Categories and examples

TARGET UNIVERSITIES

Target universities are highly recognized internationally, with a strong academic reputation and extensive networking opportunities. Students from these universities are often recruited by top employers, especially in sectors such as finance, consulting, and technology.

Classification Criteria:

• Academic Reputation: Based on international rankings, publications, and accolades.

• Networking: Extensive network of influential alumni and connections with leading companies.

• Placement: High placement rate in prestigious companies.

• Internship: Access to numerous internship opportunities at top companies.

Characteristics:

• Networking: Participation in events, conferences, and seminars with industry professionals. Examples of target universities include Harvard, Stanford, LSE, and Oxford.

• Placement: High hiring rates at companies like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey & Company.

• Internship: Multiple internship opportunities at leading companies, often with potential for full-time employment.

Examples of Target Universities in Italy:

Bocconi University

International Prestige: Bocconi University is globally renowned for its economics and business programs. It is one of Europe's and the world's top universities for economic studies, with a solid reputation built over decades of academic excellence and innovation.

Networking: Bocconi has strong connections with prominent companies like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and McKinsey & Company. Students have opportunities to participate in exclusive networking events, conferences, and seminars led by industry leaders, facilitating the building of a global professional network.

Placement and Internship: The university boasts a high placement rate, with many graduates securing prominent positions in the financial and consulting sectors. Collaborations with leading companies enable students to access highly competitive and formative internship opportunities.

International Relations: Bocconi has exchange programs with prestigious universities such as Harvard, LSE, and the University of Chicago. These collaborations allow students to experience top-tier international education, enriching their academic journey and expanding their professional prospects.

Luiss Guido Carli

Focus on Economics and Political Science: Luiss Guido Carli is renowned for its strong specialization in economics and public policies. It offers academic programs that blend theory and practice, preparing students for influential careers in both the public and private sectors.

Networking: The university has strong connections with political institutions and leading companies both in Italy and abroad. Students can participate in networking events, meet industry professionals, and attend conferences that facilitate the creation of influential contacts.

Placement and Internship: Luiss offers numerous internships through partnerships with prominent companies. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience and enter the job market with a competitive advantage, thanks to the university's reputation and connections.

International Relations: The university collaborates with international institutions such as Georgetown University and Sciences Po. These exchange programs offer students the opportunity to study in prestigious academic environments and develop a global perspective on economic and political issues.

Politecnico di Milano

Academic Rigor: Politecnico di Milano is recognized for the quality of its technical and management education. Its management engineering programs combine strong technical training with advanced managerial skills, preparing students for leadership roles in the industrial and technological sectors.

Networking: Politecnico has strong ties with industry, facilitating students' entry into the workforce. The university organizes numerous networking events, career fairs, and workshops with leading companies, offering students the opportunity to create meaningful professional connections.

Placement and Internship: The university boasts a good placement rate, with many graduates finding employment in engineering and management companies. Collaborations with industries enable students to access internships that provide fundamental practical experiences for their professional development.

International Relations: Politecnico di Milano collaborates with prestigious universities such as ETH Zurich and MIT. These exchange programs give students the chance to study at some of the world's best technical institutions, enhancing their resume and expanding their global skills.

SEMI-TARGET UNIVERSITIES

Semi-target universities are well respected and offer good career opportunities, but they do not have the same level of recognition or direct connections with major employers as target universities.

Classification Criteria:

• Academic Reputation: Good quality of teaching and research, but less recognized internationally.

• Networking: Connections with some important companies and a good alumni network.

• Placement: Decent placement opportunities, but not at the level of target universities.

• Internship: Access to internships, though with fewer opportunities compared to target universities.

Characteristics:

• Networking: Participation in events and mentorship programs, but less frequent and influential compared to target universities.

• Placement: Good placement rate in medium to large-sized companies, with some graduates reaching top companies.

• Internship: Internship opportunities, often necessary to compete with graduates from target universities.

Examples of Semi-Target Universities in Italy:

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Networking: The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart has strong connections with medium-sized Italian companies. It offers networking opportunities through events and meetings with professionals, and students have access to internships at major national companies, facilitating entry into the Italian job market.

Placement and Internship: The university collaborates with prominent companies such as ENI, Unicredit, and Intesa Sanpaolo, offering students numerous internship opportunities. These collaborations enable students to gain practical experience and build a significant professional network.

International Relations: The Cattolica offers exchange programs with prestigious universities such as Boston College and the University of San Francisco. These programs allow students to gain international experience, enriching their resume and expanding their global network.

University of Bologna

Networking: The University of Bologna has a strong academic tradition and numerous connections with Italian and European companies. Networking events organized by the university attract professionals and leading companies, offering students significant opportunities to meet potential employers.

Placement and Internship: Bologna offers good internship opportunities in various companies, thanks to its strong relationships within the Italian entrepreneurial fabric. Students can participate in internships that provide practical experience and potential post-graduate job opportunities.

International Relations: The university collaborates with prestigious institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. These exchange agreements offer students the opportunity to study abroad in top-tier academic environments, enhancing their educational journey.

Ca' Foscari University of Venice

Networking: Ca' Foscari University of Venice has strong connections with Italian and financial institutions. Networking events and career days organized by the university offer students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and build a useful network for their future careers.

Placement and Internship: Ca' Foscari offers internship opportunities in prestigious companies such as Generali, Allianz, and Luxottica. These collaborations allow students to acquire practical skills and enter the job market with relevant experiences.

International Relations: The university has exchange programs with institutions such as the University of Warwick and the University of Sydney. These international programs provide students with the opportunity to experience education abroad, improving their language and intercultural skills.

NON-TARGET UNIVERSITIES

Non-target universities, while offering solid academic training, often do not have the same level of international recognition, networking opportunities, placement or internship opportunities, and international relations as top universities.

University of Florence

Networking: The University of Florence has strong local connections with Italian companies such as Gucci and Leonardo. Networking events organized by the university often focus on a regional rather than international scale, limiting access to a global network of professional contacts.

Placement and Internship: The University of Florence offers internship opportunities mainly in regional companies and public institutions. Placement services are effective for local and regional placements, but access to high-level international positions is limited, making competition for these positions high.

International Relations: Collaboration with universities such as the University of Glasgow and the University of Seville exists, but the scope and number of exchange agreements are more limited compared to top universities. Students have access to exchange programs, but these are less frequent and varied.

University of Padua

Networking: The University of Padua has a strong regional presence, collaborating with Italian companies such as Luxottica and Unicredit. However, international networking opportunities are less frequent. The university offers meetings with industry professionals and seminars, primarily focused on the Italian job market.

Placement and Internship: Padua provides internships at local small and medium-sized enterprises, such as Came Group and Bonfiglioli. The career service is effective at the regional level, but opportunities for placement at top global companies are less frequent, requiring students to be more proactive in their search.

International Relations: Exchange programs with universities such as the University of Queensland and the University of Helsinki are available, but competition to participate in these programs is high. International collaborations are less extensive and influential compared to those of top universities, limiting opportunities for international exchange and collaboration.

University of Brescia

Networking: The University of Brescia predominates in the local industrial sector, collaborating with companies such as A2A, Brembo, and Ubi Banca. Networking opportunities are mainly at the local level, with a particular focus on the Lombard job market. Networking events and workshops are helpful but limited in international scope.

Placement and Internship: The university collaborates with local companies like A2A and Brembo to offer internship opportunities. However, international scope is lacking. Career services support placement, focusing on local and regional companies, with few direct links to multinational corporations, requiring students to exert more proactive effort.

International Relations: Brescia collaborates with universities such as Universidad de León and Universidad de Navarra. These collaborations are less extensive compared to those of top universities, offering fewer opportunities for interaction with prestigious institutions. Exchange programs are limited and focused on universities of similar standing.

QS RANKING 2024 AND 2025 FOR THE TOP UNIVERSITIES IN EUROPE FOR ECONOMICS

The QS World University Rankings is one of the most prestigious and respected rankings in the academic world, based on various criteria such as academic reputation, employer reputation, student-to-faculty ratio, and citations per faculty.

(The rankings can vary depending on the specific faculty considered. Check the official website for details on your area of interest.)

QS RANKING 2024

Accounting and Finance

• University of Oxford (UK) - 92

• London School of Economics (UK) - 89.5

• University of Cambridge (UK) - 89.2

• London Business School (UK) - 85.5

• Bocconi University (Italy) - 84.1

• HEC Paris (France) - 82.6

• Imperial College London (UK) - 82.1

• The University of Manchester (UK) - 81.8

• The University of Warwick (UK) - 77.6

• ETH Zurich (Switzerland) - 76.7

QS RANKING 2024

Business and  Management

• Insead (France) - 93.6

• London Business School (UK) - 92.5

• University of Oxford (UK) - 90.9

• University of Cambridge (UK) - 90.7

• Bocconi University (Italy) - 90.6

• HEC Paris (France) - 88.3

• London School of Economics (UK) - 88.1

• Copenhagen Business School (Denmark) - 84.6

• Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands) - 83.7

• Universitat Ramon Llull (Spain) - 83.3

TOP EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES FOR ECONOMICS

University of Oxford

• Recognized Courses: PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), MSc in Financial Economics.

• International Programs: Collaborations with top universities such as Harvard and Princeton.

• Networking: Access to a global network of influential alumni.

• Placement: High placement rates in leading companies like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, McKinsey & Company.

• Concrete Data: According to a LinkedIn report, many Oxford graduates hold prominent positions in major investment banks and consulting firms.

London School of Economics (LSE)

• Recognized Courses: BSc Economics, MSc Finance, MSc Management.

• International Programs: Exchanges with institutions such as MIT and UC Berkeley.

• Networking: Industry professional events and access to a global alumni network.

• Placement: High placement rates in companies like Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, BCG.

• Concrete Data: LSE is renowned for producing many of the top talents in the financial sector. A report by eFinancialCareers indicates that LSE is a major source of recruitment for leading global investment banks.

HEC Paris

• Recognized Courses: Master in Management (MiM), MSc in International Finance.

• International Programs: Double degrees with universities such as Yale and National University of Singapore.

• Networking: Strong alumni network and collaborations with global companies.

• Placement: High placement rates in companies like L'Oréal, Boston Consulting Group, Bain & Company.

• Concrete Data: According to a Financial Times report, HEC Paris has one of the highest post-graduation employment rates in Europe, with many graduates entering top-tier consulting firms and investment banks.

AVERAGE TUITION FEES

• Oxford: £28,370

• LSE: £24,456

• HEC Paris: €39,950

• Bocconi University: €14,073

• University of St. Gallen: CHF 3,326 for Swiss students, CHF 6,426 for international students.

Strengths of Top Universities

Academic Reputation

Universities like Oxford, LSE, and HEC Paris are consistently ranked among the best in the world in academic rankings. According to the QS World University Rankings, these institutions excel in research and teaching quality. For instance, Oxford is renowned for its cutting-edge research programs, while LSE specializes in social sciences.

Networking Opportunities

Exclusive events, conferences, and access to a global alumni network are among the key advantages offered by these universities. A LinkedIn report from 2023 highlighted that the alumni networks of Oxford, LSE, and HEC Paris are among the most influential in the global financial sector, with alumni holding top positions in companies like Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, and Google.

Academic Resources and Infrastructure

Top universities provide well-equipped libraries, research laboratories, and access to advanced data. According to a report from the Times Higher Education, the academic resources of these universities are among the best globally. For example, Oxford's Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and richest resource libraries worldwide.

International Exchange Programs

Top universities offer exchanges with prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Yale. According to the International Student Survey of 2022, students at these top universities have access to a wide range of international exchange programs that enhance their education and provide unique global experiences.

Placement and Career Services

Career counseling services, workshops, and seminars are strong points. According to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, top universities have some of the best placement services globally, with high post-graduation employment rates. For instance, Oxford and LSE have post-graduation employment rates exceeding 90%.

Conclusion

Choosing the right university is a crucial decision that can significantly impact a student's career path. Target universities offer the best networking, internship, and job placement opportunities, while semi-target and non-target universities can still provide a good education with some limitations in opportunities. We advise students to carefully evaluate their aspirations and resources before making a decision.