DESIGN FOR DEVELOPMENT
ARCHITECTURE, URBAN PLANNING AND HERITAGE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What does “specialising Master” mean?
A specialising Master is a postgraduate job-oriented course providing practical skills and advanced training in a specific professional field. It is not a Master degree and it does not issues the title of Master of Science nor Master of Arts degree.
What title is awarded at the end of the Master?
At the end of the Master and after passing the final exam students will be awarded the title of first/second level specialising Master in “Design for Development. Architecture, Planning and Heritage in the Global South”.
The Master’s is a 60 ECTS/CFU programme.
How often is the Master proposed?
The Master is activated approx. every 18 months.
Which was the first edition of the Master? Is it possible to view the theses or archives of the previous editions?
The 2019-2020 was the first edition of the Master Design for Development.
Previously, a post-graduate specialization course has been carried out by the DAStU (Coopera(c)tion: knowledge and skills for sustainable cities in the global South) of which the Master is an advancement, which is documented by the volume Sustainable Urban Development and Globalization. New strategies for new challenges, with a focus on the Global South, edited by A. Petrillo and P. Bellaviti, Springer, 2018 and from the works of the students of the 3 editions published in the annex to the volume (http://extras.springer.com, displayng ISBN 978-3-319-61988-0).
Who is the managing body of the Master? How does it support the students?
The managing body of the Master is Consorzio Poliedra – Politecnico di Milano. Poliedra manages all aspects related to the student’s experience during the Master: it collects the applications, manages the admissions and enrollment process and organizes all teaching activities (lessons, workshops, internships and the final thesis) in tandem with the Master’s Direction. The Poliedra Education and Training Office is also available for administrative questions related to the recognition of foreign academic titles, VISAs and residence permits for extra-EU students. You can contact us at formazione-poliedra(at)polimi.it
APPLICATION
Where do I need to submit my application?
The application must be submitted online, directly on the Politecnico portal: follow the instructions at the link: how to apply.
Do I need to apply for the I level or the II level?
The First Level Specialising Master’s course is reserved for candidates with a Laurea (equivalent to Bachelor of Science) in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Design or other related scientific disciplines.
The Second Level Specialising Master’s course is reserved for candidates with a Laurea V.O. or Laurea Specialistica/Magistrale N.O. (equivalent to Master of Science) in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Design or other related scientific disciplines.
For each level equivalent qualifications will be considered for foreign students.
Which documents do I need to upload?
These are the documents you will need in order to apply: a valid passport; your diploma; your academic transcripts; a resumé and/or a portfolio.
ADMISSION
What are the criteria for the selection of candidates and how much do the elements assessed weigh?
The Master’s admission criteria are the following:
- Analysis of the candidate’s curriculum vitae (max 50 points: max 25 for academic qualifications and max 25 for professional expertise);
- Motivations expressed during the admission interview (max 50 points);
- If two or more candidates have the same score, the youngest candidate will be preferred.
Minimum passing grade for admission: 60/100.
When are the results of the selection published?
The selection results are usually announced within 20 days from the admission deadline.
Will the admission interview be in person or online?
The admission interviews are generally conducted remotely.
How much does the admission procedure cost?
The whole admission procedure is completely free of charge.
TUITION FEE AND OTHER COSTS
How much does the Master enrollment cost?
For the tuition fee and the amount of the installments please see http://www.designfordevelopment.polimi.it/info/
Does the tuition fee include accommodation in Milan?
The registration fee does not include accommodation in Milan but we can provide some information on facilities affiliated with Politecnico di Milano and Poliedra.
Does the organization of the Master provide work materials, basic or special, and study rooms or laboratories where you can carry out the work required by the teacher? If not, what is the estimated cost of the material needed?
Generally, the Master does not require costs for particular materials.
The Politecnico di Milano has several study rooms and libraries accessible with the Politecnico card provided to each student after the enrolment.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER BENEFITS
Are there any scholarships?
For all the Master editions some scholarships have been awarded by the Master Scientific Committee.
For updates on the current edition scholarships please see http://www.designfordevelopment.polimi.it/info/ or contact formazione-poliedra@polimi.it
On what principles will the selection of the recipients of these scholarships be based?
The scholarships attribution is based on the merit evaluations expressed in the selection phase of the candidates.
Are there any other financial benefits?
Italian students can request a loan of honor from Intesa San Paolo; please see the link https://www.intesasanpaolo.com/it/persone-e-famiglie/prodotti/prestiti/prestito-onore-per-merito.html
ACCOMMODATION IN MILAN
Do you provide facilities for accomodation in Milan?
We cannot find you an accommodation but we can suggest some solutions with which we have agreements.
ON THE GROUND WORKSHOP
Does the tuition fee include expenses related to the on the ground Design Workshop?
The costs of the on the ground Workshop are included in the fee (travel, accommodation, local transport and VISA for entering the country). Meals are not included.
Where will the on the ground Design Workshop be held?
Students will attend the on the ground Workshop in a country in the Global South, if health and general situation will allow to travel safely. If not, an equivalent on the ground experience will be held in another country.
INTERNSHIP / PROJECT WORK
Is the internship guaranteed to all of the Master’s students?
The internship is not mandatory and it can be replaced by an equivalent project work. The choice between the internship and the project work will be discussed by each student with the Master Director.
Can a student propose an internship on his/her own?
Every student can either choose one of the internships offered by the Master’s Partners or propose an internship on his/her own. In this case, the internship proposal must be approved by the Master’s Director.
Does the tuition fee include expenses related to the internship? In case of a temporary residence in another European country, or even in another continent, what are the economic coverage by the organization of the Master?
The costs related to the internship are not included in the fee. However, for some specific destinations the accommodation costs could be guaranteed by the internship host. More information will be provided during the Master.
TEACHING ACTIVITES
Will the lessons be held online or in person?
The Master is delivered in a blended mode, which includes both an online module and a longer part in person.
Which is the maximum percentage of absences I can make?
Only students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are admitted to the final exam, therefore you are allowed only 25% of absences.
Does the Master involve intermediate exams?
No, the only formal exam is the final thesis presentation. However, you will be evaluated informally by the Master’s Faculty over the course of the year according to the outputs of the activities you will work on in class.