NABA Competition
NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti – is offering scholarships of up to €6,000 for European students applying to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes starting in October 2026 in Milan and Rome.
Founded in 1980, NABA is the largest art and design academy in Italy, legally recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). Programmes are taught in English and Italian and lead to degrees fully equivalent to university qualifications.
Who can Apply?
Undergraduate Programmes
Applicants must hold a High School Diploma or a certificate proving completion of the 12th year of school. Where a national entrance exam is required in the applicant's country of origin (e.g. Gao Kao, ENEM, YKS), this is also mandatory for admission to Italian BA programmes.
Postgraduate Programmes
Applicants must hold a University Degree Certificate, a First-Level Academic Diploma or an equivalent qualification. Candidates with proven professional experience in a relevant field may also be considered.
All applicants must demonstrate knowledge of English or Italian at minimum level B1.2, according to the chosen programme language.
The competition is open to students with EU residence of at least 3 years as well as non-EU nationals.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: July 24th, 2026
- Results: within 10 days of submission
- Programme start: October 2026
Early applications are encouraged – limited scholarships available.
Why Apply?
- Study in Milan and Rome, leading capitals of art, design and fashion
- 90% employment rate within one year of graduation – rising to 94% for Master of Arts and Academic Master graduates
- Learn from faculty who are active professionals from leading design studios, fashion houses and creative agencies
- Access a global network of industry collaborations, internships and project partnerships
- Earn a degree legally recognised by the Italian MUR and equivalent to a university qualification at international level
Portfolio
A selection of 5 to 10 projects – academic, professional or personal – in PDF, JPG or PNG format. Each project should include title, year and a brief description. The jury will assess creativity, originality, layout and technical skills.
Motivation Letter
An essay of up to 500 words covering your career ambitions after graduation, why you chose NABA, your favourite means of expression and what or who inspires your creative practice.
Fill in the form and you will recieve the link to take part in the competition
Scholarship Amounts
| Income bracket | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| 1st bracket | 1,000 |
| 2nd bracket | 1,500 |
| 3rd bracket | 2,000 |
| 4th bracket | 2,500 |
| 5th bracket | 3,500 |
| 6th bracket | up to 6,000 |
For EU residents (at least 3 years). Non-EU residents: flat €6,000.
| Income bracket | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| 1st bracket | 2,200 |
| 2nd bracket | 2,400 |
| 3rd bracket | 2,600 |
| 4th bracket | 2,800 |
| 5th bracket | 3,000 |
| 6th bracket | up to 6,000 |
Master of Arts (EU): up to €6,000. Academic Master – EU passport: €3,000, non-EU: €6,000.
For the 2026 edition, NABA has once again been recognised by QS World University Rankings® by Subject as the first and only Italian Academy of Fine Arts among the world's top 50 universities in the field of Art & Design.
Achieving this exceptional result for the sixth consecutive year reaffirms the excellence of NABA’s distinctive educational methodology, driven by a strong commitment to research and an ongoing connection with the artistic and professional landscape.