Both award a MUR-recognised first-level academic degree over three years (180 CFA) and accept either a portfolio or a set project. NABA selects remotely: an artistic statement of up to 500 words, then three mini projects or a portfolio of five to ten projects, with a reply within five working days; €22,250 a year for a non-EU applicant. IED scores the work (a portfolio or one of four set projects of up to three slides) out of 100 on ten criteria, followed by an interview; it requires B1 rising to B2; €20,800 a year.
NABA vs IED: Applying for Fashion Design in Milan
Two AFAM academies with MUR-recognised degrees and similar fees, but different selection procedures. Based on the schools’ official pages and documents, last reviewed September 2026.
Author The EDMONT editorial teamLast reviewed
| Criterion | NABA | IED |
|---|---|---|
| Award | First-level academic degree, MUR | First-level academic diploma, MUR |
| Campuses | Milan, Rome | Milan and other Italian cities |
| Written work | Artistic statement, up to 500 words | Keywords or up to 500 words with the portfolio |
| Set project | Three subjects, three mini projects | One of four briefs, up to three slides |
| Portfolio | 5–10 projects instead of the set project | Digital, up to 8 MB, instead of a set project |
| Assessment | Attitude, creativity and project skills | 100 points across ten criteria |
| Interview | Not listed | Yes, based on the applicant’s work |
| Fees | €22,250 a year (non-EU, 2025/26 rate) | €20,800 a year |
Openness against transparency
NABA states that gaps in preparation will not count against an applicant who shows motivation and enthusiasm; selection is remote and quick.
IED publishes its scoring scale: originality, critical thinking, a personal signature and other criteria, up to 10 points each. The work then becomes the basis of the interview.
What this means for an international applicant
Both schools apply Italy’s twelve-years-of-schooling rule to recognised programmes, which an applicant from an eleven-year system has to meet in advance. IED sets out in detail which documents satisfy it and advises finishing the visa steps by June or July.
Which applicant each school suits
- NABA suits an applicant without an art-school background who wants an open selection model and a quick answer.
- IED suits an applicant who wants to know the criteria and is ready to defend their work at interview.
NABA and IED are alike in status and price but differ in procedure: one emphasises motivation, the other transparent scoring and a conversation about the work. The choice depends on which format shows the applicant at their strongest.
Each school in detail: what to submit, how the portfolio works, fees and common mistakes.NABA
The second school in this comparison.IED Milano
Primary sources
The official pages of both schools used for this comparison. Last reviewed: .
- NABA — BA in Fashion Design
- NABA — Undergraduate admission test
- NABA — Tuition fees, scholarships and financial aid
- NABA — Accreditation and recognition
- IED — Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, Milan
- IED — Admission procedure for students holding foreign upper secondary qualifications (PDF)
- IED Italia — Undergraduate courses pricelist (PDF)
EDMONT / FASHION & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Which of the two schools is realistic for the applicant
A comparison shows how the rules differ, but not which school suits a particular applicant. Tell us where they study now, the intended year of entry and a link to their work: we will say which selection model fits them and what to prepare in time.
The applicant’s profile
Tell us which curriculum the applicant follows, the intended year of entry and the discipline under consideration: design, business or communication. That is enough for a first substantive reply.