Study Engineering in Italy in English: Universities, Tests, and Careers

Study engineering in Italy: Politecnico di Milano and Torino, Padua, Pisa, Bologna, English-taught Master's, the TOLC-I test, how to apply, and job outlook.

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Italy has a deep engineering tradition and two of the most respected technical universities in Europe. A growing share of engineering degrees, especially at master's level, are taught in English, and public-university tuition is income-based rather than a flat international fee. That makes Italy a strong, affordable choice for an engineering degree with international recognition.

This guide covers the universities best known for engineering, the specialisations on offer, how the TOLC-I entry test fits in, how to apply, and what the job market looks like afterwards. For the country-wide picture, start with the Study in Italy pillar guide.

Why study engineering in Italy

Italian engineering schools are well connected to industry, from automotive and mechanical engineering to aerospace, civil, electrical, and management engineering. The two "Politecnico" universities in Milan and Turin are dedicated technical institutions and rank highly worldwide for engineering. Several large general universities also run strong engineering faculties.

At public universities, tuition is set against your family income through the ISEE document, so many students pay far less than the headline fees elsewhere in Europe. The Scholarships in Italy guide explains how the income bands and "no tax area" exemptions work.

Germany is the other major engineering destination in Europe, with its TU9 technical universities. See Study Engineering in Germany for how that route and its language requirements compare.

Universities known for engineering

Politecnico di Milano is the most internationally visible and runs many English-taught master's programmes; Politecnico di Torino is closely tied to the Turin automotive and aerospace cluster. The Top universities in Italy guide gives more context on how these institutions sit within the wider system.

Specialisations on offer

Italian engineering faculties span the full range of disciplines, and at master's level many of these run in English. Common tracks include:

• Mechanical, automotive, and aerospace engineering
• Civil, structural, and environmental engineering
• Electrical, electronic, and telecommunications engineering
• Computer and information engineering
• Management engineering (engineering combined with operations and business)
• Energy, materials, and biomedical engineering

The exact set of English-taught tracks differs by university and changes over time, so check each programme's page for the current language of instruction.

The TOLC-I entry test

Many Italian engineering bachelor's degrees use the TOLC-I, the engineering version of the TOLC (Test OnLine CISIA), administered by CISIA. It assesses mathematics, logic, science, and reading comprehension, and some universities use it as a ranked admission test while others use it for placement or self-assessment. Different universities apply it differently.

For English-taught master's programmes, you usually apply on the strength of your prior bachelor's degree and an English certificate rather than the TOLC-I, which is more common at bachelor's entry. Confirm what your specific programme needs on its admissions page and on cisia.it.

How to apply

The process follows the standard Italian route, with engineering-specific tests where they apply.

• Choose your programme and check whether it is taught in English and whether it requires the TOLC-I.
• Non-EU applicants complete pre-enrolment on Universitaly before the consulate processes a study visa.
• Have your prior qualification recognised where required, via a CIMEA statement or Dichiarazione di Valore. See cimea.it.
• Meet the English requirement (usually IELTS or TOEFL) for English-taught programmes.
• Apply for a study visa once pre-enrolment is validated. See the Student visa for Italy guide.

Deadlines vary by university and usually fall in spring or summer for an autumn start, so confirm the date on your programme's page early.

Job outlook

Engineering graduates are among the more employable in Italy, particularly in the industrial north around Milan and Turin, which host automotive, aerospace, machinery, and design-and-manufacturing companies. Management engineering and information-oriented tracks also feed into consulting and tech roles.

Italian matters a lot in the domestic job market even when your degree was in English, so learning the language improves your prospects considerably. After graduating, a study residence permit can be converted to a work permit, and higher-skilled roles may qualify for an EU Blue Card. The Working in Italy guide covers the conversion process and in-demand sectors. If you are weighing a closely related field, the Study Computer Science in Italy guide covers software-leaning paths.

Prepare your application

Master's and job applications both expect a clear, well-structured CV, and Italy leans on the Europass format. Convert yours with Prezumi's free Europass CV converter, test how applicant-tracking software reads it with the free ATS resume checker, and build from clean resume templates.

FAQ

Can I study engineering in Italy in English?

Yes, especially at master's level. Politecnico di Milano and several other universities run many English-taught engineering master's programmes, and some English-taught bachelor's options exist too. Confirm the language of instruction on each programme's page, since it varies.

What is the TOLC-I and do I need it?

The TOLC-I is the engineering version of Italy's TOLC entry test, administered by CISIA. Many engineering bachelor's programmes use it for admission or placement, while English-taught master's programmes usually admit on your prior degree instead. Check your programme's requirements and cisia.it.

Which is the best engineering university in Italy?

Politecnico di Milano is the highest-ranked and most internationally visible, followed by Politecnico di Torino, with strong faculties also at Padua, Pisa, and Bologna. The right choice depends on your specialisation and whether the programme is taught in English.

How much does an engineering degree in Italy cost?

At public universities, tuition is income-based through the ISEE, so many international students pay far less than flat international fees elsewhere. Living costs vary widely by city, with Milan and Turin more expensive than smaller cities. See the Scholarships in Italy guide.

What are the job prospects after an engineering degree in Italy?

Good, particularly in the industrial north, with automotive, aerospace, machinery, and management-engineering roles. Knowing Italian materially improves your chances in the domestic market. The Working in Italy guide explains post-study work permits.

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