Bocconi is a private university, so tuition is around EUR 16,000-EUR 17,000 per year on the top band, similar to what a non-EU student pays. There are no guaranteed statutory public EU fees as at an Italian state university.

But: Bocconi grants very generous merit-based scholarships. All applicants are evaluated automatically, with no separate application. A Merit Award can cover anywhere from 30% up to 100% of tuition (the full waiver is worth roughly EUR 12,000 per year), and a limited number of recipients also receive free housing. In addition to merit, the Bocconi4Access scheme offers 100% waivers for international students from lower-income families. With a strong profile and an application in the Early round, a Romanian student can pay well below the top band.

Bocconi is number 1 in Italy for economics, business, finance and management. On the QS World University Rankings by Subject it sits in the global top 20 for Economics & Econometrics and among the world's leading positions for Business & Management and Accounting & Finance. The Financial Times consistently includes it in the world top 10 for management programs, and on the Master in Management it ranks among the top spots in Europe. SDA Bocconi, the business school, is ranked at the top of the FT rankings for MBA and executive education. For economics and finance, it is one of the strongest options in continental Europe.

Bocconi has a broad portfolio of bachelor's programs taught entirely in English, lasting 3 years (180 ECTS, Bologna system). The best-known: BIEF (International Economics and Finance), BIEM (International Economics and Management), BEMACS (Economics, Management and Computer Science), BAI (Artificial Intelligence), BIG (International Politics and Government), the World Bachelor in Business (WBB) (a joint program with USC and HKUST, where you study across 3 continents), plus programs in Economic and Social Sciences and Mathematical and Computing Sciences. BIEF is oriented toward finance and investment banking, BEMACS toward data and technology, BIEM toward international management.

You need to have a test score before applying. You have two paths: the Bocconi's own test (online, sections on logic, mathematics and verbal comprehension in English; a competitive score is 35 plus out of 50) OR an SAT score (1400 plus is competitive, 1500 plus is very strong) or ACT. SAT and ACT are accepted as an alternative, they are not mandatory. The final assessment combines the test score (~55%) with the grade average from grades 10 and 11 (~45%), plus a motivational essay and CV.

Bocconi admits in 3 rounds: Early (autumn), Winter and Spring. Each subsequent round has progressively fewer places and fewer scholarships. Around 95% of places are allocated in the first two rounds. The clear recommendation: apply in the Early round, when there are the most places and the most merit scholarships available. Test preparation and the application should be started a few months before the first deadline, usually around September for the Early round.

Yes. The Romanian Baccalaureate is recognized as a qualifying diploma, just like the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma or other equivalent high school diplomas. Bocconi looks at the grade average from grades 10 and 11 (these weigh ~45% in the decision), plus the admission test score (~55%). You will submit your officially translated academic record and, in the end, the Baccalaureate diploma. The ideal profile for competitive programs: consistently high grades in mathematics and relevant subjects, plus a solid score on the Bocconi Test or SAT.

For the English-taught programs (BIEF, BIEM, BEMACS, BAI and the others), you do not need Italian to be admitted or to follow the courses. The language of instruction is English, and the campus has a large international community (over 6,000 students from 100 plus countries). You will need proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge), if you have not already studied in English. Italian helps enormously in everyday life in Milan and for internships at local companies, and Bocconi offers Italian courses for beginners. For integration and the Italian job market, we recommend learning it as you go.

Bocconi has one of the strongest placement networks in continental Europe for finance, consulting and management. Recruiters from investment banks (Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley), consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) and tech companies come directly to campus. The placement rate of the management programs is very high, and many bachelor's graduates go on to a master's at Bocconi or at other strong universities in Europe and the US. As an EU citizen, a Romanian graduate can work in Italy or anywhere in the EU without a visa. Milan is Italy's financial and corporate hub, with the headquarters of banks, funds, fashion houses and technology firms.