Italy is known for many things: excellent food (especially pizza & pasta), fashion, great weather, and top attractions for global tourists. However, it’s often the unique local architecture that makes thousands of people want to visit Italy.
But if you’re an aspiring student considering a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, is Italy a good study destination? And can you study there if you don’t speak the Italian language? Are there enough good Architecture programmes taught in English?
Let’s find out!
How many English-taught architecture universities are there in Italy?
We couldn’t find an official database or reliable source providing this number. But based on the study programmes listed on our portals — Bachelorsportal, Mastersportal, PhDportal — there are enough Italian universities offering Architecture degrees taught in English. Here are a few of them:
- Politecnico di Torino
- Politecnico di Milano
- ISAD – Istituto Superiore Di Architettura e Design
- University of Florence
- University of Sassari
How do I know if an Architecture degree is taught in English?
All the study programmes listed on our portals are taught in English, so that’s a good start. You can also check the language requirements for each degree.
If you search for an academic course on other (university) websites, you need to check out details on their pages in order to determine if a programme is English-taught.
Application requirements for English-taught Architecture degrees in Italy
As you may already know, the application requirements differ from one university to another; prestigious institutions are often the ones with higher expectations.
The following are some of the most common criteria you’ll likely need to meet to enrol at an English-taught architecture school in Italy:
- Proof of English language proficiency: PTE Academic, IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo test results
- High-school or Bachelor’s diploma, depending on your degree level
- Passport and (two) photos
- Portfolio with previous designs (only for some Masters)
The best English-taught architecture schools in Italy
According to the QS rankings by subject, these are the top Italian universities that offer Architecture programmes:
- Politecnico di Milano
- Politecnico di Torino
- Sapienza University of Rome
- Università Iuav di Venezia
- University of Naples – Federico II
- University of Bologna
- University of Florence
- Università degli studi Roma Tre
To view the complete offer of Architecture degrees, you can visit the official website of every university.
You can also check out the Times Higher Education ranking with the best architecture universities in Italy.
Find Architecture Masters in Italy
Becoming an architect in Italy
It should be obvious by now that you will need to speak Italian at an advanced level to work as an architect in Italy.
English may be enough to help you study Architecture, but it won’t be enough for your professional career. In fact, you’ll discover that only around 30–35% of Italians speak English as a foreign language.
But if learning Italian ‘ti piace’ and you want to live and work in ‘bella Italia’, here’s what it will take to become an architect:
- Architecture degree from an accredited university or polytechnic school
- Ideally, a professional internship during your studies, but it’s not mandatory
- Pass the State Examination for architects: 4 tests in total
- Register with one of the local Ordine Degli Architetti (Order of Architects)