Bocconi University Scholarships 2027 in Italy (Funded)
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Bocconi University Scholarships 2027 offer merit- and need-based tuition waivers, up to 100%, for international Bachelor’s, Law, and Master of Science students in Milan, Italy. Most awards are assessed automatically from your admission application, with no separate scholarship form required for graduate merit awards.
Study in Milan, Italy
Bocconi University in Milan is one of the most respected names in economics, management, finance, and law in the world, and it backs that reputation with a serious commitment to funding talented students. If you are an international student planning to apply for a Bachelor’s, Law, or Master of Science program, Bocconi’s scholarship system could significantly reduce, or completely remove, your tuition costs.
Bocconi funds these scholarships itself, combining its own resources with donations from alumni, private donors, and foundations. What makes Bocconi’s scholarships especially appealing is that most of them do not require a separate, lengthy scholarship application. For graduate programs, your regular admissions application is enough for the university to consider you for a Merit Award. For Bachelor’s and Law programs, a single combined “Bocconi4Access to Education” application covers a full range of merit- and need-based tuition waivers.
Bocconi offers scholarships worth up to a 100% tuition and fee waiver, and in some cases free accommodation as well. Any strong student, regardless of nationality, who is admitted to a Bachelor’s, Law, or Master of Science program should factor these scholarships into their planning from day one.
Below, we break down everything international students need to know about Bocconi University Scholarships, including eligibility, benefits, required documents, and how to apply.
Quick Overview Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Bocconi Graduate Merit Award and related awards (Master’s); Bocconi4Access to Education (Bachelor’s and Law) |
| Host Country | Italy |
| Host University | Bocconi University, Milan |
| Degree Level | Bachelor’s, Law, Master of Science (MSc/MA) |
| Funded By | Bocconi University, alumni, and private donors |
| Scholarship Type | Merit-based and need-based tuition waivers |
| Coverage | Up to 100% tuition and fee waiver; some awards include accommodation |
| Eligible Countries | All countries in the world |
| Application Deadline | Coincides with admission round deadlines; typically September to June (confirm exact 2027 dates on the official Bocconi website) |
| Study Mode | Full-time, on campus |
| Duration | Renewable for the full legal duration of your degree, subject to meeting credit requirements |
| IELTS Required | Yes, per your program’s English language admission requirements |
| Application Fee | Standard Bocconi admissions application fee applies |
About the Scholarship
Bocconi University has long positioned itself as committed to making higher education accessible to talented students “regardless of their family’s financial situation.” Its scholarship system is organized around two main tracks: one for Bachelor’s and Law programs, and one for Master of Science and MA programs.
For graduate programs, the flagship award is the Bocconi Graduate Merit Award, which offers a full 100% tuition and fees waiver to the strongest applicants, whether they are international, Italian, or already studying at Bocconi. A selection committee, nominated by the Rector and including the Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean for International Affairs, reviews academic profiles directly from the admissions dossier. There is no separate scholarship application.
For Bachelor’s and Law programs, Bocconi runs the Bocconi4Access to Education scheme, which awards tuition waivers ranging from 100% down to smaller percentage reductions, based on a combination of merit and financial need. This track does require a dedicated application in addition to your admissions application.
Bocconi also offers a number of named and specialized awards, including an Artificial Intelligence award, a Women Award, a Cyber Partnership Scholarship for the MSc in Cyber Risk Strategy and Governance, and status-based waivers for students with disabilities or with siblings simultaneously enrolled at Bocconi.
Scholarship Benefits
✔ Bocconi Graduate Merit Award (Master’s): 100% waiver of ordinary academic tuition and fees, automatically renewed for the full legal duration of your program if you meet credit requirements
✔ Bocconi4Access to Education (Bachelor’s/Law): Tiered tuition waivers, including a 100% full tuition waiver tier and 80–60% partial waiver tiers, depending on your assessed merit and financial need
✔ Bocconi Award – Artificial Intelligence: A merit-based award tied to Bocconi’s AI-related graduate programs
✔ Graduate Women Award: A merit-based award supporting women applicants to graduate programs
✔ Cyber Partnership Scholarship: Equivalent to the Graduate Merit Award for students admitted to the MSc in Cyber Risk Strategy and Governance, a joint degree with Politecnico di Milano
✔ Status-based waivers: Tuition waivers for students with disabilities equal to or greater than 66%, and partial waivers for simultaneously enrolled siblings
✔ ISU Bocconi Scholarship: A separate, regionally administered scholarship that can include a living stipend and housing support alongside tuition assistance
✔ Bocconi Sport Scholarship: Support for student-athletes at a competitive level
✔ Access to favorable student loan schemes with major Italian banks, including specific direct loan options for U.S. citizens
For most of these awards, a limited number of top recipients may also be granted free accommodation in a Bocconi residence.
Available Programs
Bocconi scholarships apply across its main degree offerings:
Bachelor’s and Law:
- Bachelor of Science programs (Economics, Management, Finance, International Politics, Data Science, and more)
- Law programs
Master of Science and MA:
- All Master of Science and MA programs offered by Bocconi’s Graduate School
- Specialized joint and double degree programs, including the MSc in Cyber Risk Strategy and Governance (with Politecnico di Milano), and double degrees with LSE, Sciences Po, and Yale
Merit Award terms differ slightly for students in double or joint degree programs that already include a full tuition waiver at Bocconi through inter-university agreements, so it is worth checking your specific program’s funding page.
Eligibility Criteria
For the Bocconi Graduate Merit Award (Master’s):
- You must be a first-year applicant to a Master of Science or MA program at Bocconi
- Your academic profile must be considered among the top applicants in your category (International, Italian, or Bocconi candidates)
- No separate scholarship application is required; your standard admissions application and dossier are evaluated automatically
- You must complete enrollment, lifting any admission “reserve,” by the university’s published deadline
- To renew the award into your second year, you must earn a minimum number of credits (as specified for your intake year) by the required date
For Bocconi4Access to Education (Bachelor’s/Law):
- You must be admitted to the first year of a Bachelor of Science or Law program
- You must submit the dedicated “Bocconi4Access to Education” application alongside the required financial and academic documentation
- Awards are assessed on a combination of merit and financial need
- Renewal each year depends on meeting the merit requirements specified by the University
General eligibility for all Bocconi scholarships:
- Open to applicants of all nationalities
- Standard Bocconi admission requirements apply, including English language proficiency for English-taught programs
- Academic transcripts, standardized test scores (where required), and a complete application dossier are all considered
Required Documents
Depending on which scholarship track you fall under, you will generally need:
- Completed Bocconi online application form for your chosen program
- Academic transcripts and certificates from previous education
- Standardized test scores where required for your program (for example, SAT, GMAT, GRE, or Bocconi’s own admission test, depending on the program)
- English language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent), if applicable
- Valid passport or national identity document
- For Bocconi4Access to Education: financial documentation demonstrating your family’s economic situation, following the scheme’s specified format
- CV or resume, particularly for graduate program applications
- Any program-specific essays, motivation letters, or references requested during admissions
Application Process
Step 1: Choose your program and admission round. Bocconi runs multiple admission rounds across the academic year for both Bachelor’s/Law and Master’s programs. Applying in an earlier round can improve your chances, since the majority of Merit Awards are allocated in the earliest rounds.
Step 2: Submit your Bocconi admissions application. Complete your full application through Bocconi’s online admissions portal, including transcripts, test scores, and any required essays or references.
Step 3 (Bachelor’s/Law only): Submit the Bocconi4Access to Education application. Complete this separate, dedicated application with the required financial documentation if you want to be considered for a need- and merit-based tuition waiver.
Step 4: Wait for your admission decision. For Master’s applicants, any Merit Award decision is communicated together with your admission result, since no separate scholarship form is required.
Step 5: Accept your offer and complete the scholarship acceptance procedure. Awarded students typically need to complete an online scholarship acceptance procedure and, for graduate Merit Awards, upload an updated CV.
Step 6: Complete enrollment by the required deadline. Lift any “reserve” status on your enrollment by the university’s published deadline, since awards will not be granted to students who have not completed enrollment in time.
Step 7: Maintain your academic progress. Keep track of the credit and enrollment requirements each year to ensure your award is automatically renewed.
Important Dates
| Stage | Timing (based on the most recently published a.y. 2026-27 cycle) |
|---|---|
| Admission rounds open | Typically from September |
| Final application rounds | Typically through April–June |
| Merit Award decisions | Communicated together with admission results |
| Enrollment and reserve-lifting deadline | 30 September (international students); 30 October (Italian/Bocconi candidates) |
| Second-year renewal credit check | By 10 September of the following year |
Bocconi has not yet published a separate a.y. 2027-28 cycle page at the time of writing. Always confirm the exact 2027 intake dates and rounds directly on the official Bocconi funding pages before applying.
Important Links
- Official Bocconi Funding for International Applicants page (unibocconi.it)
- Bocconi Graduate Merit Awards regulations page
- Bocconi4Access to Education (Bachelor’s and Law) page
- Bocconi Admissions portal (admissions.unibocconi.it)
- Bocconi Funding by Country page
- Bocconi Contact Us page
Selection Process
- Application submission: You submit your standard Bocconi admissions application (and, for Bachelor’s/Law, the Bocconi4Access to Education application if applying for need-based support).
- Dossier evaluation: A Selection Committee, appointed by the Rector, reviews your academic achievement and complete application dossier.
- Award decision: Merit Award decisions for graduate applicants are made alongside the admission decision itself.
- Communication: You are informed of any award together with your admission results.
- Acceptance and enrollment: You must formally accept the award and complete enrollment by the required deadline to keep the benefit.
How to Increase Your Chances for Bocconi University Scholarships
- Apply in one of the earliest admission rounds, since most Merit Awards are allocated to early-round applicants
- Submit the strongest possible academic dossier, including transcripts and required test scores
- For Bachelor’s and Law applicants seeking need-based support, prepare your financial documentation carefully and accurately
- Consider whether you qualify for any of the specialized awards, such as the Women Award, AI Award, or Cyber Partnership Scholarship
- Keep track of the credit requirements for renewal so you do not risk losing your award in later years
- Complete your enrollment and any required “reserve” lifting procedures well before the deadline
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying in a later admission round, where fewer Merit Awards remain available
- Assuming a separate scholarship application is needed for the Graduate Merit Award when it is not
- Forgetting to submit the Bocconi4Access to Education application for Bachelor’s/Law need-based support
- Missing the enrollment or reserve-lifting deadline, which can result in losing an awarded scholarship
- Not tracking the credit requirements needed to renew the award into later years
- Submitting incomplete or inaccurate financial documentation for need-based awards
Living in Italy
Milan, home to Bocconi University, is Italy’s business and fashion capital, and one of the country’s most dynamic cities for students. Costs to budget for include accommodation (university residences, shared apartments, or private rentals), food, local transport, books, and personal expenses. Milan has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool, sometimes foggy winters. Healthcare access for international students is generally arranged through mandatory health insurance as part of your student visa and enrollment process. Milan offers an active student life, with easy access to the rest of Italy and Europe by train, plus a strong professional networking scene tied to Bocconi’s business focus.
Visa Information
Non-EU international students admitted to Bocconi will typically need an Italian student visa (a national “D” visa for study purposes). This involves submitting proof of admission, proof of financial means, and accommodation arrangements to the relevant Italian consulate or embassy. After arrival, students generally need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within a set number of days. Processing times and specific document requirements vary by country, so applicants should check with their local Italian consulate as early as possible.
Why Study in Italy
- Bocconi University is globally recognized for excellence in economics, management, finance, and law
- Milan offers direct access to major international businesses, banks, and consulting firms
- A strong alumni network and career services support graduate employability
- Access to double and joint degree options with prestigious partner universities such as LSE, Sciences Po, and Yale
- A rich cultural and historical environment across Italy alongside a modern, business-focused campus city
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bocconi University Scholarship fully funded? The top-tier Bocconi Graduate Merit Award and the 100% tier of Bocconi4Access to Education cover full tuition and fees, though living costs are generally not included unless you also receive accommodation or a separate scholarship such as the ISU Bocconi Scholarship.
Who can apply for Bocconi University Scholarships? Any student, of any nationality, who is admitted to a Bocconi Bachelor’s, Law, or Master of Science/MA program can be considered for the relevant scholarship track.
Can European students apply? Yes, Bocconi scholarships are open to Italian, other European, and international applicants alike.
Can African students apply? Yes, these scholarships are open to applicants from all countries in the world.
Can Asian students apply? Yes, there are no nationality restrictions on Bocconi’s scholarship eligibility.
Can Pakistani or Indian students apply? Yes, as long as you meet the standard admission and scholarship evaluation criteria.
Is IELTS mandatory? Yes, if your chosen program is taught in English and you do not qualify for a waiver under Bocconi’s standard admission rules.
Is there an application fee? The standard Bocconi admissions application fee applies; check the current amount on the official admissions portal.
Can married students apply? Yes, marital status does not affect eligibility for these scholarships. (Bocconi University Scholarships)
Can I bring my family? This depends on Italian visa rules for dependents, which are separate from the scholarship itself.
What GPA is required? There is no single published minimum GPA; Merit Awards are assessed based on your overall academic profile compared to other applicants in your category.
Can I work while studying? International students on an Italian student visa may generally work part-time within the limits set by Italian immigration rules.
How many students are selected? The number of Merit Awards is not fixed publicly; the Selection Committee decides the number, amounts, and recipients each year, with most awards going to applicants in the earliest admission rounds.
Can I apply for multiple programs? You can apply to different Bocconi programs, but if you are awarded a Merit Award for one program and later switch programs or admission rounds, you will generally need to be re-evaluated and may not keep the original award.
Is age important? No age limit is specified for these scholarships.
What happens after selection? Awarded students must complete an online scholarship acceptance procedure and finish enrollment by the required deadline to keep the benefit.
How competitive is this scholarship? It is highly competitive, since only top-ranked applicants in each category (International, Italian, Bocconi) are selected for Merit Awards.
Can I apply with a pending degree? Yes, as long as you meet Bocconi’s general admission requirements and will complete any prior qualification in time to enroll.
What expenses are not covered? Living costs, accommodation (unless specifically granted), health insurance, and travel are generally not covered unless you also receive a separate award such as the ISU Bocconi Scholarship.
Can I defer the scholarship? Merit Awards are tied to the specific admission round and program for which they were communicated, so deferring generally means you will need to be re-evaluated in a new round.
Can I apply if I already have another scholarship? Holding an equal or larger benefit at Bocconi for the same academic year will generally result in the smaller award being revoked, so you should check for conflicts with any other funding you receive.
How will I know if I’m selected? For graduate Merit Awards, you will be notified together with your admission results. For Bocconi4Access to Education, results follow the university’s published timeline for that scheme.
Final Summary
Bocconi University’s scholarship system gives strong students a genuine chance to study in Milan without the full weight of tuition fees, whether you are applying for a Bachelor’s, Law, or Master of Science program. The keys to success are applying early, submitting the strongest possible dossier, and, for Bachelor’s and Law applicants, completing the dedicated Bocconi4Access to Education application if you need financial support. Since Bocconi has not yet published separate 2027 intake dates, start monitoring the official funding pages now, and be ready to apply as soon as the relevant admission round opens.