Bocconi University (Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi) is a private, non-profit university in Milan.[1] It reports 14,063 students in 2025/26, 31.4 percent of them international.[2] It has no position in the overall QS World University Rankings: its own ranking page says it is not in the comprehensive QS ranking and lists subject results instead, for example 10th worldwide in Business and Management (QS subject edition 2026).[3]
For first-year students in 2026/27, tuition and fees are €17,000 a year in the Bachelor of Science and Law programmes and €18,550 in the Master of Science programmes.[4] The fee pages we read show no separate rate for non-EU students.[5] Admission is by test and grades; all MSc/MA programmes are taught in English.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi[1] |
| Location | Milan, Italy (main campus Via Sarfatti 25)[7] |
| Type | Private, non-profit university[1] |
| Founded | 10 November 1902, by Ferdinando Bocconi in memory of his son Luigi[1] |
| Students | 14,063 in 2025/26, of which 31.4% international[2] |
| Students, older figure | 16,100+ students, 5,900 of them international (undated page; differs from the 2025/26 figure above)[7] |
| Core faculty and alumni | 440 core faculty (24% international); 150,000+ alumni[2] |
| Structure | Five schools (Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, PhD, SDA Bocconi School of Management) and nine departments[1] |
| QS World University Rankings | No overall position; ranked by subject only (QS 2026: Business and Management 10th, Social Sciences and Management 12th)[3] |
| Tuition 2026/27, first year | €17,000 Bachelor of Science and Law · €18,550 Master of Science[4] |
| Admission tests | Bachelor’s: SAT/L-SAT, ACT or the online Bocconi test · Master’s: GMAT, GRE or the online Bocconi test[8] |
| Language of teaching | All MSc/MA programmes in English; bachelor’s offered in English and in Italian[6] |
| Official website | unibocconi.it |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Bocconi University
Bocconi was founded on 10 November 1902 by Ferdinando Bocconi, in memory of his son Luigi. Wikipedia describes it as Italy’s first university to offer a degree in economics.[1] It is a non-profit private university; the main campus is on Via Sarfatti in Milan.[1]
The university reports 14,063 students in 2025/26 (31.4 percent international), 440 core faculty and more than 150,000 alumni.[2] An older, undated page on the same website gives 16,100+ students and 5,900 international students, so figures depend on the page and on how students are counted.[7]
According to Wikipedia, Bocconi has five schools (Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, PhD, and SDA Bocconi School of Management) and nine departments, among them Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing and Legal Studies. SDA Bocconi School of Management was founded in 1971 and launched Italy’s first MBA in 1974.[1]
How is Bocconi University ranked?
Bocconi has no overall position in the QS World University Rankings. Its own ranking page says it is not in the comprehensive QS ranking and appears only in the subject groupings.[3] We therefore give no overall “QS 2027” number.
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, according to Bocconi’s page:[3]
- Business and Management: 10th worldwide (5th in Europe)
- Marketing: 9th worldwide (4th in Europe)
- Social Sciences and Management: 12th worldwide (4th in Europe)
- Economics and Econometrics: 18th worldwide (5th in Europe)
- Accounting and Finance: 20th worldwide (6th in Europe)
The same page lists the Financial Times Master in Management 2026 at 20th worldwide and the Financial Times Master in Finance 2026 at 26th.[3] Wikipedia shows the Business and Management subject result at 10th in 2025 and 7th in 2023, so a “7th” figure you may see elsewhere is an older edition.[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Bocconi University?
Bocconi’s website groups its offer into Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Law, Specialized Masters, PhD, Summer School and SDA Bocconi School of Management.[7]
- Bachelor of Science and Law: about 3,000 first-year places overall, in classes of around 115 students (with some exceptions). Programmes in the legal area use a dedicated admission track. The page also names the HEC-Bocconi Double Degree and the World Bachelor in Business.[8]
- Master of Science and Master of Arts: all programmes are taught in English. Bocconi counts 31 first-year class groups, each typically with 50 to 75 students.[6]
How much does Bocconi University cost in 2026/27?
| Level (first year) | 2026/27 per year | 2027/28 per year |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science and Law | €17,000 | €17,700 |
| Master of Science | €18,550 | €19,300 |
The 2026/27 amounts come from Bocconi’s page for enrolled students.[4] The applicant pages we read now show the 2027/28 amounts: €17,700 for the bachelor’s and law programmes and €19,300 for the master’s programmes.[9][5] Bocconi adjusts the amounts for inflation during the legal duration of the degree; amounts for later years are published in its student portal.[4]
Do non-EU students pay more?
The fee pages we read give one amount per level and no separate schedule for non-EU students.[5][9] Bocconi’s own reductions are described below.
Extras, waivers and aid
- Graduation fee, paid in addition: €215 for the Bachelor of Science, €365 for the Master of Science.[4]
- Partial tuition waivers for bachelor’s students in 2026/27: 20% (€13,600), 40% (€10,200), 60% (€6,800) and 80% (€3,400), based on family economic conditions.[4] The bachelor’s admissions page speaks of exemptions from 100% to 20%.[8]
- Scholarships and loans named on the bachelor’s page: Bocconi4Access to Education, Boost your Future, and student loans through partner banks.[8]
- HEC-Bocconi Double Programme (bachelor’s): €24,000 in the 2027/28 schedule.[9]
Living costs in Milan are not part of these fees; see our Study in Italy guide and the Italy overview.
How do you apply to Bocconi University?
Bocconi runs its own selection, described below.
- Bachelor’s and law: you apply online through the university’s application portal. Selection is based on the admission test and the grades of the third-last and second-last school years. Accepted tests are the SAT/L-SAT, the ACT and the online Bocconi test. Results depend on a ranking that takes into account the places available in each round, the programmes chosen and the number of applications. Applicants who attend an Italian-system secondary school in Italy apply as Italian applicants; all others apply as international applicants. Non-Italian citizens not resident in Italy who are under 17 on 1 September 2027 are not eligible; those aged 17 need a guardian until 18.[8]
- Master of Science / Master of Arts: Bocconi accepts the GMAT, the GRE and the online Bocconi test. Selection is based on test performance, grades, the dossier and motivation. You can choose up to five programmes on one application.[6]
Non-EU students after admission
Admitted non-EU students must obtain a Type D student visa and, after arrival, a permit of stay. The first step is a pre-enrolment on the Italian Universitaly portal, which Bocconi’s Admissions Office checks before it goes to the Italian consulate you choose. You then book the visa appointment with that authority and upload the visa to the Bocconi portal. Within 8 working days of arrival you apply for the permit of stay at a post office. Students who also hold EU or EFTA citizenship follow a different route and should write to Bocconi’s visa support.[10]
We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme and round; check the admissions calendar of your programme before you start.
Which language level do you need?
Master of Science / Master of Arts (taught in English): level B2 of the CEFR (the European scale from A1 to C2). It is not needed to apply, but admitted students must prove it by the enrolment deadline, otherwise the enrolment is cancelled.[11] Accepted certificates and minimum scores include IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6 in every section, TOEFL iBT 88, Duolingo 110, and Cambridge exams (for example CAE 173, CPE 180).[11] Exempt are applicants with an English-taught university qualification or secondary diploma, those who passed a B2 English exam within a university course, and nationals of majority English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada or New Zealand. Some programmes (for example IM Global Experience and IM CEMS MIM) require level C1.[11]
Bachelor’s and law: Bocconi publishes a list of accepted certificates for enrolment, with level B2 for English-taught programmes (IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each section, TOEFL iBT 88, Duolingo 110) and level B1 for Italian-taught programmes (IELTS 5.0 with at least 4.5 in each section, TOEFL iBT 45, Duolingo 75). The page does not say when the certificate is due or whether any applicants are exempt, so confirm this with the admissions office.[12]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Bocconi University cost in 2026/27?
First-year tuition and fees are €17,000 a year for the Bachelor of Science and Law programmes and €18,550 for the Master of Science programmes. A graduation fee of €215 (bachelor’s) or €365 (master’s) is paid in addition.[4]
Is Bocconi University in the QS World University Rankings?
Not in the overall ranking: Bocconi’s own page says it is not in the comprehensive QS ranking. It is ranked by subject, for example 10th worldwide in Business and Management in the QS subject edition 2026.[3]
Do non-EU students pay higher fees at Bocconi?
Which admission test do I need for Bocconi?
What English level does Bocconi require?
How do non-EU students get a visa for Bocconi?
After admission you register on Universitaly and submit a pre-enrolment, which Bocconi checks and sends to the Italian consulate; you then book the Type D visa appointment with that authority.[10]
More about studying in Italy
- Italy: best universities
- Study in Italy: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Italy
- LUISS Guido Carli
- Politecnico di Milano
- Politecnico di Torino
- Sapienza University of Rome
- Scuola Normale Superiore
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- University of Bologna
- University of Florence
- University of Genoa
- University of Milan
- University of Milano-Bicocca
- University of Naples Federico II
- University of Padua
- University of Pavia
- University of Pisa
- University of Rome Tor Vergata
- University of Siena
- University of Trento
- University of Turin
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Bocconi University (history, structure and past subject rankings; secondary source)
[2] Bocconi University: Bocconi by the Numbers (page published 18 Sep 2026; students refer to 2025/26)
[3] Bocconi University: Education quality and rankings (page without a date; newest labels are 2026 editions)
[4] Bocconi University: Tuition and fees for enrolled students (page without a date; amounts for a.y. 2026/27)
[5] Bocconi University: Fees, Master of Science and MA programs (page without a date; shows a.y. 2027/28)
[6] Bocconi University: Master of Science and MA programs, how to apply (page without a date)
[7] Bocconi University: About Us (page without a date; footer address Via Sarfatti 25)
[8] Bocconi University: Bachelor and Law programs, how to apply (page without a date; refers to the 2027/28 intake)
[9] Bocconi University: Fees, Bachelor and Law programs (page without a date, marked “being updated”; shows a.y. 2027/28)
[10] Bocconi University: Immigration documentation for non-EU students (page without a date; titled for a.y. 2026/27)
[11] Bocconi University: Language requirements for MSc/MA programs (page without a date)
[12] Bocconi University: English certificates accepted for enrollment (bachelor’s and law) (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.