Study fashion in Italy with Istituto Secoli
Studying at Istituto Secoli means entering a fashion school with a strong Italian identity, a practical teaching method and a clear connection with the professional world.
Since 1934, Secoli has trained generations of fashion professionals through an approach that connects creativity, technique and product culture. For international students, this means learning fashion in Italy through a method focused on design, patternmaking, garment construction, prototyping and product development.
Whether you are looking for a bachelor-level academic path, a foundation year, a master’s programme, an intensive technical course or a short experience in Milan, our team helps you understand the most suitable route according to your background, goals and country of origin.
Your path to Istituto Secoli
Choosing a school abroad is an important decision. That is why Istituto Secoli supports international candidates from the first orientation phase.
1. Choose your course
Our team helps you identify the most suitable study path according to your previous education, portfolio, skills and objectives.
2. Check your admission requirements
Admission requirements may vary depending on the programme. International qualifications are assessed according to the chosen course and, for academic programmes, according to Italian higher education regulations.
3. Apply online
Candidates must apply through the official application process on the Istituto Secoli website. The application is evaluated by the Admissions Office.
4. After admission
Once admitted, students receive guidance on the next steps: enrolment, payment deadlines, documents, visa procedures where required, accommodation guidance and preparation for arrival in Italy.
Multilingual support for international candidates
Istituto Secoli welcomes international students through a multilingual team dedicated to orientation and admissions.
Our staff supports candidates from different areas of the world, helping them identify the most suitable course, understand admission requirements and prepare the first steps toward studying in Italy.
Support is available for students from Asia in Chinese and English; for candidates from the Americas and Latin America in English, Spanish and Portuguese; and for students from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa in English, French and Arabic.
This regional and linguistic support allows students and families to receive clearer and more personalised guidance throughout the orientation and application process.
Study paths for international students
International students can choose among different study paths, depending on their previous education, goals and level of experience.
Bachelor’s Degrees
For students looking for a complete academic path, Istituto Secoli offers First Level Academic Diploma programmes, equivalent to bachelor-level degrees within the Italian higher education system.
These programmes are designed for students who want to build solid skills in fashion design, patternmaking, garment development, product culture and collection design.
They are particularly suitable for candidates who want a structured academic path and wish to develop both creative and technical competences.
Foundation Year
The Foundation Year is designed for international students who need to prepare for access to bachelor-level studies in Italy.
It may be suitable for students who need to strengthen their language, academic or technical preparation, or for candidates whose previous education does not meet the required years of schooling for direct access to Italian higher education.
The Foundation Year helps students approach the Secoli Method gradually, preparing them for the next step in their academic path.
Master’s Programmes
Master’s programmes are intended for students who already have previous education or experience in fashion design, patternmaking or related fields, and want to deepen their skills in a specialised area.
They are designed for candidates who want to strengthen their professional profile and acquire more focused competences in fashion design, product development or technical areas of the fashion system.
Intensive and vocational courses
Istituto Secoli also offers intensive and vocational programmes for students and professionals who want to develop specific technical skills, especially in patternmaking, prototyping and product development.
These courses are particularly suitable for candidates who already have basic knowledge or previous experience and want to strengthen their professional profile through a practical and technical approach.
Fashion Product Prototyping in Novara
For students interested in the technical heart of fashion product development, the Fashion Product Prototyping course in Novara represents one of the most distinctive opportunities at Istituto Secoli.
The programme is a one-year, full-time path designed around a concrete and laboratory-based approach to prototyping, garment construction, materials, cutting techniques, sewing, moulage, quality control and industrialisation of the product.
What makes this course particularly relevant for international students is its strong connection with the fashion industry. The learning experience includes company visits and a six-month internship with one of the partner brands, offering students the opportunity to enter into direct contact with Italian manufacturing excellence and the professional world.
The programme is developed in partnership with leading fashion brands: Canali, Gucci, Herno, Loro Piana, Versace, Zamasport and Zegna.
This path is especially suitable for students who want to understand how a garment is really built, how a prototype becomes a product and how technical skills are applied within companies, ateliers and manufacturing departments.
Summer and short courses
Summer and short courses offer students the opportunity to experience the Secoli Method in a shorter format.
They are suitable for international candidates who want to discover Milan, explore fashion education in Italy and approach design, patternmaking, garment construction or other specific areas before choosing a longer path.
Merit-Based Scholarships
International students can also apply for Istituto Secoli’s Merit-Based Scholarship Call, when available.
The call is open to Italian and international candidates and supports talented students who wish to study fashion at Istituto Secoli.
Scholarships are awarded according to the requirements, deadlines and evaluation criteria defined by Istituto Secoli.
Read the Merit-Based Scholarship Call
Admission requirements
Admission requirements may vary depending on the chosen course.
In general, candidates are asked to provide previous study certificates, an identity document or passport and, for selected programmes, a portfolio or an orientation interview.
The specific admission requirements and the list of documents to be submitted are indicated on the page of each course and in the course brochure, available for download directly from the programme page.
For academic programmes, international qualifications are assessed according to Italian higher education regulations and ministerial requirements.
Students who do not meet the required years of schooling may be advised to attend the Foundation Year before accessing a First Level Academic Diploma programme.
The International Admissions Team supports each candidate in understanding the requirements, preparing the documents and completing the application steps.
Contact the International Admissions Team to check your eligibility.
Language and classroom support
Most Istituto Secoli courses are designed to welcome both Italian and international students, with learning options available in Italian and English through different types of language support.
Depending on the selected programme, support may include English-language assistance, bilingual teaching materials, translation services or other solutions designed to make the learning experience more accessible to international students.
The type of language support may vary from course to course. For this reason, each course page and downloadable brochure includes a dedicated section explaining the language or translation service available for that specific programme.
During the orientation process, our International Admissions Team will help you understand which option best fits your profile, your language level and the course you are interested in.
Study Visa, Universitaly and residence permit
Visa requirements depend on the student’s nationality, country of residence, course duration and personal situation.
In general, non-EU students applying for long courses in Italy need to obtain a study visa before entering the country. For short courses and summer programmes, visa requirements may vary depending on the student’s nationality and the duration of the stay.
For this reason, international candidates are invited to check the official visa requirements with the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate and through the official Italian visa channels.
Students who need a study visa must first apply to Istituto Secoli through the official application process on our website. Once the application has been evaluated and the student has been admitted, the next step is usually the Universitaly pre-enrolment procedure, required before applying for a study visa at the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate.
Istituto Secoli supports admitted students by providing guidance on the main steps of the Universitaly procedure and, when required, by validating the pre-enrolment application on the platform.
To make the process clearer, admitted students receive a dedicated step-by-step guide prepared by Istituto Secoli, explaining how to complete the Universitaly pre-enrolment procedure.
The final decision on the study visa remains under the exclusive responsibility of the competent Italian diplomatic-consular authority.
Important operational recommendations for Study Visa applicants
- Applicants must ensure that all required documentation is complete and correctly prepared before their first visa appointment. Missing documents are a major cause of delays and may, in some cases, lead to immediate visa refusal.
- Applicants are strongly advised to regularly monitor the Prenot@mi portal, as new appointment slots may be released periodically even when no availability is shown; Mondays are often among the most active days for updates.
- Applicants should avoid sending repeated or unnecessary emails to Visa Offices. In particular, students who already have an appointment should not request updates on visa processing times, as this may slow down consular operations.
- Where passport return is required, applicants should always provide a prepaid return envelope using the fastest available delivery option (express overnight delivery is recommended rather than standard priority mail).
- Applicants should carefully manage expectations regarding early arrival in Italy, as passports are usually returned close to the start of the course and it is rarely possible to expedite processing.
- A clear and consistent motivation letter is strongly recommended. Although not legally mandatory, it can be particularly helpful for applicants from countries with medium to high migration risk.
- Delays may occur both in securing visa appointments and in visa issuance due to high workload and staff shortages at some Consular Offices.
Once students have obtained their visa and arrived in Italy, Istituto Secoli also supports them with guidance on the procedure to request the residence permit for study purposes. Non-EU students staying in Italy for more than three months must apply for a residence permit within the deadlines required by Italian law.
Once admitted, you will receive dedicated guidance for the Universitaly pre-enrolment process and, after arrival, for the residence permit procedure.
Accommodation and first steps in Milan
Studying at Istituto Secoli also means preparing for life in Italy.
Istituto Secoli provides international students with guidance on accommodation and practical support for their first steps in Milan, including general information related to housing, arrival procedures, insurance and life in the city.
A dedicated Housing page will provide more detailed information about Istituto Secoli’s agreement with WAO – We Are Open, other accommodation opportunities and the services available to support students in finding suitable housing solutions.
In this International Students page, students can find a first overview and are invited to contact the International Admissions Team for personalised guidance according to availability, timing and individual needs.
Ask our International Admissions Team for accommodation guidance.
Industry connection and Placement Service
Secoli’s approach is strongly connected to the fashion industry.
Students are trained to develop concrete, professional skills and to understand the technical and creative process behind fashion products: from design to patternmaking, from prototyping to product development.
Thanks to its long-standing relationships with fashion companies, Istituto Secoli supports the connection between students, graduates and the professional world through its Placement Service.
The service helps create opportunities of contact with companies looking for qualified profiles in areas such as fashion design, product development, patternmaking, garment construction, tailoring, production processes and technical roles.
This connection with the industry is also reflected in educational projects, brand collaborations and specialised programmes such as the Fashion Product Prototyping course in Novara, developed in partnership with leading fashion brands.
Discover the Placement Service
https://secoli.com/servizi-alle-aziende/placement/
Discover our locations
Istituto Secoli is based in Milan and Novara.
To discover our headquarters, campuses, laboratories and how the different locations are connected, visit the Locations page.
Discover our locations
Before applying: your checklist
Choose your course
Bachelor’s Degree, Foundation Year, Master’s Programme, Intensive Course, Fashion Product Prototyping, Summer Course or Online Course.
Check your admission requirements
Previous studies, documents, portfolio, language level and any specific requirements for your chosen programme.
Book an orientation interview
Our multilingual team helps you identify the most suitable path according to your background, goals and country of origin.
Prepare your documents
Passport, diplomas, transcripts, portfolio if required and any additional documentation requested during the admissions process.
Apply through the Istituto Secoli website
The visa process starts only after your application has been evaluated and you have been admitted.
Follow the Universitaly procedure if you need a study visa
After admission, admitted students who need a study visa will receive guidance on the Universitaly pre-enrolment process.
Request your residence permit after arrival, if required
After obtaining the visa and arriving in Italy, non-EU students staying for more than three months receive guidance on the residence permit procedure.
Plan your arrival in Italy
Visa, residence permit, health insurance, accommodation, first procedures in Milan and student life.
Start your journey at Istituto Secoli
Studying abroad is an important step. Our International Admissions Team is here to help you understand the right course, the application process and the first steps toward studying fashion in Italy.
Language and classroom support
Most Istituto Secoli courses are designed to welcome both Italian and international students, with learning options available in Italian and English through different types of language support.
Depending on the selected programme, support may include English-language assistance, bilingual teaching materials, translation services or other solutions designed to make the learning experience more accessible to international students.
The type of language support may vary from course to course. For this reason, each course page and downloadable brochure includes a dedicated section explaining the language or translation service available for that specific programme.
During the orientation process, our International Admissions Team will help you understand which option best fits your profile, your language level and the course you are interested in.