Riccardo Rotondo
Area Manager North America
Based in: New York City
AIRR-NA Member Institution
Istituto Marangoni
Milan and Florence (Italy), Paris (France), London (UK) and Dubai (UAE)
Institution at a Glance
- Year founded
- 1935
- Institution type
- Private International University, Specialist Institution
- Campus setting
- Urban
- Population category
- Medium (5,000–14,999 students)
- Degree levels
- Postgraduate, Undergraduate
- Undergraduate length
- 4-year
- Undergraduate students
- 4,000
- Postgraduate students
- 2,000
- International students
- 6,000
About the Institution
Istituto Marangoni is a leading international higher education institution specialising in fashion, design, art, beauty and luxury hospitality. Founded in Milan in 1935, it combines over 90 years of Italian creative heritage with an international network of schools in the world’s leading fashion and luxury capitals and a strong connection to industry. All programs are taught in English.
North American Representatives
Academics and Programs
Undergraduate study
Foundation Year Fashion
Foundation Year Design
Fashion Design
Fashion Design & Accessories
Fashion Communication & Image
Fashion Business
Fashion Management & Brand Strategies
Interior Design
Product Design
Visual Communication Design
Arts Curating
Multimedia Arts
Beaty Management
Luxury Hospitality Management
Postgraduate study
Istituto Marangoni offers primarily taught, practice-oriented Master’s programmes, typically completed in one year, combining advanced academic study, industry projects and professional experience. Programmes are available across fashion, design, art, luxury and related creative industries. Students can explore programmes through the Istituto Marangoni website and by campus.
Popular areas of study include:
Fashion Design
Fashion Styling, Creative Direction & Digital Contents
Fashion & Luxury Brand Management
Fashion Promotion, Digital Communication & Media
Fashion Buying & Merchandising
Luxury Interior Design
Product & Furniture Design
Fragrances and Cosmetics Brand Management and Licensing
Areas represented: Arts, Business & Management Studies, Design, Visual Arts
Admissions and Applications
Application type
Direct, UCAS
Entry requirements
Istituto Marangoni welcomes applicants from a wide range of international educational systems, including U.S. and Canadian high schools. Requirements vary by campus, level and programme.
For Undergraduate/BA programmes, applicants generally need a recognised secondary school qualification equivalent to 12 years of education. U.S. students may apply with a High School Diploma with 3 AP passing exam grades, while Canadian students should hold a recognised provincial secondary school diploma. Students applying to creative programmes may also be asked to submit a creative project, while students applying to Fashion Business programs have to submit a 700 words business essay.
For Postgraduate/Master’s programmes, applicants generally need a recognised Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Applications may require academic transcripts, CV, personal statement and references; creative programmes typically require a portfolio.
Admission may also include an interview or programme-specific assessment. There is no single GPA requirement across all programmes, and specific academic and portfolio requirements may vary by campus and course.
Applications, dates and deadlines
Istituto Marangoni offers September and, for selected programmes, January/February intakes. There is generally no fixed application deadline; applications remain open until programmes reach capacity. As classes are limited to approximately 20 students, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible to secure a place. Deadlines and available intakes may vary by campus and programme.
How to apply
Students apply directly through Istituto Marangoni’s online application portal:
https://admission.istitutomarangoni.com/
Undergraduate applicants generally submit their academic transcripts, secondary school diploma or expected graduation certificate, passport/ID and proof of English proficiency where required. Postgraduate applicants provide their Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, CV, personal statement and, for creative programmes, a portfolio. After submission, the Admissions Team reviews the application and may request additional documents, an interview or programme-specific assessment before issuing an admission decision.
Standardized testing
SAT and ACT scores are not required for general admission to Istituto Marangoni. AP and IB results may be submitted as part of the applicant’s academic record but are not generally required. Programme-specific requirements may vary, particularly for certain creative programmes, where a portfolio or creative assessment may be requested.
Costs, Scholarships, and Funding
Tuition and fees
$30,000
Estimated cost of living
$16,000
Scholarships and funding
Istituto Marangoni offers merit- and talent-based scholarships for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. Awards vary by campus, programme and intake and are generally offered as tuition-fee deductions, with separate applications or creative submissions required for competitive Talent Contests.
Recent opportunities have included awards of up to € 7000 for the European schools, £ 7,000 for London and AED 20,000 for selected long programmes in Dubai. Deadlines vary by scholarship and intake, so students should check the current scholarship opportunities before applying. View current scholarships and deadlines:
https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/admission/scholarships
The scholarship application and the regular admission process are two separate procedures. Students may apply for a scholarship contest even if they have not yet completed the enrolment process.
Students who are certain they wish to attend Istituto Marangoni are encouraged to secure their place through the regular admission process and then apply for the relevant scholarship contest. This ensures that their place remains secured if the scholarship is not awarded. If a scholarship is awarded, the corresponding amount is deducted from the total tuition fee.
Students whose decision to attend Istituto Marangoni depends entirely on receiving a scholarship may choose to apply for the scholarship first and wait for the results before proceeding with enrolment.
Student Life and Support
Student life and location
Istituto Marangoni offers an international and creative student environment, bringing together students from more than 100 countries across its global network of schools. Campus life is closely connected to the fashion, design, art and luxury industries, with students working on practical projects, attending industry events and engaging with professionals and creative communities. Student activities and opportunities vary by campus.
Schools are located in major creative and cultural capitals including Milan, Florence, Paris, London and Dubai, allowing students to experience different international environments while studying in the heart of global fashion, design and luxury industries. Daily life combines a highly international student community with access to museums, exhibitions, cultural events, retail, restaurants and professional networking opportunities.
Housing and support
Istituto Marangoni does not provide traditional on-campus accommodation, but students can access a range of short- and long-term housing options through partner agencies and accommodation providers, we also partner with student residences. Dedicated pre-arrival information also supports international students with practical matters such as arrival procedures, transportation, documentation and settling into their new city.
Student support is coordinated through services such as IM Life, which provides guidance throughout the student experience. Support includes information on health insurance and healthcare, wellbeing resources, cultural and social activities, student clubs and community initiatives. In Milan, the Institute also works with external healthcare partners to provide confidential psychological and wellbeing support.
Careers and Outcomes
Istituto Marangoni’s Career Service supports students and graduates through 1-to-1 career coaching, CV and portfolio reviews, mock interviews, professional development activities and access to internship and job opportunities through the Symplicity platform. Students can also participate in Career Days, Industry Talks and industry projects, with opportunities to engage directly with fashion, design, art and luxury companies. Internship opportunities are available depending on the programme and campus.
The Institute maintains relationships with more than 4,500 brands and companies worldwide, providing opportunities for industry projects, networking, internships and recruitment. Istituto Marangoni reports a 91% graduate employability rate within one year of graduation, based on a group-wide survey conducted by Doxa. Career outcomes vary according to programme, campus, individual performance and market conditions.
Information for Counselors
Counselors supporting students applying to Istituto Marangoni are encouraged to review the specific admission requirements for the selected campus and programme, as academic, portfolio and language requirements may vary. Students should prepare their academic transcripts and required application documents in advance, particularly when applying to creative programmes that require a portfolio or creative assessment. Counselors should also be aware that Istituto Marangoni offers different types of programmes and degree structures across its international campuses, so early guidance can help students identify the programme and study location that best match their academic and career goals.
The Istituto Marangoni Representative for the relevant region is available to support counselors, students and families throughout the admission process. Our North America Area Manager can arrange 1-to-1 meetings with students and/or parents to discuss programme options, admission requirements, portfolio preparation, scholarships, visas and the overall application process. Counselors are encouraged to contact their regional Representative directly for personalised guidance and to arrange school visits or individual meetings where available.