However, did you know that it’s also a hotbed of business schools where you can secure a top MBA and launch the next step in your career?
Here are five of the best Italian business schools where you can access top networking opportunities and develop a transferable skill set, making you an asset in the global business sphere.
5. Bologna University Business School
QS Rank: 71-80
MBA Length: 12 months
Cost: €35,000 ($38,600)
©Bologna Business School Facebook
Located in Northern Italy, Bologna is the country’s seventh most populous city. Famous for its medieval towers and cuisine, it boasts a vibrant international culture and Bologna University—the world’s oldest university in continuous operation, teaching since 1088.
Bologna’s business school has a strongly practice-oriented approach and offers a unique learning experience in collaboration with Italian “industry champions,” especially from the automotive, food and wine, sustainability, automation robotics, and luxury fields.
The Global MBA features a unique curriculum that aligns with this approach. It offers five distinctive Italian specializations to its students: AI and Manufacturing, Design, Fashion and Luxury Goods, Food and Wine, Green Energy and Sustainable Business, and Superbike, Supercars, and Motorbikes.
The final specialization will be no surprise for those familiar with Bologna, as the city is a hub for Italian automotive brands. Lamborghini, Ducati, and Maserati all have their headquarters or manufacturing plants in the city.
4. MIB Trieste School of Management
QS Rank: 71-80
MBA Length: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
Cost: €25,000 ($27,750)
©MIB Trieste Facebook
Right on the Slovenian border in Northeastern Italy sits the port city of Trieste. Its location means it benefits from being a gateway for Northern Italy, Germany, Austria, and Central Europe. It is considered the endpoint of the maritime Silk Road, with its connections to the Suez Canal and Turkey.
The MBA in International Business at MIB Trieste incorporates this international mindset, providing several international opportunities within the MBA program.
There are a variety of opportunities for stays abroad, including Study Tours in Europe, an exchange program in the United States or China, with more than ten countries represented in the classroom each year, and an international faculty. The MBA program at MIB Trieste is one of only four MBAs in Italy with AMBA Global Accreditation—Association of MBAs, which is recognized in over 80 countries worldwide.
3. LUISS University
QS Rank: 34
MBA Length: 12 months
Cost: €35,000 ($38,600)
©LUISS University Facebook
Located in the country’s capital, Rome, LUISS University is a private institution.
Students at this private business school benefit from being in a major international financial, cultural, and business center. From tourism to oil and gas, or fashion, the city has a booming economy for MBA students to learn from and develop careers in.
The LUISS MBA offers a dynamic international experience designed to develop critical managerial skills through real-world challenges and collaboration. The Global Business Challenges connect students from Italian and international schools, enabling them to tackle social and economic issues proposed by leading companies.
The program also features team-based business case competitions that hone entrepreneurial, managerial, and problem-solving abilities in cross-country contexts. A highlight is the International Week, where students work in multicultural teams on business cases with top Italian companies. Additionally, an exchange program allows eligible students to gain global exposure by studying at one of LUISS’s partner business schools.
2. POLIMI Graduate School of Management
QS Rank: 26
MBA Length: 12 months
Cost: €35,000 ($38,600)
©POLIMI GSM Facebook
Based in Milan, one of the fashion capitals of the world, POLIMI is among the world’s premier business schools.
MBA students at POLIMI benefit from Milan’s diverse economy and the plethora of industries available as the economic capital of Italy, one of the economic capitals of Europe, and a global financial center.
POLIMI is committed to maximizing its positive impact on society, exploiting and spreading the power of digital innovation, relationships, and multiculturalism.
The MBA is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of how companies operate, equipping them with essential skills for both the present and future. The program aims to provide practical, peer-based learning on key management topics and the latest innovations transforming business.
It offers a wide range of courses, networking events, and personalized services to enhance career advancement opportunities. The programs are customizable, catering to professionals, managers, entrepreneurs, and those new to the workforce, offering an adaptable and enriching learning experience.
1. SDA Bocconi
QS Rank: 10
MBA Length: 12 months
Cost: €82,000 ($90,500)
©SDA Bocconi Facebook
Unsurprisingly, the best business school in Italy is SDA Bocconi, a globally renowned institution. Along with ranking 10th in the QS ranking, SDA Bocconi was joint third in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking.
Also located in Milan, SDA Bocconi charts a path to success for its students. It starts with core modules, which include Understanding Investments and International Strategy, before allowing students to specialize, offering four concentrations: Finance and Private Investment, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Customer Experience Management, and Luxury Business Management.
This experience gives SDA Bocconi graduates a significant advantage when landing a job. According to the Financial Times, 95% land a job within three months after graduation, with an average 135% salary increase.
Given its location, it’s no surprise that graduates thrive within the luxury industry. Top designers like Valentino, Giorgio Armani, and Prada are among the companies hiring SDA Bocconi MBAs. Leveraging their fashion heritage, SDA Bocconi also boasts links to LVMH, Kering, L’Oréal, Intercos, Nike, and YNAP.
To help new graduates tap into these opportunities, SDA Bocconi’s career services team cultivates close relationships with students and alumni.
