Bologna Business School

Bologna Business School is an international business school created by the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world, to shape a new generation of business leaders capable of driving international growth and digital transformation with a view to sustainability. Our academic, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented approach offers a unique learning experience in collaboration with Italian “industry champions,” especially from the automotive, food and wine, sustainability, automation&robotics and luxury fields.

Bologna Business School
The BBS Multicampus comprises the historic Villa Guastavillani and the New Campus.
TypeBusiness School
Established2000
DeanMassimo Bergami
Location,
AffiliationsUniversity of Bologna
Websitewww.bolognabusinessschool.com/

History

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The most important day of the year for the Bologna Business School community, celebrating the success of Master's and Executive Master's graduates and the start of a new professional chapter.

BBS was founded in 2000 on the initiative of four Departments of the University of Bologna: Management, Communication Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Automobili Lamborghini, BBS Society of Scholars, Confindustria Emilia Centro, Ferrari, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna, Fondazione Guglielmo Marconi, IMA, Unicredit. After years of growth, with activities started in 2001, in 2024, BBS confirmed the EQUIS International Accreditation.


Location

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An aerial view of the BBS Multicampus, showcasing the historic Villa Guastavillani and the modern New Campus, set against the scenic hills of Bologna.

BBS Multicampus consists of Villa Guastavillani, a stunning 16th-century residence, and the New Campus, a modern area featuring three state-of-the-art buildings designed to the highest sustainability standards, all set within lush greenery. The two entities coexist seamlessly, allowing the past, present, and future to intertwine and thrive together in the heart of Italy, in one of the country’s and Europe’s leading economic regions.

Accreditations

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Bologna Business School is accredited by EQUIS – EFMD Quality Improvement System,[1] ASFOR (Associazione Italiana per la Formazione Manageriale),[2] EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development),[3] and - since 2009 – is ranked as a Top Business School Internationally Strong[4] by Eduniversal.

Internationalization

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The BBS experience enriches intercultural comprehension, facilitates the integration of international talents (including opportunities abroad for Italians), and promotes the international expansion of businesses, championing cultural integration and global peace.

In 2011, together with the Chapman Graduate School of Business of Florida International University, Bologna Business School founded the EMBA Consortium for Global Business Innovation.[5] Today, the network is made of ten international business schools located in Italy, United States of America, Brazil, United Kingdom, Peru, Japan, Poland, Germany and South Africa: Bologna Business School, Chapman Graduate School of Business; COPPEAD Graduate School of Business; Cranfield School of Management; ESAN Business School; Keio Business School; Kozminski University; The Lucas Graduate School of Business; Munich Business School and Stellenbosch Business School.

BBS also established a strategic partnership in 2024 with the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), one of the leading business schools in Asia and globally. This collaboration includes joint educational projects and exchange programs aimed at fostering academic and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia while enhancing the international presence of both institutions.

Academics

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Bologna Business School is committed to an interdisciplinary approach to business education, a strong integration with the entrepreneurial world, and a growing international projection. The school offers a number of full-time and part-time / distance-learning programs in Italian and English directed at post-university students and business executives; the School also offers tailor-made courses dedicated to companies and institutions that wish to focus on human capital to meet future challenges and shorter executive programs for local companies and industries.

Global MBA

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The Bologna Business School Global MBA is a 12-month program aimed at young professionals worldwide, providing a comprehensive understanding of business operations in a global context. The program features five specialized tracks: AI and Manufacturing, Food and Wine, Design, Fashion and Luxury Goods, Green Energy and Sustainable Businesses, and Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports. Each track enables participants to deepen their expertise in a specific industry while gaining insights into global business practices.

The Global MBA is a full-time program (66 ECTS-credits) entirely taught in English. It’s divided into three modules: general management, specialization courses and a period of internship or project work in a company.

The five specializations are:

Professional Masters

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Bologna Business School offers a number of full-time Masters for recent graduates. The duration of these programs is one year (60 ECTS-credits) and includes a mandatory internship.

The Masters are:

Executive Masters

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The Executive Masters at Bologna Business School are advanced programs designed for managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to enhance their expertise or update their skills in the field of management. These programs are tailored to meet the diverse needs of working professionals, offering flexible schedules and industry-specific curricula.

BBS offers three distinct categories of Executive Masters:

Executive MBA: Designed for experienced professionals aiming to deepen their strategic and leadership capabilities, the Executive MBA provides comprehensive training in core management disciplines and advanced business practices.

Flexible MBA: These programs combine the rigor of an MBA with the flexibility to adapt to the demanding schedules of professionals. Participants can balance their work commitments while developing competencies in management, innovation, and leadership.

Executive Master (Specialist Programs): These programs focus on specific industries or functional areas, enabling participants to gain specialized knowledge and skills that align with their professional goals.

Through these Executive Master programs, BBS supports the professional growth of leaders by fostering innovation, strategic thinking, and a global perspective on business.

The Masters are:

Custom Programs

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Bologna Business School offers Custom Programs tailored to the specific needs of companies. These programs are designed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by evolving market trends, helping organizations adapt and thrive in a constantly changing global environment.

Each Custom Program is developed in close collaboration with the client company, ensuring a tailored approach that maximizes the return on investment in training. These programs aim to foster the professional and personal development of future leaders, equipping them with the skills needed to drive organizational transformation and maintain a competitive edge.

BBS draws on its extensive expertise and a diverse Faculty to design and deliver customized training programs that align with the strategic priorities of each organization.

Open Programs

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BBS also offers a range of Open Programs designed for professionals at various levels and from diverse business sectors. These short courses focus on specific topics, providing in-depth knowledge and practical skills that address real business needs.

The Open Programs are aimed at professionals looking to enhance their expertise in particular areas of business, such as management, finance, marketing, and innovation. The courses are structured to meet the demands of individuals seeking to advance their careers by acquiring targeted competencies that can be immediately applied in their professional roles.

These programs offer flexible learning formats, combining academic rigor with practical insights, and are delivered by BBS’s experienced faculty. By addressing current challenges and emerging trends in business, the Open Programs help participants develop the expertise necessary to drive success in their organizations.

Custom programs are tailor-made according to the needs of the clients and are designed by the specialists of the sector.

References

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  1. ^ "EQUIS Accredited Schools - EFMD Global". www.efmdglobal.org. 2018-09-20. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-01-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "List of Members". Archived from the original on 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  4. ^ "Ranked N° 149 among the 4 palmes Università di Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum Alma Graduate School". Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  5. ^ "EMBA Consortium Members".
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