Polytechnic University of Milan
Città Studi buildings in 1930
The Polytechnic University of Milan, commonly known as Polimi, is Italy’s foremost technical university, boasting a student body of approximately 42,000. It provides a range of programs in engineering, architecture, and design at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. Established in 1863, it holds the distinction of being Milan’s oldest higher education institution.
Polimi’s primary operations and research activities housed within two major campuses in Milan. Along with additional campuses in five other cities across the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions. The university’s central administration is based in the historic Città Studi campus in Milan, which has been operational since 1927.
In the QS World University Rankings for ‘Engineering & Technology’ in 2022, the university was ranked 13th globally. It also achieved high rankings in several specific fields, including 6th in Design, 9th in Civil and Structural Engineering, and 7th in Architecture. Among its notable alumni and faculty are Nobel Prize winner Giulio Natta, writer Carlo Emilio Gadda, and architects Renzo Piano and Aldo Rossi.
Francesco Brioschi, the founder and first rector, established the Polytechnic University of Milan on November 29, 1863. Initially named Istituto Tecnico Superiore, the university initially focused on Civil and Industrial Engineering, adding Architecture in 1865 through collaboration with the Brera Academy. The university’s historic move to its current location in the Città Studi area occurred in 1927, where it adopted the name Regio Politecnico, later dropping ‘Regio’ post World War II. The university’s emblem, inspired by Raphael’s School of Athens, was introduced in 1942.
The university has been at the forefront of technological advancements, including opening Europe’s first electronic computation center in 1954. Its significant contributions to research and industry include involvement in the launch of the Sirio satellite in 1977 and expanding its campuses throughout Lombardy and Emilia Romagna starting in the late 1980s. In 2012, Polimi announced a significant shift towards English-language graduate programs.
Spanning seven campuses, including two in Milan and others in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, the university offers a comprehensive range of academic programs in engineering, architecture, and design. It emphasizes international collaborations and student exchanges, participating in various global networks and offering courses in multiple languages.
Politecnico di Milano, facciata.
The Polytechnic University of Milan is a hub for scientific research, participating in numerous European and international projects. It boasts a strong tradition in research, exemplified by figures like Giulio Natta and its extensive involvement in the European Research framework.
Governance of the university is overseen by the Rector, Academic Senate, and Board of Directors, with other advisory bodies including the Students’ Council. Student life at Polimi is vibrant, with a range of scholarships and facilities, including Wi-Fi coverage across campuses and student organizations catering to diverse interests.
The university’s graduates are highly sought after, with a majority finding employment shortly after graduation. Its Career Service actively facilitates industry connections, and the student body is politically active, with various groups representing diverse perspectives.