Business programs in Italy for international students
- Advantages of studying business in Italy
- Formats and levels of business programs in Italy
- Top universities and schools for studying business in Italy
- How to apply for business programs in Italy
- Tuition fees for business programs in Italy
- Scholarships and grants for business programs in Italy
- Career prospects after business programs in Italy
- Is it worth studying business programs in Italy
- Frequently asked questions

Master - Luxury Management and Customer Experience — Italian Excellence
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementThe Master's program aims to develop future professionals in the hospitality, jewelry, and luxury industries, with an emphasis on Italian excellence and the luxury customer experience.
It also aims to equip young professionals with the technical and managerial skills necessary to operate…

Master - Financial Risk Management
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementRisk management has become more and more important in the operations of banks and other financial organizations in recent years. The task of balancing returns, risks, and capital is made more difficult by the advent of new risks (such as cyber, ESG, etc.), the evolution of old risks due to an increasingly…

Master - Marketing Management, Omnichannel and Consumer Analytics
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementThese days, being a marketer is a tough job. Not only must one maintain people at the center of all reasoning, but one must also respond swiftly to emerging technical advancements.
A prosperous and influential career in marketing can be attained by enrolling in the international master's…

Master - Environmental Sustainability & Circular Economy
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementBusinesses must effectively manage product/material flows and energy flows throughout their lifecycles, or the so-called "Circular Economy," in order to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, it is necessary for new managerial figures to spearhead the shift in enterprises toward sustainability,…

Master - Sustainability Management and Corporate Social Responsibility
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementNowadays, businesses place a high priority on sustainability, which they may use to develop and maintain a long-term competitive edge. To drive the shift to (more) sustainable business models, however, organizations require fresh leadership that can innovate both the organization as a whole and their…

Master - Business Analytics and Data Science
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementThe Politecnico di Milano Faculty has completely redesigned the Master in Business Analytics and Data Science program to improve your experience and give you the knowledge and abilities needed to become a Data Scientist—one of the most in-demand professionals in the country and around the world. The…

Master - International Business and Digital Transformation (double degree)
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementWelcome to our Master's program, which offers a special chance to study how to leverage the two most successful business growth strategies—international growth and digital transformation—in a single program offered by two prestigious European universities, Henley Business School (UK) and POLIMI Graduate…

Master - Luxury Management (double degree)
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementThis full-time program, which was co-developed by POLIMI Graduate School of Management and NEOMA Business School, grants students an internationally recognized double degree: a Master of Science from Neoma Business School and a Master of Science with specialization from Politecnico di Milano.
When…

Master - Project Management (double degree)
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementThe iMPM awards a Double Degree: Politecnico di Milano First Level University Specialising Master in Project Management and Strathclyde Business School Master of Science in Project Management.
Students who complete the IMPM program will be able to develop a wide range of fundamental and…

Master - Entrepreneurship & Design for Sustainability (double degree)
POLIMI Graduate School of ManagementA double degree program that integrates business, entrepreneurship, design, and social sciences with sustainability is called the Master in Entrepreneurship and Design for Sustainability. POLI.design and SKEMA Business School collaborate to offer the course.
Thanks to its several campuses…
Advantages of studying business in Italy
Italy is one of Europe's leading economies and a center of international business, design, fashion, automotive industry, and gastronomy. Studying here allows you to combine quality education with immersion in the business environment of EU countries.
Main advantages:
- Prestigious business schools ranked in global ratings;
- Wide selection of English-taught programs for international students;
- Strong university connections with international corporations;
- Internships and practical training;
- Competitive tuition fees compared to other European countries;
- Easy access to EU markets;
- Rich culture, comfortable climate and high level of safety.
Formats and levels of business programs in Italy
International students can choose the following programs:
- Bachelor's degree (Laurea Triennale) - basic business education lasting 3 years.
- Master's degree (Laurea Magistrale) - advanced training, lasts 2 years.
- MBA (Master in Business Administration) - professional management programs for graduates with work experience, from 12 to 24 months.
- First-level Masters (Master di I livello) - one-year specialized programs for bachelor's graduates.
- Second-level Masters (Master di II livello) - for those who already have a master's degree.
- Short-term courses, certifications, summer schools - from 1 month to a year, for professional training and advanced training.
Study programs for international students are available in both Italian and English.
Top universities and schools for studying business in Italy
University name | Program name | Tuition fees for international students | Ranking and comments |
---|---|---|---|
Bocconi University | International Economics and Management (BSc) | €13,000 - €17,000 per year | Ranked among Europe's top 10 business schools (QS, Financial Times), strong focus on finance and economics. |
LUISS Business School | Master in Management | €14,000 - €18,000 per course | Leader in international management, strong connections with Italian companies. |
POLIMI Graduate School of Management | International MBA | €37,000 for the entire course | Ranked in FT Global MBA, strong emphasis on innovation and digital economy. |
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | MSc in Business Management | €8,500 per year | One of Europe's largest private universities, good positions in international rankings. |
Università di Bologna (UNIBO) | Business and Economics (BSc) | €2,200 - €3,500 per year | Europe's oldest university, consistently high positions in QS and THE rankings. |
How to apply for business programs in Italy
Admission to business education programs in Italy includes several mandatory steps:
1. Program selection and application
The candidate selects the program of interest and submits an application through the university's official website or special platforms.
2. Document submission
Standard package:
- High school diploma or previous degree certificate;
- Academic transcript with grades;
- Language proficiency certificate:
- For English programs - IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, sometimes TOLC;
- For Italian programs - proof of B1-B2 CEFR level;
- Motivation letter;
- CV;
- Recommendation letters (1-2);
- Copy of passport with sufficient validity.
3. Pre-enrollment on Universitaly platform
Mandatory step for international students wishing to study in Italy:
- Registration on universitaly.it;
- Filling out the form;
- Uploading documents;
- Waiting for university confirmation;
- After receiving confirmation - preparing visa documents.
Important: Without pre-enrollment you cannot get a student visa for Italy.
4. Entrance exams and interview
Some universities require entrance exams:
- For bachelor's - logic, math, English tests;
- For master's and MBA - GMAT or GRE may be required;
- Mandatory interview (online or in-person) to assess motivation and academic level.
5. Student visa application
After receiving the invitation and successful pre-enrollment, you need to submit documents for a category D student visa.
Tuition fees for business programs in Italy
Approximate study costs:
- Bachelor's - €2,000 - €20,000 per year;
- Master's - €3,000 - €25,000 per year;
- MBA - €15,000 - €45,000 per course;
- Short-term courses - from €3,000.
Additional expenses:
- Accommodation: €400 - €900/month;
- Food: €250 - €350/month;
- Transport: about €40/month;
- Insurance: €120 - €200/year;
- Study materials and living expenses - additional €200/month.
Scholarships and grants for business programs in Italy
Italy offers various scholarships for international students:
Government and university scholarships:
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarships (for students from certain countries including CIS);
- Financial aid programs from regional authorities (DSU, EDISU);
- University scholarships including Bocconi, POLIMI, LUISS.
Private grants:
- Academic merit scholarships;
- Achievement, leadership, volunteer scholarships;
- Grants for students with limited financial means;
- Research and assistant positions at universities.
Application deadlines:
- Usually 6-12 months before the academic year starts;
- Some programs have additional summer competitions.
Career prospects after business programs in Italy
After graduation, graduates are in demand in the following fields:
- International business and trade;
- Finance and banking;
- Consulting and strategic management;
- Marketing and brand management;
- Logistics and operations management;
- Technology and innovation business.
Major employers:
- UniCredit Bank;
- Ferrari;
- Barilla;
- Pirelli;
- Luxottica;
- Gucci;
- Deloitte;
- EY;
- PwC.
Students can stay in Italy with a residence permit for job search (from 6 months to 1 year).
Is it worth studying business programs in Italy
Italy offers a balanced combination of education quality, affordable costs and career opportunities. Business programs meet European standards, and diplomas are recognized in the EU and beyond.
Italy's advantages compared to other countries:
- Lower tuition fees than in the UK or US;
- Rich cultural environment;
- Opportunity to learn Italian - a plus for employment;
- Access to European markets and participation in international projects.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I study business in Italy in English?
Yes, most leading universities and business schools offer programs entirely in English.
2. Is pre-enrollment through Universitaly mandatory?
Yes, without registration on universitaly.it you cannot obtain a student visa.
3. How much are tuition fees for business programs in Italy?
Prices range from €2,000 to €45,000 per year depending on the level and university.
4. What exams are needed for admission to Italian business schools?
You will need language certificates (IELTS, TOEFL), sometimes GMAT or GRE, as well as an entrance interview.
5. Which Italian universities are considered best for business?
Leading universities include Bocconi, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, LUISS, Università di Bologna.
6. What scholarships are available for international students in Italy?
Government, regional and university grants, including financial aid and academic scholarships.
7. Are there dual degree business programs in Italy?
Yes, several Italian universities offer joint programs with partner universities in Europe and the US.
8. Can I stay after business studies to work in Italy?
Yes, graduates have the right to stay for job search for up to one year.
9. Which business fields are most in demand in Italy?
Finance, marketing, international management, logistics, consulting.
10. Is it difficult for international students to get into business schools in Italy?
Competition is high, especially in top schools, but with motivation and good preparation chances are good.