Guides to the university

In order to classify levels of language knowledge, Bocconi University follows the Common European Framework established by the European Council.

In order to be admitted to a BSc program, regarding language skills, the University requires:

• For BSc programs taught in Italian: knowledge of English of at least B1 general level (prerequisite verified upon admissions to the program); for non-native Italian speakers, a B2 general level in Italian is also suggested.
• For BSc programs taught in English: knowledge of English of at least B2 general level (prerequisite verified upon admissions to the program).

The study plan for all BSc program, with the exception of BAI, includes:

• First year: first language
• Second year: second language

The study plan for BAI (the Bachelor of Science in Mathematical and Computing Sciences for Artificial Intelligence) includes only one language in the second year, whose rules coincide with those of the second language for the other BSc programs.

The choice of foreign languages depends on both the following variables:

• language of instruction of the BSc program;
• student’s native language (as declared during admission to the program, which cannot be changed for the entire duration of the program).

The languages included in the study plan must be:

• different from the student’s native language
• different from each other.

In addition:

• English as a first language (except for BAI) is mandatory for students who are non-native English speakers enrolled in BSc programs in Italian;
• Italian as a first or second language is mandatory for students who are non-native Italian speakers enrolled in BSc programs in English
• when it is possible to choose as foreign language the vehicular language of the program, the minimum exit level is higher than the required entry level (see table below).

All possible combinations are listed below:
 

(1) English is assigned automatically. Course level: B2 general is assigned automatically. Transfers to C1 general level class groups need the English teacher's approval.

(2) English is assigned automatically. Students who are native English speakers MUST (while non-native English speakers CAN) choose a language other than English immediately after finalization of enrollment (see chapter 9 Administrative rules, procedures and deadlines).

(3) Second language is not assigned automatically; it has to be chosen when enrolling in the second year.

(4) A2 general is required for Double Degree incoming students and for students enrolled in WBB (World Bachelor in Business). Students are allowed to change languages included in their personal study plan (see conditions and deadlines in chapter 9).

N.B.: Portuguese is considered an “extra” language as of a.y. 2019-2020 and students (any cohort) cannot choose it as second curricular language.

The educational offer includes:

For English (first year) – except BAI:

• B2 and C1 general curricular courses lasting one year.

For other curricular languages:

First language (first year) – except BAI:

• B2 general curricular courses lasting one year

Second language (second year) – only language for BAI:

• B1 general curricular courses lasting one year;
• Italian: A2 general curricular course lasting one year (for specific categories of students enrolled in international programs, see note 4 – paragraph 3.1.2);
• Italian preparatory course (held in the first semester) open to all first-year students who are not native Italian speakers, aimed at promoting successful participation in the curricular course

For further details about courses, please see “course profiles” published on the website and “course syllabi” available on the BBoard (via the yoU@B student Diary).
 

Knowledge may be assessed through an internal exam or recognition of a language certificate. In both cases:

• the grade will be recorded as a score out of thirty and will be included in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (GPA);
• the level of competence acquired is mentioned in the exam report and in the student’s transcript.

After passing the internal exam, a certificate can be completed at a later date, but the certificate cannot be recorded in the student's transcript. However, after a certificate is recorded on the transcript, the internal exam can no longer be taken.

The assessment method consists of a Bocconi exam focused on assessing four skills, in line with international certifications:

• reading comprehension
• writing skills
• listening comprehension
• speaking skills

Students can sit the exam (“general” mode) starting from the end of second semester (after the end of the teaching period: May).

5 exam sessions are scheduled during the following periods:

1. May-June
2. June-July
3. late August-September
4. October
5. January-February

The exam consists of two linked parts:

• written (focused on writing, reading, listening)
• oral (focused on speaking).

Please note that:

• in order to sit the exam, students must register through the exam registration tool in the yoU@B student diary (one single registration, valid for both written and oral parts; students that register for and pass the written part will automatically be registered for the oral part);
• both written and oral parts have to be taken in the same exam session;
• the final grade is result of the sum of the two grades (written grade + oral grade).

Further details are available in the course syllabus posted in BBoard.
 

Regarding the level of the exam:

• Bocconi internal exams are organized for the minimum exit level only;
• the only exception is for English in programs taught in Italian: in this case, the internal exam is available at both B2 and C1 level (although the minimum exit level is B2) and students are allowed to choose their exit level when registering for the exam, regardless of the level of the course attended.

For both languages:

• exams can be recorded on the transcript starting in the first year (therefore even before the first internal exam session for which the student could register);
• credits for the first language (except BAI) shall be calculated in the number of credits required for enrolling in the second year, only if the certificate is submitted by 13 July 2021;
• in order for it to be recorded in the transcript, students must submit the certificate to the Language Center (see submission methods at page www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter) and do not need to register for the Bocconi internal exam.

International certifications can be recorded in the academic curriculum provided that they are:

• officially recognized by the University and have been taken at an officially recognized test center in Italy or abroad;
• equal to or higher than the minimum exit level requirement;
• submitted to Language Center for recording within 3 years after sitting the international certification exam (2 years for the TOEFL test and - for certifications taken starting on Sept 1st 2019 - for IELTS test as well, according to the provisions of the certifying agency);
• submitted by the student; only original certifications or, as an alternative, statement of result (with stamp and signature of the certifying agency) are allowed for submission;
• verifiable by the University

The certification can be completed during the program at Bocconi or date back to high school studies, provided that it is still valid when submitted to the Language Center.

The level and typology (general, business) will be recorded in the academic curriculum as stated by the certifying agency on the international certification.

More detailed information (list of recognized certificates, conversion tables, etc.) is available on the website www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter, in the “Certificates” section.

NB: we remind you that it is possible to convert only the language certifications recognized by the Language Center as an alternative to the Bocconi language exam, in compliance with the rules specified on the chapter "Foreign Languages" of the Guide to the University and at page www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter, "Language certificates" section.

Under his/her responsibility, the student must carefully check the certifications which can be recognized and the relating conversion rules, before forwarding the certification recognition request. 

In order to support students who want to earn an international certification, the Language Center offers:

• courses to prepare for some certifications (details available on the website at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in the “Supplementary Activities” section);
• materials for preparation and sample examinations at the Language Lab;
• test center service for some certificates:
  • British Council/Cambridge English Language Assessment for English: IELTS Academic, BEC Vantage, BEC Higher, CAE, First Certificate
  • Chambre du Commerce de Paris for French: DFP Affaires (levels B1 and B2)

The registration procedure and the entire process strictly follow the rules established by the certifying agency. All registration fees for certification exams are at the student’s expense.

In addition to attending lectures, learning foreign languages requires a constant commitment to self-study.

At the Language Laboratory, the Language Center offers:

• tutoring service provided by the language teaching staff to support individual learning; the service is available upon reservation;
• various materials for preparing certifications and the Bocconi exam, available at the multimedia Library of the Laboratory and/or on the BBoard platform.

A Language Exchange service for students is also organized, along with a film festival for movies in their original language.

For more information: www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in the “Self-Study and Other Activities” section.

Curricular languages can be recorded as additional activities (see chapter 9), either by passing a Bocconi exam or through recognition of a certificate. In this latter case, the certification must be:

• included in the list of certifications recognized by the Language Center;
• still valid;
• equal to or higher than the level required for languages in the program;
• verifiable by the University.

Moreover, also “extra” languages (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Portuguese) can be recorded in the academic transcript but only as additional activities.

As no internal exams are organized for such languages, it is possible to register only the result of a certification (score converted in a mark out of thirty). The certification must be included in the list of certifications recognized by Bocconi University, must be still valid and verifiable by the University.

For further detailed info on “extra” language certificates, please see the website at www.unibocconi.eu/languagecenter in the “Certificates” section.

The program requirements of all Bachelor of Science programs offered at Bocconi University include one or more curricular computer skills courses, which aim to fulfill the specific requirements of the student study paths.

The BIG, CLEACC, CLEAM, CLEF, BESS-CLES, BIEM and BIEF Bachelor of Science programs include the course of Computer Science (cod. 30424), held during the second semester of the first year of studies. The course is worth 6 credit points.

For complete information on this course, please check the website at www.unibocconi.eu/sedin, ‘Curricular courses’ section.

As the BEMACS and the BAI are programs focuses on ICT, they include several curricular courses on computer skills, which are part of various departments.

The Computer Science exam can be taken in two ways: as two partial exams or as a single general exam.
 

• Partial exams:
  These are designed for those who regularly attend lectures; only first year students can sit for partial exams. Partial exams cannot be sat or repeated in the following years.
• General exams:
  These are addressed to those who have not sat partial exams or who have not passed them.

In both cases, the exam includes a section of questions and a section of computer exercises.

Please note that in order to be able to register for the Computer Science exam (second partial exam or general exam) it is necessary to have obtained a complete ECDL/ICDL certification (ECDL/ICDL Full Standard or ECDL Core), or other equivalent certifications recognized by University. The certification must be completed and submitted to ITEC according to the deadlines and procedures published on the website www.unibocconi.eu/itec in the 'Prerequisites for Curricular Courses' section.
It is strongly recommended that students complete the certification before classes start, in order to attend the Computer Science course with the needed basic knowledge.

Students who do not yet have the complete ECDL/ICDL certification may take it at Bocconi University. Exams are held each week according to a calendar which is updated regularly. Students may purchase the ECDL/ICDL products (at a discounted cost) online, view the exam calendar and enroll directly through their yoU@B student Diary, using the special IT certifications ECDL box.

For more information, please refer to the website at www.unibocconi.eu/itec in the 'IT Certifications' section.

To improve IT skills, students can attend extracurricular IT Skills courses organized by the IT Education Center, which are part of the extracurricular activities (see chapter 8. Other activities: supplementary activities, courses and seminars). For more information, see the website at www.unibocconi.eu/itec, 'Extracurricular Activities' section.