Do I need to speak Italian to break into London IB from Bocconi?

I am currently deciding which university to attend for my undergraduate studies, and my ultimate goal is to break into IB in London. I am considering Bocconi, but I am a bit concerned because most of the people I have seen who secured IB roles in London from Bocconi were Italian, and I am not. Therefore, I wanted to know if speaking Italian is necessary to break into IB in London from Bocconi. For context, I am European and speak both Portuguese and Spanish.

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, speaking Italian is not a strict requirement to break into IB in London from Bocconi. While many Bocconi graduates who secure roles in London IB are Italian, this is more a reflection of the university's demographics rather than a language barrier. For London IB, English is the primary language of business, and your proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish could even be advantageous, especially for roles with a focus on Southern European markets.

However, it is worth noting that Bocconi is highly regarded as a target school for IB, and its reputation can help you secure opportunities in London regardless of your nationality or Italian language skills. Networking, strong academic performance, and relevant internships will play a much larger role in your success than fluency in Italian.

Sources: 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, European IBs & Commercial Banks, Bocconi AFC vs ESCP MiM, Msc Finance ranking Europe, How important is knowing a European language for Private Equity in London?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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