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 July 2026

Priscilla Fois brings her art to Urban Break Korea

IED Roma alumna Priscilla Fois has been selected to participate in Urban Break Korea, one of the leading international festivals dedicated to urban art.

16 July 2026

This Is What the Future of Visual Arts Looks Like

Recent graduates from the IED Barcelona's Graphic Design, Advertising, and Motion Graphics and Video programmes presented their final projects at Barcelona XR Lab. Data, text, image and sound come together to explore the global order and reframe systems for navigating the world.

10 July 2026

Degree Show 2026 opens IED Kunsthal Bilbao to talent, design and the city

Once again, the Papelera Building opened its doors to the public, showcasing the work developed by students over four years of study and turning the school into a meeting point for design, culture, industry and institutions.

03 July 2026

July: Exhibitions, Installations and New Horizons for IED.60 Public Program

With the arrival of July, IED Graduation Days enter their busiest phase across IED’s Italian campuses, bringing with them a series of public events designed to showcase the ideas, projects and research developed by students.

02 July 2026

Product Design IED Madrid alumni Jorge Penadés designs the Museo Reina Sofía's new public space

The designer created Alhacena, an installation conceived to encourage visitors to pause, read and connect within the museum's permanent collection.

01 July 2026

Three IED Designers Win at the 2026 Spanish Fashion Academy Awards

Alumni Ernesto Naranjo, together with faculty members Miguel Becer (ManéMané) and Juan Vidal, have been recognised at the third edition of the Academia de la Moda Española Awards for their outstanding creative work.

30 June 2026

This Was IED Madrid's Graduation Shows 2026: Two Days of Designing the Future

Under the concept Times New, IED Madrid's campuses hosted the final project exhibitions for Graphic Design, Product Design, Interior Design and Fashion Design, culminating in the traditional Avant-défilé.

23 June 2026

Best Thesis Awards 2026 – IED Barcelona

Fashion that evokes nostalgia through layered fabrics; a reinterpretation of retail as a living biological interface; an exploration of how Korean Wave (Hallyu) cultural products generate value within the luxury fashion sector; and an interactive digital experience that makes a previously hidden financial language visible.

22 June 2026

Jaime Hayón, Product Design IED Madrid alumni, honoured at the Escala Interior Design Awards

The designer received the National Excellence Award, recognising the work of leading interior design professionals in Spain.