Overview
The Università degli Studi di Milano (University of Milan) operates an International Medical School offering an English-taught, six-year single-cycle Master's degree in Medicine and Surgery. Every year, they open a limited number of seats to international candidates who sit the national IMAT entrance test set by Italy's Ministry of University and Research. On 7 August 2026, Milan's administration published D.R. n. 0031300/26, the official bando (call for applications) governing admission for the 2026/2027 academic year to the:
- International Medical School — Medicine and Surgery — Scuola di Medicina Internazionale — Medicina e Chirurgia, class LM-41
This guide walks through the bando in plain English: who can apply, exactly what's due and when, how the test and rankings work, and what happens after you win a seat. It's a summary of a long, dense legal document — you can read the official bando PDF in full, or cross-check anything decision-critical against Milan's own pages before you act on it.
Programme & available seats
The International Medical School runs a six-year programme, taught entirely in English, under Italy's numero programmato (capped-place) system. Seats are split between an EU quota (Italian citizens, EU citizens, and non-EU citizens who already hold a qualifying Italian residence permit) and a non-EU quota (non-EU citizens resident abroad, applying on a study visa).
| Programme | Class | EU seats | Non-EU seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Medical School — Medicine and Surgery | LM-41 | 45 | 15 | 60 |
The programme is structured to combine theoretical knowledge with clinical practice, aligned with Italian and European standards for medical education.
Who's eligible
There are two broad paths, depending on citizenship and residency.
Italian / EU / non-EU with an Italian residence permit
You need a secondary-school diploma obtained in 2026, or a foreign secondary diploma. Check Milan's document checklist for foreign qualifications before you register. Your diploma must be valid for university admission in your home country.
Non-EU citizens resident abroad, needing a study visa
Same diploma requirement, plus you must file the "Immatricolazione universitaria" online pre-registration on Universitaly to be eligible for a study visa. This pre-registration is separate from, and earlier than, the test registration described below.
English language requirement
All non-native English speakers must provide proof of adequate English proficiency. Accepted certifications are listed in the Language Certificates section below. If you attended at least one full school year with English language instruction, you automatically meet this requirement.
The full 2026/2027 deadline calendar
This is the single most important table on this page. Miss the 9 September registration cutoff or the enrollment windows in late October, and the bando is explicit that no excuse reopens it.
| Date | What happens | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Aug 2026 | Universitaly registration for the test opens | Everyone |
| 9 Sep 2026, 15:00 GMT+2 | Universitaly registration closes – irrevocable. Also deadline for disability/DSA accommodation requests and language certificate registration | Everyone |
| 29 Sep 2026 | Admission test day — report by 11:00, test starts 13:30 | Everyone |
| 8 Oct 2026 | Scores published in the Universitaly reserved area (by code, not name) | Everyone |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Candidates can view their answer sheet, score and registry data | Everyone |
| 26 Oct 2026 | National merit ranking published; enrollment window opens for "Assegnato" candidates (4 working days) | Everyone |
| 3 Nov 2026 | First ranking reshuffle (scorrimento) published; same enrollment cycle repeats | Waitlisted candidates |
| 30 Nov 2026 | Deadline to upload foreign credential documentation during enrollment phase | International students |
How to register for the test
Registration is entirely on Universitaly, the national portal for Italian university admissions.
-
1
Create your Universitaly profile and enter your personal data — name, place/date of birth, citizenship, fiscal code, ID document, address, and any language certificates you hold.
-
2
Rank your preferred test venues. Your first choice is where you actually sit the test. Preferences lock permanently at 15:00 GMT+2 on 9 September — no exceptions allowed.
-
3
Pay the participation fee of €65.00 on Universitaly. Unpaid registrations are excluded from the test.
Disability or DSA? You're entitled to extra time and tailored aids. Request accommodations when registering and send your certification to ausili.ammissioni@unimi.it by the 9 September deadline.
Where you can sit the test
If you sit the test in Italy, you can choose from multiple university cities including Milan, and many cities across Italy.
The test is also offered abroad, in:
Exact reporting times for foreign venues are confirmed separately by the MUR (Ministry of University and Research).
Test format & scoring
60 questions, five options each (one correct answer), 100 minutes on the clock. Content is identical nationwide, set by Italy's Ministry of University and Research.
| Subject | Questions |
|---|---|
| Biology | 23 |
| Chemistry | 15 |
| Physics & Mathematics | 13 |
| Logical reasoning & problem-solving | 5 |
| Reading comprehension & general knowledge | 4 |
Scoring:
+1.5
per correct answer
0
per omitted answer
−0.4
per wrong answer
Strictly enforced on test day: black pen only, no personal stationery, no phones/smartwatches/wearables, no books or notes, and no communication with other candidates.
Minimum scores & the national ranking
To appear in the ranking at all, your final score has to clear a threshold:
- Italian / EU / non-EU with an Italian residence permit: ≥ 20 points
- Non-EU, resident abroad: > 0 points
The national ranking is calculated by CINECA for Italian/EU/permit-holding candidates. If two candidates tie on total score, tie-breaks are applied in order: higher Biology score, then Chemistry, then Physics/Mathematics, then Logical Reasoning, then Reading Comprehension.
Scores appear on 8 October, your own paper and registry data on 19 October, and the named national ranking on 26 October 2026.
Enrollment process
The ranking lists each candidate's status as either:
Assegnato (Assigned)
You've been offered your top-ranked available choice. You must enrol within 4 working days of the ranking publication or you permanently lose the place.
Prenomato (Waitlisted)
You're within seats for a lower-ranked preference. Enrol now (cancelling other preferences) or wait for the next scorrimento (ranking update).
Enrollment is done online through Universitaly. You'll need to pay your first instalment of fees. After November 30, 2026, any foreign credentials must be uploaded through the Universitaly integrated system.
OFA: additional learning obligations in Biology & Chemistry
If your total score is under 30 and your Biology and/or Chemistry score falls below certain thresholds, you're assigned an OFA (obbligo formativo aggiuntivo) in that subject. You must clear it by passing the relevant first-year exam or a dedicated recovery test within your first year.
English certificates recognized
The University of Milan recognizes the following English language certifications for English language proficiency verification. If you attended at least one full academic year with English language instruction, you are automatically recognized as meeting the requirement.
| Body | C2 | C1 | B2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English | CPE | CAE / BEC Higher | FCE / BEC Vantage |
| City & Guilds (Pitman) | ESOL Mastery | ESOL Expert | ESOL Communicator |
| Edexcel / Pearson | PTE L5 | PTE L4 | PTE L3 |
| IELTS | 8.5–9.0 | 7.0–8.0 | 5.5–6.5 |
| TCL Trinity | ISE IV | ISE III | ISE II |
| TOEFL ETS | — | 110–120 | 87–109 |
Special situations & support
Foreign secondary diploma
If you have a foreign secondary diploma, you'll need to provide official documentation. Check Milan's specific requirements and upload all necessary documents through Universitaly by the November 30, 2026 deadline. Documents must be legalized and, if necessary, officially translated into Italian.
Disability & DSA support
Students with documented disabilities (Law 104/1992) or learning disorders (Law 170/2010) are entitled to extra time and tailored accommodations during the test. Request accommodations when registering and send certification to ausili.ammissioni@unimi.it by 9 September 2026.
Transfers and prior degrees
If you hold a prior university degree (Italian or foreign), credit recognition is handled after enrollment. For a foreign degree, you have 30 days after enrollment to request recognition. Coursework examined and verbalised in English counts toward credit recognition.
Frequently asked questions
The test is on 29 September 2026. If you're sitting it at Milan, arrive at your assigned location by 11:00 AM. The exact venue and room assignments will be published on the MUR and University of Milan websites in advance.
Registration runs on Universitaly from 26 August to 9 September 2026 at 15:00 GMT+2. You enter your personal details, rank your preferred test venues, pay the €65 participation fee, and indicate your preferred university seat.
60 total seats for Medicine and Surgery (LM-41): 45 for EU and equivalent candidates and 15 reserved for non-EU candidates resident abroad.
You need at least 20 points if you're an Italian, EU, or non-EU candidate with an Italian residence permit, or a score above 0 if you're a non-EU candidate applying from abroad.
60 multiple-choice questions over 100 minutes. You get +1.5 points for correct answers, 0 for blanks, and -0.4 for wrong answers. Maximum score is 90 points.
Candidates marked "Assegnato" (assigned) must enrol within 4 working days of the ranking publication on 26 October, or lose the place. Those marked "Prenomato" (waitlisted) can enrol immediately or wait for the next scorrimento (ranking update).
If your total score is below 30 and Biology or Chemistry scores are low, you receive an OFA (additional learning obligation). You must clear it by passing the relevant first-year exam or recovery test within your first year, or you must repeat the year.
Yes. Besides Milan and other Italian cities, the test is offered in numerous countries abroad including the UK, USA, China, India and many others. Exact venue timings for foreign sites are confirmed separately by the MUR.
Who to contact at University of Milan
Preparing for the IMAT?
Locomotive helps international students get ready for the English-taught Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine admission test at Italian universities.
Explore Locomotive's IMAT prepThis guide summarises the official Università degli Studi di Milano bando (D.R. n. 0031300/26, 7 August 2026) for the International Medical School Medicine and Surgery (LM-41) programme, A.Y. 2026/2027, translated and condensed from the original Italian. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal or admissions advice. Always verify dates, figures and requirements against the official bando and Milan's own pages before making decisions.