Study Business in Italy in English: Bocconi, LUISS, and Beyond

Study business in Italy: Bocconi, LUISS, Politecnico di Milano (MIP), Bologna, English programmes and MBAs, GMAT/GRE, merit scholarships, and how to apply.

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Italy is home to Bocconi University in Milan, one of the most respected schools in Europe for economics, finance, and management, alongside other strong business institutions. Many business programmes are taught in English, including full master's degrees and MBAs, which makes Italy a serious destination for an internationally recognised business education.

Business is a slightly different case from other fields here: the most famous schools are private, with fixed fees rather than the income-based tuition of public universities, but they also run generous merit scholarships. This guide covers the leading schools, the English programmes and MBAs, when GMAT or GRE matters, scholarships, and how to apply. For the wider context, read the Study in Italy pillar guide.

Why study business in Italy

Italy combines a strong reputation in economics and management with the practical advantage of being a global hub for fashion, design, luxury, and manufacturing, which gives business students relevant industry exposure, especially in Milan. Several programmes are taught entirely in English at master's and MBA level.

The funding picture splits by institution. Public universities such as Bologna charge income-based tuition through the ISEE, explained in the Scholarships in Italy guide. Private schools such as Bocconi and LUISS charge fixed, higher fees but run substantial merit and need-based scholarships of their own.

If you are comparing destinations, Germany offers many low-cost public business master's programmes in English. See Study Business in Germany for that route.

Universities and schools known for business

SchoolCityNotes
Bocconi UniversityMilanPrivate; world-renowned for economics, finance, management
LUISS Guido CarliRomePrivate; strong in economics, management, political economy
Politecnico di Milano School of Management (MIP / POLIMI GSoM)MilanManagement and MBA programmes from the technical university
University of BolognaBolognaLarge public university; economics and management

Bocconi is the headline name and consistently ranks among Europe's top schools for economics and management. LUISS is a leading private university in Rome, the Politecnico di Milano's graduate school of management runs well-known MBA and management programmes, and Bologna is a strong public option. The Top universities in Italy guide gives more background.

English programmes and MBAs

Business programmes taught in English are widely available in Italy and include:

  • Master of Science degrees in management, finance, economics, marketing, and data-driven business
  • Full-time and part-time MBA and Executive MBA programmes (notably at Bocconi's SDA Bocconi and at the Politecnico di Milano's graduate school of management)
  • Specialised master's in areas like luxury and fashion management, which play to Italy's industry strengths

The exact catalogue changes, so confirm the current English-taught programmes on each school's site.

GMAT, GRE, and admissions tests

Admissions requirements vary by programme and level.

  • Master of Science (pre-experience) programmes at schools like Bocconi may require or recommend the GMAT or GRE, sometimes alongside the school's own assessment. Requirements differ by programme.
  • MBA programmes commonly expect a GMAT or GRE score plus work experience, though policies and waivers vary.
  • Public-university business master's programmes generally admit on your prior degree and may use their own entry procedures rather than GMAT/GRE.

Do not assume a single test policy across Italy. Check each programme's exact requirement, including whether the GMAT or GRE is required, recommended, or waivable, on its own admissions page.

Merit scholarships

Private schools offset their higher fees with substantial scholarships. Bocconi, for example, publicises merit-based and need-based awards for international students, and other schools run their own. Public universities additionally offer income-based tuition and DSU scholarships. Treat scholarship amounts and criteria as things that change yearly and confirm them on each school's financial-aid page; the Scholarships in Italy guide covers the public-system funding in detail.

How to apply

The route depends on whether the school is public or private.

  • Private schools (Bocconi, LUISS, MIP) usually run their own direct application with their own deadlines, often in rounds. Apply early, since rounds fill and scholarships are competitive.
  • Public universities follow the standard route, with non-EU applicants completing pre-enrolment on Universitaly before the consulate processes a study visa.
  • All applicants typically need their prior qualification recognised where required, via a CIMEA statement or Dichiarazione di Valore (cimea.it), and must meet an English requirement (usually IELTS or TOEFL).
  • Apply for a study visa once admission and any required pre-enrolment are in place. See the Student visa for Italy guide.

Job outlook

Business graduates from Italy's top schools, Bocconi especially, recruit well into consulting, finance, and management roles both in Italy and internationally, with Milan as the main domestic hub. Italian helps in much of the local market, though international firms often work in English. After graduating, a study residence permit can be converted to a work permit, and higher-skilled roles may qualify for an EU Blue Card; see the Working in Italy guide.

Prepare your application

Business admissions and recruiting both place heavy weight on a clean, well-structured CV, and Italy leans on the Europass format. Convert yours with Prezumi's free Europass CV converter, test how applicant-tracking software reads it with the free ATS resume checker, and build from clean resume templates.

FAQ

Is Bocconi worth it for international students?

Bocconi is one of the most respected schools in Europe for economics, finance, and management, with strong recruiting outcomes. It is private with fixed fees, but it offers substantial merit and need-based scholarships. Whether it is worth it depends on your goals and budget; check current fees and scholarships on its site.

Can I study business in Italy in English?

Yes. Bocconi, LUISS, the Politecnico di Milano's graduate school of management, and others run English-taught master's and MBA programmes, and some public universities offer English business master's too. Confirm the current English-taught catalogue on each school's page.

Do I need the GMAT or GRE to study business in Italy?

It depends on the programme. Some pre-experience master's and most MBAs require or recommend the GMAT or GRE, while many public-university business master's programmes do not. Check each programme's specific requirement and any waiver policy.

How much does business school in Italy cost?

Private schools like Bocconi and LUISS charge fixed, higher fees but offer scholarships; public universities charge income-based tuition through the ISEE. Costs vary widely, so confirm current fees and aid on each school's page and see the Scholarships in Italy guide.

What are the career outcomes after a business degree in Italy?

Graduates from top schools recruit well into consulting, finance, and management roles in Italy and abroad, with Milan as the main hub. Italian helps in the local market, though international firms often work in English. The Working in Italy guide explains post-study work options.

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