GEMBA

The Rotman - SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA

Truly global, distinctly personal.

Next Start 27 Sep 2024
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 seven 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

watch all videos

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

#8
WW

QS Executive MBA Rankings 2023:
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.”

Read more

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?
I joined the Rotman - SDA Bocconi GEMBA program because the structure was a great fit for my professional development. I liked that the program would allow me to continue to progress my career while studying and integrate travel which I have always been passionate about.

Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
I wanted to boost my learning, challenge myself and get an opportunity to travel and network. The programme gave me the opportunity to broaden my understanding of business beyond the area of procurement I specialise in. Challenged me to balance work and study helped me develop my ability to focus on strategic priorities. Above all, the programme has given me an incredible network and a lot of new friendships.

How is this choice satisfying your needs?
I’m really happy I joined the programme and in many ways it has exceeded my expectations. I have enjoyed interacting with academic staff, learning new concepts and applying them to real business problems. In addition, every module gives you the local context and an understanding of how business works in the country you are in. The Learning Safaris we do are a real value-add where we get to connect with executives of the companies we visit and discuss the challenges they face.

What is your most important takeaway in attending international modules across the world?
The key takeaways from the programme for me go beyond the classroom. Outside of the inspiring academic environment, I have learned key lessons about time management, working in diverse teams and adapting your approach to business to the local environment you’re in.

Describe your GEMBA experience in 3 words/adjectives.
Exciting. Enriching. Energising.

Anything else - like a personal note - you may wish to add.
Time on the programme goes incredibly fast and you’re fully engage every minute of the residential modules. My advice to future participants in the programme is to make the most of every opportunity they get. This can be extremely exhausting but an incredibly rewarding experience.

linkedin profile

Lyuboslava Kirilova - Bulgarian - British
GEMBA 2024

I reached a moment in my career where I felt I had become very good at learning-by-doing in increasingly complex international business dynamics, but I also felt that my humanities background in Chinese Studies needed an upgrade to face the corporate management pressure I deal with every day… I needed a boost to complete the picture! That is when I decided to attend GEMBA. After only few months into the program, I can say that it was the best choice I could make. Extremely stimulating international environment, with a great network of professionals from all over the world who enrich every course day with their different views and skills, and a top quality learning path that had a positive impact on the outcome of my work from the very first day. An enlightening experience from every point of view… and I know the best is yet to come!

Annunziata Rispoli - Italian
GEMBA 2018
Huawei Consumer Business Group, Senior HR Business Partner

Meet GEMBA

Upcoming face-to-face meetings
9
Apr 2024 17:00 - 20:00 | LOCAL TIME
Orientation Meetings - New York
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
10
Apr 2024 09:00 - 13:00 | LOCAL TIME
Orientation Meetings - New York
Language ENGLISH
Learn More
Upcoming online sessions
6
Apr 2024 10:00 - 15:45 | CEST
MBAs Open Day - Online
Language ITALIAN / ENGLISH
Learn More
22
Apr 2024 18:30 - 19:30 | CEST
GEMBA: One to One with the Director
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 2023
Application Review Start

Go to admission

5 June 2024
Final Application Deadline
27 Sep 2024
Program Start
Mar 2026
Program End

News & Social

11 December 2023
When you touch the sky thanks to your GEMBA
Learn More
24 April 2023
Eni’s Giacomo Silvestri shares his passion for innovation and meets the challenges of the Great ...
GEMBA The Rotman - SDA Bocconi Global Executive MBA
Learn More

More about the Global Executive MBA

Program

Structure, Learning Model
MBAs Open Day
06 Apr 2024

Want to discover more about the MBAs at SDA Bocconi and interact with the Directos, Students, Alumnae and Alumni, Recruiting & Admissions Team and Career Development Center?

Find out more