- Overview
- Location and Housing
- Academics
- Experiential Learning
- Pricing and Dates
- Program Staff
- Application Instructions
- Additional Information
Want to study advanced level engineering courses in Italy? Then consider Politecnico di Milano!
An outstanding university, the Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi) is ranked 48th in the world and 14th in Europe among technical universities, according to the QS World University Ranking system. This exchange is College of Engineering (ENGR) specific,meaning only undergraduate ENGR students may participate. PoliMi and Pitt are members of Global E3, an exchange consortium of over 60 Engineering schools from around the world. This consortium is administered by the Institutue of International Education (IIE). For more information about the university, see the Global E3 PoliMi specific page and the PoliMi webpage.
Typically semesters are:
Fall: Late September to late February
Spring: late February to late July
PoliMi accepts students for Fall, Spring or Academic Year.
Courses are taught in Italian and English. Students can be admitted to attend courses in English at the Master of Science (“Laurea Magistrale”) level, provided you can show you possess the necessary prerequisites.
As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:
- the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
- non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
- a global network of peers in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in Italy.
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
International Exchange Office | Contacts
The Politecnico di Milano includes seven campuses: two main locations in Milano, four spread throughout the Lombardia region of Italy, and one, Piacenza campus, in Emilia Romagna.
Lombardia is one of the largest regions in northern Italy. Its proximity to the panoramic Italian countryside makes it the perfect destination for the curious traveler. Spend time getting to know the country better at world-renowned ski resorts in the beautiful peaks of the Alps, or on the beaches of Liguria and the Venetian coast.
For those hoping to admire Italian art, history, and architecture in cities like Venezia, Verona, Bologna, and Firenze, Milano boasts fantastic public transportation.
Politecnico di Milano offers housing, but cannot guarantee availability.
For more information about housing options, please visit the GE3 website.
Use the links below to see if the specific departments offer the types of courses you would like to take while studying abroad. We suggest you review courses available with your Faculty director of your program prior to applying to the program.
Academic Departments:
Visit the University's website to learn more about course offerings and check the Global E3 PoliMi stie for general information.. The following disciplines have been listed as available:
Disciplines Available
The following programs in Engineering are currently offered in English at the Master of Science level:
Non degree seeking students can be admitted to attend courses in English at the Master of Science (“Laurea Magistrale”) level, provided they can show they possess the necessary prerequisites. Here are some suggested study plan options available to Global E3 students in specific areas for the academic year 2014/2015. The necessary pre-requisites are also indicated.
MSc in Architecture - Bovisa Campus
MSc in Civil Engineering – Milano Leonardo Campus
MSc in Civil Engineering for Risk Mitigation - Lecco Campus
MSc in Electronics Engineering
MSc in Engineering for Computer Systems
MSc in Environmental and Geomatic Engineering - Como Campus
MSc in Management Engineering – Como Campus
MSc in Telecommunications Engineering
Of note:
- All courses must be approved by the Faculty Director of your department in the Swanson School of Engineering. A course approval form must be completed and submitted to SSoE’s Engineering International Initiatives Office.
- Minimum 2.75 GPA for SSoE; PoliMi may have additional requirements.
- Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours.
- Courses taken abroad will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. However, students must receive a C grade or higher in order for the credits to transfer. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university.
- Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers may be required to show evidence of English proficiency. Italian proficiency will be required for courses in Italian.
In order to gain Pitt credit, you must receive a C or higher for each course you will transfer back to Pitt for credit.
Information about the grading scale abroad can be found on the Global E3 page.
Transcripts: Please request that your university send a hardcopy to the Engineering International Initiatives Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are received. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: International Engineering Initiatives, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 152 Benedum Hall, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received.
N/A
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad.
For global scholarship opportunities, check out:
- the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
- PittFund$Me for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
- PittFund$Me for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!
Pitt students enroll at PoliMi for either a full semester (fall or spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). PoliMi ‘s calendar may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Like Pitt, PoliMi’s academic calendar follows a Fall-Spring progression, meaning Fall is the first semester followed by the Spring semester as the second. Typically semester dates are as follows: Fall: late September to late February & Spring: late February to late July. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.
SSOE Global Experiences and Engagement Office Team
Our team is so excited to assist SSOE students in deciding which global programs work best for them. Feel free to stop by during our walk-in hours or sign up for our information sessions every Tuesday 4-5 pm!
Schedule an appointment
Feel free to stop by during our walk-in hours or sign up for our information sessions every Tuesday 4-5 pm!
You must first be nominated by the Swanson School of Engineering International Initiatives Office, then you will be directed to apply to Global E3. A formal nomination from SSoE Engineering International Initiatives is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt steps in addition to the Global E3 university’s requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Engineering International Initiatives does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.
Prior to being accepted, please visit the Global E3 website and read the application instructions and application deadlines. (In the past, Global E3 application deadlines have been October 1st for spring semester programs and March 1st for fall semester programs.)
Each university might have an additional application. Please refer to the Global E site for details.
Please contact Dr. Kristine Lalley for more information on Full Year 2020 openings for this program.
Minimum Requirements:
- SSoE student in good standing
- Minimum 2.75 GPA & be of sophomore standing or higher
- Please check the Global E3 site for additional requirements for this specific school
Questions about funding? Check out our funding pages and note that SSoE has funding specifically for engineering students! There are many other national funding sources you can review. One place to search is the Institute of International Education website.
Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency.
Academic Calendar:
- Fall: late September to the end of January
- Spring: early March to the end of June
The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as a part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the Engineering International Initiatives office. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.
In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival.
For those without the host country’s nationality, students may need to obtain a student visa to study on this exchange. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website.
In general visa application requirements may include but are not limited to the following requirements:
- Visa application
- Valid Passport
- Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university)
- Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.
- Passport photos
- Application fee
- Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)