projects designed by students.
You can check our “Study Master’s in Architecture in Italy” article.
Tuition Fees for Interior Architecture Master in Italy
The annual tuition fees of interior architecture programs in Italy vary according to the school, program and the duration of the program you will study. The fee for NABA 1-year master’s programs is 17.950 Euros; for 2-year programs, the annual fee is 18.200 Euros. DOMUS ACADEMY is a school that specialises in master’s education. The school’s annual fee, which offers one-year master’s programs, is 28.600-29.000 Euros. The annual tuition fees for MARANGONI interior architecture master’s programs are around 33,000 Euros. For IED interior architecture master’s programs, the annual fee is 18.900 Euros. *
* Prices given are valid for the 2025-2026 academic year. Contact us for detailed price and program information.
In addition, you can check our “Cost of Living in Italy” article.
Universities Providing Interior Architecture Education in Italy
- IED
- NABA
- DOMUS ACADEMY
- ISTITUTO MARANGONI
- POLITECNICO DI MILANO
- ACCADEMIA ITALIANA
Each has a distinct character. Domus Academy specialises at master’s level, built around live design projects. NABA offers one of the broadest undergraduate and postgraduate ranges across two campuses in Milan and Rome. IED has the widest geographic footprint of Milan, Rome, Florence, Turin, Venice, and Cagliari. Politecnico di Milano sits within a world-ranked technical university, offering a different environment to the dedicated design schools.
Certificate Programs for Interior Architecture in Italy
Another area most demanded by students is interior architecture certificate programs in Italy. The courses, from 3-week summer courses to one-semester courses, appeal to students and professionals from beginner to advanced. Some of the interior architecture certificate programs in Italy can be listed as follows:
- Interior and Spatial Design
- Interior Design -Focus on Retail and Commercial Spaces-
- Furniture Design
- Interior Design and Decoration
- Interior and Showroom Design
- Contemporary Interior Design
- Lighting Design
- Interior and Living Design
Architecture Programs at Public Universities
For students considering full architecture degrees within a public university environment, Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino are the two main options offering English-taught programs.
Politecnico di Milano
QS 2026: 98th globally → 6th in the world for Architecture 7th for Art & Design
PoliMi offers the ARCHED test for admission to its English-taught Architectural Design bachelor’s program.
50 questions, 100 minutes
- Sections: reading comprehension, logic, general culture, history of art, mathematics, physics, design perception
- Held once a year, typically late July
- Registration fee: ~€50
- No prior technical architecture knowledge required
Politecnico di Torino
QS 2026: 242nd globally | 21st in the world for Architecture
PoliTo uses the TIL-A (Test di Ingresso online – Architettura) for its English-taught Architecture program.
- 50 questions, 100 minutes
- Sections: logic, reading comprehension, design and representation, physics and mathematics, general knowledge and art history
- Available online for non-EU students requiring a visa
- Registration fee: ~€50
PoliMi uses ARCHED. PoliTo uses TIL-A. If you’re applying to both, you need to register for and prepare for each exam separately.
Admission Requirements for Architecture and Interior Architecture in Italy
For public university programs (PoliMi, PoliTo):
- Completed 12 years of education
- Passed the national university entrance exam threshold in your home country (e.g. YKS for Turkish students, only the minimum threshold is required, no placement needed)
- B2 level English proficiency (IELTS 5.5 minimum / TOEFL 70 minimum)
- Relevant architecture entrance exam (ARCHED for PoliMi, TIL-A for PoliTo)
- For Italian-language programs: B2 Italian proficiency via CELI or CILS exams
For private design schools (NABA, Domus Academy, IED, Marangoni):
- Requirements vary by program and level
- Most master’s programs require a relevant undergraduate degree and a portfolio
- Some programs require an interview or written statement
Scholarships For Public Universities
Italy is one of the most generous countries in Europe for international student financial support. The main option is the DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) scholarship a need-based regional scholarship available at public universities and some accredited private institutions including NABA and IED.
For students with a family income below approximately €25,000 the DSU scholarships includes:
- Annual tuition reduced to €156
- Annual cash grant of up to €6,800–€7,000 (varies by region and residency status)
- Free meal card for use at the university cafeteria
- Access to university dormitory accommodation
DSU applications typically open in mid-July and close in early September. Students must reapply each year and meet minimum credit requirements from the second year onward.
Accommodation in Italy
Dormitory facilities are offered to students in many universities and state dormitories in Italy. In addition, you have an opportunity to stay in private dormitories and student houses thanks to the companies contracted by the universities.
Monthly accommodation costs generally range from €300 to €600, depending on city, room type, and sharing arrangements. Milan tends to be at the higher end; cities like Florence and Turin are more affordable.
Interior architecture in Italy brings together one of the world’s great design cultures with schools that have real industry pipelines. Whether you’re looking at a 3-week certificate course in Milan, an undergraduate degree at Politecnico di Milano, or a master’s at Domus Academy, the options are genuine and the environment is hard to match.
The process, exam prep, applications, fee structures, visa timelines has a lot of moving parts. At Pava Education, we work with students through every stage of applying to study interior architecture and design in Italy. Fill out our application form and one of our consultants will be in touch to map out your path.
