IES Abroad Milan Academic Program on Business Studies

Academic
Globally Recognized
Delivery Method:
In-Person

Fall 2025 Update Regarding Italian Visas & 90 Day Programs

New!  Study Abroad in Italy Without a Student Visa This Fall

To accommodate recent legislative changes affecting student visas in Italy, we've created new opportunities for study abroad in Italy without a visa (for most students) this fall.

If you are enrolled in a full-length program in Milan and are having difficulty obtaining a visa, you are welcome to switch to our Milan (No Visa) program if you are eligible. Please inform us if you would like to switch programs by July 15th.

Helping you make your study abroad dreams a reality? It's just what we do.

If you go to college/university in the United States and are interested in this program, check it out on the IES Abroad website—designed for students like you looking to study or intern abroad outside of the United States.

We provide one-of-a-kind courses in Business, Finance, Marketing, Economics, and Management that explore the world of business, as well as a wide variety of courses focusing on contemporary issues in Italy. All IES Abroad area studies courses are taught by experts in their fields and are conducted in English. Round out your study abroad education with a required Italian language course that is tailored to your skill level.

Study at a Local University

And learn about international business with local students.

Gain Hands-On Experience

Participate in an internship or experiential learning.

Learn About Italian Business Culture

We offer a guest lecture series by industry experts.

Explore Your Academic Interests

Supplement your business studies with a variety of electives.

Spring 2026 Academic
Program dates:
January 19 - May 09
Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

Saffyが挨拶をしているイラスト
Student Counselor SAFFY

Your Student Counselor is your study abroad ambassador and supporter. They join your application journey when you’ve confirmed you’re interested in studying abroad. At this point, they guide you through each stage of the application, notify you of the documents you need, let you know when your admission results are in, and walk you through the next steps, including class enrollment and organizing pre-arrival tests. 

Schedule a Consultation

At a Glance

Language of Instruction:
English, Italian
Language Prerequisite Level:
Advanced
Academic Level:
Undergraduate
Academic Strengths:
Business, Economics & Finance, Economics, International Business, Finance, Italian
Housing:
Apartment, Homestay, Residence Hall
Part-Time Internship (Optional):
Included in Program Fee
Visa Required:
Maybe
Credits:
15 to 19 per Semester

Stay Healthy & Safe While You Study Abroad

About IES Abroad Milan Center

The IES Abroad Center in Milan is in the stylish heart of the city, surrounded by historic treasures, hidden gardens and a multitude of shops, restaurants, and sunny café terraces. Study in multimedia classrooms and work in state-of-the-art computer labs using the digital photo and video editing suites. A short walk away is the majestic Duomo cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” masterpiece.

Program Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. 

We offer unique courses in Business, Italian language, and culture, along with a wide array of electives taught by our world-class professors. Course options at prestigious local universities enhance not just what you learn, but how you learn it, and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. 

Get To Know Our Application Process

From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.

Personalize Your Study Abroad Plan With Your SAF Counselor

Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.

Partner Institutions

  • MFI
  • Bocconi
  • UCSC
  • Bicocca
  • Burgo
  • IULM
  • Arsutoria
  • IED

Milano Fashion Institute

Fashion (Spring Only)

For students interested in pursuing options in Fashion, a limited number of courses are available at the Milano Fashion Institute (MFI), an inter-university consortium founded by three Italian Universities: Università Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano and Università Cattolica. While the Politecnico faculty teach classes that explore the design, style and materials-related aspects of the fashion industry, the Bocconi faculty teach classes that study the marketing, economics, branding, financial aspects of the fashion business and the Cattolica faculty focus on the sociological as well as communication trends connected to all fashion-related phenomena. 

Courses are taught in English and are offered in the spring semester only. Course topics include fabrics & materials, product design, experience & store design, buying and visual merchandising, and fashion press & PR.

Visit Website

Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. 

You take 15-19 credits per semester. Language courses are taught in Italian, and all other courses are taught in English or Italian. 

  • IES Abroad Italian language course at your proficiency level (required, 4 or 6 credits) 
  • English-taught IES Abroad area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each) 
  • Business-related courses (in English or Italian) at local universities (optional, credits vary) 
  • English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad elective courses (optional, 3 credits each) 
  • Internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits) 
  • Community-based learning placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits) 

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the  IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (29)

Art (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
CM/AR 260 - Strategies for Digital Engagement: Italian Case Studies in the Arts Fall, Spring English 3

Partner Institution Courses

Enrolling in a partner institution course is a great way to meet Italians and experience the Italian education system first-hand. As a student in the Business Studies program, two business-related partner institution courses are included in the program cost, provided that you meet the institution's requirements. Any additional enrollments after the first two courses or non-business-related enrollments will carry an additional fee. 

All partner institution courses are worth 3 credits. Specific course listings and descriptions are not available on the institutions' websites until shortly before the beginning of the term and may be updated frequently. The IES Abroad staff will assist you with the partner institution enrollment process. 

Application Requirements

When applying to study abroad, you must meet the entry requirements of the program—and SAF is here to set you up for success.

The requirements outlined in this section include the language proficiency scores you may need to demonstrate your language skills, a guide to the GPA range and other academic prerequisites required by the program, and a list of documentation and other application materials you will need to finalize your application. You will need to supply additional information throughout the process, and our helpful team will alert you via email or your MyIESAbroad Student Portal whenever this is necessary.
  • Language Proficiency
  • Academics & GPA
  • Application Documents & Materials

Language Test Score Requirements

  • To prove your language proficiency, you can use any of the following:
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • TOEFL pBT: 548
  • Duolingo (DET): 105
  • iTEP: 4.0

Learn More About Language Requirements

Program Dates

When studying abroad, you will want to consider the time of year and how long you are away. Most programs follow the host university's academic calendar.

The dates shown below are general estimates, and as you get closer to the start of the term, you will get more detailed information from SAF. If you have any questions, your Student Counsellor and Program Specialist are always here to support you and point you to the correct information.

Spring 2026 Academic

Program dates:
January 19 - May 09
Application Deadline:

Housing

  • Apartment
  • Homestay
  • Honors Residence Hall
  • Residence Hall

Apartment

Live in a furnished apartment located in a safe and lively district. Located on main public transportation routes, apartments are within a 40-minute commute to the Center, and each apartment offers fully equipped kitchens, Internet access, a dishwasher, and a washing machine. These apartments are single-sex. Premium location units may carry an additional cost. Apartment life can be enhanced by a live-in Italian roommate called a Community Assistant (CA). These Assistants can help you improve your Italian language skills, get to know the city of Milan, and integrate more fully into the local culture. Meals are not included, so you normally eat lunch at a local café or a university cafeteria, and prepare your own breakfast and dinner at home.

About Milan

Milan Image 01

Why Milan

Bustling, forward-thinking Milan is Italy’s economic, fashion, and music capital. It also has a stunning 2,000 years of history, giving it treasures like the medieval Sforza Castle, Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the gothic Duomo to visit, see, and explore. For a cultural extravaganza, Milan is a unique experience that wanders from pizza and gelato to opera and Renaissance masterpieces.

Learn more about Milan

The Student Experience

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Milan, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

Students eat pizza in Italy

Luxury Cars & Food of Italy

1 Day Fall & Spring

Learn what's behind these two cornerstones of the Italian economy. How did Enzo Ferrari build such iconic sports cars and balsamic vinegar become a World-renowned delicacy? You'll find out from the source!

View from the window of the Museo Nzionale della Montagne

Turin

1 Day Fall & Spring

Experience the city of cinema, royal palaces, and chocolate. Once the capital of Italy, Turin is a refined, elegant metropolitan city of great historical interest, with a touch of contemporary, cosmopolitan buzz. Explore its baroque architecture and some of the best hidden treasures, including a stop at a historic chocolate factory.

A student stands in front of Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore

1 Day Fall & Summer

Visit the charming city of Stresa on Lago Maggiore. Get the full scenic tour on a private boat that will take you to see the three marvelous Borromean Islands, along with their museums and botanical gardens, situated in the heart of the lake.

Cinque Terre cliffside in Italy

Cinque Terre

1 Day Fall & Summer

Get inspired while hiking the trails of this UNESCO World-Heritage site and visiting its picturesque towns overlooking the Mediterranean sea. If that wasn't enough, you'll also get to enjoy a boat tour to see the colorful villages from the sea.

A group of diverse students smiling at the camera atop a balcony in Verona.

Verona

1 Day Fall & Spring

Take a trip to the Veneto region to see the famous location of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, also known as the "City of Love."

Part Time Internships

Did you know that, while in Milan, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will: 

  • Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support.
  • Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process.
  • Experience what working in Milan is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness.
  • Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers. 

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a mandatory 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country. 

Placement Examples

a business student walking in Milan
Business
dresses on mannequins at the school of fashion in Rome
Fashion
students checking their phone in front of the European Council
Law

Experiential Learning

Community-Based Learning

Participating in a community-based learning experience in Milan is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s culture and society. Working alongside local people toward a common goal, you experience first-hand some of the social issues that affect Milan, while applying your skills toward a community-driven solution. 

A community-based learning placement consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a weekly academic, for-credit community-based learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structured time for reflection, discussion, and research on the issues of your host community. 

IES Abroad Milan partners with the local city government’s immigration department to provide a range of community-based learning opportunities from working to grant asylum to immigrants to developing job-training programs. Additional partners include:   a community soup kitchen, food bank and tutoring services for children in need. 

Student Health & Safety

We champion health, safety, and security. As part of IES Abroad, the largest study abroad organization in the United States, we have set the standard for health and safety in study abroad for decades. We plan for the ‘what if’, so you can get on with the experience of a lifetime.

International Health Insurance

International health insurance included in the cost of your program

24/7 Emergency Phone Support

Total coverage to support you while traveling and in your new city

Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information prepared based on your destination

Health In Your Language

Highly trained multilingual staff to connect you to healthcare providers

Secure Housing

Quality, safe, secure housing within close proximity to your classes

Dedicated Expertise

Protection by a Dean of Students Office advocating for your interests

Orientation

Before You Leave

Your study abroad experience starts well before you travel. We talk through your program choices, guide you through application, and support your preparations for leaving

On Arrival

We’re by your side from the moment you arrive, for campus orientation, getting you to your accommodation, and helping settle

Home Sweet Home

We transfer you from the airport to your university campus or nearby accommodation and help you settle in

Settling In

Talk to SAF Staff on the ground whenever you need support. Living in another country can be disorientating – we have the answers you need

Find Your Way Around

Where to shop, what to eat, how to see a doctor or a dentist, which bus or train to catch – ask us. We’re your friendly locals

Keeping You Safe

We enroll you in the SAF emergency alert system, so you hear safety concerns relevant to you

In the Classroom

The IES Abroad Center has classroom, computer labs, and academic facilities to support your coursework and academic development

Get Social

We arrange social and cultural events, so you meet other international SAF Scholars and local students

Advising and Support

The process of studying abroad could quickly feel overwhelming, but we have been doing this for decades and do everything we can to support you through it.

Many SAF staff are alumni and have walked this path. They have real-life experience to draw on as they advise and support you through every step of our comprehensive services. They’re in your corner, taking care of all the details and explaining what you need to do next.

Take the first step in your study abroad journey by scheduling a consultation with your closest Student Counselor. You can discuss your for-credit academic courses and language programs and explore internships, research programs, and study tours. When you know what you want to do, we guide you through the pre-program steps, help you arrange your visa and transport, and finalize your accommodation or digital experience.

Get To Know Our Application Process

From academics to visa requirements, our structured process helps you choose the right program and university for your goals. Complete a strong application, and prepare for success abroad.

Personalize Your Study Abroad Plan With Your SAF Counselor

Each student has unique academic goals for a study abroad experience. As you think about studying abroad, your SAF Counselor will help you plan for success and support you every step of the way.

Commonly Asked Questions about IES Abroad Programs

Commonly Asked Questions About Academic & Concurrent Programs

Student Blogs

Why Travel With SAF?

Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience, one that stays with you in your career, your contacts, your future. It can define you. At any of our prestigious university partners, you can build personalized for-credit programs that can last up to a whole year.

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