Università Bocconi, founded in 1902, was the first Italian university to grant a degree in economics. For a century, Bocconi has played a leading role in Italy's social and economic modernization. It has remained loyal to its founding values of being a financially and politically independent research university with a democratic and international perspective.

In order to guarantee greater functionality and effectiveness in managing the programs, all activities have been divided among five Schools: the Undergraduate School, the Graduate School, the School of Law, the PhD School and the SDA Bocconi School of Management, which promotes and organizes post-experience training for executives, with an international approach. Its vision of empowering life is present throughout the SDA Bocconi program offering: executive and custom programs, MBA and Masters, for the development of individuals, companies, institutions and the economic systems.

Today, with a worldwide network of international relations and over 190 partner universities, Università Bocconi has received prestigious international recognitions for the level and quality of its programs. Bocconi has specifically targeted emerging markets such as China, where it opened a permanent office in Shanghai with a dedicated local liaison in 2004.

More recently, Università Bocconi has also launched dedicated programs that are delivered exclusively in China by Bocconi and local faculty, such as the Double Degree in International Management and through SDA Bocconi School of Management. An elective module from the Global Executive MBA and the Advanced Joint Certificate in
Fashion & Prestige Management, has been also been presented and delivered by SDA Bocconi School of Management in Shanghai.