Want to know what it’s like to study on one of the world’s top five Masters in Finance? We speak with faculty and alumni from the Bocconi MSc in Finance to find out
The two-year Bocconi MSc in Finance is recognized by many of the world’s top institutions. Each year the program helps talented students land roles at top investment banks, asset management firms, and consultancies.
But what’s it like to study in one of the world’s best MiF degrees? Here’s what you can expect from the Bocconi MSc in Finance.
Bocconi MSc Finance | Who is it for?
Combining deep theoretical learning with a focus on practical expertise, the Bocconi MSc in Finance targets students who have the potential to excel in a rigorous program.
Quantitative theory is an important part of the curriculum, so students with past experience and degrees in subjects like mathematics and statistics are welcome. But program director, Cesare Conti, stresses that students from less quantitative backgrounds can also apply.
“We’re not looking at students with a particular background, but we encourage students with solid quantitative backgrounds as well as students with strong CVs who aren’t necessarily quantitative in nature,” he explains.
“We’re looking for extraordinary students, because the process of selection is very tough,” he adds.
Anastasia Gamanilova graduated from the program in 2018, she says the MiF offered varying levels of accessibility for students depending on their previous financial experience. What drew everyone together was a desire to succeed, she adds.
“Everyone wanted to get the best jobs, and to get a good job you need good grades. For sure that pushed people to spend more time studying.”
Bocconi Master in Finance | Requirements
The cost of admission to the Bocconi MSc in Finance amounts to around $15,600 (€14,340) per year, totalling around $30k for the two-year program. There’s a variety of financial aid schemes available to help with funding, including merit-based scholarships and student loans.
To land a place in the prestigious MiF, you’ll have to go through the typical application steps of providing academic transcripts, your resume and GPA, letters of recommendation, and providing a GMAT or GRE score.
Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged, and you don’t have to have a bachelor's in finance or a similar related field.
Your previous academic achievements and test scores are important, but Cesare stresses that it’s also important to show that you are motivated and dedicated to a career in finance.
“We want students who are dynamic and willing to learn, and who are ambitious,” he says. At the same time, Bocconi values collaboration and seeks students who are capable of working alongside one another.
“Students should be ambitious, but not aggressive in nature,” he adds. “We want students to interact with one another when they arrive here, so this is something which adds value to an application.”
As a two-year program, the Bocconi MSc in Finance offers students the chance to deep dive into complex financial theory and gain practical experience before specializing in a particular area of finance.
The first-year curriculum covers core topics like Financial Modelling, Financial Analysis and Reporting, and Derivative Pricing; giving students a firm grounding in financial theory.
As the basis of everything that follows throughout the program, the core curriculum can be challenging, Anastasia says. “The standard of the teaching and the kind of material you cover are very high, so you really need to spend lots of time studying.”
The second year is much more customizable for students, who can choose to major in areas including investment banking, asset management, and insurance management. There’s also the option of a Free Track including electives from all the various majors.
Bocconi provides a range of practical, extracurricular experiences throughout the program, including guest lectures, company visits, and business simulators along with a summer internship. This helps students put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
Students can undertake a second internship in year two, or embark on an exchange program with one of Bocconi’s various partner schools, including the likes of Rotterdam School of Management and Keio University in Tokyo. At the end of the program, students must complete a Master’s thesis on a topic of their choice.
“During the second year, the main focus is to provide real life applications through both a personalised track and an internship,” says Cesare. “We try to complement solid academic knowledge with real-life application of that knowledge.”
The end result is that Bocconi students are comfortable in the workplace environment as soon as they graduate, he adds.
Bocconi MSc in Finance | Career Opportunities
As one of the world’s top MiF degrees, the Bocconi MSc in Finance offers extensive career opportunities to students. More than 88% land roles before the end of the program, and the average student receives two offers.
Within a year of graduation, over 95% of students have jobs, and more than 70% land roles outside of Italy. The top destinations are the UK, Switzerland, and Germany, while top recruiters from the program include world-renowned institutions like JP Morgan, Barclays, HSBC Group, Deloitte, UBS, and PwC.
With such a prestigious pool of employers, Bocconi MSc in Finance grads go on to earn impressive salaries, averaging at around $115k three years after graduation.
As an intensive and highly demanding program, it’s no surprise that students from the Bocconi MSc in Finance go on to excel once they enter the workplace.
Anna Repetto is a graduate from the Bocconi MSc in Finance currently working as a managing director at Bank of America Merril Lynch. Over the past she has regularly hired grads from the program.
“When you hire a Bocconi student out of the Master of Finance, they have a very good mix of theoretical knowledge and the practicality behind it,” she explains. “To me, that’s always been a big differentiating factor hiring Bocconi students versus other universities.”
While the program provides students with the tools to excel, the career service gives them the exposure to land employment opportunities. Anastasia secured a summer internship with Goldman Sachs which she was able to turn into a full-time job offer after graduation.
She feels the extensive exposure to investment banks and other top financial firms that she gained during the program was essential in securing her role.
“They have recruitment events happening on the weekends, and they constantly have guest speakers from all the banks and financial firms,” she says. “Guest speakers could have arrived from Italian financial firms, the UK, or from all over the world.
“As a non-European person I wouldn’t get much exposure to these kinds of people, so Bocconi is doing a great job.”
The Bocconi MSc in Finance offers a great launchpad for a career in finance and, at around $30k for a two-year degree, this comes at a reasonable price considering the strong salary prospects post-graduation.
Bocconi highlights the intensive nature of the program, so you should be prepared for a challenge should you apply. But this adds to the strong reputation Bocconi grads have among employers who value the preparation the program provides for a demanding career in finance.
If you’re a hard-working, ambitious student looking for a career among the world’s top financial firms, look no further than the Bocconi Master in Finance.
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.
