Italy’s Bocconi University is launching a new department of computer science this year, to help further integrate technology into the teaching and delivery of its business master’s programs.
The new department, explains Stefano Caselli, vice-rector for international affairs, is just the latest in a long line of initiatives designed to boost the employability of Bocconi grads.
At Bocconi, over 95% of students from the flagship Master in International Management and Master in Finance programs land new jobs within a year of graduation, and around 75-to-80% by their graduation day.
Top companies including Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey, and PwC recruit on campus, and Bocconi master’s students can expect to earn average salaries of between $80,000 and $115,000 three years after graduation.
To stand out in the jobs market today, Stefano says employers prefer graduates with master’s degrees, who have time to explore complex topics in more detail, master the fundamentals of management, and better prepare themselves for a rapidly changing working world.
VIDEO: From a Bocconi Master in Management to a luxury fashion career
The master’s degree advantage
While the jobs market stalled after first wave of pandemic in 2020, demand for graduates from management programs has returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) Corporate Recruiters Survey.
92% of global recruiters project demand for business school graduates to either increase or remain stable over the next year.
According to GMAC, employers value graduate management talent for their leadership, decision making and interpersonal skills, and master’s graduates tend to be fast-tracked to upper-level positions in their organizations.
In fact, despite the pandemic, the jobs market has remained strong for Bocconi graduates, especially in finance, consulting, traditional corporates, and the public sector.
“That area is sparkling and, with the Covid recovery plan, governments are looking to recruit talent from the best universities in Europe,” Stefano explains.
“Even in 2020, because of our close relationships with top recruiters in Europe, recruiting didn’t stop; companies overall remained open to recruiting our talent,” he continues.
In this complex climate, employers especially value candidates with master’s degrees, Stefano says. “They want hires who are more plug-and-play; who have more experiences and are ready to face the challenges of the jobs market.”
Connecting with top employers
Just gaining access to top employers is easier as a business master’s student. Twice a year, the Bocconi&Jobs fair gives students the chance to connect directly with recruiters from a range of industries who come to campus to look for talent.
Bocconi also hosts smaller sector-specific fairs, both virtually and in-person, for students interested in careers in investment banking, technology, or fashion, for example.
Students have all the support of the career services—with resume workshops, interview preparation, and advice on personal branding—and an internship is built into every business master’s program.
At the same time, the school works hard on the employer side, Stefano explains. “We help them to recruit, to find certain students with certain profiles, and we invite them to present at Bocconi to introduce their offering and their different career paths.”
Brand is also a factor helping master’s grads from schools like Bocconi become more employable. Bocconi’s Master in Finance (MiF) and Master in Management (MiM) programs are ranked the best in Italy and 10th and 12th globally by QS. In the prestigious Financial Times rankings, Bocconi’s MiM ranks 16th globally while the MiF ranks 9th.
Why Bocconi?
Stefano puts Bocconi’s rankings success down to the school’s strong placement rate and high graduate salaries as well as the quality of the faculty and the students themselves.
The selection process for Bocconi’s master’s programs is rigorous, he points out; the idea is to provide students with a high quality classmates who will then become a high-quality professional network in the future.
To apply for Bocconi’s two-year master’s programs—including the MiF, MiM, and various specialized master’s degrees covering accounting, marketing, business analytics, and cyber security—you’ll need to submit a GMAT or GRE score, proof of English language proficiency, and have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
“A master of science at Bocconi is not easy. You interact with top professors; you do an internship. Bocconi is for open-minded people; for students who want to challenge themselves,” Stefano explains.
The vast majority of Bocconi students are now back on campus, with some blended learning. While the pandemic was a challenge, Stefano says some of what has been learned will continue post-Covid.
Recruiting is now done both in-person and virtually. As well as traditional international exchanges, Bocconi students can also take virtual exchanges via the European Common Online Learning (ECOL) network, choosing to pursue online courses offered by a host of top-ranked partner business schools.
Going forward, Stefano predicts business schools will see more blending of, not only the delivery model of programs, but what is learned. Topics such as computer science, geopolitics, and medicine, for example, will be integrated into the teaching of business master’s programs.
After all, it’s what employers are looking for. “You’ll struggle to find a job in marketing or finance now if you don’t have the fundamentals of computer science.” Everything at Bocconi, Stefano says, is focused on ensuring graduates are in the best place to land the best jobs.
“Bocconi master’s degrees present a real bridge to the business world in Europe and globally,” he says.
“If you enter Bocconi, you remain a Bocconiano forever. This strong sense of community means that, even 20 years after graduation, you’ll meet an employer and you’ll discover that they’re also a Bocconi alum.”
I really enjoyed this experience because I built a really strong relationship with other students and professors. This fact has permitted me to grow as a person and also to improve my academic background by confronting myself with other people. I would encourage Bocconi to create a new method of exams for online courses (I have experienced it during the covid-19 period) because they could not manage to control and to avoid shameless situations such as software breakdowns just before the exams.
Student
Verified
8/11/2021
On Campus
Amazing course
The workload is really heavy, but that’s the only way to prepare students for the job market. Bocconi offers also many services to help students kick off their careers. Overall, Bocconi University Masters Degree is the best option for ambitious students and the best choice among Italian and maybe European universities.
Student
Verified
24/07/2020
A great experience
A fundamental experience to understand what I want to do in life. In the three years I attended Bocconi University, I laid the foundations for my business education. I will always be grateful to it. I absolutely recommend it.
Alessandra
Verified
26/06/2020
Bocconi: Italian Quality
The great thing about this University is that it is one of the few Italian universities offering such international programs. My course is unique and doesn't exist anywhere else, so if you like arts and economics, Bocconi is the best place. The course provides both subjects concerning arts/philosophy, and ones more related to economics. Personally, I have decided to follow a different path because I am not so interested in working in this specific field, but this course is totally worth it if you want to work in a creative industry. Indeed, it gives people with a passion for luxury, arts and so on with a complete knowledge concerning management.
The best part has been the great support offered by the University in every aspect, going from on-campus facilities to monthly job fairs to better understand the kind of career we want to pursue. This is often taken for granted in Italian universities.
Student
Verified
25/05/2020
Professional and amazing
Very well organized university.
I have studied Financial management and I graduated with 108/110. The teachers are really good and professional. The university has all the facilities and the services are professional. I really enjoyed studying in a professional and international environment. Bocconi has played an important role in finding my actual job!
Student
Verified
28/10/2019
Great university which gives wonderful placement opportunities.
I really like Bocconi. What I appreciated the most was the high level of teaching and the opportunities given in terms of placement and networking connections.
I strongly recommend this university if you want to pursue a great working career.
Student
Verified
27/10/2019
Beautiful environment
Beautiful community of students with lots of opportunities for in-campus activities. The university offers 8 residences near the campus, perfect for freshmen at the first year in Milan. Professors are very prepared and always ready to help students
Student
Verified
24/03/2018
An outstanding university
The great efficiency and organization, the high quality of teaching, and the possibility to take part in many interesting and useful experiences make Bocconi University stand out. It distinguishes itself from the Italian academic background. Many people say Bocconi is too stressful, but to me, it’s worth it.
Student
Verified
20/03/2018
Excellent
Bocconi is outstanding university. Among the best in Italy. The international franework helps students to get involved in projects/associations that enrich the campus. I study law and i’ m happy about my 4 years and experiences that i had the opportunity to
Edoardo
Verified
25/01/2022
Blended
Everything was great ( apart from the covid part)
I really enjoyed this experience because I built a really strong relationship with other students and professors. This fact has permitted me to grow as a person and also to improve my academic background by confronting myself with other people. I would encourage Bocconi to create a new method of exams for online courses (I have experienced it during the covid-19 period) because they could not manage to control and to avoid shameless situations such as software breakdowns just before the exams.
Student
Verified
8/11/2021
On Campus
Amazing course
The workload is really heavy, but that’s the only way to prepare students for the job market. Bocconi offers also many services to help students kick off their careers. Overall, Bocconi University Masters Degree is the best option for ambitious students and the best choice among Italian and maybe European universities.
Student
Verified
24/07/2020
A great experience
A fundamental experience to understand what I want to do in life. In the three years I attended Bocconi University, I laid the foundations for my business education. I will always be grateful to it. I absolutely recommend it.
Alessandra
Verified
26/06/2020
Bocconi: Italian Quality
The great thing about this University is that it is one of the few Italian universities offering such international programs. My course is unique and doesn't exist anywhere else, so if you like arts and economics, Bocconi is the best place. The course provides both subjects concerning arts/philosophy, and ones more related to economics. Personally, I have decided to follow a different path because I am not so interested in working in this specific field, but this course is totally worth it if you want to work in a creative industry. Indeed, it gives people with a passion for luxury, arts and so on with a complete knowledge concerning management.
The best part has been the great support offered by the University in every aspect, going from on-campus facilities to monthly job fairs to better understand the kind of career we want to pursue. This is often taken for granted in Italian universities.
Student
Verified
25/05/2020
Professional and amazing
Very well organized university.
I have studied Financial management and I graduated with 108/110. The teachers are really good and professional. The university has all the facilities and the services are professional. I really enjoyed studying in a professional and international environment. Bocconi has played an important role in finding my actual job!
Student
Verified
28/10/2019
Great university which gives wonderful placement opportunities.
I really like Bocconi. What I appreciated the most was the high level of teaching and the opportunities given in terms of placement and networking connections.
I strongly recommend this university if you want to pursue a great working career.
Student
Verified
27/10/2019
Beautiful environment
Beautiful community of students with lots of opportunities for in-campus activities. The university offers 8 residences near the campus, perfect for freshmen at the first year in Milan. Professors are very prepared and always ready to help students
Student
Verified
24/03/2018
An outstanding university
The great efficiency and organization, the high quality of teaching, and the possibility to take part in many interesting and useful experiences make Bocconi University stand out. It distinguishes itself from the Italian academic background. Many people say Bocconi is too stressful, but to me, it’s worth it.
Student
Verified
20/03/2018
Excellent
Bocconi is outstanding university. Among the best in Italy. The international franework helps students to get involved in projects/associations that enrich the campus. I study law and i’ m happy about my 4 years and experiences that i had the opportunity to
Yangxin
Verified
27/03/2024
On Campus
Excellent university full of opportunities
I had almost zero experience in business before coming to Bocconi. However, this did not hinder my career prospects here. I was fortunate to receive valuable opportunities such as in-company training and internships. Through these experiences, I gained invaluable practical insights into various business scenarios, becoming more acquainted with the real business world.
Before arriving here, I had not learned Italian, which initially made me concerned about possible cultural or language barriers. Bocconi offers Italian language courses that proved indispensable in helping me adapt to Milan during my days here. Additionally, my Italian classmates have been incredibly welcoming, assisting me with cultural adjustments and willingly serving as language partners to help with my Italian language learning journey. My two-year life here has become both manageable and enjoyable.
In conclusion, I would recommend this university to those people who are eager to embrace a future brimming with opportunities.
Alex
Verified
28/03/2024
On Campus
So many opportunities
Bocconi has been an amazing journey for me, filled with growth and opportunities, both on a professional and personal level. The professors teaching the International Management Master's are of really high quality and they were able to transfer some much "knowledge that matters", thanks also to the many teamworking experiences during the course. Bocconi also allowed me to experience a double degree program with ESADE, which taught me a lot both in terms of professional development, as well as allowing me to expand my network of international students even further. Overall, Bocconi unleashed plenty of opportunities I could not foresee before joining the university and that I'm really grateful for and excited to dive into.
Marina
Verified
30/03/2024
On Campus
Invest in your knowledge
Bocconi offers plenty of opportunities to grow as a person and as a professional. I was able to both broaden my interests and deepen existent knowledge during my Master's degree in Finance. It's very challenging, but the result is totally worth it. Bocconi has a very impressive reputation across the world, which allowed me to have an internship at my dream company.
Tara
Verified
1/04/2024
On Campus
A University Ripe with Opportunity
As a first year Masters in International Management student, the global perspective, abundant learning opportunities and networking opportunities were the main aspects that drew me towards pursing my studies at Bocconi. And Bocconi has delivered in full on these promises.
In my classes I have really valued the more application based approach which centres around collaboration with peers from around the world. There are also so many opportunities for learning outside the classroom through supplementary activities, societies, guest lectures and other events hosted by the university!
The networking opportunities and career services are world class. The university regularly hosts events like Bocconi
Martina
Verified
1/04/2024
On Campus
Environment and experiences
Entering Bocconi, I was shy and uncertain. I was surprised to discover a supportive community that not only challenged me academically but also encouraged me to come out of my shell. I found myself surrounded by lifelong friends who turned out to be an invaluable support for me.
Despite my initial indecision, my chosen course (Economics and Management for Arts and Culture) proved to be the perfect fit, seamlessly blending rigorous economic principles with insights into the cultural landscape. I found myself immersed in a dynamic environment that fostered healthy competition, pushing me to excel while simultaneously supporting my personal growth.
Reflecting on my period at Bocconi, I can confidently say it was the best time of my life. Through unforgettable experiences in students associations, internships and study-abroad periods, Bocconi accompanied me from adolescence into adulthood. It provided me with the confidence and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the real world, offering me an environment where I could flourish both academically and personally.
Erik
Verified
2/04/2024
On Campus
Great programme in MSc Finance
I have done the MSc in Finance, and I am extremely happy with it.
The quality of the education is really good, and has more than prepared me for my job in Asset Management after my studies. There are also a lot of group projects and labs in the classes which lets you try things in practice.
In addition to this, there are a lot of good student associations for finance which allows you to connect with a lot of really brilliant people.
Student
Verified
2/04/2024
On Campus
My Experience at Bocconi University
Bocconi University offers a great deal of programs. The small classes make it easy for students to interact with professors, all very experienced in their field, and not only care for the students' life inside the classroom but also for their lives outside, providing many amazing extracurricular activities, from sports, and associations to theater and singing. Overall, a great experience!
Student
Verified
4/04/2024
On Campus
Excellent university providing a great preparation
I have chosen Bocconi University for both my bachelor's and master's degree and I am extremely satisfied with my experience and the preparation the institution has given me, both academically and to be equipped to enter the job market. The programs are very international, which has allowed me to make friends from all over the world, and the university offers a wide range of interesting courses, both in Italian and in English, which often combine a theoretical strong preparation together with practical applied projects. Bocconi also has a great and efficient career service that organizes useful events to get ready for the job market, meet employers and network with companies. I have also appreciated the presence of over a hundred student associations, which has allowed me to pursue some interests of mine while meeting students from several different courses and gainining more practical experience through additional projects.
