Located in Milan, Italy, Bocconi University is one of the best universities in Europe and in the world, ranking 9th globally for business and management studies and 16th for economics studies according to QS rankings.
Bocconi has earned its reputation thanks to its highly developed curriculum, which combines economics with other specialized studies to give students the opportunity to develop multilaterally. At the same time, it stands out for the partnerships it has developed with employers in the financial or consultancy sector, which give students access to numerous opportunities and facilitate their transition to the job market.
More and more students who choose to mentor with Upgrade are putting Bocconi on their list. If you plan to join them and enroll at Bocconi University, in this guide you’ll discover everything you need to know about the admissions process, from selection criteria and tuition fees to scholarships offered, campus opportunities, and more.
What you can study at Bocconi University
Bocconi’s majors will almost always have economics, but it can be combined with other subjects. Here is the list of majors to choose from:
- Economics and Social Sciences
- Economics and Arts, Culture and Communication Management
- Economics, Management, and Informatics
- International Economics and Finance
- International Economics and Management
- International Politics and Governance Studies
- Mathematics and Computer Science for Artificial Intelligence
- Global License in Business
If you still need to decide which major to choose, Upgrade Education mentors can help you identify the subjects you’re good at and the areas you’re passionate about. For example, if you want to work in the financial sector, they might point you towards the International Economics and Finance program, and if you want to work in public economic policymaking, they might recommend Economics and Social Sciences.
Contact us and learn more about how we can guide you to choose the right program for your preferences and strengths!
Admission rates: how hard it is to get into Bocconi
Each year, Bocconi University accepts approximately 4,000 students into its undergraduate programs. The admission rate is 33% and the programs become more competitive every year.
While the admission rate is quite low, your chances of getting into Bocconi depend on how competitive your application is compared to other applicants. At Upgrade Education, you can prepare your application with mentors who have passed the Bocconi admissions process with flying colors, so they can ensure that every element of your application exceeds the university’s requirements. Over 90% of our students who have applied to Bocconi have received an offer. Talk to a mentor and find out how you can get in too!
Requirements and criteria for admission to Bocconi
In admissions, the university focuses on the academic component of the application, placing a lot of emphasis on performance on standardized tests and GPA.
Thus, students wishing to study at Bocconi, especially international applicants, are encouraged to demonstrate academic excellence through highly competitive scholastic averages and exam excellence through a high score on the admission exam or SAT.
Academic excellence
The school average in grades 10-11 is worth 45% of admission at Bocconi.
The university requires the applicants’ transcript showing grades 10 to 11, as well as proof of GPA for the three school years received from the educational institution. All these documents can be obtained from the secretary’s office and must be both translated and legalized.
We recommend that students maintain an overall GPA above 9.5, given the level of competitiveness of the current Bocconi admissions.
If you’re unsure about your preparation so far, Upgrade Education mentors can help you get the scores you need to get admitted to Bocconi. Write to us and find out more!
Exam excellence
The Bocconi admission test is worth 55% of your application.
The University offers two main types of standardized tests for university admission – the SAT and the Bocconi.
- The SAT is an American-origin exam, consisting of two tests – Reading and Writing and Mathematics. The first test, Comprehension and Use of English, has 54 questions to be completed in 64 minutes. After the first test follows a short break, the Mathematics test consists of 44 questions for which candidates have 70 minutes. The difficulty of the questions depends on the candidate’s performance and the maximum possible score is 1600 points. The SAT can be taken several times, but we do not recommend more than three attempts as the admissions committee may interpret this as slow progress. You can apply with the highest score you scored. For admission to Bocconi, we recommend a score above 1400.
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- The Bocconi Test is the university-specific admission test that can replace the SAT and can be taken only once. The test will be taken during each admission session. It has 50 questions, divided into four categories – Mathematics (28 questions), Reading Comprehension (11 questions), Numerical Reasoning (6 questions) and Critical Thinking (5 questions). The test lasts 75 minutes and mistakes are penalized with a point deduction. To be considered as a potential candidate you must have a score above 17, and in Mathematics you must score at least 11 out of 28.
At Upgrade Education, we recommend the SAT because of its more advantageous format, lack of point penalties, and degree of difficulty. After preparing with us, our students have an average score increase of 260 points, and their chances of getting into Bocconi over 90%.
How much does it cost to study at Bocconi: tuition fees and living costs
Here’s what you can expect to cover in a year at Bocconi:
Cost | Value |
---|---|
Tuition fees | € 16.500 |
Accommodation costs | € 7.000 – € 9.000 |
Living costs | € 4.000 – € 5.000 |
Scholarships and funding to study at Bocconi
Bocconi University promotes equal opportunities and offers a number of scholarships based on merit and financial need. Here are some of them:
- Bocconi Access to Education Scholarship – a scholarship that offers the possibility to reduce tuition fees by 60%, 80% or 100%. The scholarship award is based on financial documentation from the family.
- Bocconi Boost your Future Scholarship – a scholarship dedicated to students who need funds to cover only part of their tuition fees, implicitly 20% or 40%, and the allocation is based on the same criteria.Â
- In addition to these main financial aid programs, Bocconi offers several specific programs that are only available to members of certain minorities.Â
If you enroll in the Upgrade Education program you will receive assistance in choosing scholarships and access to a database of funding opportunities for your studies at Bocconi. Talk to a mentor and find out more!
Admission timetable
Bocconi University has three different application phases for undergraduate programs. We recommend applying in the early session. Although it will not be less competitive than the rest, there will be more places available.
Application steps | Running period |
---|---|
Early session | July – end of September |
Winter session | end of November – end of January |
Spring session | early March – early April |
How to apply to Bocconi, step by step
Here’s a list of the steps you’ll need to follow when applying to Bocconi:
- Check which applicant category you fall into – the choice depends on your education system. Most students in Romania fall into the international applicant category.
- Start early to study for standardized tests – it’s a good idea to start preparing as early as possible. This will vary from student to student, in our experience, you need on average a minimum of 4 months of intense work to achieve a competitive score.
- Get a mentor – as soon as you decide you want to study abroad, consider getting a mentor like those at Upgrade Education. Someone who has been through the stages and tests you’re about to go through for Bocconi can help you make a structured and effective learning plan.
- Take the standardized tests and submit your score – the university gives you several options to choose from.
- Fill in the single application form – you will fill in a number of details in the online portal in order to submit your application.
- Pay the application fee – this is €100.
- Wait for a reply – you’ll receive an email from the university letting you know if they’re offering you a place in the program you want.
- Apply for the scholarship – if you know Bocconi is the university where you want to study, once you receive the offer we recommend that you prepare your family’s financial documents in order to complete your scholarship application.
Upgrade Education mentors can provide advice and guidance on each of these steps, so feel free to contact us to learn more.
Student life at Bocconi
Once admitted to Bocconi, you can use the resources offered by the university on the dedicated Student Life website to prepare for the start of the academic year. Bocconi offers a number of dorms, which are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting a room.
At the start of the academic year, you’ll have an induction week, where you’ll be introduced to the university, school clubs, socializing opportunities and new colleagues.
Bocconi encourages its students to engage in various extracurricular activities for personal and professional development:
- It has many student associations you can join, covering a wide range of interests, from counseling or finance to the arts, entrepreneurship, robotics, and more.
- It offers all students the opportunity to do an exchange year at a partner university. Upgrade Education mentors have gone on such programs to universities in the USA or other European countries.
Prepare for Bocconi admission with Upgrade Education mentors
Bocconi University is a great choice for economics, management, or finance enthusiasts who want to study at one of Europe’s top universities.
The admissions process is very different from choosing a Romanian university. To make it easier for you, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a mentor, such as Upgrade Education.
You can benefit from personalized 1-on-1 preparation meetings with Bocconi students or alumni who are very familiar with the Bocconi admission system, the required candidate profile, student life, and course structure. Thus, they can guide you in choosing the right course, preparing for the standardized exams, and going through the application steps, all to maximize your chances of admission.
Want to apply to Bocconi? Talk to one of our mentors and take the first step towards your academic dream.