Domus Academy
Domus Academy overview
Founded in Milan in 1982 by the Mazzocchi family — owners of Editoriale Domus, publisher of Domus and Quattroruote magazines — Domus Academy is one of Italy's first postgraduate design schools. The Academy quickly gained prestige thanks to the involvement of influential figures such as fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré, who was on faculty from 1983 to 1989, and architect Andrea Branzi, who served as cultural director for the school's first decade. Renowned designers including Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, and Philippe Starck also contributed as lecturers and workshop leaders, fostering the Academy's culture of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Academy's "learning by doing" methodology — which places human-centered design and hands-on experience at the forefront — has positioned it as a leader in design education. Over the years, Domus Academy has earned international recognition, including the prestigious Compasso d'Oro Award from the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI) in recognition of its excellence in design research and education. Partnerships with global organizations such as Google, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Pininfarina give students the opportunity to work on real-world projects.
About Domus Academy
Founded in Milan in 1982 by the Mazzocchi family — owners of Editoriale Domus, publisher of Domus and Quattroruote magazines — Domus Academy is one of Italy's first postgraduate design schools. The Academy quickly gained prestige thanks to the involvement of influential figures such as fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré, who was on faculty from 1983 to 1989, and architect Andrea Branzi, who served as cultural director for the school's first decade.
Renowned designers including Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, and Philippe Starck also contributed as lecturers and workshop leaders, fostering the Academy's culture of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Academy's "learning by doing" methodology — which places human-centered design and hands-on experience at the forefront — has positioned it as a leader in design education.
Over the years, Domus Academy has earned international recognition, including the prestigious Compasso d'Oro Award from the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI) in recognition of its excellence in design research and education. Partnerships with global organizations such as Google, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Pininfarina give students the opportunity to work on real-world projects.
Domus Academy faculties and programs
Design
Fashion Design
Business Design
Luxury Brand Management
Interaction Design
Service Design
Visual Brand Design
Fashion Management
Fashion Styling and Visual Merchandising
Design Innovation
Domus Academy Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into Domus Academy
Prospective international students wishing to apply for undergraduate programs offered by Domus Academy must meet the following admission requirements.
- Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- High GPA
- Placement at a Domus Academy-recognized university in Turkey that offers a 4-year bachelor's degree program, through the YKS exam, in the program you wish to study at Domus Academy
- English Proficiency Certificate
- An English proficiency certificate obtained through an internationally recognized English proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL
- Personal Statement
- A statement of at least 500 words covering the profession you plan to pursue after graduation, why you chose Domus Academy, the ways you express yourself best, the people or things that inspire you, and the positive impact living and studying in Milan would have on your future work.
- Official transcripts listing the courses taken and grades earned throughout high school.
- Domus Academy may request to see the applicant's YKS exam result.
Prospective international students wishing to apply for graduate programs offered by Domus Academy must meet the following admission requirements.
- Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High GPA
- English Proficiency Certificate
- An English proficiency certificate obtained through an internationally recognized English proficiency exam such as IELTS or TOEFL
- Official transcripts listing the courses taken and grades earned throughout the applicant's undergraduate studies
- Portfolio of the applicant's past work for creativity-based programs
- Essay for the MSD program
- Letter of Intent
- Current CV
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the Domus Academy application process.
Take a closer look at Domus Academy
Domus Academy's main campus, comprising 13 buildings, is located in Milan's Navigli district. Conveniently situated near the city center and major public transit lines, the campus includes fashion and design laboratories, a university library and computer lab, a student cafeteria and restaurant known as The Corner, meeting rooms, and classrooms. Milan offers easy access to cities such as Turin, Venice, and Florence within 1 to 2 hours by bus, and to countries such as Switzerland and Liechtenstein within 1 hour by plane.
Top attractions in Milan include the Duomo di Milano, Il Cenacolo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Castello Sforzesco, the Pinacoteca di Brera, and Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Situated in Milan's famous Navigli (Canal) district — the fashion and design capital of the world — Domus Academy is immersed in the city's historic fabric, vibrant social life, and rich cultural heritage. During Milan's renowned fashion weeks and the furniture fair and design week, exhibitions, conferences, and performances run around the clock, and there is always something to do in the city throughout the year.
Beyond fashion and design, Milan stands out for its cafes and restaurants serving the finest examples of Italian cuisine and countless coffee options, as well as its exhibitions, museums, and art galleries, opera houses and theater performances, flagship stores of famous fashion designers and design brands, the Alps, and the lakes of northern Italy — something to captivate enthusiasts of virtually every interest.
Domus Academy has an extensive alumni network made up of individuals who have achieved outstanding success across various fields. Notable alumni include:
- Diego Dolcini
- Sergio Vergara
- Rodrigo Torres
- Nikhil Paul
- Morgane Roux
- Massimiliano Dappero
- Jean-Louis Sabaji
among others.
Domus Academy awards and achievements
- 2012 Red Dot Design Prize winners among alumni
- 2016 Red Dot Design Prize winners among alumni
- 2020 Red Dot Design Prize winners among alumni
- 2016 iF Design Prize winners among alumni
- 2021 iF Design Prize winners among alumni
- 2022 iF Design Prize winners among alumni
- 2016 CAFA Swarovski Prize winners among alumni
- 2016 Vogue Yetenek Prize winners among alumni
Domus Academy Location
Milan, Italy
Domus Academy
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into Domus Academy
In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.
By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.
The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.
Why Domus Academy?
Other Universities in Italy
University of Naples Federico II
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome
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