Language

English

Start date

November 2026

Frequency

Full time

Fruition

On campus

Duration

8 Months

Course Coordination

Alberto Valli

Price

12.500 €

(Enrolment fee 1.500€ + Tuition fee 11.000€)

The Academic Foundation Year - Italian Creativity program offered by Accademia Galli in Milan is an interdisciplinary educational program designed for students who wish to deepen their creative talents and acquire the necessary skills to enroll in the top Italian academies and universities.

The program's primary objective is to celebrate Italian culture and creative heritage, with a particular focus on the worlds of fashion, design, and the visual arts.

Students will have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of individual projects and works through practical laboratory activities and specialized workshops. This will help them choose the university study path that best suits their inclinations and goals.

This dynamic city, Milan, at the forefront of innovation and style, offers an inspiring environment for students to immerse themselves in the heart of Italian fashion, design, and modern culture. Renowned for its cutting-edge creativity and international influence, Milan provides the ideal setting to develop your artistic vision and engage with the pulse of contemporary Italian artistry.

In summary, this is a high-level educational offering that aims to cultivate the creative talents of students and prepare them for admission into the finest Italian academic institutions specialized in these fields.

Information to decide

Throughout the course, the students will cover various theoretical topics related to fashion, design, and the visual arts. These theoretical elements will then be explored in-depth from a practical standpoint, using graphic design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Individual coaching and guidance sessions will be organized with a personal tutor, who will serve as a reference figure for the Foundation Year students.

From the beginning of the course and throughout its duration, there will be a dedicated module focused on the study of the Italian language and culture.

In summary, the program combines theoretical learning on fashion, design, and the arts with hands-on practical work using industry-standard design tools. It also provides personalized mentorship in order to support the students' academic and personal development.

The course is aimed at students who possess an upper secondary school degree or another recognised qualification acquired after at least 11 years of education.

Furthermore, an A2 level of English is recommended, as verified by an academic certificate and/or via an online interview.

The Academic Foundation has four main strengths:

 -        The tutor's figure

The tutor is a constant point of reference for Foundation Year students. From enrolment until the end of the course, the tutor acts as an intermediary between the students, the school and the teaching staff. This is to establish a relationship and individual dialogue with each member of the class from the outset.
Furthermore, the tutor assumes the role of coordinator with the host families for students who are still minors, ensuring smooth and constant communication between both parties.

-        Trips and out-of-school experiences

Over the course of the year, students will have the opportunity to participate in major fashion, art, and design events organised in Como and elsewhere.
The visits, always led by an accompanying lecturer or tutor, are designed to introduce students to the territory, its historical and artistic heritage, as well as general cultural richness.

-       The city of Milan

Milan is one of the most vibrant and influential cities in the world. Known as Italy’s fashion and design capital, it stands at the crossroads of creativity, innovation, and business. The city is home to prestigious brands such as Prada, Armani, and Versace, and hosts world-famous events like Milan Fashion Week and the Salone del Mobile design fair.
Beyond fashion, Milan offers a rich cultural experience with its historic landmarks, cutting-edge architecture, and thriving art scene. 
Living in Milan, whilst studying at the IED campus, means embracing a dynamic Italian lifestyle where tradition meets modernity surrounded by art, style, culture, and exquisite cuisine.

-        Homestay or Legal Guardian for Underage Students

Through our trusted partners, we provide care and support for international underage students coming to study in Milan. We assist them in finding either accommodation with a carefully selected Italian host family or the appointment of a legal guardian who will support them until they reach their eighteenth birthday.

News

17 April 2026

Vote for IED Madrid projects among the ten finalists in Accor Design Awards 2026

For the second year running, four IED Madrid students have reached the grand final, placing their projects among the best in the world

16 April 2026

X-plorer, by alumni Aaron Gonzalo selected for the ADI-FAD Delta Medals 2026

The jury has selected only 15 projects out of the 104 submitted, forming the Delta Medals 2026 Selection, including X-plorer, Aaron Gonzalo’s Final Degree Project.

15 April 2026

More than 9,800 students took part in the AQU Catalunya and Catalan universities' mass survey on recent graduate satisfaction

Responses will be used to identify areas for improvement in the higher education studies currently offered in the Catalan university system and in higher artistic education centres.

14 April 2026

Albert Folch leads a new session of IED MUSES Talks at Bilbao

A new session of IED MUSES Talks brings together Albert Folch and Isabel Fernández to explore design from an expanded perspective.

13 April 2026

IED presents The Searchlights: the urgencies of our time through the photographs of people in their twenties

As part of EXPOSED Torino Photo Festival, IED presents the second chapter of the three-year project Ti vorrei dire, developed in collaboration with Gallerie d'Italia - Torino, a part of Intesa Sanpaolo

25 March 2026

IED ranked among the world's top 100 academic institutions in the QS World University Rankings® by Subject 2026

Europe's largest Art and Design school network secures 78th place worldwide in the Art & Design discipline, marking its 60th anniversary year.

19 March 2026

Plural Intelligences: IED Announces the Theme of Its 60th Anniversary

IED reveals Plural Intelligences, the theme dedicated to the 60th anniversary of its foundation, which will take place in 2026.

A group of people posing behind a long table with food

17 March 2026

IED Barcelona hosts BIP – Erasmus+ KA131: The Future(s) of the Mediterranean Food System

Focused on imagining possible—and desirable—futures for the Mediterranean food system, this interdisciplinary programme took place from 23 to 26 February together with students from IED Rome, Università Federico II of Naples and University Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne.

09 March 2026

IED Barcelona at 4YFN 2026

Sylvie Gornes-Martin, Alumni of the Master in Strategic Design Management, has presented the project CarSight for SEAT, developed within the framework of the CBI (Challenge Based Innovation) programme in collaboration with UPC and Esade.