International Board Program

SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan

Home SDA Bocconi School of ManagementInternational Board Program

11 weeksDuration

in-personFormat

EnglishLanguage

Governance & BoardsTopic

SDA Bocconi School of Management

Milan, Italy

Established in 1971, the SDA Bocconi School of Management is the graduate business school of Università Bocconi, Italy’s first university to grant a degree in economics. Located in the heart of Milan, the school is a private institution that was founded with the mission to contribute to the development of individuals, organizations, and society through a culture of management based on entrepreneurship and responsibility. Its academic philosophy is defined by "empowerment through knowledge," emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between high-level theoretical research and the immediate, practical needs of the international business community.Accreditations and RankingsSDA Bocconi is among the elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the "Triple Crown" accreditation, reflecting its adherence to the highest international standards.AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) — Re-accredited five consecutive timesAMBA (Association of MBAs)Financial Times Executive Education Custom Rankings (2025): 3rd WorldwideFinancial Times Executive Education Open Rankings (2025): 12th WorldwideFinancial Times European Business School Rankings (2025): 1st in EuropeBloomberg Businessweek European B-School Rankings (2025): 3rd in EuropeQS World University Rankings: Business & Management (2025): 10th WorldwideExecutive Education at a GlanceThe school is globally recognized for its ability to create hyper-customized corporate programs, a sector in which it consistently ranks among the top three providers in the world. SDA Bocconi offers a diverse portfolio that balances intensive in-person modules with sophisticated digital learning platforms, such as the "Bocconi Learning Radar," which tracks a participant's educational journey over a lifetime. Key focus areas include Luxury Management, Finance, Governance, and the emerging "Chief Diffusion Officer" roles within AI-driven industries.Flagship programs include the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) and the Next CEO Program, specifically designed for C-suite succession. Tuition for open executive programs typically ranges from €4,000 for short intensive courses to €62,000 for the modular Executive MBA. The school provides significant financial support through a dedicated €1,000,000 scholarship fund for its master’s and executive participants, with specific waivers available for women in leadership and candidates from NGOs.Campus and FacilitiesThe Milan campus is a landmark of contemporary architecture, designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese firm SANAA. Completed in 2020, the complex features a series of fluid, transparent buildings with 84,000 square meters of space that "float" over a lush park, symbolizing the school’s openness to the city. Participants have access to the Bocconi Sport Center, which houses an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a roof-top running track, alongside specialized executive lounges and "cloud-like" auditoriums. Milan itself acts as a living laboratory; as Italy’s financial and fashion capital, it provides an unparalleled environment for studying the intersection of heritage branding and global investment.Faculty and ResearchSDA Bocconi’s faculty is organized into eight "Knowledge Groups"—including Finance, Marketing, and Government—complemented by specialized Labs and Monitors that produce applied research for industry. The school maintains 20 Labs and 6 Observatories, such as the CERGAS center for health and social care management, which directly influences European public policy. The faculty is distinguished by its ability to translate rigorous academic data into the "Flagship Indexes" used by Fortune 500 companies to measure sustainability and governance performance.Student Body, Alumni, and Career OutcomesThe student body is exceptionally international, with executive cohorts representing over 70 countries and industries ranging from fintech to luxury automotive. The Bocconi Alumni Community is a powerful global network of over 146,000 members active in 130 countries, supported by 75 territorial chapters. Notable alumni include leaders like Elena Goitini, CEO of BNL BNP Paribas, and Alisée de Tonnac, co-founder of Seedstars. Career outcomes for executives are bolstered by the school's deep ties to the Italian "Industrial Districts" and the Milanese banking sector, providing a robust platform for career transitions and board-level placements.

Founded1971

Next Available Cohort

Choose your preferred start date

Jul 9 - Sep 25, 2026

11 weeks · in-person · Instructor-Led · Milan Campus

Open

$9,274

All-inclusive program fee

Duration

57 days

Format

in-person

Topic

Governance & Boards

Language

English

Last updated: March 25, 2026

About This Program

In response to the increased responsibilities and accountability in an international business context, fostering a sustainable success orientation and effective stakeholder communication is essential. The course provides participants, especially those from large listed companies, with insights into the international context and the responsibilities of board members . These include governance best practices for designing effective corporate and ownership structures, cultivating a proactive and change-oriented governance culture, and enhancing collaboration within Boards of Directors by improving communication among shareholders, governing bodies, and top management. Additionally, the course addresses current challenges such as macroeconomic trends, risk management, sustainability , digitalization, and cybersecurity. You will learn from two leading European management schools, SDA Bocconi and St. Gallen, and benefit from an international network.

Why SDA Bocconi School of Management?

SDA Bocconi offers a rare synthesis of rigorous Italian intellectual heritage and the pragmatic, fast-paced energy of Milan’s global financial hub. It is the destination for leaders who seek to master "Learning Without Limits," blending a designer’s eye for innovation with the analytical precision required to navigate the world’s most complex regulatory and economic ecosystems.

Your Profile

The program is aimed at board members, executives, general managers, or key shareholders at a large private corporation navigating critical governance challenges and strategic decisions, from international expansion to risk management, compensation plans, and sustainability strategies. The program addresses both foundational governance elements structures, processes, and board dynamics - and key long-term trends like AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

Benefits

A dedicated orientation meeting, either in-person or remotely, to identify learning needs and create a customized plan. Throughout the course, you will experience a tailored welcome to introduce you to the program and foster networking between participants and instructors. Upon completion, your evaluation will become a valuable contribution for continuous improvement of the offering.
Training consultation with HR managers to analyze organizational needs and develop personalized projects. Ongoing progress monitoring and a final follow-up to share results and gather feedback, ensuring constant alignment with pre-set goals.