Studying at SPD means plunging yourself into a living, dynamic and international environment where foreign students make up to 70% of the total student population and cultural differences are highly valued.
SPD’s offer of postgraduate education consists of specialist Master degrees lasting 15 months from seven different departments: Industrial Design, Interior Design, Transportation and Car Design, Visual Design, Web and Digital Design, Food Design and Event and Exhibition Design.
The catalogue of full time annual programmes also includes One-Year Courses in Product or Car Design Tools addressed to candidates with an academic background that is not relevant to the selected area of further studies. One-Year Courses provide a balanced combination of project-based training, theoretical and operational teaching. They can also be intended as a foundation to the Masters. The school offer of advanced education is completed with intensive workshops, summer courses and technical training.
Every year SPD organises a dense calendar of lectures given by international speakers. Participation is open to the general public.
The project-based approach applied at SPD promotes cooperative learning and encourages students to get in touch with professionals and companies. Throughout the year they are engaged in different projects – either intensive one-week workshops or studio experiences lasting the whole semester – allowing them to acquire a global vision of the profession, round off their design thinking and build solid skills.
Each student is reviewed by the tutors at least on a weekly base to allow a constant improvement of the proposals. Class critique is also encouraged to build stronger awareness of the pros and cons of each design.
The close collaboration with professionals, brands and institutions enables the students to get ready for the relationship with the client.
Both Master and One-Year courses offered at SPD have limited places. Admission is based on the assessment of the portfolio and relevant background and on a motivational interview with the candidate.
Courses begin in late October and finish by December of the following year (by July for One-Year courses only). Classes are held in English and attendance is mandatory.
The programmes demand full-time commitment including regular coursework, individual and group study as well as the internship or the preparation of the final project for the Masters’.
Scholarships and tuition waivers are also offered in association with academic partners and are available for high potential candidates.
The Academic Office is available for information on entry and enrolment procedures. In order to facilitate international applicants, the admission and enrolment process can be conducted on-line and the personal interviews can be taken at distance and via Skype.
The school staff provides foreign students with help in obtaining visas, health coverage and accommodation.