Bocconi University (Università Bocconi) is a private university established in Milan in 1902 by a wealthy merchant Ferdinando Bocconi. The university, majoring in economics, was also the first university in Italy to offer a degree in economics. Despite being a private university, it has traditionally been more than just an elite university.
Today it is an international research university in the fields of economics, law and business administration. Its research projects are funded by international organizations and it collaborates with numerous schools in Europe and America. The Bachelor of Business Administration degree, developed in collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Southern California-Marshall School of Business, allows students to study in various locations during a year. They are also constantly interacting with the business and economic environment to initiate new applications and research, close relationships with major companies, international organizations, executives and authorities.
Bocconi University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in disciplines as business, economics, law and other. Additionally, it offers courses and the opportunity to interact with professionals for reinforcement of training. Economics, business and finance programs taught at the university are among the best in the world. According to the QS World University Ranking, Bocconi is among the top 10 universities in Europe. 95% of graduates start their career in famous brands and multinational corporations.
Each year, Bocconi University sends around 4,000 students abroad for internships and exchanges and accepts more than 1,600 international students into various programs. The university is located in Milan, the center of finance, industry and commerce of Italy, making it part of the global community. In such manner, students learn to be well-rounded and develop a truly global mindset.
Where is Bocconi University (Università Bocconi) Located?
The Campus of Bocconi University is located in the center of Milan, in the Navigli district. The campus is famous for the modern architecture and design and is very accessible in terms of transportation due to its location in the center of the city. The campus is within walking distance from the Duomo di Milano Cathedral located in the heart of Milan
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Moreover, the campus is located close to Via Sarfatti, one of the most important streets in Milan. Therefore, Bocconi University is easily accessible to the city center and other important touristic sights. Students commonly use bicycles in the city.
Bocconi University Student Life
The Bocconi University Campus offers a very active social life for its students which is located in the center of Milan. From sports clubs such as soccer, basketball and water polo to performing arts, yoga and relaxation techniques, it offers a range of courses that help to develop confidence, leadership and teamwork skills. A world of art, music and theater prepares students one step further.
Every year, the Bocconi Art Gallery initiative sheds light on contemporary art in collaboration with international artists and distinguished galleries. It has a large library where students can study in comfort, with a wide variety of books, especially in terms of economic materials.
Additionally, it will be pleasure to visit historical buildings in the city, which has a deep cultural heritage. There are a lot of amusement places for young people in the city center. Milan is also a developed city in terms of transportation network and it is very easy to travel to the sights in the vicinity.
You can also take a look our article about “Making a Living as a Student in Italy“.
Famous Graduates from Bocconi University | Università Bocconi
- Nouriel Roubini is an American economist born in Istanbul. He is an advisor to the IMF, teaches at the New York University and has an economic consulting firm.
- Alessandro Profumo is the CEO of Leonardo S.p.A.
- Emma Marcegaglia, the board of directors of the Confederation of Italian Industry (Confindustria) nominated Emma Marcegaglia as its new president.
- Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, Former Italian Minister of Economy and Finance.
- Vittorio Colao, former CEO of Vodafone Group and Italian businessman.
- Giovanni Ciserani, Member of the Board of Directors of Angelini Holding S.p.A.
- Mario Monti, member of the Senate of the Italian Republic for life, former rector and president of Bocconi University.
- Claudio Brescianini
- Giovanni Arrighi
- Giacomo Manzoni
Bocconi University World Rankings
Bocconi University (Università Bocconi) QS World University Rankings:
- 2020, Social Sciences & Management, 16.
- 2019, Social Sciences & Management, 16.
- 2018, Social Sciences & Management, 11.
- 2017, Social Sciences & Management, 17.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 listing:
- Social Sciences and Management 4th in Europe, 16th in the world.
- Accounting and Finance 5th in Europe, 17th in the world.
- Economics and Econometrics 4th in Europe, 16th in the world.
- Business and Management 3rd in Europe, 7th in the world.
Bocconi University Departments
Undergraduate Departments in English
Bocconi University offers the following undergraduate programs taught in English:
- International Economics and Management,
- International Economics and Finance,
- Economics and Management for Arts, Culture and Communication,
- Economic and Social Sciences,
- Economics, Management and Computer Science,
- Mathematical and Computing Sciences for Artificial Intelligence,
- International Politics and Government,
- World Bachelor in Business.
Undergraduate Departments in Italian
The undergraduate programs offered in Italian language at the university are as follows:
- Business Administration and Management,
- Economics and Finance,
- Economics and Management for Arts, Culture and Communication.
In addition, the Law (Giurisprudenza) program, which is a 5 to 6 year undergraduate program offered in Italian, is also preferred by students.
Bachelor’s degree programs at Bocconi University lasts 3 years, except for the World Bachelor in Business (4 years). For admission, it is necessary to pass the SAT, ATC exam or the exam administered by Bocconi University, which consists of tests such as logic, mathematics, general aptitude. IELTS 6 and TOEFL 89 are required as language proficiency certificates.
For more detailed information, you can review our articles about “University Education in Italy (Bachelor’s Degree)” and “Postgraduate Study in Italy“.
Master’s Degree Programs in English
Master’s programs at Bocconi University are offered in the form of a 2-year Master’s degree with thesis and MBA. The Institute coordinates the Master’s programs in economics and business administration as well as the pre-experience Specialized Master’s programs. The master’s programs are also offered in English and Italian. Master’s programs in English are available within the following departments at the university:
- International Management,
- Management,
- Marketing Management,
- Accounting, Financial Management and Control,
- Finance,
- Economics and Management in Arts, Culture, Media and Entertainment,
- Economics and Management of Government and International Organizations,
- Economic and Social Sciences,
- Economics and Management of Innovation and Technology,
- Data Science and Business Analytics,
- Politics and Policy Analysis,
- Cyber Risk Strategy and Governance.
Master’s degree programs at Bocconi University lasts 2 years. As an admission requirement, at least 600 of GMAT, 6 of IELTS and 89 of TOEFL score are required as language proficiency certificates.
Master’s Degree Programs in Italian
- Marketing Management,
- Finance,
- Management,
- Accounting, Financial Management and Control,
- Law and Business Administration.
In addition to these programs, Bocconi University also offers a 2-year Double Degree Master’s program taught in English. In this master’s degree program offered within the scope of the CEMS MIMS program, students can choose one of the CEMS partner universities for the second year after completing the first year at Bocconi. Students who complete the program in this way are entitled to graduate with a double diploma. Minimum GMAT score of 600 is required to apply for this master’s program.
Doctorate Programs
- PhD in Business Administration and Management
- PhD in Economics and Finance
- PhD in Legal Studies
- PhD in Public Policy and Administration
- PhD in Statistics
Undergraduate Admission Requirements at Bocconi University
Applicants only have a chance to apply to the undergraduate program once per year. To do so, they must first obtain the required score on the SAT, ACT exam or Bocconi Test. The purpose of the Bocconi Test is to measure students’ abilities, decision-making skills and crisis management skills. There are 70 multiple-choice questions and the test duration is 105 minutes.
In addition to the test scores, applicants must submit their high school diploma and transcripts, passport, CV and language exam certificates. The minimum language score requirement is 6.0 for IELTS (minimum 5.5 in all bands) and 88 for TOEFL IBT. In addition to the annual fee for Bocconi University undergraduate programs, there are also financing opportunities based on the student’s family income. For this reason, the most accurate information on application and annual fees can be obtained from the official website of the University.
Admission Requirements for Master’s Degree at Bocconi University
In order to enroll in the Postgraduate programs offered by the University, candidates must have a minimum score of 6.0 in the IELTS exam (none of the bands can be less than 5.5) and a minimum score of 99 in the TOEFL IBT exam. Students who cannot provide this score are required to apply with a document showing that they have studied 100% in English.
In addition, students are required to submit their undergraduate diploma and transcript, CV and passport during the application process. Moreover, students applying to CEMS and Bocconi-ESEC programs are required to have a TOEFL score of 100.
Unlike the undergraduate application requirements, applicants must also report their GMAT/GRE scores to the University. The annual fees of Bocconi University master’s programs are shown in detail on the official website. Candidates are also advised to thoroughly analyze the programs they will apply for, like fees and educational content.
Bocconi University Entrance Exam (Bocconi Test)
The aim of the Bocconi exam is to select candidates with critical and flexible abilities, good organizational and decision-making skills and the ability to face problems and challenges. Bocconi University requires its students to demonstrate skills and abilities to work on quantitative subjects. The Bocconi test is based on 4 subjects. It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions and 105 minutes are allowed.
There are 20 questions on reading comprehension, 20 questions on logic, 20 questions on math and 10 questions on numerical reasoning. Students are awarded with 1 point for each correct answer and 0.2 points are subtracted for each incorrect answer; no penalty applied for the questions left blank.
There is no course or preparation book to prepare for the Bocconi University exam. Please do not forget to fill in our application form for a sample test and university application.
Summer School Opportunity at Bocconi
In addition to the programs offered at the university, summer schools for 3-week programs are also available. In this way, university students studying abroad are offered the opportunity to spend the summer in Milan. There are 7 different course options in the fields of digital marketing, economics, entrepreneurship and innovation management, capital and venture capital finance, fashion and design management, international trade and management and there is a chance to apply to only 1 of them.
You can also check our article about “Summer Schools in Italy” for detailed information.
Bocconi University Tuition Fees and Scholarship Opportunities
Bachelor’s degree program fees at Bocconi University will cost on average between 16,000 and 20,000 euros per year on the other hand, master’s degree programs might cost between 20,000 and 25,000 euros annually. These fees cover only tuition fees and other expenses as accommodation costs, food, books and other living expenses should be calculated extra.
However, depending on the financial status of the students’ family, funds might be requested after the application. Undergraduate applications are made in 3 different semesters and master’s applications are made in 6 different dates. Students have the right to apply 1 time per year.
Additionally, before the start of the university education period in Bocconi, students can apply to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities provided by the Italian Government to international students. Major expenses such as living and accommodation costs are considerably covered thanks to these scholarships provided to students annually.
Dormitory and Accommodation Facilities at Bocconi University
Bocconi University students are offered accommodation in 8 different areas. These dormitories offer students an opportunity to attend the most of student life in an international, intercultural and stimulating environment in the heart of the campus. Dormitory prices start from approximately €500 per month.
In cases where students cannot benefit from dormitory facilities, they can consider options such as renting a room, renting a shared apartment, which is a very commonly accepted in Italy. In this way, students can reduce their expenses considerably and can easily continue their education life in cities with high living costs as Milan.
You can also review our article about “Accommodation in Italy“.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bocconi University public or private?
Bocconi University is a private university. This private university in Milan offers programs in business, economics and management fields. A large number of international students apply and get accepted every year to the University.
What are the programs at Bocconi University?
Academic programs at Bocconi University include fields as economics, management, law and social sciences. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs.
What is the language of instruction at Bocconi University?
The study programs at Bocconi University are available in English and in Italian. Students who wish to study either English or Italian programs must meet the B2 language proficiency requirement or if language proficiency is required by interview, they must pass the interview.
How much does it cost to study at Bocconi?
Tuition fees at Bocconi University vary between 16,000 and 20,000 euros per year on average for undergraduate programs and between 20,000 and 25,000 euros for master’s programs.
Is there any dormitory facilities at Bocconi University?
Dormitories options are available for Bocconi University students. The student dormitories of the university provide accommodation for students close to the campus. In addition, students who cannot benefit from dormitory facilities can consider low-cost options such as room rental and shared apartment rental, which is commonly accepted in Italy.
