Part 1 - All about the University
What Are the Timetables like?
It depends on the academic year, however days generally begin at 08:30am, Monday to Friday. In preclinical years students can expect to be in classes until 3-4pm, with lectures conducted in 2-hour blocks with 5-minute breaks upon request by the students or professors, and 1 hour is given for lunch. In clinical years it can vary greatly, with sometimes days going on until 6:30pm.
What is the Clinical Experience like?
Clinical rotations cannot be conducted during dedicated lecture and exam timetable. They are separated into their own blocks of attendance that varies from 2-4 weeks at the end of every semester starting in 3rd year. You start in the hospital at 08:30am and are done around lunch time every day.
The experience is mainly shadowing, with very limited hands on work. This is pretty standard for all Italian medical schools, however, it can be enhanced if you are proactive about asking to shadow professors outside of your mandatory rotations. Students are sometimes provided with checklists to ensure that there is a standard of experience across the classes. You must obtain at least a B2 in a university accredited Italian language assessment to enter into the pre-clinical years.
How do the Exams Work?
Exams are done during their own dedicated sessions, with a guaranteed total of at least 7 dates for each exam across all of the sessions. They are generally divided into a winter session, a summer session, and the September session. There might be a bonus session termed the “pre-apello” which gives you 1 additional attempt, the time of these “pre-apelli” are determined by the professors.
In preclinical years exams have BOTH a written and oral part, with a requirement of passing the written part to get to the oral part. Grading is usually done on the basis of the oral exam with the written exam being a gatekeeper to the oral portion. During clinical years larger exams will follow the same format of having both a written and an oral. In most cases, an exam that is failed at the oral will not need a resit for the written part, for that session (i.e, if you pass the last written for an exam of the winter session, but not the oral, you may be required to sit the written part again next session). Other modalities are either written exam only, or oral exam only, with the oral only examination type being more frequent than the written only type. You can find more details about studying medicine in English at University of Milan here.
Does University of Milan do cadaver dissections?
No. This is a myth. No medical school in Italy does dissections. However, there is the possibility of an autopsy experience at the end of 2nd year conducted in groups to observe a professor doing an autopsy, as well as another opportunity in 6th year through the Forensic Medicine module.
Tuition Fees & Costs of Studying in IMS Milan
Tuition fees are based on the students country of origin (influenced by GDP) and ranges from €0 EUR to a maximum of €3,600 EUR annually. An ISEE (proof of income) can be used to reduce the fees further no matter the country of origin, but the maximum is €3,600 EUR regardless of any other factors. There is a wide range of financial support available in aims that financial status should not be a barrier of entry to higher education.
What are the Scholarship Options?
There are many scholarships and bursaries that can be applied to not only reduce your fees, but also get free meals, and help with accommodation. The scholarships can be needs-based or merit-based. However, additionally University of Milan offers the amazing opportunity of a fee reduction if you have 90% of your CFU credits (which means that you’re on time with your exams).
How Much does Accommodation Cost?
Whilst student accommodation is available through the university, it is very competitive to obtain a spot. The main university building (L.I.T.A) is a little outside of the city, which allows prices to be a lot cheaper in that area. Most students aim to find a place to live near to the green metro line (usually Piola and Citta Studi), that ranges from €400 EUR to €1200 EUR depending on your needs. Finding a place to live can be difficult as an international student owing to the language barrier. Also, keep in mind that price is highly dependent on quality of apartment, on area, room mates vs not. There is student accommodation (private) options that are very expensive but might be an option for short stay whilst searching for something more long term.
Class Dynamics & Quality of Professors
Class sizes are around 40-50 students depending on the year group, there’s usually a rough split between international and Italian students. This year the places available has been increased to 60 (44 + 16 non-EU places). The small class size allows a more personal relationship with professors, which helps in requesting shadowing, and in oral exams. There are world class professors and the overall level is above average, the level of English of most professors is great, though there will be a handful who either struggle with English, or are adequate but lack confidence.
Sports & Canteen Facilities
Sports clubs are based on something called the CUS – Milano. There are many sports available, you pay an annual fee which gives you insurance for these activities and grants you access to different sports you can practice if you would like. Most university buildings have a canteen, and you can apply for a mensa card (cafeteria card) that be topped up every week with an allowance paid by university. Most commonly just left at their favourite restaurant to be topped up automatically each day.
Teaching Facilities
At the time of writing, all lectures are conducted at L.I.T.A, with anatomy labs with all models, microscopes, even radiographic slides being in the anatomy building in the center of the city. There is an undergoing evolution to the Neuroanatomy course, whereby standard lecture practices are being added to with 3D model demonstration by the professor on screen.
Libraries
Milan has multiple libraries for both university students and public, but none are 24 hours. A list of university libraries are available on the university website. There is a main library at main campus that many students frequent, as well as a medical library near Lambrate. On top of this, most university buildings will have adequate study rooms, and some of the larger hospitals will have libraries where you can study.
Part 2 - All about City Life
Timestamps
How Did You Prepare for the IMAT?
Preparation for the IMAT consisted of covering the A level syllabus (Edexcel and OCR) for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Maths. Knowing my own weaknesses, I studied for physics more than the others. General knowledge was only 2 questions when taking the exam, now there are significantly more General Knowledge questions that I am unfamiliar with. I would highly recommend doing any and all practice papers that you can get your hands on, noting the topics of the questions you get incorrect and forming a study plan around those.
Why Study in Milan?
Milan is a bustling city with a lot to offer, alongside the academic reasons there are many fantastic entertainment opportunities, as well as being well connected to other areas of Italy and Europe.
Is Medicine in Italy the Right Choice?
This is a very subjective question, but Italy offers many universities that are world renowned with achievable accessibility. The Italian culture, food, and lifestyle are very attractive reasons to come to Italy to study.
Do You Need to know Italian?
Absolutely, without a doubt, 100% Italian is not a requirement for entry, but is a requirement for entering into the clinical years of studying (from 3rd year onward), which makes sense as interactions with patients and colleagues hinges on knowing Italian to at least B2 standard. More than the requirement of the university and general day-to-day, adequate knowledge of Italian is necessary to fully understand what is happening in hospital rotations, failure to understand Italian means failure to grasp the nuances occurring in the doctor’s room which will eventually put you at a disadvantage.
A Brief Overview of the City
Milan is considered the financial and fashion capital of Italy, there’s a cornucopia of things to do and see, and events being held. Milan is a little bit of a concrete jungle unfortunately, but some of the architecture is outstanding.
The Weather
The weather in Milan is very polarising, the location near the Alps makes Milan quite a humid city. This means humidity in ≥ 25°C summers, and humidity in ~0°C winters. It doesn’t snow often in the winter, but the fog can be rather intense. Should you come to Milan, you will need a wardrobe that can suit all possibilities of weather!
Different Activities for Students
Depending on the extracurriculars that you may enjoy, there are a number of sport outlets hosted by CUS Milano, a sporting body for the University. Outside of this, there is a number of cinemas that show movies in English and a variety of museums and art galleries to enjoy. There are lots of focal areas that students on the course centre in on for night life, and a number of events are hosted by the Comune di Milano throughout the year. There are a number of shopping districts to enjoy, as well as an array of parks and green spaces to peruse on nice days! If your favourite band or artist comes to do a show in Italy, chances are they will pass through Milan at some point for a concert.
Getting Around Milan
There is a wide range of public transport in Milan offered by the ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi). If you’re younger that 27 years of age, you can purchase a monthly/annual pass that covers all their transport methods in the city.
The Different Neighbourhoods in Milan for University Accommodation
The lectures for IMS are held at L.I.T.A (or Niguarda, depending on when you read this) as such many students opt to live on the Green metro line (M2) as this provides a route to either the Cascina Gobba stop (where you can then walk to L.I.T.A) or to the Udine stop (where you can take the 325 to get to Segrate and then walk). There is an area of the city known as Citta Studi that is populated with students attending mainly either Statale or Politecnico, reason why a lot of the IMS students like to live in this area, or near Piola (also on the green line of the metro). Given the changes to the location where lectures will be held, some students are beginning to find accommodation on either the Yellow or Purple lines (M3 and M5, respectively) to get to Niguarda.
Cost of Living in Milan (In General)
This is another highly subjective topic and really depends on a bunch of factors. What will your budget be like? Do you want to live in the city centre? Do you eat out a lot? Will you live alone or with others? Rent prices can go from €200 EUR upward (without bills, and without condominium fees) monthly. €200 EUR/ month is achievable, but not easily so, and would mean you live with other people in an area that is far from city centre (but still in the city limits). Another difficulty that most students deal with is finding a place to live, from those who I have spoken to it takes on average 1 – 3 months to just secure a place to live, there are agencies and such to help with this, but they take a lot of money to do so (usually 1 month’s rent, and then some landlords may ask for 3 months’ rent as a deposit and the first month rent upfront).
Monthly Cost of Living in Milan for International Students (Guesstimate)
Housing fees: condominium fees are sometimes included in the rent, if not then the price is dependent on the building you live in. Rent can be anywhere between €200 EUR to €1,500 EUR per month, depending on living arrangements and location. Food can be cheaper if bought at a weekly market, but expect to pay in the range of €200 – €500 EUR per month on groceries at a supermarket chain. Gas and electricity will depend on the provider, most people tend to use A2A for these and can be paid monthly, every three months, or annually. Expect to pay upwards of €80 EUR per month for these two utilities, water is usually not billable. If you get a monthly metro card from ATM, that will set you back €22 EUR a month (if you’re younger than 27, otherwise it’s €40 EUR), mandatory health insurance is €120 EUR per annum (through the SSN), wifi planes are often in the range of €25 – €40 EUR depending on providers (FastWeb and TIM are the most common amongst students), an Italian phone number could cost €10 EUR per month (but prepaid SIM cards such as through Iliad are also available). So let’s say minimum €547 EUR per month, taking the cheapest rent and excluding condominium fees. Please note that these calculations are subject to change and that your mileage may vary.