SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities

Università IULM maintains a comprehensive admissions policy that is entirely non-discriminatory, guaranteeing equal access to all applicants regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic background, or sexual orientation.

This commitment is formally embedded in the IULM University Statute and the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which establish the University's commitment to equal opportunities, inclusion and non-discrimination. It is operationalized through the Admissions Regulations for the 2026/2027 academic year, approved by the Academic Senate on 4 November 2025 and subsequently revised on 10 March 2026. The Regulations define the requirements and procedures for admission to IULM Bachelor’s degree programmes and provide specific provisions to ensure equal access for candidates with different educational and personal backgrounds. Admissions Regulations 2026/2027

The institutional framework supporting inclusion is further strengthened by the Code of Ethics, which prohibits discrimination and safeguards human dignity; the Equal Opportunities Committee, which promotes equal treatment and inclusion across the University community; the Gender Equality Plan, which advances gender equality and equal opportunities; and the DiversaMENTE Office, which provides dedicated support and accommodations for students with disabilities and specific learning or neurodevelopmental conditions.

The Admissions Regulations implement these principles through a number of specific measures:

• Equal access regardless of educational background or nationality: the Regulations provide admission pathways for Italian, EU and non-EU candidates, including students completing their secondary education abroad or holding foreign qualifications, subject to the applicable requirements and verification procedures.
• Non-selective admission pathways: for several degree programmes, admission tests are explicitly non-selective and are used to assess students’ competences and, where necessary, identify areas requiring additional support. Where educational gaps are identified, students may be assigned Additional Learning Requirements (OFA) rather than excluded from admission.
• Equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities and learning or neurodevelopmental conditions: the Regulations contain specific provisions for candidates with disabilities, specific learning disorders (DSA), ADHD and autism. Candidates may submit the relevant documentation and receive appropriate measures to ensure equal conditions during admission tests.
• Accessible assessment procedures: specific accommodations are available during admission tests. For example, candidates requiring compensatory measures may receive additional time in the English language assessment, with the maximum duration of the Oxford Placement Test extended from 73 to 103 minutes.
• International and multilingual access: the Regulations establish specific procedures for candidates holding foreign qualifications and for non-EU applicants, while language requirements are defined according to the programme and the candidate's educational background.

Through this formal, publicly available and operational framework, IULM ensures that admission procedures are based on equal and consistently applied criteria while providing appropriate accommodations and support where individual circumstances require them. This guarantees fair and non-discriminatory access to higher education for candidates from different social, educational, national and personal backgrounds.

Università IULM systematically tracks and measures applications, admissions, enrolments and graduation rates among underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups. This monitoring supports the identification of barriers to participation, the evaluation of educational progression and the development of targeted inclusion measures.

The University's monitoring framework covers:

• Low-income and first-generation students, including students receiving financial aid and students benefiting from reduced tuition fees.
• Women and gender balance, monitored across admissions, enrolment, graduation, internships, international mobility and student support services, in alignment with the IULM Gender Equality Plan.Students with disabilities and specific learning disorders (SLDs), supported by the DiversaMENTE Office.
• Students on the autism spectrum, students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and students with special educational needs (SEN), for whom separate monitoring categories were introduced in 2025.
• Students using an Alias identity, monitored separately since 2024. The Alias procedure enables students to use a chosen identity within the University that differs from their registered legal identity, supporting the recognition and protection of their gender identity.
• Non-traditional students aged over 30, monitored separately at undergraduate and postgraduate levels since 2024.
• International students from developing countries.
• Refugee and asylum-seeking students, with nationality-based monitoring introduced in 2024.

The University uses these data to inform institutional planning and inclusion measures in line with its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, promoting equal opportunities throughout the student lifecycle.

In 2025, IULM further strengthened its monitoring system through the introduction of three additional disability-related categories and the availability of more detailed information on scholarships and financial assistance, including the country of origin of international beneficiaries and the type of support awarded.

1. Low-income students

IULM monitors students receiving financial assistance, students paying the lowest tuition-fee instalment, newly enrolled students in this tuition category, and graduates benefiting from the same fee category.

The 2025 data show an increase in students receiving financial aid, from 876 in 2024 to 1,065 in 2025, representing approximately 21.6% growth.

2. Gender balance and educational progression

IULM systematically monitors gender distribution across the main stages of the academic lifecycle, including applications, entry into degree programmes, enrolment and graduation. Gender-disaggregated monitoring also extends to first-generation students, internships and international mobility.

The data confirm that women account for the majority of IULM's student population and graduates. In 2025, women represented 80% of graduates, compared with 78% in 2024.

The monitoring framework also identifies changes requiring further analysis, including the reduction in recorded first-generation students from 1,160 in 2024 to 831 in 2025.

3. Students with disabilities, specific learning disorders and additional educational needs

Through the DiversaMENTE Office and the University's institutional monitoring systems, IULM tracks students with disabilities and specific learning disorders.

A significant improvement introduced in 2025 is the separate monitoring of three additional categories: students on the autism spectrum, students with ADHD, and students with special educational needs (SEN).

This development enables IULM to obtain a more detailed understanding of different educational support requirements and provides an improved evidence base for planning accessible learning environments, personalised academic support and reasonable accommodations.

The number of students with disabilities increased from 114 in 2024 to 119 in 2025, while students with specific learning disorders increased from 516 to 546.

The three newly monitored categories provide a more granular picture of the University's student population. They are reported separately and should not automatically be added together, since possible overlaps between categories must be considered.

4. Students using an Alias identity

IULM has introduced a dedicated monitoring category for students who activate an Alias identity, enabling them to use a chosen identity within the University that differs from their registered legal identity.

This procedure aims to ensure that students whose gender identity differs from the gender associated with their sex assigned at birth can have their identity recognised within the academic environment, while safeguarding confidentiality and dignity.

The continued monitoring of Alias identities allows IULM to evaluate the use of this inclusion measure while protecting students' personal information.

5. Non-traditional students aged over 30

Since 2024, IULM has separately monitored non-traditional students aged over 30 at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supporting a more comprehensive assessment of participation in higher education across different age groups. 

In 2025, IULM recorded 68 non-traditional students across these two categories, compared with 67 in 2024.

6. Refugee students and students from developing countries

IULM monitors refugee students and students from developing countries as distinct categories within its institutional framework for tracking underrepresented groups.

Since 2024, monitoring has included nationality-based information for refugee students, supporting more detailed analysis of international inclusion and educational access.

In addition to monitoring enrolment, IULM tracks financial support provided to international students and students with refugee status. The 2024/25 scholarship records provide more detailed information on the geographical distribution of beneficiaries and the different financial assistance mechanisms available.

7. New monitoring of scholarships by type and beneficiaries' country of origin

A further development in 2024/25 is the availability of detailed scholarship data disaggregated by type of financial support and, for international beneficiaries, country of origin.

This monitoring enables IULM to assess the distribution of financial assistance across different groups, identify beneficiaries from countries facing economic or social challenges, and document targeted support for international and refugee students.

7.1 Scholarships awarded by type

7.2 Country-of-origin breakdown of international scholarship beneficiaries

For the 2024/25 academic year, Università IULM collected detailed information on international beneficiaries of scholarships, tuition-fee exemptions and extraordinary financial support, disaggregated by country of origin and type of financial assistance.

The regional scholarship programme supported 126 international beneficiaries from 28 countries, as reported in the University's scholarship records.

7.3 Additional support for refugee students

Beyond tuition-fee exemptions, IULM provides targeted financial and practical assistance to students with refugee status.

In the 2024/25 academic year:

• Nine refugee students were granted free accommodation in the University residence for the entire academic year.
• All refugee students were offered free university catering, consisting of one meal per day from Monday to Friday throughout the academic year.

These measures complement tuition-fee assistance by addressing essential living costs and supporting refugees' access to and participation in higher education.

The new country-of-origin and scholarship-type monitoring provides IULM with more detailed evidence of its financial inclusion measures and the international reach of its student support programmes.

8. Monitoring women's participation in mentoring and counselling programmes

For the first time, IULM has introduced a longitudinal, gender-disaggregated analysis of participation in individual counselling sessions with psychologists, one of the initiatives offered within the University's broader mentoring and counselling programmes.

These individual sessions provide students with personalised psychological support, helping them address emotional, personal and academic challenges that may affect their wellbeing, university experience and educational progression.

As part of its commitment to supporting women's progression and participation in higher education, IULM now systematically compares the number and proportion of male and female students accessing this service over three consecutive academic years.

This monitoring approach enables the University to assess women's engagement with psychological support services, identify changes in participation over time and strengthen the evidence base for evaluating institutional mentoring and counselling initiatives.

The longitudinal data demonstrate consistently high female participation in individual psychological counselling, ranging from 78% to 83% across the three academic years.

In 2024/25, women accounted for 82% of students accessing individual counselling sessions with psychologists, compared with 78% in 2023/24.

This evidence complements IULM's broader gender-disaggregated monitoring of academic progression, participation in university services and student wellbeing.

9. Institutional use of monitoring data

The systematic collection and analysis of disaggregated data enables IULM to monitor access, participation and educational progression among underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups.

The University's monitoring framework supports:

• identification of differences in applications, enrolments, graduation and participation;
• assessment of financial assistance and scholarship distribution;
• monitoring of students with disabilities and additional educational support needs;
• evaluation of gender participation across academic and student-support activities;
• monitoring of non-traditional students, refugee students and international students from developing countries;
• development of evidence-informed inclusion measures aligned with the Strategic Plan 2025–2027.

The expanded monitoring introduced in 2025, particularly the additional disability-related categories and the detailed scholarship data by country and type, strengthens IULM's capacity to identify barriers, assess support measures and promote equal opportunities throughout the academic lifecycle.

Università IULM takes planned, structured actions to recruit students, staff and faculty from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, in alignment with its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, the IULM Gender Equality Plan, and the IULM Code of Ethics.

These institutional frameworks support equal opportunities, non-discrimination, inclusive access to higher education and the removal of economic, social, physical and organisational barriers that may discourage applications or limit participation.

IULM implements these commitments through scholarships, tuition-fee exemptions, targeted financial assistance, outreach and orientation activities, inclusive admissions procedures, international partnerships, gender equality measures, accessibility services and employment-related accommodations.

The University also systematically monitors underrepresented groups, enabling it to identify potential barriers and inform the development of targeted recruitment and inclusion measures.

1. Refugees and asylum-seeking students

Università IULM has signed the UNHCR Manifesto for Inclusive Universities, demonstrating its institutional commitment to facilitating access to higher education and supporting the integration of refugee and asylum-seeking students.

This commitment is implemented through financial assistance, full tuition-fee exemptions, accommodation, university catering, mentoring, language assistance and integration activities designed to reduce the economic and practical barriers that may prevent students with refugee backgrounds from entering and completing higher education.

In the 2024/25 academic year, IULM provided several forms of targeted support, including:

• Full tuition-fee exemptions for refugee students, including beneficiaries from Afghanistan, Belarus, Peru and Ukraine.
• A full tuition-fee exemption for a CRUI refugee scholarship holder from Afghanistan.
• Free accommodation in the University residence for refugee students, covering the entire academic year.
• Free university catering for refugee students, providing one meal per day from Monday to Friday throughout the academic year.
• Extraordinary financial grants for students from Afghanistan, helping address specific economic difficulties.
• Academic guidance, mentoring and integration support, facilitating participation in university life.

These measures complement IULM's broader financial assistance and tuition-fee reduction schemes and its international engagement activities, creating concrete opportunities for students whose educational pathways may have been interrupted or restricted by conflict, displacement or economic disadvantage.

IULM also promotes international academic cooperation and provides language assistance and mobility-related support, contributing to the integration of students from different cultural and geographical backgrounds.

At staff and faculty level, the University's commitment to equal opportunities is reflected in its non-discrimination framework, open recruitment procedures and international academic partnerships, which support access to professional opportunities for applicants from different backgrounds.

2. Women

Università IULM promotes women's access to higher education and their recruitment and career advancement across academic, administrative and professional roles.

The University's commitment is embedded in the IULM Gender Equality Plan, which provides an institutional framework for gender equality, equal opportunities, balanced representation in recruitment committees and the prevention of gender stereotypes affecting career progression.

Recruitment and access for female students

IULM supports women's applications and entry through scholarships and tuition-fee reductions, orientation activities, personalised academic guidance and flexible study arrangements.

Particular attention is given to women facing additional socioeconomic or family-related barriers, including first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds and student mothers.

The University also promotes women's participation in educational and professional fields where gender imbalances persist.

Initiatives include:

• FA-ST – Promote Female Startups in STEM, an international Erasmus+ project encouraging young women, particularly those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation in STEM-related fields.
• The Bachelor's Degree in Artificial Intelligence for Business and Society, supported by orientation and outreach activities promoting access to emerging technological disciplines.
• Collaboration with ALF – Pensare al Femminile, renewed in 2025 for the 2025–2026 edition, promoting women's visibility and professional opportunities in cinema, screenwriting, advertising and audiovisual production.
• Women's leadership and professional development initiatives, including the W Leadership Summit 2025 and the inspirational talk with Virginia Stagni, connecting students with female professional role models.

These initiatives complement IULM's broader orientation and recruitment activities by encouraging women to consider educational and professional pathways where gender stereotypes or unequal representation may create barriers.

Recruitment and career development for female staff and faculty

The Gender Equality Plan establishes institutional objectives aimed at promoting gender balance in recruitment and selection processes and addressing stereotypes that may affect academic and professional progression.

IULM also implements maternity and parenthood measures in accordance with Italian legislation, including Legislative Decree 151/2001 and subsequent amendments.

These include maternity and paternity leave, pregnancy protection, part-time employment, flexible working arrangements and smart working where applicable.

The University's Regulation on Research Contracts also provides for the suspension of research activities and contracts in qualifying cases of maternity and parental leave, supporting continuity in academic research careers.

Childcare and practical support

To reduce barriers associated with family responsibilities, IULM provides:

• An on-campus Nursery, equipped with nursing and changing facilities for members of the University community.
• Preferential childcare arrangements with Cooperativa Sociale ALDIA.
• Agreements with MILE Bilingual School and other educational providers.
• Healthcare, mobility and welfare agreements supporting students, staff and their families.
• Flexible study arrangements, including part-time enrolment for students with parental responsibilities.
• Counselling, tutoring and academic support services.

The childcare agreements are documented in IULM's public pages on childcare facilities for students and childcare facilities for staff and faculty.

Female employees also benefit from the University's staff health insurance provisions, including maternity-related healthcare coverage.

Together, these measures help create conditions in which maternity, parenthood and family responsibilities do not constitute unnecessary barriers to women's applications, participation or professional development.

3. LGBTQIA+ community

Università IULM promotes an inclusive university environment for LGBTQIA+ students through institutional measures designed to ensure equal access, dignity, confidentiality and recognition of gender identity.

A central measure is the Alias Careers Regulation, formally introduced in 2023.

The Regulation allows students whose gender identity differs from the gender assigned to them at birth to activate an Alias identity and use a chosen name within the University's academic and administrative systems.

The procedure establishes formal safeguards for confidentiality and enables students to participate in university life without unnecessary administrative barriers associated with discrepancies between their legal and chosen identities.

In 2024, IULM further strengthened this measure by introducing a dual-parchment system, enabling eligible students to receive university parchments reflecting both their legal identity and their Alias identity, subject to the applicable administrative provisions.

The University also monitors the use of Alias careers while safeguarding students' personal information.

These measures are complemented by the IULM Code of Ethics, the Gender Equality Plan and the University's broader non-discrimination framework, which promote equal treatment and an inclusive academic environment.

4. Low-income and first-generation students

Università IULM takes structured measures to facilitate access to higher education for students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, including low-income and first-generation students.

These measures seek to reduce financial and practical barriers that may discourage prospective students from applying to university or limit their ability to enrol.

The University's actions include:

• Regional scholarships, supporting students who meet the applicable socioeconomic and eligibility requirements.
• University scholarships and dedicated financial grants, providing additional opportunities for students requiring financial assistance.
• Full and partial tuition-fee exemptions, reducing the cost of university education.
• Financial assistance for eligible students who do not receive a regional scholarship, including tuition-fee exemptions where applicable.
• Extraordinary financial support, addressing specific situations of economic hardship.
• Part-time enrolment arrangements, helping students reconcile higher education with employment, family or caregiving responsibilities.
• Outreach and orientation activities in schools, supporting prospective applicants, including those who may be the first in their families to enter higher education.
• Access to institutional agreements and concessions covering accommodation, healthcare, mobility and cultural participation, reducing some of the additional costs associated with university attendance.

In the 2024/25 academic year, IULM's financial support framework included regional scholarships, University scholarships, special mobility scholarships, extraordinary grants and targeted tuition-fee exemptions.

The University also introduced more detailed monitoring of international scholarship beneficiaries by country of origin and type of financial support, improving its ability to identify students facing financial barriers and assess the distribution of assistance.

These initiatives are supported by the University's monitoring of first-generation students, financial aid beneficiaries and students within lower tuition-fee categories.

The combination of financial assistance, flexible study arrangements, orientation and institutional concessions contributes to widening access to higher education for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

5. Students and staff with disabilities and additional educational needs

Università IULM implements inclusive admissions and support measures for students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLDs), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), students on the autism spectrum and students with other special educational needs (SEN).

The University's approach is coordinated through the DiversaMENTE Office, a dedicated institutional service supporting students from admission and orientation through to graduation.

Inclusive admissions and access

DiversaMENTE provides personalised support to prospective and enrolled students, including:

• Compensatory and dispensatory measures during admission tests, according to individual needs and applicable provisions.
• Personalised orientation and guidance for prospective students.
• Accessible learning materials and assistive technologies.
• Individual academic support and tutoring.
• Mediation between students and teaching staff to facilitate appropriate accommodations.
• Psychological counselling and support for students facing academic or personal difficulties.
• Guidance on accessing scholarships, tuition-fee exemptions and other financial support.

IULM also provides dedicated financial assistance for eligible students with disabilities, including tuition-fee exemptions and specific scholarship opportunities.

Accessibility and inclusive educational opportunities

The University's commitment to accessibility is complemented by the activities of the EURESIS Research Centre, which develops research and initiatives promoting accessibility, inclusion and participation.

A relevant example is Easy MiG, developed in collaboration with MUDEC, which promotes accessible cultural participation through simplified digital content, audio materials and accessible communication tools.

IULM also promotes awareness of disability inclusion and access to employment.

In 2025, the University organised Oltre la Diversity, an initiative addressing neurodiversity, disability inclusion and access to employment, involving organisations and professionals working to improve professional opportunities for people with disabilities and different cognitive profiles.

Such initiatives complement admissions and student support measures by promoting an institutional environment in which students with disabilities and additional educational needs can access educational and professional opportunities.

Recruitment and inclusion of staff with disabilities

At staff level, IULM implements employment inclusion measures in accordance with the applicable Italian legal framework.

These include workplace accessibility, flexible working arrangements, part-time employment, smart working where applicable, and accommodations supporting employees with disabilities.

Additional protections include:

• The possibility of part-time arrangements and smart working, in accordance with the University's employment provisions and applicable conditions.
• Paid leave for employees with severe disabilities, including three days per month or two hours per day under the relevant statutory provisions.
• Extraordinary paid leave for eligible family caregivers, with the applicable social security protections.
• Institutional welfare benefits, which may be used to cover medical expenses and other essential needs.

These provisions contribute to reducing barriers to employment and supporting the continued professional participation of staff with disabilities.

6. Institutional monitoring and continuous improvement

IULM complements its recruitment and inclusion measures with systematic monitoring of underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups.

The University collects and analyses information on applicants, students entering degree programmes, enrolments, graduates, financial aid beneficiaries, first-generation students, students with disabilities, refugee students, international students from developing countries and non-traditional students.

In 2025, the monitoring framework was expanded to include separate categories for students on the autism spectrum, students with ADHD and students with special educational needs.

IULM also strengthened its monitoring of financial assistance through more detailed information on scholarship types and the countries of origin of international beneficiaries.

These developments provide an improved evidence base for identifying barriers to access and participation, evaluating the reach of existing support measures and informing future institutional planning.

Through its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, Gender Equality Plan, Code of Ethics, dedicated support services and partnerships, Università IULM pursues a structured approach to widening participation and creating more equitable opportunities for students, staff and faculty from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.

Università IULM has adopted a comprehensive and strict anti-discrimination framework, fully aligned with international standards and its institutional commitment to equity and inclusion. The framework is grounded in  the IULM Strategic Plan 2025–2027, the IULM Code of Ethics, the IULM Gender Equality Plan, and dedicated institutional structures for equal opportunities, inclusion and disability.

The IULM Code of Ethics establishes that all members of the University community must act according to three fundamental principles: fairness and justice, respect for others, and personal and professional responsibility. Article 3 explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, political belief, or ethnic origin. Article 4 further condemns all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, defining it as unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse of a sexual nature, or any other form of coercion. Violence, aggression, and abuse of any kind are not tolerated.

The current institutional framework is further supported by the IULM Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which establishes inclusion, equal opportunities, attention to disability and personalised support as integral elements of the University's development strategy. The Strategic Plan therefore provides an up-to-date institutional framework for the University's commitment to preventing discrimination and promoting equal access and participation across the academic community.

To ensure that these principles are translated into action, Università IULM has established the Equal Opportunities Committee, a joint high-level body with representation from faculty, technical-administrative staff, and students. The Committee is tasked with promoting and guaranteeing equal opportunities, preventing discrimination and harassment, and fostering organisational wellbeing within the academic community. In March 2024, Gioia Belloni was appointed as the new student representative, reinforcing the University's commitment to listening to and protecting the interests of students in matters concerning equality and inclusion.

The Committee is particularly engaged in promoting initiatives to counter gender discrimination, consistent with the IULM Gender Equality Plan, which sets targeted measures to promote gender balance in recruitment, support career progression, and dismantle gender stereotypes.

At governance level, Università IULM has also introduced dedicated Proxies of the Rector to strengthen leadership accountability in inclusion and equal opportunity policies:

• Proxy to Inclusion and Disability and Psychological Counseling, ensuring equal access, psychological wellbeing, and tailored support for students and staff with disabilities;
• Proxy to Equal Opportunity and Right to Study, safeguarding fair access to education and equal treatment across the student body.

Together, these elements constitute an institution-wide anti-discrimination framework, combining formal principles and prohibitions, an updated strategic commitment, dedicated governance structures, and mechanisms for promoting equal opportunities and preventing discrimination and harassment.

Università IULM is committed to maintaining and periodically updating this framework to ensure that its policies and institutional practices remain responsive to the evolving needs of its diverse academic community and aligned with international standards on equality and inclusion.

Università IULM has a diversity and equality committee, office, and officers formally tasked by the University administration with responsibility for promoting, implementing, and monitoring policies, programmes, and initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, social responsibility, and equal opportunities across the University community.

Diversity Committees

• Equal Opportunities Committee: A high-level joint body representing faculty, technical-administrative staff, and students, responsible for promoting and guaranteeing equal opportunities across the University. The Committee works to prevent discrimination and harassment, promote equal opportunities, and foster organisational wellbeing throughout the academic community. In March 2024, Gioia Belloni was appointed as the new student representative, strengthening student participation in the University's equality and inclusion governance.
• Sustainability Committee: A governance body addressing sustainability in its broadest institutional, social, and environmental dimensions. Its remit integrates social responsibility, equity, and inclusion into Università IULM's wider sustainability strategy and governance framework.

Diversity Office

• IULM DiversaMENTE Office: The University's dedicated Diversity and Inclusion Office, providing institutional support to students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD), ADHD, and other special educational needs. The Office provides compensatory and dispensatory measures, manages dedicated scholarships, and accompanies students throughout their academic path, supporting equal access, participation, and completion of university studies.

Diversity Officers

• Rector's Proxies: Università IULM has appointed high-level officers with specific responsibilities for advancing inclusion, equality, accessibility, and social responsibility:
  • Proxy to Inclusion and Disability and Psychological Counseling, responsible for promoting equal access, psychological wellbeing, and tailored support for students and staff with disabilities;
  • Proxy to Equal Opportunity and Right to Study, responsible for safeguarding fair access to education and equal treatment across the student body;
  • Proxy to Sustainability and Social Responsibility, responsible for embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the University's broader sustainability strategy and strengthening its social impact.

These structures provide clear institutional responsibility for diversity and equality at multiple levels of University governance. The Equal Opportunities Committee provides a representative governance forum, the DiversaMENTE Office provides dedicated operational support, and the Rector's Proxies provide strategic leadership and accountability.

Through this integrated system of committees, a dedicated office, and designated senior officers, Università IULM ensures that diversity, equality, inclusion, and social responsibility are not addressed solely through individual initiatives, but are embedded within the University's governance and institutional structures.

Università IULM provides a comprehensive system of mentoring, counselling, and peer support programmes to ensure that students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups are supported in their academic, professional, and personal development. These services include targeted support for women, refugee and displaced students, students with disabilities and specific educational needs, LGBTQIA+ students, first-generation and low-income students, as well as staff and faculty.

Women

Università IULM provides mentoring, counselling, and wellbeing programmes that support women's academic development, wellbeing, and participation in university life, in line with the IULM Gender Equality Plan.

Women are strongly represented among participants in IULM's mentoring programmes. In the relevant reporting period, 81.2% of participants in mentoring programmes were women, and approximately 20% of the female student population participated in mentoring activities.

IULM's mentoring and counselling offer is complemented by structured wellbeing and personal development activities, including seminars addressing study methods, exam anxiety and stress management, self-esteem and expectations, emotional awareness, and relationships. Recent programmes include Study Skills, Time Planning, Motivation, Understanding My Emotions: When I Feel OK and When I Don't, Sono abbastanza? Tra le aspettative mie e degli altri, Ansia da esame: strumenti pratici per superarla, and Old, New and Toxic Relationships: Bonds That Matter. The University's seminar programme also includes dedicated study-method and stress-management activities for students supported by the DiversaMENTE Office.

In December 2025, IULM further strengthened its support for women through its formal adhesion to the interinstitutional protocol “Milano per la prevenzione e il contrasto alla violenza maschile contro le donne”, promoted by the Municipality of Milan together with the city's universities. The protocol includes coordinated prevention and awareness activities, training, support services, listening points, and collaboration with the Milan anti-violence network.

IULM also works with specialised organisations such as Cerchi d'Acqua and Ankyra, providing access to psychological, legal and other forms of support for members of the university community experiencing violence or abuse.

Refugee and displaced students

Refugee and displaced students benefit from dedicated mentoring, tutoring and personalised support. IULM's commitment is formalised through its adhesion to the UNHCR Manifesto for Inclusive Universities, which specifically promotes information services, tutoring, support for recognition of qualifications, scholarships and other forms of assistance for refugee students.

IULM provides dedicated scholarships, full tuition waivers, housing and meals to eligible students holding international protection status. The University has also participated in the IULM-InZone project, supporting educational opportunities for students living in refugee camps in Jordan and Kenya.

These measures are complemented by personalised assistance with enrolment, access to university services, cultural integration, and participation in academic life.

Students with disabilities and special educational needs

The DiversaMENTE Office provides one-to-one counselling, personalised interviews, academic support, and tutoring for students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD), ADHD, autism, and other special educational needs.

The Office also organises targeted activities addressing study methods, exam preparation, anxiety and stress management, and other aspects of academic wellbeing. Dedicated study-method and concept-mapping seminars are specifically offered to students followed by DiversaMENTE.

Students can also access compensatory and dispensatory measures, assistive technologies, personalised support, and dedicated scholarships throughout their academic path.

LGBTQIA+ students

Università IULM supports an inclusive academic environment for LGBTQIA+ students through institutional measures designed to reduce barriers to participation and promote individual wellbeing.

In particular, the University has activated the Alias career, enabling students whose gender identity does not correspond to their legal identity to use their chosen name within the University's academic and administrative systems. This measure supports students' wellbeing, dignity, and full participation in university life.

LGBTQIA+ students can also access the University's general counselling and psychological support services, ensuring that personalised support is available regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

First-generation and low-income students

IULM provides mentoring and support measures that help students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and first-generation students overcome barriers throughout their university experience.

The University's Peer Tutors programme provides academic and practical support from senior students to peers, including guidance on study strategies, university life and academic progression. These services complement scholarships, tuition waivers, financial aid and other measures aimed at reducing economic barriers to participation.

Staff and faculty

Università IULM also provides a free and confidential Psychological Support Service for staff and faculty, addressing work-related and personal wellbeing issues. The service provides an additional channel of confidential counselling and support for members of the university community who may experience personal, professional or wellbeing-related difficulties.

Overall, IULM combines structured mentoring, peer-to-peer support, individual counselling, targeted academic assistance, psychological support, and specialised services to address different forms of disadvantage and underrepresentation. This integrated system enables students, staff, and faculty to access tailored support throughout their academic and professional experience.

Università IULM is deeply committed to providing accessible facilities and services for people with disabilities, ensuring that every individual can fully participate in academic, cultural, and social life. This commitment is grounded in the University's institutional principles of equality, inclusivity, and non-discrimination, and is implemented through accessible infrastructure, specialised services, assistive technologies, and initiatives that extend accessibility beyond the physical campus.

Accessible campus and services

Università IULM provides barrier-free facilities and services across its campus, including accessible entrances, dedicated restrooms, lifts, and parking. Every classroom includes a dedicated space for students using wheelchairs, ensuring that students with reduced mobility can participate fully in teaching activities. Dedicated spaces are also available in libraries and other university facilities.

Four fully equipped units in the IULM Residence are reserved for students with disabilities, supporting independent access to university life and accommodation. Mobility orientation courses are also available for blind and visually impaired students.

Importantly, campus signage is also provided in Braille, supporting accessibility for students, staff, and visitors with visual impairments.

Assistive technologies and academic adjustments

Accessibility is supported not only through physical infrastructure but also through adapted learning environments and personalised academic measures. Students benefit from assistive technologies, tailored examination conditions, and compensatory and dispensatory measures designed to ensure equal participation in teaching, examinations, and university life.

The DiversaMENTE Office coordinates one-to-one interviews, counselling sessions, peer tutoring, and specialised seminars for students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. These include activities addressing stress management, study methods, and concept mapping.

Accessibility in cultural and public spaces

Università IULM considers accessibility an integral part of cultural participation, extending beyond teaching and campus facilities.

Italian Sign Language (LIS) is regularly used during major events, helping ensure access to cultural and public activities for members of the deaf community.

A flagship example for the 2024/2025 academic year is the multimedia theatre project Family Game VR, presented at the IULM Studios. The production combined virtual reality and live theatre and was specifically designed to be accessible to audiences with deafness. Accessibility measures included subtitles, an accessible-format programme booklet, and LIS-subtitled videos. The initiative was coordinated by the International Center for Research on Collaborative Translation in collaboration with Centro EURESIS, KIT Italia, Fondazione Gualandi, and the Istituto dei Sordi di Torino.

The University's commitment to accessibility also extends beyond its own physical facilities. Through projects such as Easy MiG, developed by MUDEC and IULM's EURESIS Centre, the University contributes to making cultural institutions and museum experiences more accessible. The project developed an accessible museum route using QR codes, short and simplified texts, audio content, and simultaneous reading and listening options, with particular attention to visitors with dyslexia and other accessibility needs.

IULM also promotes the participation of students with disabilities in the wider cultural and professional environment. A significant example is the experience of Claudio Recenti, an IULM student who uses a wheelchair and was involved as an IULM student correspondent at the Venice Film Festival, demonstrating the University's commitment to enabling students with disabilities to access and participate in major cultural and professional contexts beyond the campus.

Institutional governance of accessibility

The Equal Opportunities Committee plays a central role in promoting disability inclusion and preventing discrimination across university life. The Committee represents faculty, staff, and students and provides an institutional framework through which the needs of people with disabilities are addressed as part of the University's broader commitment to equal opportunities.

Through this combination of accessible infrastructure, dedicated facilities, assistive technologies, personalised academic adjustments, specialised support services, accessible cultural programming, and initiatives extending beyond the campus, Università IULM pursues a comprehensive approach to accessibility.

The University's objective is not limited to removing physical barriers: it is to ensure that students, staff, faculty, and visitors with disabilities can participate fully in academic, cultural, social, and professional life.

Università IULM is committed to providing institutionalised and personalised support services for students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLDs), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other additional educational needs, ensuring equal access to education, research and campus life.

These services are supported by the University's institutional inclusion framework and coordinated through the DiversaMENTE Office, which acts as IULM's central service for disability inclusion.

The Office develops individualised support measures throughout the student journey, from admission and orientation to academic participation, international mobility and preparation for employment. Its services are also available to international, Erasmus and exchange students.

1. Admissions and Orientation

• During the admissions process, applicants with disabilities, SLDs or ADHD can request compensatory and dispensatory measures for entrance examinations, in accordance with the relevant eligibility and documentation requirements.
• Incoming students are assisted through personalised orientation programmes supporting degree course selection, administrative procedures and adaptation to university life.
• The University provides individual support to ensure that accessibility needs are identified and addressed from the beginning of the student's academic career.
• Since the 2023/24 academic year, IULM has explicitly extended compensatory and dispensatory measures to students with ADHD, supported by dedicated institutional guidelines.

These provisions are described on the DiversaMENTE Office webpage, which also provides information on the procedures and documentation required to access support.

2. Academic Support and Tutoring

The DiversaMENTE Office coordinates a range of personalised academic support services, including:

• Peer tutoring schemes, through which postgraduate students support students with disabilities, SLDs and ADHD in examination preparation and study organisation.
• Individual mediation with faculty, facilitating accessible teaching and appropriate examination accommodations.
• Guidance and training for academic staff on teaching approaches, examination arrangements and study methods appropriate to students with disabilities and additional learning needs.
• Courses on study methods and stress management, including activities addressing concept mapping, anxiety management and examination preparation.
• Accessible digital texts and assistive technologies, available upon request.
• SuperReading, a dedicated programme designed to improve strategic reading and text comprehension, particularly relevant for students with dyslexia.

IULM also provides access to the EURESIS Research Centre, including preferential arrangements for SLD assessments and certification updates.

In 2025, these activities were complemented by initiatives promoting accessible learning and neuroinclusion.

A significant example is Easy MiG, developed through collaboration between MUDEC and IULM's EURESIS Research Centre. The project promotes accessible cultural participation through simplified texts, audio content, simultaneous reading and listening, and communication materials designed to facilitate access for people with dyslexia and other accessibility needs.

3. Psychological Support

Università IULM provides psychological support through its Psychological Counselling Service, available to students with disabilities and additional learning needs as part of the University's wider student support system.

Services include:

• Individual counselling sessions with professional psychologists.
• Seminars addressing anxiety, self-esteem, stress management and study strategies.
• Support for students experiencing emotional, personal or academic difficulties that may affect their participation in university life.

These services complement academic support by addressing the psychological and wellbeing dimensions of educational inclusion.

4. International Mobility

Università IULM supports equal access to international mobility opportunities through its participation in the Erasmus+ Programme.

Within the Erasmus+ framework, students with disabilities or additional support needs may be eligible for supplementary financial assistance to cover disability-related expenses, subject to programme rules and funding availability.

Eligible costs may include accommodation adaptations, specialist equipment, personal assistance and additional travel requirements.

IULM provides guidance to students seeking such support, helping ensure that disability-related needs do not unnecessarily restrict participation in international study experiences.

5. Internships, Employability and Transition to Work

In collaboration with the University's Career Service, DiversaMENTE supports students with disabilities and additional learning needs in preparing for internships and employment opportunities.

This includes guidance on professional pathways, interview preparation and identifying accommodations that may be relevant in workplace environments.

Graduates may also benefit from employment opportunities available to protected categories under the applicable Italian legislation.

In 2025, IULM strengthened its focus on the transition from university to employment through two initiatives:

• Oltre la Diversity, held on 6 May 2025, addressed neuroinclusion and access to employment for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, including people on the autism spectrum. The initiative brought together academic experts, organisations, companies and institutions to discuss social, cultural and professional inclusion.
• Università e lavoro senza barriere, a 2025 initiative addressing the employment outcomes of graduates with disabilities and learning disorders and the barriers encountered during recruitment and job interviews.

These activities demonstrate that IULM's disability support extends beyond academic accommodations to encompass employability, professional development and access to the labour market.

6. Financial Aid, Tuition-Fee Exemptions and Scholarships

Università IULM provides financial assistance and facilitates access to external scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities, helping reduce the economic barriers associated with higher education.

The University's support framework combines institutional tuition-fee exemptions, disability-sensitive scholarship eligibility requirements, targeted assistance schemes and the publication of external scholarship calls.

Institutional financial support

• Tuition-fee exemptions for students with disabilities. Students with a recognised disability of at least 66%, and/or a recognised disability under Article 3(1) or Article 3(3) of Italian Law 104/1992, may apply for exemption from university tuition fees by submitting the required documentation to the DiversaMENTE Office.
• Scholarships and financial assistance under IULM's Right-to-Study framework. The University provides financial benefits through competitive procedures. For students with disabilities, merit requirements may be individually adjusted according to the type of disability, within the limits established by the relevant scholarship call.
• Measures supporting university students with very severe disabilities – Academic Year 2025/26. Under Ministerial Decree MUR No. 455 of 17 July 2025, the University published a call for lump-sum care allowances (assegni di cura) contributing towards the cost of qualified personnel assisting eligible students during university lectures.

External scholarships and awards promoted through IULM's institutional channels

IULM also informs students about scholarships and awards offered by external foundations and institutions, broadening access to financial opportunities for students with disabilities.

• Fondazione Pio Istituto dei Sordi – Scholarships 2026.
  The Foundation announced 10 scholarships of €2,000 each, reserved for students with hearing disabilities enrolled at Italian public or private universities during the 2025/26 academic year.
• Graduation Awards in Memory of Antonio and Luigi Goi, Angela De Giacomi Goi and Alessio Buttarelli – 2025 Call.
  Four graduation awards were announced for eligible graduates with disabilities who completed qualifying degrees during the 2023/24 academic year.
  Three awards, funded by Fondazione della Comunità Bresciana, amounted to €2,500, €1,500 and €1,000, respectively. A fourth award, funded by the Buttarelli family, amounted to €200.
• Elsa Pigoli Zucchi Scholarships – 2023/24 Call.
  The historical call provided three scholarships for young people with physical disabilities experiencing economic disadvantage, including one scholarship of €1,100 reserved for a university student and two scholarships of €500 for school students.
• Fondazione Macciachini Monti Scholarships – 2023/24 Call.
  The Foundation announced seven annual scholarships of €9,000 each for eligible students experiencing economic disadvantage associated with sensory or neuromotor disabilities or neurodiversity, including SLDs, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions.
• Fondazione Villa Mirabello Onlus Scholarships – 2022 Edition.
  The historical call provided eight scholarships for eligible blind or visually impaired graduates: four scholarships of €2,000 and four of €1,000.

Through these institutional measures and the dissemination of external funding opportunities, IULM supports students with disabilities in addressing financial barriers to participation and academic progression.

7. Accessible Campus, Housing and Mobility

Università IULM is committed to ensuring that its physical environment is accessible and usable by students with disabilities.

• The campus provides barrier-free routes, accessible entrances, restrooms, lifts, classrooms, library areas and parking facilities.
• Classrooms provide dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, supporting participation in teaching activities.
• The campus includes Braille signage supporting navigation by visually impaired students.
• The IULM Residence provides four specially equipped accommodation units for students with disabilities, including adapted bathrooms, internet access and climate control.
• The DiversaMENTE Office offers mobility orientation courses for blind students, helping them become familiar with routes between campus buildings and teaching spaces.
• The Office also works with the University's maintenance services to monitor architectural accessibility and identify barriers requiring intervention.

Accessibility is also addressed beyond the campus through initiatives such as Easy MiG, which developed accessible museum content using QR codes, simplified texts and audio resources.

These measures demonstrate IULM's commitment to promoting independence, accessibility and inclusive participation across physical and cultural environments.

8. Support for Staff with Disabilities

IULM's commitment to inclusion also extends to employees with disabilities and employees caring for family members with severe disabilities.

The University's employment framework and applicable Italian legislation provide measures supporting accessibility, employment continuity and the reconciliation of professional and personal responsibilities.

These include:

• Part-time and smart-working arrangements, where provided under the applicable employment rules and individual circumstances.
• Paid leave for employees with severe disabilities, including three days per month or two hours per day, subject to the relevant statutory conditions.
• Extraordinary paid leave for eligible family caregivers, with the social security protections established by law.
• Institutional welfare benefits, which may be used to cover medical expenses and other essential needs.

These measures contribute to reducing barriers to professional participation and supporting employees with disabilities and caregiving responsibilities.

9. Continuous Development of Disability and Neuroinclusion Support

IULM continuously develops its approach to disability and neuroinclusion through collaboration between institutional services, research centres, academic staff, students and external organisations.

The DiversaMENTE Office provides the institutional foundation for these activities, while the EURESIS Research Centre contributes research expertise on learning disorders, accessibility and inclusive educational practices.

In 2025, initiatives such as Oltre la Diversity, Università e lavoro senza barriere, and activities involving DiversaMENTE and EURESIS strengthened the University's focus on neuroinclusion, accessible learning, employability and participation.

The University also continues to develop its services for students with ADHD, including dedicated guidelines, academic accommodations, peer tutoring, accessible digital resources and study-method programmes.

Through this integrated system, Università IULM provides institutionalised, personalised and multidimensional disability support, covering access to university, teaching and assessment, psychological wellbeing, international mobility, financial assistance, physical and digital accessibility, internships, employment and participation in university life.

Università IULM is committed to providing structured access schemes and personalised support services for students with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLDs/DSA), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and additional educational needs, with the strategic objective of ensuring equal access to higher education, reducing barriers to participation and minimising student dropout rates.

These measures form part of the University's institutional commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities, as established in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027 and implemented through the DiversaMENTE Office.

The University's approach supports students throughout their academic journey, from admission and orientation to teaching, assessment, international mobility, psychological wellbeing, internships, employment and participation in campus life.

1. Admissions and Orientation

• Applicants with disabilities, SLDs or ADHD can formally request compensatory and dispensatory measures for entrance examinations, subject to the applicable documentation requirements.
• Incoming students receive personalised orientation support, including guidance on degree selection, administrative procedures and access to University services.
• The DiversaMENTE Office provides dedicated support to students with disabilities, SLDs and ADHD, helping identify appropriate measures according to individual needs.
• IULM has established specific institutional procedures for students with SLDs and ADHD, including guidelines governing access to compensatory and dispensatory measures.
• Support services are also available to international, Erasmus and exchange students.

These measures enable students to identify and address potential accessibility barriers from the beginning of their university experience.

2. Academic Support and Tutoring

The DiversaMENTE Office coordinates a structured system of academic support designed to facilitate participation and progression.

Its services include:

• Peer tutoring schemes, involving Master's degree students who support students with disabilities, SLDs and ADHD in examination preparation and study organisation.
• Individual mediation with faculty, facilitating inclusive teaching and personalised assessment conditions.
• Guidance for academic staff on teaching and assessment approaches appropriate to students with disabilities and additional learning needs.
• Study-method courses, addressing time management, note-taking, concept mapping, examination preparation and effective learning strategies.
• Stress-management and academic wellbeing activities, supporting students experiencing anxiety or difficulties associated with university study.
• Accessible digital texts and learning materials, provided upon request.
• Assistive technological equipment, available for examinations and study activities.

A particularly relevant initiative is the  SuperReading programme, which promotes strategic reading and text-comprehension skills.

IULM has translated and adapted the programme to the Italian context and conducted an experimental study involving 260 participants, including 143 people with dyslexia and 117 typical readers.

The programme is offered during both academic semesters, with priority given to students with SLDs.

For the first semester of the 2026/27 academic year, IULM has scheduled a new SuperReading course, comprising six sessions, with places reserved according to the published enrolment arrangements.

The University also provides specific study-method courses for students with SLDs and ADHD, focusing on learning strategies, note-taking, concept maps and examination preparation.

These initiatives demonstrate the continued implementation and development of personalised learning support designed to reduce barriers to academic progression.

3. Psychological Support

Università IULM provides psychological support through its Psychological Counselling Service, which is available to students with disabilities and additional learning needs as part of the University's wider student support framework.

Services include:

• Individual counselling sessions with professional psychologists.
• Seminars addressing stress management, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and anxiety.
• Support for students experiencing psychological or personal difficulties that may affect academic participation.

These services complement academic accommodations by addressing the psychological and emotional factors that may contribute to difficulties in university progression.

4. International Mobility

Università IULM supports equal access to international study opportunities through its participation in the Erasmus+ Programme.

Students with disabilities or additional support needs may be eligible for supplementary financial assistance to cover disability-related expenses, subject to the applicable Erasmus+ funding rules.

Eligible costs may include:

• Adapted accommodation.
• Additional travel and mobility assistance.
• Medical or personal support.
• Assistive equipment and technologies.
• Accessible learning materials.
• Accompanying persons or other eligible support services.

The DiversaMENTE Office and the University's international mobility services assist students in identifying relevant support opportunities and preparing the necessary documentation.

This approach helps ensure that disability-related barriers do not unnecessarily restrict participation in international educational experiences.

5. Internships and Job Placement

In collaboration with the Career Service, DiversaMENTE supports students with disabilities in accessing internships and employment opportunities compatible with their individual needs.

Support includes:

• Guidance on professional opportunities and career development.
• Assistance in identifying accessible internships.
• Preparation for recruitment interviews.
• Guidance concerning workplace accommodations and contractual arrangements.
• Information on placement opportunities for protected categories under the applicable Italian legislation.

The University's placement support also includes information on opportunities for other eligible disadvantaged groups, including refugees, orphans and victims of terrorism.

In 2025, IULM strengthened its focus on the transition from university to employment through Oltre la Diversity, held on 6 May 2025.

The initiative addressed neuroinclusion and access to employment for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, including autism, involving academic experts, companies, institutions and organisations working on inclusive employment.

IULM also highlighted the importance of inclusive recruitment through Università e lavoro senza barriere, which addressed employment outcomes and recruitment barriers for graduates with disabilities and learning disorders.

These initiatives demonstrate that IULM's disability access scheme extends beyond university admission and academic support to include professional development, employability and transition into employment.

6. Financial Aid, Tuition-Fee Exemptions and Scholarships

Università IULM provides institutional financial support and access to external scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities, reducing economic barriers that may affect university admission, continuation and completion.

The financial support framework includes the following measures.

Institutional tuition-fee exemptions

Students with a recognised disability of at least 66%, and/or recognition under Article 3(1) or Article 3(3) of Italian Law 104/1992, may request exemption from university tuition fees by submitting the required documentation to the DiversaMENTE Office.

IULM Right-to-Study scholarships

IULM provides scholarships and financial benefits through its institutional Right-to-Study framework.

For students with disabilities, scholarship merit requirements may be individually adjusted according to the type of disability, with deviations of up to 40% from the standard merit requirements established by the relevant call.

This measure is particularly important for reducing the risk that disability-related barriers to academic progression prevent eligible students from accessing financial assistance.

Care allowances for students with very severe disabilities

IULM has implemented dedicated measures supporting university students with very severe disabilities through lump-sum care allowances (assegni di cura), contributing towards the costs of qualified personnel assisting students during lectures.

The University's 2025/26 call was established under Ministerial Decree MUR No. 455 of 17 July 2025.

The DiversaMENTE website also documents a subsequent 2026 call for care allowances for students requiring intensive support.

External scholarships and financial opportunities

IULM also regularly publicises scholarship opportunities provided by external institutions and foundations, enabling students with disabilities to access additional sources of financial assistance.

These include:

• Fondazione Pio Istituto dei Sordi – Scholarships 2026. Ten scholarships of €2,000 each, reserved for students with hearing disabilities enrolled at Italian universities during the 2025/26 academic year.
• Premi di Laurea in memoria di Antonio e Luigi Goi, Angela De Giacomi Goi and Alessio Buttarelli – 2025 Call. Four graduation awards for eligible graduates with disabilities, with amounts ranging from €200 to €2,500.
• Borse di Studio Elsa Pigoli Zucchi – 2023/24 Call. Three scholarships for young people with physical disabilities experiencing economic disadvantage, including one scholarship of €1,100 reserved for a university student.
• Fondazione Macciachini Monti – 2023/24 Call. Seven annual scholarships of €9,000 each for eligible students with sensory or neuromotor disabilities or neurodiversity, including SLDs, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions.
• Fondazione Villa Mirabello Onlus – 2022 Edition. Eight scholarships for eligible blind or visually impaired graduates, comprising four awards of €2,000 and four awards of €1,000.

The external calls demonstrate IULM's continuing role in facilitating access to additional funding opportunities, while its institutional tuition-fee exemptions, scholarship provisions and care allowances provide direct mechanisms for reducing financial barriers.

7. Accessible Campus and Housing

IULM's disability access scheme includes measures designed to reduce physical and environmental barriers affecting participation in academic and campus life.

• The campus provides accessible routes, entrances, restrooms, lifts, parking facilities and teaching spaces.
• Classrooms and library areas include spaces accessible to wheelchair users.
• Braille signage supports navigation by visually impaired students.
• The IULM Residence provides four accommodation units reserved for students with disabilities, equipped with internet access, adapted facilities and centralised climate control.
• The DiversaMENTE Office organises mobility orientation courses for blind students, supporting independent navigation between campus buildings and teaching spaces.
• The Office works with the University's maintenance services to monitor architectural accessibility and identify barriers requiring intervention.

The University also promotes accessibility in cultural and digital environments.

In 2025, Easy MiG, developed through collaboration between IULM's EURESIS Research Centre and MUDEC, introduced accessible museum content using QR codes, simplified texts, audio resources and layouts designed to improve readability for visitors with dyslexia and other accessibility needs.

These initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to improving accessibility both within the campus and in the wider community.

8. Staff with Disabilities

Università IULM extends its commitment to accessibility and inclusion to employees with disabilities and employees caring for family members with severe disabilities.

Under the applicable employment framework and Italian legislation, support measures include:

• Part-time and smart-working arrangements, where applicable under the relevant employment provisions.
• Paid leave for employees with severe disabilities, including three days per month or two hours per day, subject to statutory eligibility requirements.
• Extraordinary paid leave for eligible family caregivers, with the applicable social security protections.
• Institutional welfare benefits, which may be used to cover medical expenses and other essential needs.

These provisions support professional continuity and contribute to reducing barriers associated with disability and caregiving responsibilities.

9. Impact and Dropout Monitoring

Università IULM systematically monitors student enrolment, academic progression and first-to-second-year dropout rates, including specific monitoring of students with disabilities and specific learning disorders.

The University's Statistical Office collects longitudinal data on students who discontinue their studies after initial enrolment, either explicitly, through withdrawal or transfer, or implicitly, by failing to enrol in the second year.

The latest available data, updated in October 2026, cover the entry cohorts from 2021/22 to 2024/25.

9.1 First-to-second-year dropout – Students with disabilities (H/H-50 exemptions)

The latest figures show that the dropout rate among students receiving H/H-50 exemptions increased from 6.5% in 2023/24 to 10.5% in 2024/25.

However, the underlying population is relatively small. In 2024/25, the rate corresponds to two students discontinuing their studies out of 19 first-year students, compared with two out of 31 in the preceding year.

These figures are therefore interpreted with particular attention to cohort size, as small changes in the number of students can produce substantial variations in the percentage.

9.2 First-to-second-year dropout – Students with specific learning disorders (SLDs/DSA)

The latest figures demonstrate a substantial improvement in first-to-second-year retention among students with SLDs.

The dropout rate decreased from 14.0% in 2023/24 to 6.1% in 2024/25, a reduction of 7.9 percentage points.

The number of students discontinuing their studies decreased from 24 to 11, despite an increase in the first-year SLD cohort from 172 to 179 students.

This improvement is particularly relevant to IULM's disability access scheme, as it provides measurable evidence of a positive change in academic progression among students with specific learning disorders.

9.3 Comparison with the overall IULM dropout rate

The Statistical Office also monitors the corresponding first-to-second-year dropout rate across the entire University.

In 2024/25, the overall University dropout rate decreased from 11.4% to 8.8%, an improvement of 2.6 percentage points compared with the preceding academic year.

The most significant finding concerns students with SLDs, whose dropout rate fell to 6.1%, compared with 8.8% for the overall student population.

For the first time within the four-year monitoring period, the dropout rate for students with SLDs was below the overall University rate.

This represents a positive development in the academic progression of students with specific learning disorders and provides a relevant outcome indicator for assessing the University's inclusion and support framework.

9.4 Monitoring the participation of students with disabilities and additional educational needs

IULM also systematically monitors the number of enrolled students with disabilities, SLDs and other additional educational needs.

In 2025, the University's monitoring framework was expanded to include specific categories for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD and special educational needs (SEN).

The number of students with disabilities increased from 114 in 2024 to 119 in 2025, while students with SLDs increased from 516 to 546.

The introduction of additional monitoring categories in 2025 enables IULM to identify different support needs more precisely and strengthen the evidence base for developing targeted inclusion measures.

These figures should not automatically be added together to calculate the number of unique students receiving support, as individual categories may overlap.

9.5 Using monitoring results to inform institutional support

IULM's longitudinal monitoring enables the University to identify changes in academic progression and determine where additional support may be required.

The substantial improvement in retention among students with SLDs is consistent with the University's ongoing commitment to providing personalised academic support, accessible learning materials, tutoring, study-method programmes and psychological counselling.

At the same time, the increase in the dropout rate among students receiving H/H-50 exemptions highlights the importance of continued monitoring and individualised support, particularly given the relatively small number of students in this category.

Through the combination of quantitative monitoring and personalised services, IULM seeks to identify barriers to progression and strengthen measures supporting students' successful completion of their degree programmes.

10. Continuous Development of the Access Scheme

IULM continuously develops and updates its disability access scheme through collaboration among the DiversaMENTE Office, the Rector's Delegate for Inclusion and Disability, academic staff, the Career Service, the EURESIS Research Centre, the International Mobility Office and external organisations and employers.

Recent initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to expanding its approach beyond traditional disability accommodations.

In 2025, Oltre la Diversity promoted discussion of neuroinclusion and access to employment, while Easy MiG demonstrated the application of accessibility principles to cultural and digital environments.

The University also organised Moving Worl(d)s 2025, an initiative addressing inclusion and neurodivergence in higher education and employment, with particular attention to students with SLDs, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions.

The continuation of the SuperReading programme and dedicated study-method courses into 2026 further demonstrates the ongoing implementation of personalised learning support.

The University's monitoring framework has also been strengthened through the collection of updated dropout data and the introduction of more detailed categories for students with additional educational needs.

Overall, Università IULM's disability access scheme combines institutional governance, inclusive admissions, personalised academic accommodations, peer tutoring, psychological support, assistive technologies, financial assistance, international mobility support, physical accessibility, employability initiatives and systematic monitoring of academic progression.

Through this integrated approach, IULM seeks to ensure that disability and specific learning needs do not constitute barriers to admission, participation, academic progression, degree completion or transition into employment.

Università IULM has adopted a formal Reasonable Accommodation Policy for persons with disabilities, supported by adequately funded mechanisms and implemented through the DiversaMENTE Office, ensuring equal access to education, campus life, international mobility, employment opportunities, and university services. The policy provides for individualised and reasonable accommodations designed to remove or reduce barriers for students and staff with disabilities, specific learning disorders (SLD/DSA), ADHD, and other special educational needs.

The University's approach combines formal procedures, personalised assessment of individual needs, dedicated institutional services, financial support, assistive technologies, accessible facilities, and flexible arrangements. Accommodation measures are available throughout the student and employee lifecycle, from admission and orientation through study, assessment, mobility, internships, employment, and participation in university life.

1. Academic Accommodation

The Reasonable Accommodation Policy provides a structured framework for adapting the educational experience to individual needs.

Admissions

• Applicants with disabilities or DSA can formally request compensatory and dispensatory measures for entrance examinations.

• Individual needs can be assessed in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be provided during the admission process.

Orientation

• Incoming students receive personalised orientation programmes to guide course selection, administrative procedures, access to support services, and initial integration into university life.

• The DiversaMENTE Office provides individual guidance to identify appropriate accommodations and support measures.

Study and Assessment Support

The DiversaMENTE Office coordinates a range of academic accommodation measures, including:

• Provision of assistive technologies and accessible digital texts.

• Peer tutoring schemes, with Master's students supporting students with disabilities in exam preparation and study strategies.

• Individual faculty mediation, ensuring that students can access inclusive teaching and personalised assessment conditions.

• Faculty training on how to approach students with disabilities, DSA and ADHD in relation to teaching, examinations, and study methods.

• Seminars and courses on study methods and stress management, specifically designed for students with DSA and ADHD, including Concept Mapping, Stress-free Graduation, and Anxiety Management.

• Specific study-method support for students with DSA and ADHD, including activities aimed at developing effective strategies for reading, studying and examination preparation.

• The SuperReading programme, aimed at developing strategic reading and text-comprehension skills, with particular attention to students with dyslexia.

These measures allow accommodation to be tailored to the individual educational needs of students rather than relying exclusively on standardised solutions.

2. Psychological and Emotional Accommodation

Università IULM recognises psychological wellbeing as an important component of effective accommodation and participation.

• The University provides psychological counselling services, including individual and small-group sessions, to support students' wellbeing and help prevent academic disengagement and drop-out.

• The FlessibilMente programme addresses issues including anxiety, stress, and self-esteem, providing targeted support to students experiencing difficulties during their university career.

• Study-method and stress-management activities complement individual psychological counselling by addressing the interaction between learning difficulties, academic demands, and wellbeing.

• Mobility orientation courses for blind students facilitate independent navigation of campus routes and strengthen autonomy in everyday university life.

3. International Mobility Accommodation

IULM extends its reasonable accommodation approach to international study opportunities.

• Students with disabilities can access special Erasmus+ mobility grants, in which IULM participates, covering additional costs associated with participation, including special accommodation, personal assistance, medical support, and adapted learning materials.

• Additional support may also address other disability-related costs necessary to enable participation in mobility programmes.

• Università IULM actively supports applications for special-needs funding and works to ensure that students with disabilities can participate fully in international exchanges.

• The Mobility Office and DiversaMENTE provide support in identifying individual requirements and preparing the necessary documentation.

This mechanism ensures that disability-related additional costs do not prevent students from accessing international educational opportunities on an equal basis.

4. Employment-related Accommodation

The University's accommodation framework also supports students with disabilities in their transition from higher education to employment.

The DiversaMENTE Office, in collaboration with the Career Service, assists students with disabilities in:

• Securing accessible internships aligned with their individual needs.

• Preparing for job interviews and contractual agreements.

• Accessing protected-category placement opportunities after graduation, in accordance with Italian legislation.

• Identifying employment opportunities compatible with individual accessibility requirements.

Special support is also offered to refugees, orphans, and victims of terrorism, extending IULM's approach to equal access to employment opportunities beyond disability-related needs.

In 2025, IULM further developed this dimension through “Oltre la Diversity”, an initiative addressing neuroinclusion and access to employment for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, including autism. The initiative involved DiversaMENTE, the Career Service, employers and organisations working on inclusive employment, strengthening the University's focus on the transition from education to work.

5. Financial Accommodation

IULM provides financial mechanisms that reduce the economic barriers associated with disability and the additional costs that may affect participation in higher education.

Tuition exemption

• Students with a disability of ≥66% are entitled to full exemption from university tuition fees.

Scholarships and awards

Financial accommodation also includes targeted scholarships and awards:

• Fondazione Pio Istituto dei Sordi – Scholarships 2026. Ten scholarships of €2,000 each, reserved for students with hearing disabilities enrolled at Italian universities during the 2025/26 academic year.

• Premi di Laurea in memoria di Antonio e Luigi Goi, Angela De Giacomi Goi and Alessio Buttarelli – 2025 Call. Four graduation awards for eligible graduates with disabilities, with amounts ranging from €200 to €2,500.

• Borse di Studio Elsa Pigoli Zucchi – 2023/24 Call. Three scholarships for young people with physical disabilities experiencing economic disadvantage, including one scholarship of €1,100 reserved for a university student.

• Fondazione Macciachini Monti – 2023/24 Call. Seven annual scholarships of €9,000 each for eligible students with sensory or neuromotor disabilities or neurodiversity, including SLDs, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions.

• Fondazione Villa Mirabello Onlus – 2022 Edition. Eight scholarships for eligible blind or visually impaired graduates, comprising four awards of €2,000 and four awards of €1,000.

These measures provide direct financial accommodation and contribute to ensuring that disability-related economic barriers do not prevent access to, or continuation in, higher education.

6. Physical and Environmental Accommodation

Università IULM is committed to maintaining a fully barrier-free campus and providing physical accommodations that allow students with disabilities to participate independently in university life.

• Accessible entrances, lifts, restrooms, classrooms, library areas, and dedicated parking are provided throughout the campus.

• Reserved spaces for wheelchair users are available in classrooms and library areas, ensuring accessibility within teaching and study environments.

• All campus signage is written in Braille, supporting independent navigation for visually impaired students.

• The IULM Residence includes 4 fully adapted units with accessible bathrooms, internet access, and climate control.

• Mobility orientation courses for blind students are regularly offered to help students memorise campus routes and develop greater independence.

• The University's accessibility approach also extends to digital and cultural environments. In 2025, the Easy MiG project, developed by IULM's EURESIS research centre in collaboration with MUDEC, developed an accessible museum pathway using simplified texts, audio content and QR codes, facilitating access for people with dyslexia and other accessibility needs.

7. Work Accommodation

Università IULM extends its Reasonable Accommodation Policy to staff with disabilities, providing mechanisms designed to facilitate inclusion and reduce barriers in the workplace.

Measures include:

• The IULM employment contract guarantees staff with disabilities the right to part-time and smart-working arrangements, ensuring flexibility and inclusion in daily work life.

• Staff with disabilities are entitled to paid leave of three days per month, divisible into hours, or two hours per day, according to applicable provisions.

• Family members who assist a person with severe disability are entitled to extraordinary paid leave with full contribution coverage, in line with national legislation.

• All employees benefit from a corporate welfare scheme, which can be used to cover medical expenses and other essential needs.

These measures provide workplace flexibility and financial support for employees with disabilities and employees who provide care to family members with severe disabilities.

8. Continuous Development and Expansion of Accommodation Measures

Università IULM continuously develops its accommodation framework through collaboration between the DiversaMENTE Office, academic staff, the Career Service, the Mobility Office, EURESIS, and external organisations and employers.

The University's activities in 2025 further expanded the scope of accommodation beyond traditional academic adjustments:

• “Oltre la Diversity” addressed neuroinclusion, disability and access to employment.

• “Università e lavoro senza barriere” focused on the transition from university to employment for graduates with disabilities and learning disorders.

• Easy MiG developed accessible cultural content using simplified language, audio and accessible digital tools.

• Moving Wor(l)ds 2025, promoted by DiversaMENTE and EURESIS, addressed inclusion and neurodivergence in university and employment contexts and explored approaches including Universal Design for Learning.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate that IULM's accommodation framework is not limited to individual adjustments at examination level, but forms part of a broader institutional approach to removing barriers to participation, providing reasonable and personalised adjustments, and ensuring equal opportunities across academic, social, international, and professional contexts.

Università IULM has adopted a formal institutional framework to prevent and address harassment and gender-based violence, covering students, faculty, technical-administrative staff and the wider University community. The framework is based on the IULM Code of Ethics, the Gender Equality Plan (GEP), dedicated institutional governance structures and support services, and the University’s current Strategic Plan 2025–2027. Together, these instruments establish principles, responsibilities, prevention measures, reporting and support mechanisms aimed at ensuring a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment.

1. Formal Institutional Framework

The IULM Code of Ethics provides the fundamental institutional framework for preventing and addressing harassment, abuse, violence and discrimination. It explicitly prohibits harassment, abuse, violence, sexual harassment, verbal aggression and discrimination on grounds including gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability and political opinion. Article 4 provides a comprehensive definition of prohibited conduct and establishes the principles that guide the behaviour of members of the University community.

The IULM Gender Equality Plan (GEP) further strengthens this framework. Area 4 of the GEP specifically addresses the prevention of harassment and gender-based violence and promotes a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment.

The framework is complemented by the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which represents the University's current strategic reference framework for the development of services and initiatives supporting equal opportunities, inclusion and student and staff wellbeing. The Plan identifies differentiated services, attention to disability, personalised teaching, tutoring and Career Service support among the areas through which IULM seeks to strengthen an inclusive university environment and establishes a framework based on concrete and assessable actions.

2. Institutional Structures and Accountability

IULM has established dedicated institutional structures responsible for equal opportunities, inclusion and the prevention of discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour.

The Equal Opportunities Committee includes representatives of students, faculty and staff and contributes to monitoring and addressing issues relating to harassment and discrimination, as well as to prevention and awareness-raising activities. In March 2024, a new student representative, Gioia Belloni, was appointed to the Committee, further strengthening student representation within the institutional framework.

The University also has a Rector’s Delegate for Equal Opportunities and the Right to Study and a Rector’s Delegate for Inclusion, Disability and Psychological Counselling, who provide institutional points of reference for equal opportunities, inclusion and related support needs.

The DiversaMENTE Office further contributes to the University's inclusion framework by providing dedicated support to students with disabilities, specific learning disorders and other educational needs.

3. Confidential Support and Reporting Mechanisms

IULM has developed partnerships with specialised external organisations to ensure that members of the University community can access confidential and professional support in situations involving violence, harassment or abuse.

Since 2024, IULM has maintained a structured collaboration with the Anti-Violence Centre Cerchi d’Acqua, providing confidential professional support to women and men within the IULM community who experience abuse, mistreatment, sexual harassment or stalking. The service includes initial reception and assessment, psychological support and psychotherapy, legal counselling, employment guidance and financial education.

IULM also collaborates with the Ankyra Association, which provides support to victims of domestic and relational violence irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation.

These partnerships complement the University's internal institutional structures by providing specialised external expertise and confidential support pathways.

4. Prevention and Awareness-Raising

IULM promotes prevention and awareness activities addressing harassment, gender equality, gender-based violence and the creation of a respectful university environment.

Activities include seminars, workshops and public events addressing the prevention of harassment and violence, gender equality and respectful behaviour, as well as information sessions aimed at increasing awareness of how to recognise and report inappropriate or discriminatory conduct.

The University also promotes training and awareness activities for staff and faculty and organises initiatives in connection with key international awareness dates, including the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and International Women’s Day.

5. Gender Equality, Prevention of Gender-Based Violence and Institutional Cooperation

The University's commitment to preventing harassment and gender-based violence is reinforced by the Gender Equality Plan, Area 4, which specifically addresses the prevention of harassment and gender-based violence and the promotion of a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment.

In December 2025, IULM further strengthened this commitment by formally signing the inter-institutional Protocol “Milano per la prevenzione e il contrasto alla violenza maschile contro le donne”, promoted by the Municipality of Milan together with the city's universities. Through the signature, IULM formally joined a coordinated institutional framework for the prevention and combating of gender-based violence, extending its commitment through cooperation with other higher education institutions and local stakeholders.

The Protocol provides for coordinated activities in several areas, including:

• awareness-raising and training activities for students;
• multidisciplinary and inter-professional training;
• research and the development of shared data to support evidence-based policies and the planned Milan Observatory on gender-based violence;
• listening and support services within universities in cooperation with the Milan Anti-Violence Network;
• third-mission activities and cooperation with public institutions, associations and local organisations;
• institutional monitoring of the implementation of the Protocol through dedicated representatives and annual review meetings.

The 2025 Protocol therefore complements IULM’s existing institutional framework by strengthening prevention, awareness, support, monitoring and cooperation on gender-based violence and by connecting University-level initiatives with the wider network of institutions and specialised organisations operating in Milan.

6. University-Wide Scope

The institutional framework applies across the University community, including students, academic staff, technical-administrative staff and other members of the University's operations.

The Code of Ethics establishes protection against harassment, violence and discrimination on multiple grounds, including gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability and political opinion. The combination of institutional rules, dedicated governance structures, confidential support services, external partnerships and prevention activities ensures that the University's approach addresses both gender-based violence and harassment more broadly.

7. Strategic Development 2025–2027

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 provides the University's current strategic framework for continuing to strengthen inclusion, equal opportunities and student and staff support. Its focus on differentiated services, disability, personalised teaching, tutoring and Career Service support contributes to the creation of an inclusive institutional environment in which prevention and support mechanisms can operate effectively.

Within this framework, IULM continues to develop and consolidate its institutional structures, partnerships and prevention activities addressing harassment, discrimination and gender-based violence.

The combination of the Code of Ethics, Gender Equality Plan, institutional governance structures, specialised support partnerships, prevention and awareness activities, the 2025 Milan Protocol, and the Strategic Plan 2025–2027 demonstrates IULM’s ongoing institutional commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment.