How do I apply to a NABA undergraduate programme?
To enrol in a three-year undergraduate programme at NABA, you need to pass an admission test, which assesses your motivation, aptitude and creative potential. The admission test is free, takes place online or in person at the Milan and Rome campuses, and you can take it before you have finished secondary school.
How does the admission test work?
The NABA admission test is not a multiple-choice exam. It has two stages.
- Project phase. Ten days before the test you receive a brief by email, related to your chosen programme, and develop a project at home. You can use any technique you like: the idea matters more than technical execution.
- Aptitude interview. On the day of the test you present your project to the Admissions Committee in a one-to-one interview, online or in person. You also hand in a motivation letter explaining why you want to study at NABA and why you have chosen that programme, which is discussed during the interview.
The project brief depends on your chosen area of study and is updated regularly. As a general guide, these are the tasks for each area:
| Area | Project phase task |
|---|---|
| Fashion Design | Create a moodboard |
| Set Design | Design an installation |
| Creative Technologies | Develop a game concept or a digital visual project |
| Film and Animation | Write the treatment for a short film, an animation or a documentary |
| Graphic Design and Art Direction | Create the visual identity of a publishing product |
| Design | Analyse and rework an object |
| Comics and Visual Storytelling | Write the plot for a comic page to be drawn |
| Painting and Visual Arts | Develop a visual work |
Do I need a portfolio?
No, a portfolio is not required. During the interview you can show other work or a portfolio if you wish, so the Committee can gain a fuller picture of your creative potential.
Can I take the test before finishing secondary school?
Yes. You can take the admission test before you have obtained your secondary school diploma, so you can secure your place for the following academic year.
What happens if I don't pass?
You receive your result by email within three working days of the test. If you don't pass, you can retake it in a later session, unless you sat it in the final session in September. You cannot retake the test to improve your result: once admitted, you cannot sit it again.
How do I book the admission test?
You book online by choosing a test session. Bookings close three days before the session you choose and, if you take the test in person, it must be at the campus where you intend to study.
If you can't attend any of the scheduled dates, call +39 02 97372106 to arrange the test on a different date.