Truly global, distinctly personal.

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

15
Years

Average Work
Experience

40
Years

Average Age

36%

Women

33
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.

“At SDA Bocconi we take the GEMBA meaning seriously. It is a “global” executive MBA, designed to equip future leaders to manage global challenges: an indispensable prerequisite to prosper with your organization and reinforce your career development.”

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Ferdinando Pennarola
Director

"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

What they say about us

Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
To “strengthen my shoulders” when I will be in charge of running the company I am working for. Also, I believe this program, besides allowing me to reach my goals of personal and professional growth, represents the "icing on the cake" for my management education. 

Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
I wish this program will help me in life to enhance my self-esteem and be braver.
My professional motivation is simply becoming the CEO of the company with full support of partners and colleagues.

How is this choice satisfying your needs?
People in the company look at what I am doing with admiration and respect. They somehow appreciate it, because they know I am doing this for the good and the future of the company.

What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
Live globally and stretch your mind to be always open. Also, always combine a module around the world with a customer or supplier/ Principal visit. 

Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives.
GEMBA = Challenging your personal and professional routine.

Anything else - like a personal note - you may wish to add.
It’s not only you that apply for GEMBA, but your whole family. Don’t do it if you don’t have their full support.

linkedin profile

Edgar Wenzel - German
GEMBA 2024

I chose to attend the Global Executive MBA because at this moment of my career and at my age I felt the necessity to find new intellectual inputs and new challenges for continuous personal growth. The business environment I’ve been exposed to over the last 10 years increased significantly in dimension (more than four times bigger) and geography (now covering almost all the globe) and the “learned by doing” approach, if not refined by a solid business intelligence, will show its limits.

Furthermore, the greatest challenges for any business in the future is the availability of skilled people willing to improve continuously and my attendance in this MBA will show to my organization an example of a continuous development and provide me with a global network of professionals ready to face global challenges, people who are not easy to meet in normal professional life. The first months of GEMBA were really intense for me in learning and networking: real value for money!

Daniele Marongiu - Italian
GEMBA 2018
ATL Consulting, Partner

Meet GEMBA

Upcoming face-to-face meetings
11
Oct 2024 12:30 - 13:30 | LOCAL TIME
Boost Your Career: Business Lunch and Networking with SDA Bocconi School of Management
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
11
Oct 2024 16:00 - 21:00 | LOCAL TIME
Orientation Meetings - Frankfurt
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
Upcoming online sessions
14
Oct 2024 18:00 - 19:00 | CEST
GEMBA: Q&A on the Program and its Admissions Process
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
29
Oct 2024 18:00 - 19:00 | CET
GEMBA: Discover the new edition of the Rotman-SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA 2025-2027
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
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 ...
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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