Step 1: Choose your PoliTo engineering programme
Politecnico di Torino offers Bachelor's engineering degrees across mechanical, electrical, electronic, computer, civil, environmental, industrial, biomedical, and more. Several programs are taught fully in English.
Your programme choice affects the score threshold you'll need and, sometimes, whether the language of instruction is Italian or English.
Step 2: Register for a TIL-I session
Politecnico di Torino publishes several TIL-I sessions per academic year. You register through PoliTo's applicant portal and pay a small test fee.
International applicants should aim for an early session — it leaves room for a retake and for visa and enrolment paperwork. If you're not sure what to expect, start with the TIL-I exam overview.
Step 3: Prepare with a structured plan
The strongest preparation plans have three phases:
- Diagnose — take one full TIL-I practice test to see your baseline.
- Fix — spend the bulk of your time on the two weakest topics identified by the mock.
- Rehearse — one weekly mock in exam conditions to lock in pacing.
Follow the TIL-I syllabus to pick topics deliberately rather than by feel.
Step 4: Sit the TIL-I
The TIL-I is online and proctored. Prepare your setup the day before: quiet room, wired internet if possible, webcam working, ID at hand. Test-day nerves usually cost fewer points than technical hiccups, so eliminating the technical risk is a cheap win.
Step 5: OFA, ranking, and enrolment
After the TIL-I, PoliTo publishes your score and any Additional Learning Obligations (OFA). If your section score is below the threshold in math, for example, you can still be admitted but must clear the OFA during your first year.
International students then follow the standard enrolment path: pre-enrolment via Universitaly, visa application through the Italian embassy, and final enrolment at PoliTo.
Notes for international students
- Start earlier than you think — visas take weeks.
- Take the TIL-I in English-friendly prep. See TIL-I prep in English.
- Book an early TIL-I session so you have time for a retake.
- Keep a folder with your passport, high-school diploma translations, and TIL-I score PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Which PoliTo programs require the TIL-I?
Most Bachelor's engineering degrees at Politecnico di Torino require the TIL-I. Architecture and design programs use a different test (TIL-A/TIL-D).
When should international students take the TIL-I?
International applicants usually take the TIL-I in an early session (winter or spring) to have room for a retake and to leave time for visa and enrolment paperwork.
What is OFA at Politecnico di Torino?
OFA (Obblighi Formativi Aggiuntivi) are Additional Learning Obligations. If your TIL-I score is below a threshold in a section, you are admitted with an OFA to clear during your first year.
Do I need Italian to study engineering at PoliTo?
Some engineering programs at PoliTo are taught in English and only require English proficiency for the degree, though the TIL-I still contains an Italian verbal section.
How many times can I take the TIL-I?
You can take the TIL-I in multiple sessions per year. Only your best valid score counts, so an early attempt is a low-risk baseline.
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