Istituto Marangoni Milano is a private fashion and design school founded in 1935. In Milan it runs two schools: The School of Fashion, Fragrances & Cosmetics and The School of Design. Under decrees of Italy's Ministry of University and Research (MUR), the Milan campus awards state AFAM qualifications: a three-year first-level academic diploma, a one-year academic master and a second-level diploma. One-year intensives, foundations and short courses carry no state status. For non-EU students, the three-year Fashion Design & Accessories course costs $29,300 (€25,800) a year plus an annual enrolment fee of $4,540 (€4,000). Intakes are in September and January.
| At a glance | Data as of 1 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Status | Private AFAM institution authorised by MUR under art. 11 of Presidential Decree 212/2005 |
| Legal basis for Milan diplomas | MUR Decree no. 352 of 1 June 2016 (first level), no. 477 of 27 May 2022 (academic master) and later decrees; "Istituto Marangoni – Milano" appears on MUR's list of legally recognised AFAM institutions |
| AFAM bachelor's | 3 years, 180 CFA = 180 ECTS |
| Languages | Italian or English |
| Intakes | 21 September 2026, 25 January 2027, 20 September 2027 |
| Fashion Design & Accessories, non-EU, 2026/27 | $29,300 (€25,800) + $4,540 (€4,000) enrolment fee each year |
| Language for the bachelor's | B2 |
| Other campuses | Florence, Paris, London, Dubai and more; Paris is covered on a separate page |
Who Marangoni Milano suits
Students choose Marangoni Milano for fashion, luxury and design inside the city's fashion-week ecosystem, with English-taught courses and several intakes a year. Courses revolve around collections, brands and portfolios; at the end of year three an industry jury selects up to ten Fashion Design students to show their collections.
It is a weaker fit if budget is tight (with the enrolment fee, a non-EU first year costs $33,840, or €29,800, against $23,620, or €20,800, at IED and $25,260, or €22,250, at NABA), if you want a broad university setting with economics or engineering, or if you plan to study at the London, Paris or Dubai campuses expecting the same Italian diploma. For comparisons with NABA, IED and Domus, see design and fashion schools in Italy.
The full list of Italian institutions is on our Italy page.
Which qualifications are state-recognised
| Level | Milan programmes | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma Accademico di I livello (3 years, 180 ECTS) | Fashion school: Fashion Design & Accessories, Fashion Communication & Image, Fashion Management, Digital Communication and Media. Design school: Interior Design, Product Design, Visual Design | MUR-recognised, equivalent to a three-year bachelor's |
| Academic Master I livello (60 CFA) | Fashion: Fashion Design, Fashion Styling, Creative Direction & Digital Content, Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media, Fashion & Luxury Brand Management, Fashion Product Management, Fashion Buying & Merchandising, Fashion Omnichannel & E-Commerce, Fashion Start-up, Brand Management and Licensing and others. Design: Interior Design, Interior Contract Design, Fine Jewellery Design, Digital Art Direction, Product & Furniture Design, Design Management & Strategic Innovation and others | MUR-recognised, postgraduate level |
| Diploma Accademico di II livello (120 credits) | Fashion Design & Innovation; Communication Design | MUR-recognised, master's level |
Without AFAM status: one-year intensive courses (such as Fashion Design One Year or Fashion Styling & Multimedia), foundation and preparatory courses, and semester and short courses. London BA (Hons) courses are validated by Regent's University London, Paris courses by France's RNCP and Regent's, Dubai courses by the CAA. Home recognition for an AFAM diploma runs through Glavexpertcentr (Russia) or ENIC-Kazakhstan; a private intensive certificate has no such basis.
Entry requirements
AFAM bachelor's:
- a school certificate after 12 years of schooling meeting all ministerial requirements for foreign applicants; with 11 years, add a university year or foundation;
- B2 in the language of instruction;
- for creative courses, "6 creative ideas" (sketches, drawings, photos, mood boards or collages in A4 or A3);
- for business courses, a 700-word essay on one emerging trend in fashion or luxury, with visual research and references;
- copies of diploma, passport and the enrolment-fee payment.
Academic master: a recognised bachelor's (or expected-graduation certificate), a portfolio for creative courses and B2 language. Foundation: school diploma and B1 (for example IELTS 4.5 with no band below 4.0). One-year intensives: latest diploma and transcripts; no 12-year rule, but no state diploma either. Note for applicants from Russia: IELTS is co-owned by the British Council, listed as undesirable in Russia; IDP centres run IELTS separately.
Fees
Each course page lists prices by intake. The enrolment fee is shown separately, with a note that it is due every year. It is charged on top of tuition: Marangoni's FAQ lists enrolment fees among additional costs and notes that scholarships reduce tuition only, while the enrolment fee remains payable.
| Programme (Milan) | Intake | Non-EU fee | EU fee | Enrolment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Design & Accessories, 3 years | Sep 2026, Jan 2027, Sep 2027 | $29,300 (€25,800) a year | $25,610 (€22,550) | $4,540 (€4,000) a year |
| Fashion Management, Digital Communication and Media, 3 years | Sep 2026, Jan 2027 | $29,300 (€25,800) a year | $24,470 (€21,550) | $4,540 (€4,000) a year |
| Interior Design, 3 years | Sep 2026, Jan 2027 | $27,590 (€24,300) a year | $22,650 (€19,950) | $4,540 (€4,000) a year |
| Interior Design, 3 years | Sep 2027 | $28,220 (€24,850) a year | $23,220 (€20,450) | $4,540 (€4,000) a year |
| Fashion & Luxury Brand Management, academic master | Sep 2026, Jan 2027 | $38,040 (€33,500) | $35,200 (€31,000) | $6,250 (€5,500) |
| Interior Design, academic master | Sep 2026 | $35,090 (€30,900) | $31,400 (€27,650) | $6,250 (€5,500) |
| Fashion Design One Year (intensive, not AFAM) | Sep 2026 | $29,350 (€25,850) | $27,020 (€23,800) | $4,540 (€4,000) |
A bank loan is available only to students or co-signers with income in Italy. Marangoni runs scholarship competitions, including a Winter 2027 call and a talent contest with Altagamma. Under the regional right-to-education (DSU) scheme it works with the regional agency and refunds the enrolment fee to all eligible candidates, even if they do not receive a grant. Decisions rest with Marangoni, the regional agency or the bank. See scholarships in Italy.
Universitaly and the visa
- Apply online with documents and the enrolment fee.
- Complete the creative or essay assessment.
- Submit the Universitaly pre-enrolment, choosing "Diploma Accademico" for AFAM courses or a private course for intensives.
- After validation, apply for a type D visa at the Italian consulate; from Russia, through VMS visa centres.
- For 2027/28 the visa deadline for AFAM diplomas is 31 October 2027; academic masters and intensives have no fixed national date but must be filed before classes start. For a January start, plan from early autumn, as consulates take up to 90 days.
- Apply for the permesso di soggiorno within eight working days of arrival.
See our Italy student visa guide and documents for admission in Italy.
Housing and first-year budget
Marangoni has no halls in Milan and helps students through partners and a housing service; see our student housing guide. A first bachelor's year in Fashion Design & Accessories costs $29,300 (€25,800) plus the $4,540 (€4,000) enrolment fee. Together that is $33,840 (€29,800) for the first year's study fees alone, before living costs. The consular minimum of funds is $11,560 (€10,179.85) a year, a threshold rather than a real Milan budget. For payments from Russia see how to pay tuition abroad from Russia.
Common mistakes
- Buying an intensive instead of a bachelor's. One Year courses carry no AFAM diploma; check the "Validations" block on each course page.
- Comparing annual fees only. The enrolment fee is listed separately and recurs each year.
- Bringing a B1 certificate for the bachelor's. Three-year courses need B2; B1 is enough only for foundation.
- Expecting London or Paris to award the same diploma. British and French bodies validate those programmes.
- Choosing by advertised rankings. Compare diploma status, language, cost and portfolio requirements.
FAQ
Is an Istituto Marangoni diploma recognised in Italy?
Yes, for AFAM programmes. Three-year Milan courses award a Diploma Accademico di I livello worth 180 ECTS under MUR Decree no. 352 of 2016, and academic masters award a 60-credit diploma. One-year intensives and short courses give only a private certificate.
How much does Istituto Marangoni Milano cost?
For non-EU students the three-year Fashion Design & Accessories course costs $29,300 (€25,800) a year and Interior Design $27,590 (€24,300), plus a $4,540 (€4,000) annual enrolment fee. Academic masters cost about $35,000–38,000 plus a $6,250 (€5,500) enrolment fee.
What language level do I need?
B2 in Italian or English for three-year courses and academic masters. Foundation courses accept B1, for example IELTS 4.5 with no band below 4.0. Certificates must match the language of the chosen course.
How does Marangoni Milan differ from Marangoni Paris?
Milan awards Italian AFAM diplomas recognised by MUR. Paris follows French rules, with programmes validated by France's RNCP and by Regent's University London. Our Istituto Marangoni Paris page covers that campus.
Can I enter Marangoni after 11 years of school?
The AFAM three-year course requires 12 years of schooling, so you need a university year or a foundation first. Without it you can take foundation courses or intensives, which do not lead to a state diploma.
How can StudyU help with a Marangoni Milano application?
Choosing a programme with the right diploma status, preparing creative work or the essay, the Universitaly pre-enrolment and the visa file are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Marangoni's admissions committee decides on admission, the school or the regional agency on scholarships, and the Italian consulate on the visa.
Sources
- Istituto Marangoni: AFAM accreditation and list of MUR decrees
- Istituto Marangoni: validated programmes, Milan School of Design
- Istituto Marangoni: validated programmes, Milan School of Fashion
- Istituto Marangoni: entry requirements for Milan and Florence
- Istituto Marangoni: Fashion Design & Accessories, Milan, dates and fees
- Istituto Marangoni: Interior Design, Milan
- Istituto Marangoni: Fashion & Luxury Brand Management
- Istituto Marangoni: loans and right to education
- MUR: Decree no. 477 of 27.05.2022 (citing Decree no. 352 of 01.06.2016)
- 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 Marangoni with NABA, IED or Polimoda, 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
- Design and Fashion Schools in Italy: Politecnico, AFAM Academies and Private Schools
- Documents for University Admission in Italy (2026–2027): Checklist, Apostille, CIMEA and Declaration of Value
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Scholarships in Italy for International Students 2026/27: DSU, MAECI, Invest Your Talent and University Awards
