Milan is one of the favourite destinations where to move and live and chosen by a big number of students and young workers.

• Milan's universities and their neighbourhoods
• Bocconi University and Navigli area
• The Politecnico and Città Studi or Bovisa
• The State University (UniMI) and the Centre
• La Cattolica between S. Ambrogio and S. Agostino
• IULM and Romolo
• The Bicocca State University and its district
• San Raffaele University
• Study design in Milan
  

Milan is one of the favourite destinations where to move and live and chosen by a big number of students and young workers.

It is a city capable of expanding minds and horizons towards a more European lifestyle. It has outstanding universities, a diverse cultural offer, and a wide range of leisure and entertainment activities to share with the multitude of students in the city, and public services are excellent.

Despite its reputation as a dispersive city that necessitates a certain level of financial flexibility, it is an excellent location for an off-site that is just getting started. In fact, the neighbourhoods surrounding the most prestigious universities provide cheaper options for living in Milan as a student as well as the opportunity to form varied friendship groups. In fact, it is possible to meet young people from all over the world in this metropolis.

You have a lot of options if you wish to study in Milan. There are universities for all needs, each with a good reputation and a wide range of training options that are continually updated. These universities, each with its own set of characteristics, provide future job chances and offer doorways to the world of work, even in the most advanced fields.

Furthermore, Milanese universities constantly propose new projects to their students and involve them in a variety of voluntary activities that go beyond traditional teaching and learning. University sports teams are very popular, as are singing and acting classes, or the frequent events and conferences hosted by universities with students’ participation.

Another option for international students is to study at the IES Abroad institute in Milan, which provides educational opportunities in various countries. They provide a wide range of programs, including business studies, marketing and communication, information technology, law, history and philosophy, as well as environment studies among others.

The options are so numerous that deciding on a university or a neighbourhood in which is better to live in Milan is quite difficult. As a result, in this article, we'll give you a list of the major universities as well as the surrounding neighbourhoods where you might look for a place to live.

Enjoy the reading!

Milan's universities and their neighbourhoods

There are numerous advantages of living in Milan as an expat; but, as a metropolis, it also masks some minor drawbacks, such as determining the best place to live.

If you're a student, renting a house near your university is the most convenient option. Some areas are more expensive than others, but with the correct research, you may uncover unbeatable deals.

Here is a list of universities and some neighbourhoods where it is advisable to live in order to be close to the university and in a student-populated area.

Bocconi University and Navigli area

Bocconi University provides academic and international programs such as economics, business, finance, law, social and political sciences.

At this University, there are different study paths that can be undertaken such as three-years courses or master's degrees. It also offers a wide selection of university master's degrees for individuals who have already graduated but wish to further specialize.

Bocconi has an open mind and look forward modernism, growth, and communication with others. The development of the training offer throughout time, as well as the introduction of greater flexibility in the composition of study courses, have reaffirmed these values. The purpose is to prepare young men and women for the workplace.

The institution is situated midway between two of Milan's most well-known neighbourhoods, the Navigli and Porta Romana. The latter is a fancy neighbourhood with plenty of restaurants, as well as cultural and wellness options. In fact, this neighbourhood hosts a Spa and the famed Franco Parenti Theatre, which have become two municipal institutions.  The Mysterious Baths, instead, located next to the theatre, opened in 2016, and the historic swimming pool is now used not only for its traditional use, but also for worldly and creative activities.

The Navigli of Milan are known for their nightlife, with several happy hour bars and people arriving and departing till late at night.

The Politecnico and Città Studi or Bovisa

The Politecnico di Milano is separated into two poles: one in the Città Studi district, in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, and another in the Bovisa district.

If you wish to study architecture in Milan or engineering, you should go to Città Studi, at the Leonardo Polytechnic; Bovisa is primarily for designers, however the availability of architectural and engineering courses has extended and is now available in Bovisa as well.

The Poli, as it is affectionately known among students, is a nationally and globally recognized scientific-technical public university. It focuses on teaching quality and continual innovation, both of which are critical to the subjects being studied. It has highly qualified instructors and provides opportunities for experimental research.

Where to live is determined by which of the two poles you choose. The more central Città Studi and Lambrate neighbourhoods are ideal for people studying in Leonardo, and they are also densely populated by students, hence the area's name.

Bovisa, on the other hand, is in the city's north-western area. It is a peaceful neighbourhood to live in, and many of the buildings, including those of the institution, are recent. This neighbourhood is recognized for its rapid urban reconstruction, which has turned it from an industrial to a university neighbourhood.

Its development is not complete; on the contrary, more high-rise apartments are planned, including the creation of a green area for sports and recreation.

The State University (UniMI) and the Centre

Those who attend the Università Degli Studi di Milano, also known as UniMi, will be located downtown, directly behind the Duomo.

Humanities, medicine and chemistry, veterinary science, motor science, law, agricultural sciences, and linguistic mediation are all available at the University of Milan.

The reference centre differs depending on the course chosen: for humanities, the major one is in the centre, for agriculture, the Città Studi, and for language mediation, you must go to the Sesto Marelli metro stop.

Milan's historic centre contains some of the city's most stunning and well-known artistic, cultural, and architectural treasures, as well as lovely terraces overlooking Piazza Duomo where you may enjoy an “aperitivo”. However, it is a relatively costly neighbourhood to reside in.

If your seat is in the heart of the city, it's best to look for a place to live in the surrounding districts, possibly by using the red (M1) or yellow (M3) metro lines, which will take you directly to stops near the university, Duomo or Missori.

Porta Venezia, Lima, or Loreto, where Corso Buenos Aires, famous for its shops and shopping, is located, are other options. The NoLo district, a few miles north of Loreto and only a few years old, is full of clubs, culture, and gathering spots for young people.

La Cattolica between S. Ambrogio and S. Agostino

The Università Cattolica di Milano is rich in values and prestige, offers a variety of programmes of study, and, contrary to popular belief, is accessible to those who are not religious.

Although it is a traditional university, its moral convictions have not prevented it from embracing innovation. Economics, literature and philosophy, law, medicine and surgery, and finance are all available as three-year and master's degree programs.

It is one of the Milano universities that offers courses in English to give students additional options to enter the worldwide arena.

The closest areas are Sant'Ambrogio and Sant'Agostino, both on the green metro (M2). Sant'Ambrogio is known for the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, which is one of Milan's oldest churches and lends the district its name.

In Sant'Agostino's square, with an expansion on Viale Papiniano. One of the city's largest and best-stocked markets springs to life.  Furthermore, a few steps away, you can reach the Darsena, which is connected to the Navigli and serves as a meeting point for the city.

Finally, the Colonne di San Lorenzo, that are among the most popular areas where groups of young people assemble in the square to spend the evenings in joy and good music, surrounded by many day and nightclubs.

IULM and Romolo

Milan IULM Institute also offers different subjects: from interpretation and communication, as well as fields relating to art, entertainment and cultural events, to fashion and digital communication.

Furthermore, for those who are interested, this institute also offers degree courses fully in English.

Romolo, which also correlates to a convenient green metro stop (M2), is the reference location for students who frequent IULM. We are in Milan's southern belt and the neighbourhood is towards the end of the Navigli, so it is ideally connected to the club district, but it is quieter and less expensive to live in.

It is ideal for students, artists, and young employees as hosts a big number of businesses. It also has a huge variety of bars, restaurants, trendy nightclubs, and places for a set of alternative events.

Another popular attraction in this neighbourhood is the Fra Cristoforo district, where you may take a stroll and see the paintings created by international artists. There are also plenty of green areas where you may play sports or relax, especially after passing by La Gelateria della Musica in via Pestalozzi, which serves some of the city's greatest ice cream.

The Bicocca State University and its district

Although the Bicocca centre is part of the University of Milan, the university is located in the same-named Bicocca area, where it is properly integrated.

The program is substantial, encompassing all subject fields, from social to health, and from science to humanities.

This university places a high importance on innovative digital resources and supports a number of distant learning projects. Furthermore, it places a strong emphasis on research, which is necessary for expanding knowledge frontiers but also has the potential to create a strong link between economic and intellectual progress and the territory.

Past and current are harmoniously blended in the Bicocca neighbourhood, which is located on the city's north-eastern outskirts. Years ago, it was an industrial centre, most notably associated with the Pirelli brand, then the district was renovated and has since become a popular study and student destination.

It is also one of the city's cultural hotspots, with institutions like the Arcimboldi Theatre and the Hangar Bicocca. The original corporate building was then converted into an exhibition space dedicated to the production and promotion of contemporary art by Italian and international artists.

San Raffaele University

If you want to study medicine in Milan, one of the most popular universities is San Raffaele.

The institution has always been known for its tight collaboration between teaching and experimental, social, and psychological research. Each faculty has a complex structure with postgraduate degree programs, research centres, and doctorate and master's programs.

It's quite out of the way from the city's highlights, but it's an international scientific centre that's ideal for students interested in this field. It is also wonderfully and conveniently connected to all other regions of the city, making it accessible even if you live elsewhere.

All the areas close the green metro line (M2) are quite convenient, as it takes you immediately to the Cascina Gobba stop, where you may connect to the San Raffaele University without changing trains.

Study design in Milan

To conclude our tour of Milan's universities, we must include the city's most prestigious design and fashion schools:

• IED, Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, which also provides visual arts and communication studies;
• ISAD, Istituto Superiore di Architettura e Design;
• Istituto Marangoni Design School in Milan offers studies in design, as well as fashion and art;
• SPD, Scuola Politecnica di Design, which is part of the IULM;
• IUAD, Institute of universal art and design;
• IFDA, Italian Fashion & Design Academy.
  

Milan has a lot to offer in terms of living and studying. It allows you to gain a diverse range of experiences, meet new people from various cultures, and develop a career and a future. It's a fast-paced metropolis that takes dedication yet rewards you handsomely.