The Master’s Degree Programme in Design & Engineering aims to train designers who integrate the culture of Design with a technical-engineering approach, directing these competencies toward the principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Graduates are prepared to manage product design and development in both its expressive and material dimensions, as well as the technical and operational implications of production process management. They are capable of delivering a comprehensive design project, from the initial product concept through detailed and executive design, to the preparation of all documentation required for industrial production. They also develop specific expertise in material selection, virtual design methodologies, and in understanding how the technological characteristics of production systems impact and shape the design process.
The educational pathway combines a solid theoretical foundation with practical, professionally oriented activities over two years. The programme structure is conceived as a progressive increase in the complexity of design challenges, gradually expanding the scope and scale of design interventions.
In the first year, courses considered “foundational” are offered to harmonize students’ prior knowledge in the fields of Industrial Design and Engineering. These include, for example, materials for design, design theory and practice, design and manufacturing, and mechanical design.
In the second year, lectures focus on acquiring advanced technical skills for developing detailed and executive design, as well as on deepening design culture in relation to technological and production contexts.
In both years of the Master’s Degree Programme, design studios are included to simulate real-world product development contexts. These studios atoim at apply the knowledge acquired in theoretical courses and foster integration between Industrial Design and Engineering.
The study programme also includes a compulsory internship period to be carried out in companies, organizations, institutions, professional studios, or internally within the University.
Admission to the Master’s Degree programme in Design & Engineering requires a degree in one of the following classes:
Applicants holding a first-level degree in Class L-17 Architecture may also be admitted, provided that they meet the following specific curricular requirements: at least 36 ECTS credits in the Scientific Disciplinary Sectors CEAR-08/D (formerly ICAR/13), 08/CEAR-10 (formerly ICAR/17), 09/IMAT/01 (formerly ING-IND/22), IIND-03/A and IIND-03/B (formerly ING-IND/14 and ING-IND/15), and IIND-04/A (formerly ING-IND/16). Where the required curricular requirements are not met, the Committee will assess any additional educational and professional qualifications relevant to the field of Design and may specify supplementary ECTS credits to be obtained before the assessment of individual preparation. Further details will be provided in the Study Programme Regulations. Admission to the Master’s Degree programme is subject to assessment of individual preparation and placement in a merit ranking. A minimum weighted average grade of 23/30 is required for Politecnico di Milano graduates, and 25/30 for graduates from other Italian universities. English language proficiency must be certified when submitting the application, by achieving the minimum scores in tests recognised by the University.
Full details on eligible degree classes, evaluation criteria, and selection procedures are available in the Programme Teaching Regulations (Section 6).
Applicants holding a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification consistent with the fields of design, architecture or engineering may apply to the Master’s Degree programme in Design & Engineering, provided that the qualification is deemed suitable by the Programme Board and that the Scientific Disciplinary Sectors and credits obtained in each sector can be identified. Where this is not possible, the applicant’s academic record will be assessed individually by the Programme Board. Admission is subject to assessment of individual preparation and to possession of adequate English language proficiency, demonstrated by achieving the minimum scores in tests recognised by the University.
Procedures and deadlines are indicated in the "Eligibility and Admission Requirements" section of the University and School of Design websites.