Lighting Design & Technology

Course

Lighting design projects should enhance the well-being of people and support social, productive, relational, and communicative activities. Artificial light is a fundamental asset of modern societies and a significant contributor to the economic, commercial, and social development of many countries. Utilizing its full energetic and expressive potential requires specific skills that can be acquired through the Master in Lighting Design and Technology.

This program aims to train professionals with advanced skills in lighting design for interiors, retail, hospitality, urban spaces, and museum installations. The demand for Lighting Designers is evident in sectors ranging from specialized companies and design studios to technical departments of public administrations, as reflected by the employment rate of Master’s participants, which exceeds 90%.

The one-year program is taught in English and includes the following educational activities and key themes:

• Lectures and workshops on the theoretical and methodological foundations of lighting design, from project culture to continuous innovation in the field.
• Project work with practical exercises in lighting design: CAD and BIM programs; lighting studies for hospitality, retail, outdoor environments, and cultural heritage.
• Empowerment for professional integration.
• Internships in lighting design companies and studios.

Image credits:
“The Big Hall Chandelier” – Hotel La Mamounia – Marrakech – Marocco (Interior architect : Jouin Manku – Paris, Lighting design by Voyons Voir – Paris)

Testimonials

Didactics

Training objectives

The Master in Lighting Design and Technology imparts the skills necessary to work in companies, design studios, and technical departments:

• Acquire competence to follow the lighting project and production process.
• Develop the ability to analyze and synthesize the methodological processes of ideation, organization, and realization of lighting projects.
• Learn methodologies and tools to create effective solutions for interiors, urban exteriors, museum and temporary installations, and hospitality environments.
• Develop the awareness required for designing artificial lighting in accordance with socio-cultural aspects.

Didactic Plan

The specializing master has a duration of one year and issues 60 credits, equivalent to 60 ECTS.

Didactic Modules

The program is delivered in English (or with simultaneous translation) and in-person, over ten thematic modules followed by an internship.

Module 1 | 42 hours

Theory of Lighting

Module 2 | 42 hours

Lighting Technology

Module 3 | 42 hours

Connected Lighting

Module 4 | 42 hours

Introduction to Lighting Design

Module 5 | 40 hours

Project Work: Lighting Design with CAD and BIM

Module 6 | 40 hours

Project Work: Lighting for Hospitality

Module 7 | 40 hours

Project Work: Outdoor Lighting

Module 8 | 40 hours

Project Work: Lighting for Cultural Heritage

Module 9 | 40 hours

Project Work: Commercial Interior Lighting

Module 10 | 32 hours

Professional Empowerment

Title Released

Upon passing the final exam, participants will receive a First Level University Master’s Diploma in Lighting Design and Technology from Politecnico di Milano.

Employment Opportunities

Over 90% of Master’s participants find employment in leading sector companies within a year of completing their studies. The roles for which participants are trained include:

• Lighting Designer
• Lighting Project Designer
• Lighting Technician
• Lighting Consultant

Admission

Requirements

The University Master’s is open to candidates with a university diploma or degree in Architecture, Design, Engineering, or equivalent qualifications if the Master’s training is deemed a valuable complement to the candidate’s previous experiences. Equivalent qualifications in respective education systems will be considered for foreign candidates.

Deadlines

To take part in the XXIV edition of the Specializing Master in Lighting Design and Technology, starting on October 6th, 2025, applications must be submitted according to the following criteria*:

Italian qualification within 60 days before the starting date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• ID document copy
• Copy of the Diploma Supplement and copy of the degree diploma or self-certification on the appropriate form that can be requested to POLI.design (selezioni@polidesign.net)
• ANIS certification (access to the ANIS portal is via SPID or CIE from the following link)

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link
____________________

European qualification within 60 days before the starting date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation Letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents should be uploaded on this page

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• Copy of ID document
• Copy of Diploma Supplement
• Photocopy of degree certificate

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

STEP 2
1) Documents to be sent for authenticity verification (within 45 days before the start date)

• Diploma Supplement with a digital signature or verifiable QR code. Should the student lack a Diploma Supplement with a valid signature or verifiable QR code to verify its authenticity, the student will have to submit one of the documents required for students with a non-EU qualification (cfr. next item).

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link
____________________

Non-EU degree within 60 days before the start date

STEP 1
1) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to POLI.design

• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio
• Motivation Letter
• Copy of ID document

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

2) Documents to be sent for preliminary verification to Politecnico

• Copy of ID document
• Degree in original language + Italian/English translation
• Original transcript of passed examinations + Italian/English translation

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

STEP 2
1) Documents to be sent for authenticity verification (within 45 days before the start date)

• Enic/ Naric Certification or CIMEA
• World Education Services (WES) Certification
• Statement of value
• Copy of the visa application or copy of the visa

According to the timeframe provided for by Italian law, the details of the application for a residency permit must also be communicated as well as the residency permit as soon as it is issued.

The following documents are to be uploaded on this page by following the instructions at this link

*Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered at the discretion of the Scientific Committee.

Price

The cost of the University Specializing Master’s programme is € 11.900.00, broken down as follows:

• € 500,00 – enrolment fee to be paid to the Politecnico di Milano, no later than 30 days before the starting date following the procedures that POLI.design will specify;
• € 11.490,00 – participation fee for the University Master’s Course to be paid to POLI.design following the procedures that will be specified upon admission.

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Faculty

The Master’s program features some of Italy’s top Lighting Designers, including C. Bertolaja, P. Castiglioni, C. D’Alesio, V. Libertucci, L. Marchesi, F. Murano, P. Palladino, M. Patetta, G. Pinna, and A. Reggiani.

Discover the complete Faculty 

Scientific Director: Maurizio Rossi
Vice Director: Andrea Siniscalco