Guides to the university

Internationalization at Bocconi University has been a strategic priority pursued since 1974, the year in which the first international agreements were put into place. Over the years these programs have developed an extensive network of relations and exchanges with prestigious academic and cultural institutions all over the world. That means there is constant collaboration with foreign universities on research and joint teaching projects, thus providing Bocconi students and teaching staff with invaluable international experience. Thanks to its network of international relations, Bocconi University is able to offer its students several opportunities to acquire the kind of business training which is necessary for dealing with global economic developments.

Study abroad programs:

• Long programs (Exchange Programs and Free-Mover Semester Programs, Peking-Bocconi Double Degree Program for BIEM students only);
• Short programs (Free-Mover Summer Programs).

MSc students can take part in other programs that are organized with international universities and business schools which lead to double degrees (Italian and foreign) or diplomas issued by members of the international network (CEMS-MIM Master).

Other opportunities are also available that involve attending a course – remotely or in person – at several partner schools who participate with Bocconi in a variety of networks (CIVICA - The European University of Social Sciences; ECOL - European Consortium for Online Learning).

The study abroad opportunities promoted by the University are presented in detail during ad hoc initiatives throughout the academic year.

The Bocconi University "Exchange Program" (including the LLP/Erasmus Program) deals with student exchanges under bilateral agreements with over 286 universities in 55 countries across 6 continents, giving students the opportunity to attend courses for which they can receive credit as part of their Bocconi degrees. The international universities included in the program are some of the most renowned institutions in the world in the fields of management, economics, law and political science.

In fact, Bocconi University belongs to some of the most prestigious international networks: CEMS (The Global Alliance in Management Education), PIM (Partnership in International Management), GULF (Global University Leaders Forum), GNAM (Global Network for Advanced Management), CIVICA (The European University of Social Sciences), THEMIS (Network in International Business Law) APELIA (The Asia-Pacific and Europe Law Institutes Alliance),  U7 (Alliance of world Universities) and ECOL (European Consortium for Online Learning).

These agreements are based on reciprocal arrangements that allow students from both institutions involved to complete a period of study abroad without paying extra university fees and tuition to the partner institution. Students are, however, responsible for travel, board and lodging expenses.

Eligibility and requirements
Students can take the semester abroad during their third year. Therefore students regularly enrolled in their second year can apply. Students are allowed to enroll in a semester abroad at one of the partner universities only if they pass the selection, which is based on merit and language skills.

Application and deadlines
Students are advised to check the application procedures and deadlines released in Study Abroad office publications and on the website www.ir.unibocconi.eu/exchange.

Exam recognition
Students can receive credit for a maximum of 5 courses.

The credit approval procedure is explained in "Credit for exams passed at universities abroad".

Information
For Exchange Program details, updated information on eligible students, admissions procedures, deadlines and available destinations check the website www.ir.unibocconi.eu/exchange.

In the same area, you can also check comments by students who have been abroad in previous years, along with detailed information on partner universities.

Students interested in attending a semester abroad outside the Exchange Program can enroll at a number of universities abroad where they can study only during the third year of their Bachelor of Science Program as part of the Free-Mover Semester Program (fee-paying Visiting Students or Independent Students). The Free-Mover Semester abroad is therefore incompatible with participation in the Exchange Programs.

Students are responsible for the payment of fees and tuition for both Bocconi and the institution abroad and for travel, board and lodging expenses for the period abroad.
Students are required to take out health insurance for the entire period of study abroad.

Bocconi University has identified a number of schools from among those in its international network that have accepted such students in previous years. The number of students allowed at each University abroad is limited. The list of universities abroad will be published on the webpage at www.ir.unibocconi.eu. This is the only list considered valid for the recognition of exams taken in schools abroad as part of the Free-Mover Semester Program. Any other applications for alternatives will be examined individually beforehand by Study Abroad office. The application, accompanied by a motivational letter and information about the chosen university, must be given to Study Abroad office before enrolling at the foreign university for a Free-Mover Semester Program.

Exam recognition
Students can receive credit for a maximum of 5 courses.

The credit approval procedure is explained in "Credit for exams passed at universities abroad".

Information
We suggest you check the detailed information and requirements on the website www.ir.unibocconi.eu. In this area you can also check comments by students who have been abroad in the past as part of the Exchange program.

The Peking-Bocconi Double Degree Program allows students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in International Management (BIEM) to attend the first two academic years at Bocconi and two additional academic years at the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University in Beijing (China). At the end of four years of study, students receive both an Italian Bachelor of Science degree issued by Bocconi University and a Bachelor Program in Management degree issued by Peking University.
The language of teaching for the four academic years is English and during the two years in Beijing, students also attend a course in Chinese.

Application procedure
BIEM students who are duly enrolled in the second year of the program and who meet specific minimum merit requirements may apply. Students shall be selected jointly by the two universities based on elements related to academic performance and motivational aspects.

Students participating in the program are required to have recorded 100% of the credits for the first and second years of BIEM by July of the second year. Failure to meet this requirement shall prevent access to the program at Peking.

Students who participate in the program are required to:

• sign a contract with Peking University which indicates the rules and academic conditions in force during the period of study at the school abroad, in addition to the penalty in the event of withdrawal from the Double Degree Program;
• pay an administrative fee in addition to regular Bocconi tuition and fees for the three academic years of the Bachelor of Science in International Economics and Management.

Selected students may take advantage of a scholarship from Peking University covering tuition and fees and housing in a student dormitory for the two academic years in China, according to the procedures established by the school.

For more information, please send an email to the following address: doubledegree@unibocconi.it.

Exam recognition
For information on recognition of exams taken abroad during the Peking-Bocconi Double Degree program, please see paragraph 'Credit for exams passed at universities abroad'.

The short programs offered by Bocconi University offer students the opportunity to spend a brief study period abroad.

Bocconi University has selected a number of partner schools from its international network which offer interesting and educationally valid Summer Programs.

They last between 2 and 3 weeks during the summer months and allow students to take curricular courses in various areas for which they can receive credit. The list of universities abroad is published on the website and this is the only list considered valid for the recognition of courses offered in the Summer Program through institutions abroad. Students can submit applications for other alternatives that must be examined individually in advance by the Study Abroad office, before applying to the Free Mover Summer.

The Free Mover Summer is offered to students from all Bachelor of Science Programs who meet the requirements, in the summer of their second year. (Please note: Participation in a summer program in the summer of their first year or before will not be recognized).

Students are responsible for travel, board and lodging expenses during their experience abroad as well as the fees and tuition of the partner university.

Students are also required to ensure that they have health insurance coverage for the period abroad.

Exam recognition
The Free-Mover Summer Program allows students to receive credit for a maximum of one exam corresponding to a Bocconi course. The credit approval procedure is explained in "Credit for exams passed at universities abroad".

Information
We suggest you to check requirements and application procedure on the website at www.ir.unibocconi.eu.

To encourage student participation in international mobility programs organized by the University, Bocconi contributions and integrations to the scholarships addressed to students meeting the financial parameters published (see www.unibocconi.eu/studentassistance).

Erasmus Plus scholarships are also available from the European Union for students chosen for the Exchange Program who attend one semester of study at university that is part of the Erasmus Program. For details, see www.ir.unibocconi.eu/erasmus.

To request certifications specifying admission and/or participation in Exchange Programs you can use the cert@B procedure available on the yoU@B Diary (see chapter 11 Certifications, self-declarations and Diploma Supplement), except for the documents described in the paragraphs below.

The Study Abroad Office (Exchange program) must be contacted by the selected student if, as part of the application procedure or participation, the foreign partner university requests a document for admission to the program and/or information relating to enrollment at Bocconi along with the student's academic career. The same procedure is applicable in case the document of admission to the program is required to obtain a visa. Any procedure changes will be communicated to the interested students.