Domus Academy is a private design, fashion and business school in Milan, founded in 1982 and best known for postgraduate programmes. It does not award state degrees in its own name: its bachelor's, two-year Master of Arts and Academic Master programmes are accredited by Italy's Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the diplomas are awarded by the NABA academy. The Dual Award Master adds a UK Master of Arts from Regent's University London. For non-EU students in 2026/27, an Academic Master costs $32,820 (€28,900) for the full course and the bachelor's $19,080 (€16,800) a year. All programmes are taught in English.
| At a glance | Data as of 1 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Status | Private school; legal entity Nuova Accademia S.r.l., Via Darwin 20, Milan |
| Who awards the state diploma | NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti), MUR-accredited |
| UK degree | Regent's University London, Dual Award Master only |
| Language | English on all programmes |
| Academic Master, full course, non-EU | $32,820 (€28,900) |
| Dual Award Master, full course, non-EU | $37,360 (€32,900) |
| Master of Arts, 2 years, non-EU | $25,210 (€22,200) per year |
| Bachelor of Arts, 3 years, non-EU | $19,080 (€16,800) per year |
| Application fee | $110 (€100) |
| Decision | Within 7 days of a complete application |
Who Domus Academy suits
Domus works best for graduates or professionals who want one intensive programme to move into product, interior or service design, fashion or luxury management in Milan. Teaching revolves around company workshops, and the last term of the Academic Master is an industry placement. Since September 2025 Domus also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Design and in Fashion Design, so these have no graduates yet.
It is a weaker fit if you need a research-heavy academic degree (the two-year Master of Arts or a university master's at Politecnico di Milano fits better), if you want to study in Italian, or if you want a broad choice of bachelor's programmes. See also design and fashion schools in Italy.
Other Italian institutions and general admission rules are on our Italy page.
What degree you actually receive
| Programme | Length | Award | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Design, Fashion Design) | 3 years, 180 ECTS | Diploma Accademico di I livello | NABA, recognised by MUR |
| 2-Year Master of Arts (Design Innovation; Fashion: Design, Art & Technology; Design Leadership & Strategy) | 2 years, 120 ECTS | Diploma Accademico di II livello | NABA, recognised by MUR |
| Academic Master | Five terms, 60 ECTS | First-level Academic Master + Domus Academy diploma | NABA (MUR); the Domus diploma is private |
| Dual Award Master | Six terms, 90 ECTS | Academic Master + Master of Arts | NABA (MUR) + Regent's University London |
| Diploma Programme | As the chosen course | Private Domus Academy diploma | Recognised by neither MUR nor the UK system |
| Semester, summer, Workshop Experience | 4–16 weeks | Certificate | No degree |
The Diploma Programme row matters. Applicants who do not meet every official requirement (12 years of schooling for the bachelor's, a recognised degree for a master's) are enrolled on the Diploma Programme: almost the same curriculum, minus the curricular internship, and a private Domus diploma without MUR credits. NABA is on MUR's list of legally recognised academies; home recognition runs through Glavexpertcentr in Russia and ENIC-Kazakhstan in Kazakhstan.
Programmes
Academic Master and Dual Award Master (five terms for the Academic Master, six for the Dual Award; intakes in September, November or February depending on the course):
| Area | Programmes |
|---|---|
| Design | Product Design, Interior and Living Design, Design x AI, Design Futures, Urban Vision and Architectural Design, Interaction Design, Service Design, Visual Brand Design |
| Fashion | Fashion Design, Fashion Styling and Visual Merchandising |
| Business | Fashion Management, Business Design, Luxury Brand Management |
2-Year Master of Arts: Design Innovation; Fashion: Design, Art & Technology; Design Leadership & Strategy. Bachelor of Arts: Design and Fashion Design, starting in September. Semester programmes and short courses are also available.
Entry requirements
- Bachelor of Arts: 12 years of schooling and a school certificate giving university access at home (plus any compulsory national exam); with 11 years, a university year with all exams passed or a foundation; IELTS 5.0 (Academic or General) on entry; a personal statement of up to 500 words.
- Master of Arts: 15 years of education, a related bachelor's or academic diploma, IELTS 5.0. Unrelated degrees are considered with strong research motivation.
- Academic Master: related bachelor's, IELTS 5.0 and a portfolio, which is optional for Business Design, Fashion Management, Luxury Brand Management, Design Futures and Design x AI.
- Dual Award Master: bachelor's at UK 2:2 or above (or below 2:2 with a year of relevant work experience), IELTS 5.5 with 5.5 in each part, two references and an interview where required.
Master's applicants also send a CV, a motivation letter (business programmes add a question on industry trends) and transcripts listing hours or credits. Translations are accepted from Italian, English, French and Spanish. Note for applicants from Russia: IELTS is co-owned by the British Council, listed as undesirable in Russia; IDP centres run IELTS separately.
Fees for 2026/27
| Programme | EU and Switzerland | Non-EU |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts, per year | $14,530 (€12,800) | $19,080 (€16,800) |
| 2-Year Master of Arts, per year | $19,530 (€17,200) | $25,210 (€22,200) |
| Academic Master, full course | $27,140 (€23,900) | $32,820 (€28,900) |
| Dual Award Master, full course | $31,680 (€27,900) | $37,360 (€32,900) |
| Semester | $11,360 (€10,000) | $11,360 (€10,000) |
| Workshop Experience, 4 weeks | $4,540 (€4,000) | $4,540 (€4,000) |
Every figure includes a $3,410 (€3,000) pre-enrolment fee; the place is confirmed once Domus receives the signed enrolment form and proof of that payment. Domus runs portfolio or project scholarship contests during the year, worth up to $5,680 (€5,000), calculated on the standard fee and awarded by merit ranking. Bachelor's and two-year Master of Arts students can also apply for Lombardy's DSU grants, managed by NABA; for 2026/27 the online deadline was 18 September 2026 and the paper file was due by 25 September. DSU does not apply to the Academic Master or Dual Award. See scholarships in Italy.
Housing
Domus has no halls. It partners with Milan residences and platforms, including Collegiate Milan North, Aparto Ripamonti, In-Domus Milano Internazionale, Chiaralba and HousingAnywhere; some can issue a prepaid accommodation certificate for the visa. See our student housing guide.
How to apply
- Request the application form or register on the online admissions portal.
- Upload the documents and pay the $110 (€100) application fee.
- The programme leader and admissions committee reply within seven days of a complete file.
- If successful, you receive an acceptance letter and Enrollment Form.
- Return the signed form with the $3,410 (€3,000) pre-enrolment payment.
- Complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment and the visa.
For the bachelor's and Master of Arts (AFAM diplomas), 2027/28 visa applications are due by 31 October 2027. The Academic Master and Dual Award have no fixed national date but must be filed before classes start; for a February start apply early, as consulates take up to 90 days. From Russia, applications go through VMS visa centres. See our Italy student visa guide.
Timing for the next intakes
| Intake | What to do |
|---|---|
| February 2027 (some Academic Masters) | Apply in autumn 2026, then Universitaly and visa straight after the decision |
| September 2027 (bachelor's and some masters) | Language test and portfolio in winter, application in spring, visa in summer |
| November 2027 (some Academic Masters) | Apply by summer, visa by October |
Common mistakes
- Assuming Domus awards the degree. NABA signs the state diploma and Regent's University London the UK degree; the Domus diploma is an additional private document.
- Applying without a recognised bachelor's and expecting an MUR diploma. You will be placed on the Diploma Programme.
- Taking IELTS 5.0 for the Dual Award. It requires 5.5 in every component.
- Expecting DSU funding for a one-year master. It covers only the bachelor's and two-year Master of Arts.
- Leaving the visa late for a February start. The 90-day consular window may not fit.
FAQ
Is Domus Academy a university?
No. Domus is a private design school whose state-recognised programmes are accredited through the NABA academy. The Diploma Accademico and Academic Master diplomas are awarded by NABA, which MUR lists as a legally recognised academy.
How much is a master's at Domus Academy?
For non-EU students in 2026/27, the Academic Master costs $32,820 (€28,900) for the full course, the Dual Award Master $37,360 (€32,900) and the two-year Master of Arts $25,210 (€22,200) a year. Each figure includes a $3,410 (€3,000) pre-enrolment fee.
Can I join Domus without a design background?
Business Design, Fashion Management, Luxury Brand Management, Design Futures and Design x AI do not require a portfolio, and the Master of Arts accepts related degrees with strong motivation. You still need a bachelor's to receive the MUR diploma; otherwise you get a private Domus diploma.
What English level does Domus Academy require?
IELTS 5.0 or equivalent for the bachelor's, Academic Master and Master of Arts, and IELTS 5.5 with at least 5.5 in each component for the Dual Award Master. All courses are taught in English.
What is the difference between the Academic Master and the Dual Award?
The Academic Master has five terms including an industry placement and 60 ECTS, with an MUR-recognised NABA diploma. The Dual Award adds a sixth term with a major project, 90 ECTS and a UK Master of Arts from Regent's University London, and costs $4,540 (€4,000) more.
How can StudyU help with a Domus Academy application?
Choosing the programme and award type, preparing the portfolio, motivation letter, Universitaly pre-enrolment and visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Domus Academy's admissions committee decides on admission, the school or NABA's DSU office on scholarships, and the Italian consulate on the visa.
Sources
- Domus Academy: accreditation and degrees
- Domus Academy: fees and scholarships 2026/27
- Domus Academy: entry requirements
- Domus Academy: how to apply and documents required
- Domus Academy: accepted language certificates
- Domus Academy: Bachelor of Arts in Design
- Domus Academy: Master in Fashion Design
- Domus Academy: housing services
- MUR: legally recognised private AFAM institutions (NABA)
- MUR/Universitaly: circular on procedures for international students 2026/27 and 2027/28
Facts checked on 1 October 2026. ECB reference rate of 30 September 2026: €1 = $1.1355; amounts rounded to $10.
If you are comparing Domus with IED, NABA or a Politecnico master's, send a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Istituto Europeo di Design (IED): Italian Campuses, Degrees and Fees
- Studying in Italy for international applicants
- Scholarships in Italy for International Students 2026/27: DSU, MAECI, Invest Your Talent and University Awards
- Student Visa for Italy: Documents, Proof of Funds and Deadlines for 2026/27
- Student Housing in Italy 2026/27: DSU Halls, University Residences, Private Rooms and Leases
- Politecnico di Milano
