As the global beauty industry continues to evolve through scientific breakthroughs, sustainability, and consumer-driven innovation, education is following suit. Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic year, Istituto Marangoni Milano and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Milan are launching a groundbreaking academic collaboration designed to prepare a new generation of highly skilled beauty professionals with expertise spanning creativity, management, and cosmetic science.
The partnership brings together two complementary centers of excellence, combining Istituto Marangoni Milano’s internationally recognized expertise in creative education, luxury, and beauty management with the University of Milan’s longstanding leadership in pharmaceutical sciences, cosmetic research, and laboratory training. The result is an educational model that reflects the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of today’s fragrance and cosmetics industry, where scientific knowledge and creative thinking are equally essential to product development and brand success.
From the start of the 2026/2027 academic year, students enrolled in Istituto Marangoni Milano’s Bachelor’s Degree program in Fragrances & Cosmetics Product and Communication will participate in specialized lectures delivered by faculty from the University of Milan within the Materials Science and Technology Integrated Product Design curriculum. They will also gain hands-on laboratory experience at the University’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, offering direct exposure to the scientific principles, formulation processes, and technical expertise behind the development of beauty products.
Scorcio dall’alto del colonnato laterale
The exchange moves in both directions. Students pursuing the University of Milan’s Master’s Degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science (CosmIS) will attend Istituto Marangoni Milano’s signature Trend Research course at the historic Palazzo Turati campus. The program is designed to strengthen their understanding of global consumer behavior, emerging market trends, innovation strategies, and the cultural influences shaping the international beauty landscape. This cross-disciplinary approach gives future professionals a broader perspective that extends well beyond laboratory research.
The collaboration also introduces shared teaching initiatives, reciprocal recognition of academic credits, joint seminars, research projects, internships, thesis opportunities, and additional educational activities that encourage closer interaction between scientific research and creative practice. Together, these experiences are intended to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of every stage of the beauty product lifecycle, from concept development and formulation to branding, communication, and market positioning.
The initiative reflects the growing demand across the global beauty sector for professionals who are equally comfortable navigating laboratory innovation, product development, strategic marketing, and consumer insights. As beauty brands increasingly rely on multidisciplinary teams to create products that combine performance, sustainability, and emotional appeal, educational programs are adapting to prepare graduates with a broader and more integrated skill set.
Founded in Milan in 1935, Istituto Marangoni has built an international reputation for educating talent across fashion, design, art, beauty, luxury, and business. Today, the institution welcomes approximately 5,000 students annually from more than 100 countries across its global network of campuses. The school also reached a significant milestone by earning the No. 45 position worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Art & Design, reflecting its growing international academic standing.
The University of Milan’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences brings decades of expertise in pharmaceutical research, cosmetic science, biotechnology, natural products, and nutraceuticals, while maintaining strong collaborations with industry partners and research institutions. Its multidisciplinary approach has established the department as one of Italy’s leading centers for pharmaceutical and cosmetic education and research.
By bringing together scientific rigor, creative vision, and strategic thinking within a single educational framework, the new partnership positions Milan at the forefront of beauty education.
