Is IULM a public or private institution?

IULM (Libera Universita di Lingue e Comunicazione) is a private, legally recognised Italian university, founded in 1968 and accredited by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). It is not a state university, so its fees and admissions process are set by IULM itself within the framework of Italian higher-education regulation.

Which IULM programmes are actually taught in English?

Of IULM's seven bachelor's degrees, only Corporate Communication and Public Relations runs a full English curriculum alongside its Italian curriculum; the other six (including Tourism, Management and Culture, and Communication, Media and Advertising) are Italian-medium. At master's level, Strategic Communication, the dual-degree Hospitality and Tourism Management, Fashion Communication and Luxury Strategies, and Marketing, Consumer Behaviour and Communication are taught entirely in English; other master's degrees such as Television, Cinema and New Media remain Italian-medium.

Can I join straight after school or my bachelor's degree with no extra requirements?

For the bachelor's programme, direct entry after upper-secondary school is possible but the Corporate Communication and Public Relations English curriculum has scheduled-number, selective admission (a knowledge/admissions test), so a place is not automatic. For the Hospitality and Tourism Management master's, IULM requires a GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00 (roughly 27/30 on the Italian scale) from the bachelor's degree, plus an English-proficiency score, so admission is competitive rather than open enrolment.

What is the total first-year cost, not just tuition?

For international students (family income/assets abroad) enrolling in 2026/2027, IULM's official fee regulation sets a flat first-year total of EUR 9,306 for a bachelor's degree (EUR 8,760 university fee plus EUR 250 enrolment, EUR 206 regional tax and EUR 90 student-services fee) and EUR 10,806 for a master's degree (EUR 10,260 university fee plus the same additional charges). These figures do not include Milan living costs, which independent data puts at roughly EUR 1,050 per month for a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre, or EUR 300-430 per month in an IULM residence when a place is available.

How do I actually apply as an international student?

Applicants with an academic qualification obtained outside Italy apply through IULM's dedicated international portal, apply.iulm.it (built on the DreamApply platform), not Italy's general Universitaly portal. Applications for the following autumn intake generally open in the preceding months, with three-year bachelor's programmes starting in late September; some individual English-curriculum programmes close early once they reach capacity, so applicants should check the live status on apply.iulm.it before assuming a place is available.

What English test score do I need?

The general requirement across IULM's English-taught programmes is a B2 CEFR-level English certificate (or a pass on IULM's own English assessment test taken before the academic year starts). The Hospitality and Tourism Management master's sets a specific higher bar: TOEFL 220 (computer-based) or 80 (internet-based), or IELTS 6.5 overall, reflecting its University of Central Florida dual-degree partnership.

Is there an entrance exam or interview, and does it affect admission?

Yes. IULM's English-taught bachelor's and several master's programmes are 'courses with scheduled number of places with selective knowledge testing' rather than open enrolment, meaning a capped intake filled through an admissions/knowledge test rather than qualification alone. Exact test format and weighting are set per programme and should be confirmed on the specific programme's admissions page before applying.

Do students earn a stipend or scholarship during the programme?

There is no general stipend for bachelor's students. For the Hospitality and Tourism Management master's, students who complete their second year at the University of Central Florida receive a merit-based USD 10,000 stipend (paid in two instalments, conditional on meeting UCF's academic requirements) that partially offsets UCF's separate USD 18,000 second-year tuition. IULM's 2026/2027 fee regulation also lists broader merit-based tuition exemptions (up to 20 full or partial waivers for select bachelor's and master's courses, tied to foreign-qualification grades) that apply on request, subject to availability.

When do the programmes start, and how many intakes are there?

IULM runs a single annual intake beginning in late September (the 2026/2027 academic year begins around 18-21 September 2026), following the standard Italian academic calendar with a winter exam session in January-February. There is no spring or mid-year intake for these bachelor's or master's programmes.

What visa or pre-approval steps does a non-EU applicant need?

Non-EU applicants generally need Italy's Type D national study visa before travel and must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within eight days of arrival in Italy. IULM's International Students Office publishes a step-by-step guide covering the visa, codice fiscale (Italian tax code), health insurance and residency paperwork, and holds pre-arrival online orientation sessions; applicants should confirm current documentary requirements with their local Italian consulate, since these can change.

What does IULM's accreditation and ranking actually mean for my degree?

IULM's degrees are legally recognised Italian university qualifications issued under Ministry of University and Research (MUR) authority, and IULM is an Individual Full Member of the European University Association (EUA). Its QS World University Rankings by Subject placements (Global Top 100 for Hospitality & Leisure Management in 2026; 101-150 for Communication & Media Studies in 2025) are subject-specific reputation and outcomes rankings, not a statement about how a specific home country will recognise the degree for licensing or further study, so applicants should confirm recognition with their home-country authority for their intended use of the degree.

Where do students live, and what does it cost?

IULM operates its own student residences (Residence Santander and Cascina Moncucco) at roughly EUR 300-430 per month, allocated through an annual application call rather than guaranteed to everyone; the university's official 2026/2027 fee schedule separately lists a EUR 5,170 per year full-rate reserved-place option for ten places. Students who do not secure a university residence place typically rent privately in Milan, where a shared room commonly costs EUR 400-800 per month and a one-bedroom apartment averages around EUR 1,050 per month outside the city centre.

How does the Hospitality and Tourism Management dual degree actually work?

Year one is completed at IULM in Milan, building a common hospitality and tourism foundation. In year two, students choose one of three tracks: Hospitality and Tourism Management, moving to the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management (ranked 1st in the US, 2nd internationally, 2026 ShanghaiRanking hospitality/tourism table); Sustainable Destinations Management and Communication, moving to the University of Oulu, Finland; or Digital Technologies and Data for Tourism and Creative Industries, which stays at IULM. UCF and Oulu-track graduates receive two separate degrees.

Is IULM a public or private institution?

IULM (Libera Universita di Lingue e Comunicazione) is a private, legally recognised Italian university, founded in 1968 and accredited by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). It is not a state university, so its fees and admissions process are set by IULM itself within the framework of Italian higher-education regulation.

Which IULM programmes are actually taught in English?

Of IULM's seven bachelor's degrees, only Corporate Communication and Public Relations runs a full English curriculum alongside its Italian curriculum; the other six (including Tourism, Management and Culture, and Communication, Media and Advertising) are Italian-medium. At master's level, Strategic Communication, the dual-degree Hospitality and Tourism Management, Fashion Communication and Luxury Strategies, and Marketing, Consumer Behaviour and Communication are taught entirely in English; other master's degrees such as Television, Cinema and New Media remain Italian-medium.

Can I join straight after school or my bachelor's degree with no extra requirements?

For the bachelor's programme, direct entry after upper-secondary school is possible but the Corporate Communication and Public Relations English curriculum has scheduled-number, selective admission (a knowledge/admissions test), so a place is not automatic. For the Hospitality and Tourism Management master's, IULM requires a GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00 (roughly 27/30 on the Italian scale) from the bachelor's degree, plus an English-proficiency score, so admission is competitive rather than open enrolment.

What is the total first-year cost, not just tuition?

For international students (family income/assets abroad) enrolling in 2026/2027, IULM's official fee regulation sets a flat first-year total of EUR 9,306 for a bachelor's degree (EUR 8,760 university fee plus EUR 250 enrolment, EUR 206 regional tax and EUR 90 student-services fee) and EUR 10,806 for a master's degree (EUR 10,260 university fee plus the same additional charges). These figures do not include Milan living costs, which independent data puts at roughly EUR 1,050 per month for a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre, or EUR 300-430 per month in an IULM residence when a place is available.

How do I actually apply as an international student?

Applicants with an academic qualification obtained outside Italy apply through IULM's dedicated international portal, apply.iulm.it (built on the DreamApply platform), not Italy's general Universitaly portal. Applications for the following autumn intake generally open in the preceding months, with three-year bachelor's programmes starting in late September; some individual English-curriculum programmes close early once they reach capacity, so applicants should check the live status on apply.iulm.it before assuming a place is available.

What English test score do I need?

The general requirement across IULM's English-taught programmes is a B2 CEFR-level English certificate (or a pass on IULM's own English assessment test taken before the academic year starts). The Hospitality and Tourism Management master's sets a specific higher bar: TOEFL 220 (computer-based) or 80 (internet-based), or IELTS 6.5 overall, reflecting its University of Central Florida dual-degree partnership.

Is there an entrance exam or interview, and does it affect admission?

Yes. IULM's English-taught bachelor's and several master's programmes are 'courses with scheduled number of places with selective knowledge testing' rather than open enrolment, meaning a capped intake filled through an admissions/knowledge test rather than qualification alone. Exact test format and weighting are set per programme and should be confirmed on the specific programme's admissions page before applying.

Do students earn a stipend or scholarship during the programme?

There is no general stipend for bachelor's students. For the Hospitality and Tourism Management master's, students who complete their second year at the University of Central Florida receive a merit-based USD 10,000 stipend (paid in two instalments, conditional on meeting UCF's academic requirements) that partially offsets UCF's separate USD 18,000 second-year tuition. IULM's 2026/2027 fee regulation also lists broader merit-based tuition exemptions (up to 20 full or partial waivers for select bachelor's and master's courses, tied to foreign-qualification grades) that apply on request, subject to availability.

When do the programmes start, and how many intakes are there?

IULM runs a single annual intake beginning in late September (the 2026/2027 academic year begins around 18-21 September 2026), following the standard Italian academic calendar with a winter exam session in January-February. There is no spring or mid-year intake for these bachelor's or master's programmes.

What visa or pre-approval steps does a non-EU applicant need?

Non-EU applicants generally need Italy's Type D national study visa before travel and must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within eight days of arrival in Italy. IULM's International Students Office publishes a step-by-step guide covering the visa, codice fiscale (Italian tax code), health insurance and residency paperwork, and holds pre-arrival online orientation sessions; applicants should confirm current documentary requirements with their local Italian consulate, since these can change.

What does IULM's accreditation and ranking actually mean for my degree?

IULM's degrees are legally recognised Italian university qualifications issued under Ministry of University and Research (MUR) authority, and IULM is an Individual Full Member of the European University Association (EUA). Its QS World University Rankings by Subject placements (Global Top 100 for Hospitality & Leisure Management in 2026; 101-150 for Communication & Media Studies in 2025) are subject-specific reputation and outcomes rankings, not a statement about how a specific home country will recognise the degree for licensing or further study, so applicants should confirm recognition with their home-country authority for their intended use of the degree.

Where do students live, and what does it cost?

IULM operates its own student residences (Residence Santander and Cascina Moncucco) at roughly EUR 300-430 per month, allocated through an annual application call rather than guaranteed to everyone; the university's official 2026/2027 fee schedule separately lists a EUR 5,170 per year full-rate reserved-place option for ten places. Students who do not secure a university residence place typically rent privately in Milan, where a shared room commonly costs EUR 400-800 per month and a one-bedroom apartment averages around EUR 1,050 per month outside the city centre.

How does the Hospitality and Tourism Management dual degree actually work?

Year one is completed at IULM in Milan, building a common hospitality and tourism foundation. In year two, students choose one of three tracks: Hospitality and Tourism Management, moving to the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management (ranked 1st in the US, 2nd internationally, 2026 ShanghaiRanking hospitality/tourism table); Sustainable Destinations Management and Communication, moving to the University of Oulu, Finland; or Digital Technologies and Data for Tourism and Creative Industries, which stays at IULM. UCF and Oulu-track graduates receive two separate degrees.

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Master's Tourism at IULM University: Recognition & Accreditation

Recognition and accreditation status of Master's Tourism at IULM University — badges and official verification links.

Written by Students Traffic Research Team·Updated On: 12 Jul 2026

IULM UniversityMilan, ItalyMaster's Tourism · Private€10,806/yr

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Recognition & accreditation

Is IULM University recognised for Indian students?

Recognition is the key check for any international student considering Master's Tourism abroad. A degree from an unaccredited institution may not be recognised by employers, government bodies, or for further study in your home country. It affects your ability to pursue postgraduate study, professional registration where applicable, and visa credibility.

There are two things international students should verify: the Italy-specific accreditation body that governs the degree's validity in the country of study, and any professional or industry body relevant to your field. Students Traffic cross-checks both before shortlisting any university.

Accreditation status can change over time. Always verify current status on official sources before paying any fees. Students Traffic confirms current recognition before any application is submitted.

Accreditations & listings

Bodies that have formally recognised or listed IULM University

Legally recognised private university (Libera Universita) under the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR)

Applying to IULM University?

Students Traffic verifies seat availability, checks current recognition status, and prepares your complete application for IULM University. The consultation is free.

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