NABA – Nuova Accademia Di Belle Arti
NABA – Nuova Accademia Di Belle Arti
NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti has been named for the 5th year in a row as the Best Italian Academy of Fine Arts in the top 100 worldwide in the Art & Design field (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).
NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, founded in 1980, is Italy’s largest art and design academy with campuses in Milan, Rome, and soon London (opening 2026/27). Ranked among the top 100 worldwide in Art & Design by QS and named the Best Italian Academy of Fine Arts, NABA welcomes over 6,000 students from more than 90 nationalities, creating a vibrant, inclusive, and culturally diverse community.
Located in the global capitals of fashion, design, and culture, NABA offers a distinctive learning by doing approach across courses in Fashion, Design, Visual Arts, Media & New Technologies, and Communication. Students engage in hands-on learning that blends theory, experimentation, and real-world collaboration with leading companies and institutions.
Through its interdisciplinary and forward-looking teaching model, industry-experienced faculty, and dynamic campus life, NABA equips students to define their creative identity, build international experience, and thrive in the global creative industries.
By completing the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) at UFC, students can progress to NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, unlocking world-class education and creative career opportunities in art, design, and media.
Life at NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti
At NABA, student life extends well beyond the classroom, providing comprehensive support for international students. The Academy helps with residence permits, tax codes, bank accounts, transport cards, mobile phones, and healthcare registration, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition to life in Italy.
Students can take part in the Buddy Project to connect with peers, join sports teams, tournaments, and recreational activities, and experience a lively campus atmosphere that encourages friendship, collaboration, and community.
NABA also offers dedicated housing assistance to help students find apartments or shared accommodation near campus, along with a free psychological listening service and the inclusive Career Alias programme for transgender students. Altogether, these initiatives create a welcoming and supportive environment where students can grow academically, socially, and personally.
NABA’s Career Services and Industry Relations Office helps students make a smooth transition from the academy to the professional world. The office guides students in building their personal brand, creating self-promotion materials, and taking their first steps in the creative industry. Thanks to strong partnerships with leading companies, students gain access to internships, job opportunities, and collaborative projects that offer valuable real-world experience.
Through the online platform NABA Symplicity, students, alumni, and faculty can share portfolios and CVs, while companies post tailored internships and job openings. TalentHarbour provides support with CV and portfolio building, social media presence, interview skills, and networking strategies. Students also engage directly with professionals through workshops, events, and simulated recruitment sessions led by industry experts, legal advisers, and corporate partners.
Practical experiences such as the Design Marathon, a 48-hour creative challenge with global brands, and Recruiting Day, where companies visit campus to meet students, equip graduates with confidence and industry insight.
With an employability rate of 92% within one year of graduation, NABA Career Services ensures that students are prepared, connected, and ready to thrive in the creative job market.
NABA’s location in the heart of Milan places opportunity right at students’ doorstep. Step outside the classroom and into Milan, a global centre of design, fashion, and creativity. As Italy’s most dynamic cultural and economic hub, the city offers a learning experience that extends well beyond academic walls. With industries like fashion, design, media, and technology just minutes away, students gain practical exposure and the chance to build strong professional networks.
Milan is home to Milan Design Week, the world’s leading design event, and world-renowned fashion shows that attract global attention. Students can also explore exceptional cultural institutions such as Fondazione Prada, Armani Silos, Triennale di Milano, ADI Design Museum, and Museo del Novecento, all of which provide rich sources of inspiration and collaboration.
The city’s vibrant, international atmosphere makes it an ideal home for students from around the world. With lively neighbourhoods, outstanding cuisine, and cultural events that celebrate art, music, and heritage, Milan offers a creative lifestyle like no other. NABA’s urban campus is fully connected to the city, giving students the freedom to explore, create, and grow in one of the world’s most inspiring creative capitals.
At NABA, student success extends far beyond academics, with comprehensive support for both international and local students. The Academy assists with residence permits, tax codes, bank accounts, transport cards, mobile phones, and healthcare registration, making the move to Milan smooth and worry-free.
Students can take part in the Buddy Project to connect with peers, join sports teams, tournaments, and recreational activities, and enjoy a lively campus atmosphere that encourages friendship, collaboration, and social connection. NABA also promotes student well-being through a free psychological listening service and inclusive initiatives such as the Career Alias programme for transgender students.
In addition, academic and career guidance is available through portfolio coaching, internship placements, and tailored career support, helping students prepare confidently for roles in the creative industries. Together, these services create a supportive, engaging, and inclusive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally while embracing life at NABA and in Milan.
Since 2014, NABA’s affiliated housing service has helped students find suitable accommodation in Milan or Rome. Options include single and double rooms, shared flats for up to four students, as well as studios and one-bedroom apartments ranging from 30 to 60 square metres.
All housing options are located close to the main campuses and managed by trusted agencies or private landlords. Each listing includes photos, detailed descriptions, locations, and pricing information to support informed decisions.
The MilanHousing team offers personalised guidance throughout the process, ensuring every student finds a comfortable and convenient place to live that suits their lifestyle and needs.
NABA’s Milan campus, situated near the lively Navigli district, covers around 23,000 square metres across 14 historic buildings. The campus offers modern study and lounge areas, specialised laboratories, a library, green spaces, and a cafeteria, creating an inspiring setting for creativity and collaboration.
The Academy hosts advanced laboratories dedicated to Design, Fashion Design, Media Design and New Technologies, and Visual Arts. Design Labs feature professional equipment such as milling cutters, laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines, and dedicated spaces for model-making, wood and plastic processing, and sustainable prototyping. Fashion Design Labs include industrial sewing machines, presses, Framis, Lectra, and Shima Seiki systems, along with a Textile Library containing over 4,000 fabric samples. Media Design Labs are equipped with professional cameras, lighting setups, audio and video post-production tools, and a cutting-edge Virtual Production studio featuring LED Volume and Motion Capture systems. Visual Arts Labs support painting, etching, printing, and photography, with a fully equipped darkroom.
The Library offers access to around 14,000 volumes, more than 50 journals, over 500 DVDs, and online resources such as BoF, JSTOR, WGSN, and Vogue Archive. It also includes a Materials Library with over 100 innovative samples. Additional facilities include study halls, computer classrooms, a student lounge, and The Corner, a three-storey bar and restaurant with panoramic terraces. Together, these spaces provide students with professional resources and a vibrant atmosphere to explore, create, and refine their craft.
NABA organises and supports student sports teams, encouraging participation in official university tournaments including volleyball, basketball, football, and tennis.
As a leading higher education institution, NABA is committed to tackling real-world challenges and fostering innovation through sustainable practices. Sustainability lies at the heart of its philosophy, promoting circularity and environmentally conscious methods across all disciplines.
Zero Waste Culture in the Design Labs. NABA’s Design Labs, including Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Clay 3D Printing, and CNC Milling, encourage students to create models and prototypes with a focus on sustainability. Materials are recovered, collected, recycled, and transformed, nurturing a culture of responsible and forward-thinking design.
Orto Tintorio – The Natural Dye Garden. In 2023, NABA launched Orto Tintorio, an experimental garden dedicated to natural textile dyes. This initiative was developed in collaboration with the University of Milan’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Officina del Colore Naturale research laboratory. It offers students the chance to explore sustainable textile production firsthand, blending creativity with environmental awareness.
Through these initiatives, NABA empowers students to innovate responsibly and approach design with a deep understanding of environmental impact and sustainability in the modern creative world.
RANKING
Named for the 5th year in a row as the Best Italian Academy of Fine Arts in the top 100 worldwide in the Art & Design field (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
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