Master: Bocconi Econ vs. ESSEC
Non-EU here, with some ib experience in Asia (top regional bank and US MM boutique).
Got admitted in ESSEC (GE/MiF) and now Bocconi ESS (Econ and social science).
The goal is to work in Banking in Europe, wouldn't say no to HF or PE, if even possible.
ESSEC will allow me to have more time to learn French and get more off-cycle internship experience
Bocconi surely has a better rep in London. The ESS program seems really decent, more in academia tho (not my path). However, heard the competition is stressful and might not leave too much time for recruiting.
Did a Linkedin search about Bocconi ESS, much less placement than MiF ofc (and mostly in SnT), so not really sure about how it really is. WSO discussions are always focused on mfin of Bocconi. Anybody can kindly shed some light? really appreciate it!
Heard that ESSEC has some big Asian community, while Bocconi's placement is mostly restricted to Italians, not sure about it tho.
No brainer. You will be better off by taking the ESSEC offer. Italy's economy sucks and the comps is shitty so if you end up not getting offer from anywhere in London you can still recruit in Paris.
Hi, I'm a current student from Bocconi University. The one thing I can tell you about the ESS program is that it is extremely theoretical and mathematical. Most students that do ESS masters did BESS (undergraduate level of the same course) and the maths skills required is honestly a bit insane.
It depends what you want to do afterwards and how much you enjoy studying/maths. I am not sure unfortunately whether ESS students land jobs in banking, I think of them as more researchers or economists.
One great thing about most courses in Bocconi is that it prepares you a lot better than some other European universities. Only thing is that it is very very theoretical, sometimes too much, but is definitely one of the best. It all depends on your preferences.
Also note that you can get off cycle internships at Bocconi too. It is true that ESS is very stressful, but if you manage your time well, you definitely have time for recruiting.
Imho, knowing how hard ESS is, you’d be better off going to ESSEC. You’ll get more time for internships and for learning French (hence recruiting in Paris), which is what you want if you’re going for IB. Also ESS is known for having lower grades which will look worse on your CV.
Bocconi places much better in finance in Europe (obviously with a small exception to France given well, ESSEC is French) and has many more recruiting events and alumni networks. As a non-Italian, you’ll most likely not be recruiting in Italy. Still though, that specific program won’t be as encouraging for recruitment.
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Thanks for your insight!
I doubted that Bocconi's london fame would be more available to Italians, but after consulting a friend there, everybody in flagship programs gets interviews.
I am concerned that at ESSEC, my chances of getting interviews are lower because clearly 1 tier lower than Boc, although there will be a chance of competing for spring week because the GE program is 3 years.
Did you get into GE or MiF? If GE, then you have enough time to learn French since the program can the extended up to 4 years with internships/apprenticeships. If MiF forget about learning French during the program. Its a 1 year degree with an internship at the end and is super packed with courses. Not sure on your French level but start learning it already.
However, compared to couple of years back there are more English speaking finance roles available in Paris and anyone who really works hard for a job gets one. Bocconi has a stronger placement in London but that is for their MiM program. Not sure about their ESS program.
By MiM program, you mean master in international management or master in management? Bocconi offers both
Thanks! I got admitted both and in the end chose GE. It does raise my attention when I browsed LinkedIn that the international management program can place people straight into BX, because in common sense management is way less of a “legit” course comparing to finance
ESSEC MiF can be either 1 year or 2 year (ow at least 12 months of internships) depending on the student background... You are right about GE>MiF though
Bocconis ESS program is thé most prestigious economics program in Europe and probably around top 10 worldwide. But if you want to go into IB it is definitely not worth it, most graduates go as others have mentioned into research, think tanks or ngos.
Thanks for your insight! I will definitely take finance if admitted, my background is all around finance but don’t know why they decided to put me into economics. But now between bocconi and essec, there’s a prestige gap especially in London banking. Don’t know if it worth the hustle to take a shitload more of quantitative courses just to fill this gap.
Nuts to say Bocconi is the most prestigious program in Europe . Go to ESSEC Italy economy is finished and you would be behind LSE, LBS and HEC for London applications... so...
Bocconi is thé most prestigious ECONOMICS program in Europe. What does Italys economy have to do with that? Germanys economy is by far thé best and still no German university comes close to LSE, HEC, Bocconi or HSG. Its a stupid thing to say thé university is bad because of thé country, I have no idea how you can even make this claim, maybe because you are from the US. Lots of Bocconi graduates go abroad and you can comfortably find a job in any country with a Bocconi degree, especially when some of your professors are nobel prize winners
Definitely not true. Go to any BB and you will find plenty of Bocconi alumnis there.
Bocconi definitely places better in London, also for non-Italians. In my experience (also Bocconi alumni, studied a non-finance degree), they don't care about the degree as long as it is from Bocconi. ESS is very challenging, but the brand name that Bocconi gives you is definitely worth it. Also, the comment above regarding pay in Italy etc. is not relevant at all, as you can't really apply to Milan offices unless you are fluent/almost native in Italian (which is unlikely ;)). I assume same applies to Paris offices is you go with ESSEC.
If I had to sum up (ESSEC GE vs Bocconi ESS) no particular order
Overall brand name: Bocconi > ESSEC
Ease of the program: ESSEC > Bocconi
Relevance of the program: ESSEC > Bocconi
Number of internships available: ESSEC > Bocconi (?)
City opportunities (if London doesn't work): ESSEC >>> Bocconi
Campus location: Bocconi > ESSEC
Language opportunity: ESSEC > Bocconi
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