NCUK Welcomes NABA, Italy’s Leading Art and Design Academy, as First Italian University Partner
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NCUK is delighted to announce its first university partnership in Italy with NABA – Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, a prestigious institution specialising in Art and Design. This new partnership marks NCUK’s entry into the Italian higher education market and opens new opportunities for students pursuing creative pathways within NCUK’s global network.
Founded in 1980, NABA is Italy’s largest art and design academy, with campuses in Milan, Rome, and a new London campus opening in 2026/27. Ranked among the Top 100 worldwide in Art & Design by QS and named Best Italian Academy of Fine Arts for the fifth consecutive year, NABA welcomes over 6,000 students from more than 90 nationalities. Its strong focus on internationalisation and diversity makes it an ideal destination for NCUK students aspiring to careers in the global creative industries.
We are delighted to welcome NCUK as a valued pathway partner of NABA. NCUK’s reputation as one of the UK’s most respected and established providers of pathway programs makes it an ideal fit for NABA, an academy dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and the growth of a diverse international community of emerging designers and artists.
Milan Trivic, International Enrollment Senior Manager
NABA offers an interdisciplinary, practice-based approach that combines theory with real-world projects, preparing students for careers across Fashion, Design, Visual Arts, Media, and Communication. With a 92% employability rate within a year of graduation and strong industry connections, students benefit from career-focused support as well as the academy’s location in Milan – a global hub of fashion, design, and culture – where modern campus facilities and proximity to leading industries provide an inspiring environment for learning and professional growth.
Through collaborations with globally recognised brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Zegna, IKEA, Technogym, and Sky Italia, NABA students engage in live projects, internships, and mentorships that bridge academic learning with professional practice. These partnerships offer students the opportunity to co-create with industry leaders, gain exposure to international standards, and build networks that support their transition into the creative workforce.
We are thrilled to welcome NABA as our first university partner in Italy. NABA’s international outlook, world-class reputation in Art and Design, and commitment to student success make it an exciting destination for NCUK students. With industry collaborations spanning iconic global brands such as Armani, Gucci, Sony, and Vogue Italia, this partnership further strengthens our mission to provide diverse global pathways for students to achieve their ambitions.
Holly Searson, Head of University Partnerships at NCUK
This partnership underscores NCUK’s continued growth in Europe and highlights the expanding opportunities available to students in specialist subject areas. By joining NCUK’s global university network, NABA provides students with access to world-class creative education in one of the most dynamic cultural and professional environments in the world.
Find out more
- Explore NCUK’s expanding study centre network across over 40 countries
- Discover NCUK’s multi-destination university partner network
- Find out more about NCUK’s pathway programmes
- Learn more about NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti)