Guides to the university

The program structure of the Master of Science in Economic and Social Sciences comprises educational activities for a total of 120 credit points.

The program structure is valid for the students initially enrolled in the academic years of reference for this section.


First year of studies

NOTE:

• cod. 20886 Foundations of Social Sciences - module I (Empirical research methods and Data Analysis) and cod. 20888 ‘Foundations of Social sciences - module II A (Institutions, government and society)‘ and cod. 20889 ‘Foundations of Social sciences - module II B (Institutions, government and society)‘ are respectively the first and second module of the course code 20885 ‘Foundations of Social Sciences’.

The courses subdivided in modules are considered passed, and may be recorded in the student academic career and certified, only after passing both exams of which it is made up. The final grade is obtained by the grade point average of the two marks compared to the credits and rounded up if decimals are equal or higher than 5, rounded down if they are lower than 5.

It is furthermore specified that the credit points and the grades earned for the individual modules passed will be taken into account for rankings within the University (e.g. Bocconi Scholarship, selection for International Programs, etc.) and they can be viewed by printing the unofficial academic transcript at Punto Blu.

Second year of studies

Note 2: for detailed information on Enhancing experience - Curricular supplementary activities, see chapter 2.1.2.4 “Enhancing experience - Curricular supplementary activities”.

(*)  Note that in order to fulfill the ministerial requirements to be awarded the Master of Science in Economic and Social Sciences, between the second semester of the first year of studies and the second year of studies students must choose:

• 4 elective courses (24 credit points) to be chosen from among those indicated at points a, b, c;
• 2 elective courses (12 credit points) chosen from the elective courses of the MSc Programs or 1 elective and 2 in-depth studies worth 3 credit points each.

Each course can be allocated one single in-depth study for a maximum of 3 credit points (for detailed info on in-depth studies, see 2.1.2.2 Educational activities chosen by students paragraph).

The procedures for the choice are as follows:

a) 1 courses chosen from among the CORE group:

b) 1 course chosen from among the FIELD group:

c) 1 course chosen from among the C group: Topics and Other Social Sciences and Mathematical and Quantitative Methods

d) 1 course chosen from among the group a, b, c

e) 2 courses freely chosen from among the electives of MSc programs or 1 elective and 2 in-depth studies worth 3 credit points each. Each course can be allocated one single in-depth study for a maximum of 3 credit points (for detailed info on in-depth studies, see 2.1.2.2 Educational activities chosen by students paragraph).

Some highly-motivated and deserving MSc students will be allowed to include up to three PhD courses in their study plan. Of these, they can request recognition of 2 courses in place of MSc electives and 1 course as an additional one. For detailed information on how to choose such courses, rules, administrative deadlines and recognition procedures see "Higher Level Courses".

It should also be noted that, in compliance with the program’s learning objectives and the Ministerial table for the "Economics" field of studies, the offer of electives for the 2026/2027 a.y. may be subject to limited changes decided by the Academic Bodies.

Some opportunities to study abroad such as Exchange programs lasting one semester and Double Degree programs are offered (see "International Opportunities").

For detailed information about languages see "Languages".