Italy: Bocconi University | UNC Kenan-Flagler

Founded in 1902, Bocconi University is a leading research institution in economics and business administration. It is the first Italian university to grant a degree in economics. Bocconi prides itself on being at the forefront of economic modernization in Italy and continues to play a significant role today through teaching, research, and international collaborations.

Milan is a large city of over 1 million inhabitants with over 4.3 million in the metropolitan area. Located in Northern Italy, Milan has a rich history dating to Roman times. Milan changed hands several times from the Renaissance through the Napoleonic Wars due to its strategic prominence and has maintained an international community of expatriates, scholars and workers ever since.

Milan is known as one of the fashion capitals of Europe and has a rich artistic, cultural and creative scene including a range of performing arts and many museums.

Quick Facts & Links

GPA Requirement: 3.00
Program Options: Exchange
Language of Instruction: English
Program Dates:
- Fall: August 28 to December 21, 2023
  - Earliest departure date: December 22, 2023
- Spring: late January to May 31, 2024
  - The first day of classes will be February 5, but students will need to be present for mandatory in-person orientation in the days prior (dates TBC)
  - Earliest departure date: June 1, 2024
Meet program alumni
Accessibility Resources

Application Information

Apply for a Kenan-Flagler Global Program and Global Programs scholarship through the same application system using your Kenan-Flagler credentials. Click the Apply Now button below to learn more about application deadlines, requirements, and to start your application!

Apply Now

Program Logistics

Academics

Please visit Global Academic Procedures for detailed credit and other academic information.

Bocconi has a large international student population and a thriving exchange program. The university offers majors in Finance, Management, Economics, and Management for Arts, Culture and Communication. UNC students generally enroll in five courses and transfer 15 credit hours towards the Undergraduate Business major.

All courses can be taken in English, and no prior study of Italian language is expected. Bocconi does offer a four-level (beginning to advanced) Italian Crash Course if you are interested in learning some Italian language before the official program start date. We highly recommend this intensive language course (no credit, 60 hours of language instruction). If you enroll in the Italian Crash Course you will pay an additional fee directly to Bocconi.

To receive business elective credit, you must take business administration (not economics) courses.

Internships may be available for the summer after a spring semester exchange. Career Services at Bocconi will assist exchange students interested in applying for summer internship opportunities. Semester internships are not available.

Courses taken at the Bocconi will transfer back to UNC Pass (Bocconi grade of 21 and above)/Fail (Bocconi grade below 21). Pass grades do not affect your UNC GPA. Fail grades transfer back to UNC as Fs, which will affect your UNC GPA. Though transfer credit for this program is Pass/Fail, future employers and graduate schools will also look at the Bocconi transcript, so grades are important.

You will transfer back 3 UNC credits for every 6-credit course, and are expected to take four to five courses worth 6 credits each during the semester. If you earn a grade of 21 or above in all courses, you will receive a total of 12-15 UNC credits for your semester abroad.

This program also fulfills the Experiential Education requirement. Full-time enrollment in this program is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Housing

Most visiting exchange students apply to stay in the Arcobaleno residence, located 30 minutes by tram from Bocconi. The residence offers single rooms in double-occupancy apartments. All rooms are furnished with a bed, a desk and a wardrobe and have a refrigerator, air conditioning and internet access. Blankets, sheets and towels are also provided. There is a shared common kitchen and laundry facility in the building. UNC students often choose to live in the dorm for convenience and to meet other international students. A few students prefer to find an apartment in Milan independently.

Important: If you would like to apply to live in a residence hall, you must submit your application as soon as it is available (post-acceptance). You may list the Arcobaleno residence (see more information below) as your preference, but listing additional dormitories on your application is also strongly encouraged. Housing is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; housing in Bocconi’s residence halls is not guaranteed.

Program Cost

We suggest you create your global program budget using our budget worksheet (xlsx) to help you think about your costs on this program:

Populate the figures from the tables below into the left side costs of attendance
Input your financial resources on the right

Your customized budget sheet can help determine your current financial status, and help you understand what additional funding you may need to help make this an affordable program option.

Cashier Billed Expenses*
Expense	Estimated Amount
UNC Tuition and Fees	Use the amount on the Tuition and Fees line and divide by 2 to get your cost
Fee UG Business Major/Minor	Based on major/minor enrollment
Global Programs Administrative Fee	$700
GeoBlue International Medical Insurance	$180

*Cashier Billed Expenses are those charges billed directly to your UNC ConnectCarolina account.

Out of Pocket Estimates**
Expense	Estimated Amount
International Airfare	$1,500
Housing	$4,000
Meals	$2,400
Immigration Visa/Residence Permit	$200
Passport Application Renewal	$145
Course Materials	$150
International Cell Phone Plan	$350
Personal Expenses
Travel Insurance	$400
Local Transportation	$100
Miscellaneous	$2,000


Other Personal Expenses***

Total Estimated Expenses (In-State):	$17,634
Total Estimated Expenses (Out-of-State):	$31,125

Withdrawal Policy: Once a student accepts their offer/enrolls on a study abroad program, the spot will be considered filled and will not be offered to another student. Students who withdraw from UBP Global are responsible for non-recoverable costs including the Global Programs Administrative Fee. Your student account will be assessed charges to cover any/all amounts that Kenan-Flagler UBP Global programs has committed or paid on your behalf and are non-recoverable at the time of withdrawal. Such costs include, housing, meals, transportation and any expenses that may be associated with faculty and support participation on your program (if applicable).

**Out of Pocket Estimates are based on the cost of the program, which is determined by combining the average costs our previous students have spent in each of these categories, along with the costs our partner provides to us as their averages. These estimates are subject to change based on exchange rate fluctuations, bank fees, and individual variances in costs of living.

***Other Expenses: our budget worksheet (xlsx) also has a place for you to input other expenses outside of the out-of-pocket estimates that you may incur, such as attending concerts or sporting events.

Funding your global program

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Travel Documents

Do you have a valid passport? If yes, check your passport’s expiration date to ensure that your passport is valid at least 6 months after your program’s scheduled end date. If not, you’ll need to submit a passport renewal application.

Do you need to apply for a passport (first time or renew)? If yes, we recommend that you get started on your passport application right away as you’ll need time to collect documents like your birth certificate to include as part of your application. For complete instructions click here.

Will I need immigration documents? If you are accepted into this program you will need to travel to an Italian consulate/embassy in the United States to obtain a visa permitting you to study in Italy. For this appointment, you will need your passport in hand along with other documentation from our office and the host university office. Please set up an appointment with your Global Programs Advisor to discuss.

Meet with an Advisor

UBP students can schedule a meeting with Angela Bond to learn more about this and other Semester programs in Europe by clicking on the “Schedule Appointment” link below.

Schedule Appointment

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