Truly global, distinctly personal.

Next Start 26 Sep 2025
Duration 18 Months
Language English
Format Modular
Avg. working
experience
16 years
Where Milano, Roma, Toronto, Mumbai, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Shanghai, São Paulo

The Rotman-SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA (Master in Business Administration) is a modular program that combines the expertise and perspectives of a leading European and a leading North American business school in a transformative journey hosted in international business hubs. A launching pad for future career phases and an integrated preparation for senior management roles, GEMBA provides a highly personalized focus on leadership development, and introduces participants to a global network of exceptional managers, faculty, executives and thought-leaders.

 

This unique 18-month program, spanning eight cities in four continents, will change the the way you think, network and do business in some of the world’s biggest markets and will give you a wider range of opportunities, contacts and experiences. The Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA is offered in partnership with the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto in Canada.

 

Who is it for?

The Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA will expand your global understanding, and personal horizons as a future leader. GEMBA is the right program for you if:

  • You want to benefit from an inclusive outlook that bridges continents as you earn two credentials from top-ranked Schools with connections worldwide.
  • You want to experience a transformative program hosted in eight key business hubs, immerse yourself in local cultures, while building knowledge and skills for an ever-changing, interconnected world.
  • You want to gain insights into sectors where our schools have special expertise, and compare perspectives in our home cities: Milano - Italy’s entrepreneurial, industrial, and financial center - and Toronto - Canada’s multicultural financial capital and innovation hub.
  • You want to develop a highly personalized focus on leadership challenges and enter a global network of exceptional managers, executives, and thought-leaders.

 

 


 

My GEMBA in 60 seconds - Alfonso Lavorgna

My GEMBA in 60 Seconds - Salome Pirtakhiya

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Why choose us?

1. Global Advantage: Europe, Americas, Asia

Milano, Roma, Toronto, Mumbai, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Shanghai, São Paulo: immerse yourself in the local cultures of eight international business centers, cross borders, bridge continents and transcend insular thinking.

2. Two credentials and two networks

A Global Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. The combined strength of these brands will position you for lifelong success.

3. Insight sharing with thought leaders

Learn from globally focused faculty, who can offer guidance, act as mentors and open doors to new opportunities. And share firsthand insights into global business challenges with corporate leaders on campus and on site tours.

4. Flexible format, timing and location

Combine professional, personal and learning opportunities no matter where you are located, through the flexible executive format that blends residency modules around the world with distance learning.

5. Personalized Leadership Development Program

Grow your potential as a leader through regular personal assessments, skills workshops, coaching conversations and a leadership retreat.

Highlights

#7
WW

QS Executive MBA Rankings 2024:
Joint Programmes

2
Credentials

from top-ranked Int'l schools

8
Cities

Milano, Roma, Toronto, Mumbai, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Shanghai, São Paulo

Rotman

In partnership with
Rotman School of Management

Scholarships and Tuition Waivers

The GEMBA Class

16
Years

Average Work
Experience

40
Years

Average Age

51%

Women

35
Participants

Class Size

Inside My GEMBA SDA Bocconi programs offer a unique and personalized learning experience. Enter the world of GEMBA to discover its unique contents.

"It is not easy to create truly sustainable value for a business — or for yourself. In this program, we teach you the former and help you achieve the latter, all with a truly global lens."

Jan Mahrt-Smith
Academic Director, University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management

"GEMBA is not only an exceptional program, remarkable for its depth and the international exposure it offers participants, but it also provides a truly transformative experience. It seamlessly combines valuable knowledge with meaningful relationship-building, both professionally and personally. I would describe it as a life-changing journey. Being part of this and accompanying participants along the way is a privilege and an immensely rewarding experience".

Emilia Paolino
Coordinator

What they say about us

For almost 15 years I have been acting as a marketer, project manager and sales person in different industries. I have always tried to become a better professional seeking new opportunities,  learning on the job and attending a few short term courses (soft skills trainings, coaching, as well as a mentoring program).

As a next step, I realized that I need a program that would help me become a more structured, knowledgeable, and strategic thinker and fully aware of management skills and of the many aspects of my job. In my professional environment, SDA Bocconi was highly recommended. While researching, I appreciated the GEMBA program because of the curriculum and the strategic sessions with live examples from India, US, Singapore, as well as the international perspective. Furthermore, colleagues work in different countries and sectors and all the professors have real experiences in the international business environment.

Going back to study has been quite an experience, very exciting (leaving aside the time constraints). Today I am very much motivated to contribute to the program mainly driven by my class GEMBA who are inspired professionals with diverse experiences.

Everyone is curious and eager to learn, share and accumulate expertise, an environment that can only happen in school. The network is adding value to my experience as well.

I am impressed by the professors that run the program and their commitment. I appreciate that all of them have professional experiences in addition to their academic expertise. These experiences bring a lot of value to the class.

Last but not least Milan is the city of art and fashion, the time there is amazing.

Adina Ioana Tataru - Romanian
GEMBA 2018
Apple, Carrier Manager, Romania and Bulgaria

I had been working in very different positions over the years as well as in cross country and cross cultural business environments when I was encouraged to apply for GEMBA by my employer, Prysmian Group. I have been  particularly excited with the international content and context of the program.  The program has provided a more extensive understanding of international business environments, complexity and opportunities. I have found the program just the right add on to my existing professional portfolio and toolbox. It is important for me to be able to immediately take to work some of the ideas and methods learned during the sessions. These tools I will need even more, because Prysmian has just promoted me to a new position in a new county.

My expectation for the program was also to get to know professionals from other companies, by networking and learning from others.  That expectation has also been fulfilled. My GEMBA class is a diverse and interesting group of people with different ages, genders and backgrounds. Even though following the program is hard work, as a group we do have a lot of fun!

Salli Hara-Haikkala - Finnish
GEMBA 2018
Prysmian Group, Chief Executive Officer Scandinavia

Meet GEMBA

Upcoming face-to-face meetings
13
Nov 2024 19:00 - 20:30 | LOCAL TIME
Technology and Sustainability: Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders
Language ITALIAN / ENGLISH
Learn More
14
Nov 2024 15:00 - 18:00 | CET
Orientation Meetings - Roma
Language ITALIAN
Learn More
Upcoming online sessions
25
Nov 2024 12:00 - 13:30 | CET
GEMBA: Online Class in Corporate Finance with Prof. Maurizio Dallocchio
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
4
Dec 2024 18:00 - 19:00 | CET
GEMBA: One-to-One coffee chats with the Director
Language ENGLISH
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Personalized Orientation

The Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA is a challenge to be taken on with a strong dedication. The Recruiting & Admissions team will be happy to arrange an individual informational interview at school to answer your questions and give you personalized advice. We can also do this when traveling to your part of the world, and by phone or remotely.

 

Moreover, every year the school presents the Master through a series of public events, both online and offline. This is an opportunity to speak directly with directors, faculty, alumni, and staff.

 

See all events 

Contact us for more information, to arrange a meeting, request to visit the school, or attend a class.

 

To learn more about our partner Rotman School of Management, visit the page University Of Toronto’s Rotman School Of Management

 

Next Steps

Nov 2024
Application Review Start

Go to admission

16 Dec 2024
1st Tuition Waiver Deadline
5 June 2025
Application Deadline
26 Sep 2025
Program Start
Mar 2027
Program End

News & Social

17 July 2024
Global Excellence for the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA: 7th ww in the QS Executive MBA Rankings
Gaining one position in the general ranking, the joint Global Executive MBA excels in Employer ...
Learn More
19 June 2024
Celebrating unity and enduring bonds: SDA Bocconi’s 2024 MBA Reunion
Learn More

More about the Global Executive MBA

Program

Structure, Learning Model