Bachelor of Science in International Politics and Government
Program Overview
Bocconi University's BSc in International Politics and Government equips students with analytical and practical skills for policy-making and management in national and international contexts. Through active learning and an international faculty, the program emphasizes policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in public institutions, international organizations, and private firms, shaping the future of policy and governance.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The BSc in International Politics and Government is Bocconi University's first undergraduate program in political science. The program aims to equip students with the ability to interpret the evolution of social, economic, and political systems internationally; understand decision-making and management within national and international institutions; develop skills for designing, implementing, and evaluating public policies; and manage interactions between private and public sectors. The curriculum emphasizes three key aspects of policy-making: designing economically efficient and politically sustainable policies; implementing policies effectively; and evaluating policies using quantitative and qualitative techniques. The program aims to educate future national and international policymakers, players in international organizations and regulatory authorities, and managers in international private firms operating in non-market environments. The BSc offers two tracks: Politics and Policy Making (including a compulsory semester abroad at a partner university and an optional internship) and Data, Society and Organisations (a double degree with HEC Paris, requiring a separate application, focusing on quantitative methods and data science, and also offering an optional internship).
Teaching:
The program uses active learning methods, drawing from subjects like politics, economics, management, law, history, and quantitative methods. The faculty is described as international and dedicated. While specific teaching methods aren't listed beyond "active learning," the emphasis on practical application in policy design, implementation, and evaluation suggests a likely blend of lectures, case studies, simulations, and potentially project-based learning.
Careers:
Graduates will be prepared for work in national and international public institutions, NGOs, and the private sector (consultancy, lobbying, public affairs firms, and company management, particularly in regulated sectors and multinational settings with geopolitical risks). The program aims to produce future policymakers, players in international organizations and regulatory authorities, and managers in international private firms.
Other:
Bocconi's expansion into political science is driven by a vision to improve the adequacy of public sector structures and policies, and a goal to increase the quality of policymakers. The program is described as 3 years long and taught in English. It involves 180 CFU (Crediti Formativi Universitari - Italian university credit units). The program director is Italo Colantone. Bocconi highlights its overall strengths, including its ranking among the top 5 universities in Europe, its research and innovation, its global network, its inclusive community, its leading-edge programs, and its dynamic campus in Milan.
The university is a prominent European institution recognized for its strong international focus. It excels in research and teaching across diverse disciplines, including Economics, Management, Legal Studies, Political Science, and Data and Computer Science, with an increasing emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Committed to societal impact, the university values knowledge dissemination beyond academia. It fosters cultural openness, diversity, and mutual respect, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.
The university is dedicated to advancing and sharing knowledge in the social sciences through rigorous, innovative research that addresses contemporary global challenges. It emphasizes social mobility and equal access to education, providing excellent teaching to empower students to achieve their full potential, regardless of their background.
The institution strives for a global impact while fostering socioeconomic progress at local, national, and European levels. It leverages its international network of alumni, academic partners, corporations, and institutions to drive growth and collaboration.
The university also prioritizes enriching campus life by creating a sustainable, inclusive environment that encourages social and cultural exchanges among its diverse community members.
