Università Commerciale
Luigi Bocconi
PhD School Office
via Röntgen 1
20136 Milan, Italy
Administrative Assistant: +39 02 5836.2482
Admissions: +39 02 5836.2014
© Università Bocconi - September 2015
Bocconi University
Contact Center
02 5836.3434 (from Italy)
+39 02 5836.3535 (from abroad)
Skype: www.unibocconi.eu/contactcenter
Bocconi
PhD School
An International
and Dynamic Environment
At Bocconi University we believe that the enthusiasm and
energy of young academics are crucial to the continuous
advancement of knowledge. Our founding dates back to
1902 as the first business and economics University in Italy.
Since then we have been nurturing generations of
researchers in the fields of business, economics and the
social sciences. With each group of bright PhD students
who come to Milan every year, we look forward to sharing
the pleasure of learning and the joy of discovery. By teaching
and mentoring within rigorous and interdisciplinary PhD
programs, we aim to shape the scholars and innovators of
tomorrow who will address topical issues in the business,
economic and political arena.
Pierpaolo Battigalli Dean, PhD School
Faculty
Our faculty is dedicated to supporting PhD
candidates throughout their time at Bocconi: as
teachers, mentors, researchers and co-authors.
They create a collaborative and rich learning
environment, involving PhDs in Department
research activities and introducing them to
international academic networks. The Bocconi
faculty is made up of distinguished scholars
who bring high-level international experience to
their work. In fact, the University is the leading
host research institution by number of ERC
grants in the area of Economics, Finance and
Management.
Programs
All PhD programs are offered in English (one
program has a curriculum that includes Italian
teaching). Visiting professors and experts on
leading research topics are hosted for classes
and seminars series, and international coadvisors are often involved in the thesis process.
In addition, partnerships have been set up with
international institutions to produce cuttingedge research.
PhD candidates participate in international
conferences and Summer Schools as
presenters and auditors and can also take part
in BELSS (the Bocconi Experimental Laboratory
for the Social Sciences), where researchers run
experiments in all areas of the social sciences.
Campus
The Bocconi campus offers a variety of
structures and initiatives that make daily life
more interesting and stimulating. Culture and
sports, as well as social responsibility and
commitment are all part of the values promoted
by Bocconi through a wide range of activities on
campus. In addition to facilities such as
residences and dining halls, dedicated offices
with desktop PCs are available to PhD
candidates, and the latest software can be
installed on their personal laptops.
PhD students have access to the vast array of
books, journals and electronic resources
available in the Bocconi Library, Italy’s biggest
collection in economics and business.
Placement
Placement of PhD candidates on the job market
during their final year is closely supported and
highly successful. We provide assistance in
attending recruitment conferences as well as
coaching for presentations and communication
skills. The majority of our graduates hold faculty
positions in academia (prestigious EU and nonEU schools), international institutions and
research centers, while others are placed in
private institutions.
Our Programs
Economics and Finance
Business Administration and Management
www.unibocconi.eu/phdbusinessadministration
4-year program, in English
Key research fields: Accounting, Marketing, Organization, Strategy, Technology
The PhD in Business Administration and Management consists of two curricula,
Management and Marketing. The Management Curriculum is organized in four
main tracks: Accounting, Organization, Strategy and Technology and Innovation
Management.
The 4-year full time program provides the rigorous methodological foundation
necessary to approach research issues at the frontier of knowledge, enabling
participants to design and implement research projects across the entire range of
managerial studies. This is achieved through a balanced mix of full time courses,
advanced seminars, exchanges and field projects within Bocconi and in
collaboration with other leading universities, interacting with international
scholars, on the strength of a carefully tutored dissertation project. The program
emphasizes rigorous training in both quantitative and qualitative methods for
management research.
The PhD program in Business
Administration and Management
provided me with a sound
grounding to start my academic career. Its
strong emphasis on theory and methods in
the first years allowed me to gather lots of
knowledge, which has proven, and is still
proving, fundamental. Its experienced and
diverse faculty allowed me to debate with a
rich variety of perspectives and taught me
what it means to be a researcher. Its
international scope really helped me start
building my network within the academic
community.
Giada Di Stefano 2011 PhD graduate
Assistant Professor, HEC Paris
Bocconi’s PhD program in Business
Administration and Management has been a
great stepping stone for my academic career.
It gave me the chance to work with
internationally renowned faculty members
and motivated peers at all stages of my PhD.
The PhD School has offered me every kind of
support possible in terms of attending careerdevelopment workshops and summer
schools, as well as getting international
exposure of my research by presenting at top
conferences. The team of the PhD program –
from coordinators and mentors to individual
advisers and placement officers – is what
makes this program truly friendly, supportive
and successful.
Magdalena Cholakova 2013 PhD graduate
Assistant Professor, Rotterdam
School of Management,
Erasmus University
www.unibocconi.eu/phdeconomicsfinance
4-year program, in English
Key research fields: Political Economy and Development Economics, Macroeconometrics and
Macroeconomic Policy, Decision Theory and Behavioral Economics, Game Theory and Economics
of Information, Corporate Finance and Banking
The PhD in Economics and Finance at Bocconi University is a 4-year full time
program designed for highly qualified and motivated students who wish to acquire
world-class research skills. The program is multidisciplinary in nature and students
have the option to choose from a wide range of electives, and are also given regular
mentorship and support throughout their time at Bocconi. First-year students
acquire a broad set of theoretical and methodological skills (mathematics,
statistics, econometrics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, asset pricing and
corporate finance) relevant to various fields in economics and finance. In the
second year, students choose their field of specialization. The third and fourth years
are entirely dedicated to research, including attendance at regular seminars held by
internationally renowned internal and external faculty. PhD classes benefit from
interaction among students from all over the world, with backgrounds not only in
economics and finance, but also in other disciplines such as engineering,
mathematics, physics and statistics. Exchange periods abroad are managed within
the European Doctoral Group in Economics (www.edge-page.net).
Bocconi offers rigorous, well
structured, and academically
sound doctoral training. The
research environment is stimulating and
thriving. When entering the job market, my
supervisors prepared me to deal with different
kinds of interviews, presentations and other
ways of promoting my research. This,
together with the research and teaching skills
I acquired during the program, helped me to
land a job as an Assistant Professor at one of
the world’s most prestigious universities.
Andrea Tamoni 2011 PhD graduate
Lecturer in Finance, London School of
Economics and Political Science,
Department of Finance
The PhD in Economics and Finance at
Bocconi University gave me all the tools,
opportunities, network and useful advice to
succeed as an economist. The challenging,
stimulating and collegial environment taught
me how to give the best of myself in all
situations. Overall, the Bocconi PhD program
in Economics opened up the doors and
allowed me to undertake the career that I
wanted.
Daniele Siena 2013 PhD graduate
Economist, Division of International
Macroeconomics, Banque de
France
Legal Studies
Public Policy and Administration
www.unibocconi.eu/phdlegalstudies
www.unibocconi.eu/phdpublicpolicy
3-year program, in English and Italian
Key research fields: Business Law, Labor Law, Criminal Law, Antitrust and IP Law, WTO Investment
and Business Law, Monetary and Financial Law, EU Institutional and Economic Law
4-year program, in English
Key research fields: Economic and Political Institutions, Governance, Globalization, Health, Methods
for Policy Evaluation, Policy Innovation, Public Administration, Sociology and Population Studies
This 3-year full time program offers two specialization curricula, one in Business
and Social Law (Diritto dell’Impresa) and the other in International Law and
Economics. It is designed for students who are particularly interested in focusing
on methodological issues and scientific research, in a comparative and
interdisciplinary approach, as well as in analyzing the connections within
economic and social topics. During the first part of their studies, students are
required to attend both compulsory and elective courses. During the second part,
students are highly recommended to spend time abroad at international
universities or institutions, in order to complete research for their final
dissertation. The International Law and Economics curriculum is offered entirely
in English; the Business and Social Law (Diritto dell’Impresa) curriculum is partly
in Italian and partly in English.
The new PhD in Public Policy and Administration, first launched in 2014-2015,
prepares qualified candidates to be the next generation of high-level policy
researchers and professors. It is intended for students interested in either
academic or policy-making careers that require advanced, multidisciplinary
knowledge and training. The 4-year full time program is open to students who
demonstrate high qualification and motivation for research in demography,
economics, management, political science and/or sociology, regardless of
background.
The program offers a wide range of electives and is nurtured by highly qualified
teachers and mentors from a variety of fields. In the first two years, students
acquire cutting-edge theoretical and methodological skills to specialize in both a
major and a minor field of Health, Political Economics, Public Administration and
Social Dynamics. The third and fourth years are devoted to research that will lay
the basis of students’ doctoral dissertations. Students will interact with top
international researchers working in the field. They will also have the opportunity
to participate in exchange programs and do internships with leading policy
institutes across the globe.
The renowned faculty and the
international standing of the
program make the curriculum in
International Law and Economics of the PhD
in Legal Studies competitive, prestigious and
unique in its kind. PhD students are part of a
dynamic and multidisciplinary community,
and receive high level academic guidance
and support for a successful career. The
exposure to Bocconi’s international network
of leading scholars and practitioners was
conducive to my engagement in academia,
and provided me with all the tools, skills and
expertise needed to succeed.
Ilaria Espa 2013 PhD graduate
Marie Curie (COFIT) Senior Research Fellow,
World Trade Institute
As a Bocconi PhD candidate, I had access to
top-notch professors, inspiring seminars and
a stimulating research culture, which allowed
me to efficiently tailor the three year duration
of the program to my research interests. The
multidisciplinary approach provided during
the PhD represented an excellent foundation
for my research and a major asset for kick
starting my career in the international arena. I
strongly recommend it for highly motivated
students and young professionals. Last but
not least, Milan is one of the most interesting
cities in Europe and a great place for
students.
Francesca Daverio 2010 PhD graduate
Consulting Counsel, Global
Practices, The World Bank
Statistics
www.unibocconi.eu/phdstatistics
4-year program, in English
Key research fields: Bayesian Statistics, Probability and Stochastic Processes, Statistical Methods
for Inference and Prediction, Biostatistics, Risk and Decisions, Data Science
This 4-year full time program provides students with a solid methodological
grounding for high-level research in universities and international institutions.
Courses cover theoretical foundations and modern applied problems in
Statistical Science, Probability, Data Science, as well as interdisciplinary topics.
The PhD Faculty includes well-renowned researchers in Bayesian and Classical
Statistics and Decision Sciences, and enjoys the collaboration of visiting
professors from all over the world. Students with graduate degrees in Statistics,
Mathematics, Economics, Engineering as well as other quantitative fields are
encouraged to apply for admission.
The Statistics PhD program at
Bocconi University was an
invaluable and highly enjoyable
experience. The first two years were filled with
rigorous course work taught by professors
who cared for my training and progress,
which gave me a solid theoretical foundation
for my research. Over the final two years, my
supervisor’s guidance and passion were
beyond helpful to my research. The
opportunities and funding for international
travel allowed me to attend international
conferences, receive feedback on my
research and establish new collaborations.
As a professor, I strive to show students the
caring and passion that I encountered at
Bocconi.
Sara Wade 2013 PhD graduate
Harrison Early-Carrer Assistant
Professor of Statistics, University of
Warwick
Selection
Applications have to be submitted in the Fall,
one year before the beginning of the program.
In order to apply, students need to have
completed, or be on their way to completing,
their graduate studies and have at least a B2
(CEFR) level of competence in English; a B2
(CEFR) level in Italian is needed for the
curriculum in Business and Social Law of the
PhD in Legal Studies.
Assessment is based on:
• CV
• Academic records
• Current GRE/GMAT scores (except for
the PhD in Legal Studies)
• Research proposal and abstract of
graduation thesis (for the PhD in Legal
Studies only)
• Statement of purpose
• Up to two reference letters
• Other relevant documents
(e.g. publications, other programs attended)
Complete information regarding deadlines, documents required, the online application process
and financial support is available at www.unibocconi.eu/admissionphd