Imagine receiving up to €10,000 in cash each year in a study abroad program, without paying anything in tuition fees. All for free! I know that this might sound like a fairytale, but you’re about to find out that it’s not. This is the concrete reality for international students who win a Politecnico di Milano scholarship. Every year, Polimi dedicates millions of euros in merit-based scholarships, not as a simple discount, but as a deliberate strategy to attract the sharpest minds in engineering, architecture, and design from all over the world.
The Polytechnic University of Milan’s (Polimi) flagship Platinum award goes even further, offering top candidates a €10,000 annual stipend in addition to a full tuition fee waiver. Gold, Silver, and regional campus scholarships create a layered system that rewards exceptional talent at every level.
In short, a Polimi scholarship can completely erase the cost of studying in Italy’s most vibrant city — Milan — and replace it with a badge of academic prestige, a deserving honour for your talent and resilience. But how do you benefit from this? How do you join over 48,000 international students from over 100 countries already studying in Polimi?
This guide unpacks everything for you: the different types of Politecnico di Milano scholarship, all eligibility rules, and the easy steps in the process for submitting an application that wins.
Your fully funded chapter in Milan starts right here.
Types of Polimi Scholarships for International Students
Politecnico di Milano provides several distinct types of financial aid. Understanding these is the first step to finding the Polimi scholarship that best fits your background and needs.
1. Merit-Based Polimi Scholarships
These are the most prestigious awards offered by Polimi, and they are designed for top-achieving international students. These awards are automatically considered for all eligible applicants, so there’s no separate application for the scholarship itself, just your Master of Science application. The most prominent options within the merit-based Polimi scholarships include:
- Platinum Scholarship: This is the crown jewel, awarding €10,000 gross per year plus a full tuition fee waiver. It’s exclusively for students on the Milan campuses.
- Gold Scholarship: Offers €8,000 gross per year, along with a full tuition fee waiver, also for the main Milan campuses.
- Gold Scholarships: Similar to the above, but for specific programs at regional campuses. For example, a €5,000 gross scholarship plus a fee waiver is available for students in Agricultural or Music and Acoustic Engineering at the Cremona campus.
- Silver Scholarship: This corresponds to a full tuition fee waiver for the entire academic year. It is typically available for students admitted to English-taught MSc programs at the Cremona, Lecco, Mantova, or Piacenza campuses.
All scholarship recipients are required to pay only a non-refundable administrative fee of approximately €170.
2. Need-Based Politecnico di Milano Scholarships
The Diritto allo Studio Universitario (DSU) scholarship is not awarded by Polimi directly but is a key part of the Italian right to education. It is an income-based benefit available to all students, including international ones.
The DSU is a financial aid package that includes a monetary grant, free meals at university canteens, and the possibility of subsidised accommodation.
It is awarded based on your family’s economic situation. As a reference, for the 2026/2027 academic year, the required economic indicator (ISEE) needed to be at or below € 26,516.70 to qualify
To apply, you must submit a separate application through the Polimi Online Services, usually between July and September each year.
3. Italian Government Scholarships
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers separate scholarships which can also be used for study at Politecnico di Milano. These are managed externally and are a fantastic additional funding source, particularly for students from specific countries.
Applications for the Italian Government Scholarship are submitted through the official “Study in Italy” portal.
What Does the Polimi Scholarship Cover?
A crucial step in your plan to secure a Politecnico di Milano scholarship is to understand exactly what financial support the scholarship provides and the scope of its coverage. Here’s a clear breakdown of the two main schemes for international MSc students.
| Feature | Merit-Based Scholarship | DSU Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Fully waived. You pay only a ~€170 admin fee each year. | May contribute to fee reduction, but its main focus is on living costs. |
| Living Stipend | Yes. Up to €10,000 gross per year, paid in instalments. | Yes. Amount varies based on need. Includes a cash grant. |
| Meals | Not included. | Free or heavily subsidised access to university canteens. |
| Accommodation | Not included. | Priority access to university residences at a subsidised rate. |
This table highlights the overview of the scholarships available to help you choose the offer that best aligns to your goals
Eligibility Criteria for Politecnico di Milano Scholarships
Your path to a Polimi scholarship depends entirely on the type of funding you are chasing. Politecnico di Milano splits scholarship eligibility into three main tracks, each with its own timeline and requirements.
1. Merit-Based International Scholarships
These are the prestigious Platinum, Gold, and Silver awards.
- Application Window: You must submit your admission application during the Early Bird period: 1 October – 1 December.
- Language Certificate Deadline: Upload your IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent certificate by February.
To apply for this, you will fill out a dedicated scholarship form directly within your online application. Results are released in waves between April and July.
2. DSU Regional Scholarships
This is a fully funded scheme from the Lombardy region for students who meet financial and academic criteria.
- Application Window:Late May – early August. Unlike the merit track, you apply only after you have secured your admission offer.
To apply, submit your application through the Polimi Online Services Portal. You must present formalised family financial documents to a designated Italian CAF office to calculate if you need financial aid or not, based on income.
Pick the track that matches your profile, respect its window, and your Politecnico di Milano scholarship application will be on solid ground.
How to Apply for a Politecnico di Milano Scholarship
The application process is not one-size-fits-all. Your steps depend on which Polimi scholarship track you’re targeting. Below, each path is broken down into a simple sequence. Choose your track and follow it carefully.
Path A: Merit-Based International Scholarships
- Submit Your Master’s Admission in the Early Bird Window: Apply online for an MSc program between 1 October and 1 December. Only Early Bird applicants are considered.
- Pay the Non-Refundable Application Fee: The Politecnico di Milano application fee is €50 during the Early Bird window (it rises to €150 later). Pay securely through the online portal.
- Complete the Dedicated Scholarship Form: In your Polimi Online Services account, go to Benefits and Agreements > Economic benefits and fill out the merit-based scholarship form. This is free of charge.
- Upload Your English Certificate by the Hard Deadline: Submit a valid IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 78, or equivalent certificate to your dossier by 21 February.
- Wait for Results: The evaluation committee announces outcomes in waves between April and July.
Path B: DSU Regional Scholarship
- Secure Your Admission Offer First: You must already be admitted to Polimi before applying. The DSU application opens in late May.
- Apply through the Polimi Online Services Portal: Complete the DSU application within the official window, typically late May to early August.
- Submit Financial Documents via a CAF Office: Have your family’s financial documents formally certified and processed by a designated Italian CAF office to obtain your ISEEU indicator. The DSU grant amount is based on this evaluation.
No matter which path you take, missing a deadline means an automatic disqualification. Bookmark the official Polimi scholarship pages and start early. A fully funded future in Milan starts with a perfectly timed application
The official application portal for all Politecnico di Milano scholarship tracks is: https://www.polimi.it/en/online-services
Politecnico di Milano Tuition Fees and Living Costs
A Polimi scholarship dramatically shifts the financial equation of studying in Italy. To understand just how much, let’s first lay out the numbers you’d face without one.
For non-EEA international students, the full yearly tuition fee is approximately €3,898. This is a fixed sum covering enrollment and access to all university facilities.
Milan is Italy’s economic heart, so budgeting realistically is essential. Below are average monthly expenses for a student:
- Accommodation: A single room in a shared apartment — €580
- Food: Groceries and occasional meals out — €200 – €250
- Transport: Monthly public transit pass — €35 – €60
- Other (books, health insurance, leisure): — €200 – €300
A typical monthly budget falls between €1,015 and €1,190. Multiply that over an academic year, and living costs alone can exceed €12,000.
Now re-read the earlier scholarship figures. A Platinum award wipes out the €3,898 tuition fee and hands you €10,000 in cash. A Gold scholarship does the same with €8,000. Even a full tuition waiver (Silver) removes the largest single expense. Suddenly, Milan’s price tag looks entirely manageable. That’s the true power of securing a Politecnico di Milano scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Polimi scholarship before I am admitted?
Yes! This is a key part of the strategy. You apply for the scholarship during the same “Early Bird” window as your application for admission. The committee will assess you for the scholarship based on your application dossier, even before admission results are final.
Is the Politecnico di Milano application fee refundable?
No, the application fee is strictly non-refundable, even if you are not offered admission or a scholarship. This is why it’s so important to apply early and secure the lower €50 fee.
Can I combine multiple scholarships?
Generally, no. If you receive a full merit-based scholarship (like Platinum or Gold), you cannot combine it with another full tuition waiver. However, you may be able to combine a smaller, merit-based award with a DSU need-based grant, depending on the specific rules of each call. Always check the official call for applications (“Bando”) for the definitive policy.
I don’t have my language certificate yet. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can. You can submit your application for admission and the scholarship before you have your English test results. You just need to ensure you upload the valid certificate to your online dossier by the final deadline.
Let This Offer Be Your Launchpad
A Politecnico di Milano scholarship is a life-changing opportunity, offering not just financial freedom but also a mark of academic prestige that will open doors for your future career. From the full coverage of a Platinum award to the targeted support of a regional Gold or DSU grant, there is a path designed to help talented individuals as you succeed.
The key is to be prepared. Mark the “Early Bird” application window on your calendar, gather your documents, and pour your passion into your application. This is your chance to join one of Europe’s most dynamic academic communities without the weight of financial worry.
Start your application today and secure your future at one of Europe’s top technical universities.
