Life at Polimi as an Indian Student

University of Stuttgart

7.8(35 Reviews)

Reason for choosing my college

• I chose politecnico di milano over the university of stuttgart because it aligns more closely with my interests and my goals as an architect. While comparing I realised that polimi offeres multiple opportunities to collaborate with various universities across europe, as well as with industry experts and firms.

RWTH Aachen University

7.8(26 Reviews)

Reason for Rejection

• The timeline and the visa process, particularly the requirement of APS certificate and leanthy time to obtain it in India, were also important factors in my decision.
• I reccomend that everyone considering applying for Masters degree in germany should apply for the APS cetrificate as early as possible.

• Do your research right! Know in depth about your course and univeristy, it really matters. Please be specific about 'WHY' do you want to pursue this masters degree and how it is going to help you in future.
• Try to be raw, honest and be yourself while writing SOP or Motivation letter. Do not hesitate to ask for LOR's to your professors they are always there to help and guide you.

• Politecnico di Milano offered the perfect course I was looking for. Living and Working in Italy as an architect has always been a dream, and choosing polimi felt like a step closer to it. Italy's rich architectural heritage, combined with its vibrant design culture and strong focus on conscious, sustainable choices, truly inspired me.
• Polimi's high ranking in architecture made it stand out even more. For me it wasn't just about academics; it was also about being in a place that lives the kind of design I admire.

• Well, honestly, the course is pretty much demanding in terms of hours of study. The first two semesters are very demanding, not only because of your academics but also because it takes time to settle in a new place. Classes are usually from 9AM to 5PM. Average strength of the class is 40 students. I was studying with another 11 Indians from different parts of India.
• Apart from regular classes, you need to work 2-3 hours on assignments during the first two semesters. In the last two semesters, it will be half the time, and the schedule is more open and flexible depending on the courses you add to the Study Plan.

• The faculty in my course is very professional, open minded, and supportive. We usually have three professors and three assistant professor for the class of 40 students.
• Professor paolo Debaggi is my favourite, his friendly and supportive behaviour, along with his encouraging nature really helps us think more clearly and make confidents design choices. Yes, the faculty support students in finding internships, offering guidance and recommendations that are genuinely helpful.

• The campus life is lively, as it is located in the small city of piacenza. All the students feel like a small community here. We all know each other, sharing passing smiles and laughter and offering help to one another throughout the year. There are some workshops and extracurricular activities happening around the campus that you can participate in in your free time.
• There are very few events in winter but plenty of activities and music events in the summertime. Polimi has an association with a gym and swimming club, offering cheaper rates for students for each semester.

• Mostly in offices of their own field to gain experience. The compensation ranges from 9 to 12 Euros per hour. It is difficult to find english speaking jobs in Italy. Italian language skills are necessary.
• Some students find part-time jobs in restaurants and supermarkets. There are few English-speaking jobs/opportunities available on campus as well.

• Unfortunately, there are very few part-time opportunities available both on campus and off campus. You need to have good Italian language skills to secure a part-time job. At the same time, the architecture course is pretty demanding, leaving you barely any time to work part-time. However, if you are good at Italian, you can always find a way!

• Around 70-80% of the batch secures a job within 6 months of graduation. The average salary for most students starts at 30,000 Euros per year.
• The highest salary can be 50,000 Euros but mostly for engineers; the lowest can be 20,000 Euros. Students typically find a job on their own and apply independently; sometimes career fairs organized by polimi can help to secure a job.