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So let’s be real here, who hasn’t dreamt of working at Ferrari? One of the best car brands in the world. whether you’re imagining yourself fine-tuning a screaming V12 engine, designing a future icon of this brand, or strategizing race day with Scuderia’s F1 team, it all starts with one big question:
What should I study to even have a shot?
Don’t worry, we have been down the rabbit hole and gathered what you actually need to know, role by role. Whether you’re still in school, recently graduated, or switching paths, this will help you plot your course to Maranello.
Engineering, tech & F1: The brains behind the beast
This is Ferrari’s beating heart. Engineers here don’t just build fast cars, they break barriers, competing at the highest level.
If you’re serious about being part of the F1 team, engine dev, or hybrid systems, expect some stiff competition and high standards.
Popular Degrees Ferrari Looks For:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Automotive or Motorsport Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Materials Science
- Electrical / Electronics
- Control Systems
- Software Engineering (especially for F1/sim work)
- Applied Math (used for data + strategy)
Education level? Most important part
Honestly, a Bachelor’s is the bare minimum. Most hires have a Master’s or even PhDs, especially in roles tied to research, Formula 1, or cutting-edge projects.
Oh, and Ferrari has internal academies like:
- Ferrari F1 Engineering Academy (you can check on Ferrari website for this)
- GT Manufacturing Academy (here check for more – but not sure if you can apply – you need to be informed through their profile on LinkedIn)
These are ultra-selective and made for recent grads (think MSc or PhD grads), read all the informations on the first link of Ferrari website, to know more about it. If you land a spot, you’re in a very elite crowd.
Design: When art meets speed
Ferrari cars don’t just go fast, they look fast standing still. They design the best way possible, not only in F1, but also in cars, they want perfection.
What to Study:
- Transportation Design
- Industrial Design
- Automotive Interior/Exterior Styling
- Color, Material & Finish (CMF)
- UX/UI (more for digital integration in modern cars)
And yep, portfolio is everything. If you want to even get noticed, you need to show original sketches, concepts, renderings, and ideally 3D or physical models. Creativity is the entry ticket here, preparation is the key.
Business, Marketing & Strategy: The Ferrari behind Ferrari
You don’t have to turn wrenches or sketch spoilers to work at Ferrari. There’s a whole world behind the showroom glass,from luxury branding to global logistics, so there are options that suits you, let’s explore below.
Top Degrees in this side of Ferrari:
- Business Admin
- Marketing (Luxury branding a plus)
- International Business
- Finance or Economics
- HR or Organizational Psychology
- Supply Chain & Procurement
They hire people who “get” the high-end market. Knowing how to talk to million-dollar clients and manage global networks matters just as much as your GPA.
Software, Data & Simulation
F1 is basically applied rocket science, and it’s heavily driven by data and simulation.
Relevant degrees:
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Applied Mathematics
- Systems Engineering
Software roles (especially in F1 and vehicle dynamics) often require experience with MATLAB, Python, and specialized platforms like CATIA or LabView.
Bonus stuff that really helps
Ferrari’s home is in Maranello. Even if you apply online, these factors can give you a massive edge:
- Conversational Italian (not mandatory, but makes you stand out)
- Fluent English (this is non-negotiable)
- EU citizenship or previous study/work experience in Italy
- Hands-on competition experience (Formula Student, racing teams, etc.)
- CAD/CAE/Sim tools (CATIA, MATLAB, etc.)
What Real Students & Insiders Say
You won’t see this on Ferrari.com, but on LinkedIn, Reddit, and in forums, former interns and applicants repeat a few truths:
“Formula Student is a golden ticket. If you’ve done it, Ferrari will notice you.”
“They look at your story. If your portfolio screams Ferrari passion, and you can prove it, that stands out.”
“It’s super competitive, but not impossible. Some of us didn’t have perfect degrees, but we had the work to back it up.”
Visa stuff? If you’re from outside the EU, you’ll need either sponsorship or to be enrolled in a European postgrad program. Internships often bypass this, so look there first.
What if I don’t have the ‘Right’ degree?
Don’t panic. Lots of people who work at Ferrari came from “non-standard” paths, if you want to learn, you have competitive spirit, YES, that’s what they really want.
Try these tips:
- Minor in something relevant (like business + design, or math + engineering)
- Join racing/design competitions in school
- Learn the software tools (CATIA, MATLAB, Adobe Suite, etc.)
- Network smart — follow Ferrari HR/designers on LinkedIn, like, comment, message
- Learn some Italian! It shows commitment
TL;DR – Degree Guide to Ferrari Roles
| Department | Best Degrees | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & F1 | Mech, Aero, Auto, Electrical, Software, Math | M.Sc. or PhD preferred |
| Design | Vehicle/Industrial/CMF Design | B.Des or M.Des + portfolio |
| Business | Marketing, Finance, International Biz | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Software & Data | Comp Sci, AI, Math, Systems Eng | Master’s preferred |
| Ops & Logistics | Supply Chain, Procurement, Economics | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
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