ARCHED Course - Architecture in Italy - Introduction
If you dream of studying architecture in Italy, proper preparation for the ARCHED exam should be a key priority for you. This entrance test determines whether you will be admitted to Architecture at Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino.
The ARCHED course at EduWorld is designed to prepare you for the exam at a level that enables you to enter your desired program. Architectural studies in Italy begin at the bachelor's level at prestigious faculties such as the Polytechnic University of Turin and the Polytechnic University of Milan. Completing these studies allows you to obtain the title of architectural engineer, recognized by universities around the world. The programs and courses offered by Italian universities are aimed at students from all over the world and allow them to develop skills in architecture, design, urban planning, interior architecture, furniture design, and architectural history.
The Architecture in Italy - ARCHED course is the first step for anyone who dreams of studying architecture in one of the most inspiring countries in the world. Italy is not only the cradle of art and design, but also a place where tradition meets modernity, and where architectural education has global prestige. Studying in Italy also means immersing yourself in its rich culture, which allows you to gain both general and specialized knowledge and develop creativity.
Architecture in Italy in English
If you dream of studying architecture, Italy will naturally appear among your interests. You do not know Italian? No worries! Two universities offer architecture fully in English at the bachelor's level - the Polytechnic University of Turin and the Polytechnic University of Milan (if you are interested in master's studies, there are different exams than ARCHED - you will find more information here: architectural studies in Italy).
This educational path will open doors to an international career in architecture not only across Europe, but also worldwide. You will earn an international degree that opens career opportunities around the world, all without needing Italian at the start of your studies. You will experience several extraordinary years in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe - full of inspiration, new friendships and a culture that motivates creativity every day. And if you wish, during your studies you will easily learn Italian, becoming another valuable professional asset.
Imagine design classes in the historic centre of Milan, urban planning workshops in Turin and lectures taught by practicing architects who create modern urban spaces every day. The campus - whether you choose PoliMi or PoliTo - will certainly meet your expectations.
During your studies you can walk the same streets where Leonardo da Vinci or Bramante developed their ideas, while also using modern laboratories equipped with 3D modelling tools.
During breaks between lectures, you can visit ongoing architectural exhibitions at the Fondazione Prada or see the latest works of contemporary Italian designers in the Porta Nuova district.
This combination of daily exposure to history, art and modern technology makes studying architecture in Italy a unique experience that is hard to compare to any other place in Europe.
How long does it take to study architecture in Italy?
The bachelor's degree lasts 3 years. Afterwards comes the master's program in architecture, which lasts 2 years.
Completing both the bachelor's and master's degrees allows you to obtain the title of architectural engineer and further specialise in many fields, such as heritage conservation, interior architecture, urban planning and more. If you decide to continue your education in Italy, in addition to Milan and Turin you can choose among many other universities, including those in Venice, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Bologna, University of Padova and many others.
Entrance exam ARCHED and TIL-A - Politecnico di Torino
We would also like to clarify one point - ARCHED is the entrance test for the Politecnico di Milano, while the Politecnico di Torino uses the TIL-A exam. Both tests cover the same material but take place on different dates.
Since ARCHED and TIL-A fully overlap in content, for simplicity we refer to both as ARCHED throughout the text.
Entrance exam for architecture in Italy - structure and content
Although Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino organise their own exams, their structure and content are identical. This results from the guidelines of the Italian Ministry of Education, which define a unified admission standard for architecture programs.
Registering for the entrance exams requires preparing documents, and candidates must study mathematics, physics, drawing and general school knowledge.
Duration and exam content
Candidates have 100 minutes to answer 50 questions divided into 5 sections:
10 questions in Reading comprehension - 20 minutes
10 questions in Prior school knowledge, History and General Knowledge - 20 minutes
10 questions in Logic reasoning - 20 minutes
10 questions in Drawing and Representation - 20 minutes
10 questions in Mathematics and Physics - 20 minutes
Each question has five possible answers (A, B, C, D, E), with only one correct.
Scoring is as follows:
+1 point for a correct answer
-0,25 points for an incorrect answer
0 points for no answer
After completing the test, candidates at Politecnico di Torino see their score immediately, while Politecnico di Milano publishes results at a specified time.
Leaving all questions unanswered results in exclusion from the ranking list.
Entrance exam for architecture in Italy - practical information
The ARCHED and TIL-A exams take place every year in the second half of July. The application fee is 35 euros for Milan and 50 euros for Turin.
Importantly, at Politecnico di Milano the ARCHED exam is conducted fully online, while the TIL-A at Politecnico di Torino is held in person in Turin.
There are usually 1 or 2 days between the dates of the two exams. For example, in 2025 the dates were as follows: 23 July in Milan and 22 or 24 July in Turin (with the possibility to choose).
Results are available approximately 7 - 10 days after the exam date. Afterwards candidates have 2 - 3 days to accept their place or express interest in remaining on the waiting list. After another 2 - 3 weeks further ranking updates are published.
Of course, besides the entrance exam itself, it is essential to properly prepare the entire application and complete all formal requirements. Here you can see how EduWorld provides comprehensive support with the application process: link.
Thematic scope of the ARCHED and TIL-A exam
The exam aims to assess logical thinking skills, text analysis ability, general knowledge, and basic mathematical, physical, and drawing competencies.
The requirements correspond to the knowledge level of secondary school graduates preparing for the final Matura exam.
Reading comprehension
Tests the ability to analyse texts on various topics, both scientific and journalistic. The candidate must understand the meaning, context, and structure of the text and be able to interpret the significance of individual passages.
General knowledge and logical reasoning
Includes questions requiring logical thinking and reasoning based on given premises. These may be symbolic or verbal tasks, based on case analysis or problem situations.
Prior school knowledge (history, art, culture)
Covers knowledge of world history and art history, as well as recognition of cultural periods and important events. The candidate should know basic concepts in law, economics, and civil society.
Drawing and Representation
Tests the ability to analyse technical drawings, plans, elevations, and sections. Questions involve interpreting graphic representations of objects and understanding concepts related to perspective, geometry, and proportion.
Mathematics and Physics
Covers topics in mathematics (number sets, operations with powers and logarithms, equations, plane and solid geometry, basics of trigonometry) and physics (mechanics, Newton's laws, basics of thermodynamics and electricity).
How to prepare for ARCHED
Proper preparation for the ARCHED exam focuses on three areas: content, strategy and language.
Content preparation for ARCHED
Many topics required in the ARCHED exam go beyond the standard high school curriculum.
Tasks involving geometry, projections, proportions and spatial representation are often new to candidates, so regular practice is essential.
An important part of the test consists of questions on history and art - especially classical and modern architecture. Knowing styles, periods and characteristic buildings and architects can give you a significant advantage.
Do not forget the logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections - developing logical thinking and text analysis skills is often underestimated, yet these questions frequently determine the final score.
Smart preparation means learning the typical task structures and recurring patterns. Thanks to this you do not waste time on random topics, but focus on what actually appears in the exam.
Strategic preparation for ARCHED
The ARCHED exam lasts 100 minutes and contains 50 questions, which means you have an average of only 2 minutes per question.
Without the right strategy it is difficult to maintain pace and avoid simple mistakes caused by time pressure.
Practising with full mock tests is crucial, as it teaches you how to manage your energy, when to move on and how to efficiently return to more difficult questions.
Strategic preparation also includes recognising question types that appear every year.
Language preparation for ARCHED
The ARCHED exam is conducted entirely in English, so a good command of the language is essential.
The questions, especially in the reading comprehension and general knowledge sections, require understanding not only technical vocabulary but also complex structures and context. Understanding the instructions and answer choices is important in every section.
Architecture preparation course in Italy with EduWorld
If you want to prepare in the best possible way for the ARCHED exam and get into your dream architecture program in Italy, the course offered by EduWorld is the perfect solution.
The course curriculum covers all five main sections of the exam - from drawing and spatial representation, through logic and mathematics, to art history and analytical reading.
Participants gain not only subject knowledge but also practical tips on exam strategy, stress management and optimal study planning.
ARCHED course with EduWorld - why it is worth it
Holistic preparation
During the course you prepare for every section of the ARCHED exam - from spatial representation, through logic and mathematics, to art history, physics and reading comprehension.
The classes are taught by experts who know the structure of the test and the actual requirements of Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. This means you know exactly what to focus on to achieve the highest possible score.
Individual approach
Each participant begins with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. Based on this we create an individual preparation plan tailored to your level and learning pace.
Throughout the course we monitor your progress and adjust the material so that you can fully use your potential. You also have the guarantee that the person preparing you is a specialist in this area and knows the architecture field well.
Access to effective materials
In our architecture preparation course for Italy you gain access to several thousand tasks reflecting real exam questions. Learning becomes not only enjoyable but above all highly effective.
Practice and mock tests
During the course you solve hundreds of exercises and participate in full exam simulations conducted in real time (100 minutes / 50 questions).
This approach helps you get used to the test format, stress and time pressure - all in a safe and friendly learning environment.
Flexibility and support
Classes at EduWorld are flexible - you can adjust them to your schedule and easily reschedule when needed.
In addition to academic preparation, we also offer support throughout the application process - from exam registration to preparing documents and translations required by the Italian polytechnics: comprehensive application assistance.
Enrolment for the ARCHED course
Do you want to enrol in the ARCHED course? Simply contact us by phone, email or by filling in the form.
If you want to learn more about the course or about applying to study architecture in Italy, schedule a free consultation now by completing the form.
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