Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi), established in 1863, is Italy’s largest and most prestigious technical university. Renowned for its excellence in engineering, architecture, and design, PoliMi currently holds the title for Italy's number one university (QS University Rankings 2024). PoliMi offers a comprehensive range of programs that emphasise innovation, research, and practical application and consistently ranks among the top technical universities in Europe and the world, particularly noted for its strengths in engineering and technology.
The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic research environment, and strong collaborations with industry leaders, fostering an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. The vibrant campus life, coupled with its location in Milan, a global hub for design and business, provides students with unparalleled opportunities for professional and personal growth. With a rich history of producing influential alumni and a commitment to cutting-edge research and education, PoliMi stands as a leader in shaping the future of technology and design.
Milan, Italy (Leonardo Campus)
#1 in Italy | #18 globally for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (QS 2025 Ranking)
47,000+ student body, 36,000+ studying engineering, 8,000+ international students
97% of graduates find employment within 6 months of graduation (2021 graduate survey)
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 2 Semester (Spring) | February–July |
| Semester 2 | 1 Semester (Autumn) | September–February |
View the PoliMi academic calendar.
Faculty Information
Available Double Degrees
| UQ Degree | PoliMi Degree |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Engineering (BE/ME) | Laurea Magistrale Electrical Engineering (equivalent to Master of Science in Engineering) |
Currently, the IDD in Engineering with PoliMi is only available to students studying a BE/ME with a specialisation in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Electrical and Biomedical Engineering.
Not studying the integrated BE/ME? You will need to request a program change to be eligible for the IDD in engineering. To request this change, you need to:
- have a cumulative GPA equivalent to the ATAR required for admission
- have not yet commenced the fourth year thesis course
Double Degree Track
Students participating in the IDD in Engineering with PoliMi will complete their first seven semesters of the (BE/ME) at UQ. Students then commence studies in Italy at PoliMi from the eighth semester for a minumum of 3 semesters. In the final semester, students may opt to complete a thesis project at PoliMi, or a placement semester at UQ.
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 |
UQ Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Master of Engineering | PoliMi LM Electrical Engineering | Placement/Thesis | ||||||||
Language of Instruction
PoliMi's LM Electircal Engineering is taught entirely in English. There is no requirement to prove Italian proficiency throughout the admission or enrolment process.
It is recommended that students completing an IDD in Engineering at PoliMi aim for at least beginner level command of Italian to assist in the assimilation process.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
PoliMi uses ECTS to measure learning based on defined learning outcomes and their associated workload. In order to maintain your unit load at PoliMi and graduate on time, students should aim for an average load of 30 ECTS per semester.
Course Information
Students selected to participate in the IDD in Engineering with PoliMi will consult with EAIT Student Administration and EAIT International on courses to be taken at UQ prior to departure, as well as courses to be taken at PoliMi during mobility.
To get an indication of what your studies at PoliMi will look like, you can view the program course structure. For more information on available courses at PoliMi, search the PoliMi course catalogue.
Accommodation
Politecnico di Milano has a number of university residence halls across each campus to which students may apply.
Cost of Living
Milan can be an expensive city to live in, but in general, Italy is considered to have a lower cost of living index than countries in Western and Northern Europe.
Careers and Employability recommend a budget of AU$12,000 - 18,000 per semester, regardless of your destination, which considers all possible costs, e.g. flights, accommodation, daily necessities, visas, insurance, and incidental costs.
Your budget will ultimately depend on factors such as your expectations and lifestyle. It is important to be amply prepared prior to departure, and not hold any expectations of earning money abroad to help support your costs.
Financial Support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
UQ’s standard travel insurance for students will apply to all participants up to a maximum period of 365 days from departure from Australia. In order to restart the coverage period, students must return to Australia and remain enrolled as a student at UQ; the insurer may request proof of time spent abroad (i.e. flight tickets) in order to assess any claims made under the policy. Read more about UQ's student travel insurance policy, including any exclusions, limitations, and terms & conditions (UQ login required). UQ's student travel insurance policy will only cover incidents occurring en route to/from, or in your officially designated destination; consider purchasing your own policy for any events occurring during personal travels away from this destination.
In Italy, it is compulsory to hold health insurance for non-EU students in order to apply for the residence permit.
Visas and Travel
It is important to arrange your student visa/permit before your studies commence. Australian passport holders may have the ability to enter Italy/Schengen Area first without a visa, and convert their status it Italy prior to commencement of studies.
PoliMi will provide information regarding your visa/permit closer to your admission.
Contact the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for visa and immigration information.
Travel Risk According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Next Intake
Applications: November 2024
Commencement: Winter semester 2025/2026