Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milan (Statale)

International Medical School (IMS) — Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

Breaking: IMAT 2026 Date Confirmed — 30 September 2026

The Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) has officially confirmed that the IMAT 2026 will be held on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The date is set out in the ministry's official calendar notice (AVVISO — Calendario delle prove, corsi di studio ad accesso programmato nazionale 2026/2027), dated 4 July 2026, which lists the English-taught single-cycle degrees in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine on that date.

This is later than the usual mid-September window (the exam fell on 17 September in both 2024 and 2025), which means candidates have extra preparation time this cycle. Key points to note now:

• Exam date: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
• Registration: expected to open via the Universitaly portal in the weeks before the exam (exact window to be confirmed in a further ministerial decree)
• Results: expected in late October 2026 (results historically follow ~26 days after the exam)
• Format unchanged: 60 multiple-choice questions, 100 minutes, single national exam in English
• Modalities and content: to be defined by subsequent MUR decrees, per the official notice

Important reform clarification: Italy's new open-access "filter semester" (semestre filtro), which replaced the old entrance test for Italian-taught Medicine, does not apply to English-taught programs. The IMAT remains the official and only selection route for the International Medical School at Milan Statale. There is no filter semester and no automatic open access for the English track — it is still one national test, once per year.

Program Overview

The Medicine and Surgery program at the University of Milan (Statale) is a highly respected, six-year degree taught entirely in English, designed to train future doctors with a strong scientific foundation and extensive clinical experience. The program integrates theoretical learning with hands-on training in some of Italy's leading hospitals, equipping students for a successful medical career worldwide.

The International Medical School (IMS) is anchored in the LITA campus in Segrate, blending high-tech molecular science with rigorous clinical practice, and draws on the clinical strength of the university's affiliated hospital network in the eastern part of Milan.

International Rankings

The University of Milan (Statale) consistently ranks among the top universities in Italy and Europe:

• QS World University Rankings: among the top 200–250 universities worldwide
• Medicine (subject ranking): among the top 100–150 globally
• Times Higher Education: consistently recognised for research output and academic excellence

The university is regularly listed among the best in Italy across more than 20 global rankings, with particular strength in Medicine, Food Science, and related life-science subjects.

The 2025 IMAT in Numbers

The most recent completed cycle sets the competitive context for 2026 applicants:

• 13,495 candidates sat the IMAT in 2025 — a record number since the exam was established in 2011
• 1,754 total seats were offered across all participating universities, of which 1,644 for Medicine and Surgery, 60 for Dentistry, and 50 for Veterinary Medicine
• Milan (Statale) remained among the most competitive universities in the country, alongside Bologna, Bicocca, and Sapienza Rome

EU and Non-EU Seats

Admission to the Medicine and Surgery program at Milan Statale is limited each year, with seats divided between EU and non-EU applicants. The seat pool is set annually by MUR decree. Based on the most recent cycle:

• EU / resident applicants: approximately 55 seats
• Non-EU non-resident applicants: 15 seats

Note: seat numbers are re-issued by MUR each summer (typically July–August) before the exam. Confirm the final 2026 allocation once the official Bando is published.

IMAT Cut-Off Scores (Milan Statale)

Admission is based entirely on the IMAT score. Below are the historic first-round cut-off (minimum) scores for admission to Milan Statale. Remember: these are dynamic figures that depend on the difficulty of each year's paper and the strength of the applicant pool — they are not fixed thresholds set by the university.

2025 note: Milan Statale's EU first-round cut-off was 66.2, one of the highest in Italy for the cycle. EU cut-offs continue to move downward through successive scrolling rounds. The non-EU figure for 2025 should be confirmed directly from the university's published non-EU ranking PDF before publishing, as non-EU rankings are released per-university rather than centrally.

How to read these scores:

• EU candidates go through the national scrolling system on Universitaly — cut-offs drop over successive rounds as higher-ranked candidates enrol elsewhere or withdraw. EU candidates must score a minimum of 20 points to enter the ranking at all.
• Non-EU candidates are ranked only against their single first-choice university, with essentially one round. The published score is usually the final cut-off.

The IMAT Exam

The International Medical Admissions Test (IMAT) is a national, standardised exam in English used to select students for English-taught public Medicine programs in Italy. It is organised by MUR and follows the format originally developed with Cambridge Assessment.

• Duration: 100 minutes
• Questions: 60 multiple-choice, five options each, one correct answer
• Scoring: +1.5 for a correct answer, −0.4 for an incorrect answer, 0 for no answer
• Registration: online via the Universitaly portal (universitaly.it) during the official window
• Fee: approximately €130
• Subject areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Skills / General Knowledge

Milan, Pavia, and Messina require candidates to pre-register on the university's own portal in addition to the Universitaly registration.

Curriculum Breakdown

The degree consists of 360 credits across six years, of which at least 60 must be earned through training aimed at acquiring specific professional skills.

First Year

First Semester

• Cells, Molecules and Genes (Biology, Molecular Biology)
• Fundamentals of Basic Sciences (Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry, Medical Physics)
• Histology

Second Semester

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging (Medical Physics, Radiology and Radiotherapy)

Second Year

First Semester

• Functions 1 (Biochemistry, Physiology)
• Genetics (Biology, Genetics)
• Microbiology

Second Semester

• Functions 2 (Anatomy, Physiology)
• Mechanisms of Diseases

Third Year

Optional Courses (Clerkship)

• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 1 (Cardiovascular Diseases, Nephrology, Respiratory Diseases)
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 2 (Blood Diseases, Internal Medicine, Rheumatology)
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 3 (Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Physical Training Sciences and Methodology)

First Semester (Compulsory)

• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 1 (Cardiovascular Diseases, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Respiratory Diseases)
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 1 — Clerkship (same disciplines)
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 2 (Blood Diseases, Internal Medicine, Rheumatology)
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 2 — Clerkship (Rheumatology)
• Translational Medicine and Biotechnologies 1 (Clinical Biochemistry, Informatics, Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Molecular Biology)

Second Semester (Compulsory)

• Biostatistics
• Foundational Pharmacological Principles
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 3 (Dermatology, Endocrinology, Physical Training Sciences and Methodology, Gastroenterology)
• Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine 3 — Clerkship (Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology)

Fourth Year

Optional Courses (Clerkship)

• Clinical and Surgical Pathology (Pathology)
• Clinical Imaging (Radiology)
• Clinical Oncology, Emato-Oncology and Radiotherapy (Blood Diseases, Oncology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Radiology)
• Fundamental Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Pharmacology)
• Head and Neck (Odontostomatological Diseases, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology)
• Infectious Diseases (Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology)
• Medical Psychology (Clinical Psychology, General Psychology, Psychobiology and Physiologic Psychology)
• Orthopedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation (Orthopedics, Rehabilitation Medicine)
• Translational Medicine and Biotechnologies 2 (Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology)

First Semester (Compulsory)

• Clinical Oncology, Emato-Oncology and Radiotherapy (Blood Diseases, Medical Oncology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Radiology and Radiotherapy)
• Clinical Oncology, Emato-Oncology and Radiotherapy — Clerkship (Blood Diseases, Medical Oncology)
• Head and Neck (Anatomy, Human Physiology, Odontostomatological Diseases, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology)
• Head and Neck — Clerkship (Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology)
• Infectious Diseases (Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology)
• Infectious Diseases — Clerkship (Infectious Diseases)
• Orthopedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation (Orthopedics, Rehabilitation Medicine)
• Orthopedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation — Clerkship (Orthopedics)

Second Semester (Compulsory)

• Clinical and Surgical Pathology (Pathology) + Clerkship
• Clinical Imaging (Radiology) + Clerkship
• Fundamental Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Pharmacology)
• Medical Psychology (Clinical Psychology, General Psychology, Psychobiology and Physiologic Psychology, Social Psychology)
• Translational Medicine and Biotechnologies 2 (Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology)

Fifth Year

Optional Courses (Clerkship)

• Fundamentals of Surgery (Cardiac, General, Maxillofacial, Neurosurgery, Plastic, Thoracic, Urology, Vascular)
• Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine (Obstetrics, Gynecology, Urology)
• Medical Science and Clinical Investigation (Blood Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Physical Training Sciences, Respiratory Diseases, Rheumatology)
• Neurological and Behavioural Disorders (Mental Health, Neurology, Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery, Pharmacology, Rehabilitation Medicine)
• Pediatrics and Child Care (Child Neuropsychiatry, Pediatrics)
• Public, Global Health, Occupational Medicine, and Forensic Sciences (Forensic Medicine, General and Applied Hygiene, Medical Statistics, Occupational Medicine)

First Semester (Compulsory)

• Fundamentals of Surgery (Cardiac, General, Maxillofacial, Neurosurgery, Plastic, Thoracic, Vascular) + Clerkship (General Surgery)
• Medical Sciences and Clinical Investigation (Internal Medicine, Rheumatology) + Clerkship
• Neurobiology, Human Behaviour and Clinical Neuroscience — Clerkship (Mental Health, Neurology)
• Neurological and Behavioural Disorders (Mental Health, Neurology, Neuroradiology, Pharmacology, Rehabilitation Medicine)

Second Semester (Compulsory)

• Evaluation Internship — Medical Sciences
• Evaluation Internship — Surgical Sciences
• Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine (Obstetrics, Gynecology, Urology) + Clerkship
• Pediatrics and Child Care (Child Neuropsychiatry, Pediatrics) + Clerkship (Pediatrics)
• Public, Global Health, Occupational Medicine, and Forensic Sciences (Business Economics, Forensic Medicine, General and Applied Hygiene, Medical Statistics, Occupational Medicine)

Sixth Year

• Evaluation Internship — General Practice
• Emergencies, Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Internal Medicine (with Clerkships)
• Multidisciplinary Clinical Management (Cardiovascular Diseases, Endocrinology, General Surgery, History of Medicine, Medical Informatics, Medical Oncology, Nephrology, Radiology and Radiotherapy, Respiratory Diseases) + Clerkship (Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine)
• Final Examination

Additional optional subjects are also offered throughout the program.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Tuition at the University of Milan is income-based, assessed through the ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente — Equivalent Economic Status Indicator). Fees range from around €156 to approximately €4,000 per year depending on family income.

Scholarships are available through EDiSU, the regional agency providing financial aid based on academic merit and financial need. Support can include tuition-fee reductions, housing benefits, and meal plans. For the current cycle, La Statale has expanded its scholarship portfolio, including full tuition waivers and stipends for eligible low-income and international students.

How Exams Work

Exams at the University of Milan's medical school combine:

• Oral exams: face-to-face discussion testing understanding of key concepts
• Written exams: multiple-choice, short-answer, or problem-solving formats
• Practical exams: in later years, assessment of clinical skills and patient interaction in hospital settings

Exams are typically held at the end of each semester, with 6–7 sittings per exam per year. The grading scale runs from 0 to 30, with 18 the minimum pass and 30 cum laude (30L) the highest possible mark.

Life as an International Student in Milan

Milan is one of Europe's most dynamic cities and a superb base for international students, offering a blend of history, culture, and modern city life. The university has a diverse, fast-growing international community with students from over 50 nations, and English-taught programs make integration straightforward.

Students can enjoy:

• Affordable student housing through EDiSU or private rentals
• Discounted public transport for students
• A vibrant social and cultural calendar with events and networking opportunities

Milan as a city is Italy's financial capital and a global hub for fashion, design, and culture, with world-class museums (including Leonardo da Vinci's L'Ultima Cena — The Last Supper), excellent restaurants, superb transport links across Italy, and proximity to top hospitals and research centres that enrich clinical learning.

Conclusion

The University of Milan (Statale) offers an outstanding medical education at an affordable cost, backed by strong academic rankings and access to world-class hospitals. With the IMAT 2026 date now confirmed for 30 September 2026, candidates have a clear target and extra preparation time this cycle. For ambitious international students, Milan combines academic excellence with one of Europe's most rewarding city experiences — an ideal destination to pursue a medical degree in English.

Data verified as of July 2026. IMAT dates, seat allocations, and cut-off scores are set annually by MUR and individual universities; always confirm final figures against the official Universitaly portal and the university's published rankings before applying.