Undergraduate with low grades..and now?

In the UK, we're mostly quite unfamiliar with the Italian grading system so 86/110 doesn't actually sound that bad. I would imagine that at the larger firms they'd be aware of what it means, but at the smaller firms, being from Bocconi with 86/110 might be seen as pretty good.

I'm very curious as to why you have this grade though... in Italy, don't you have the option to refuse as grade as often as you like and resit until you're satisfied with the final result?

I wouldn't worry about your MSc being from a non target... the Bocconi name for undergraduate should be sufficient for smaller firms I would have thought. Why not apply to some of the lower ranked outfits and see how you get on before getting depressed about it/changing your plans?

Yes, in Italy we have that option but not in Bocconi. In Bocconi if the grade is sufficient to pass (at least 18 out of 30) you can't refuse and retake the exam. My worries are about the fact that everything is based on undergraduate grades, meaning that if I would attend a top MBA I am pretty much screwed up, even if my MSc grades are at the top (110 out of 110), isn't it? For your consideration in UK a 2.1 would be in a range of 102-105 out of 110. I have an internship in an italian IB at a S&T desk and I'm being considered for an internship in a Private Bank in Italy.

I'm far from being an expert, but the way I see it, other than your undergraduate degree, things seem to be going pretty well for you.

Although 86/110 (78%) might not sound good in Italy, it does in the UK, and it would take knowledge of the Italian system to realise that it isn't so great. (FYI, 78% would most likely be a 1st in the UK.)

As such, if I were in your position, I'd just take advantage of the work experience you have lined up, get 110/110 in your Master's degree, and hope that people reviewing your CV don't realise what your situation actually is. Unless you had your heart set on working in Italy rather than London, I don't think there's any reason to be depressed just yet.

My heart is set to working in London but I was changing my mind because I tought that would be more difficult in London than in Italy (since my non target is known at least here). Are you saying that would be easier to find a spot in London? Competing with all european top schools' graduates with high grades? My grades are not so high because every business school dinged me for its MSc (Cass, LSE, RSM and so on..) I have only been accepted to Cranfield. These top schools require at least 104 out of 110 and I am only 86. What do you think I should do to have a shot in London? Ps. The minimum final mark for passing here is 66 out of 110, so my 86 is in 45,5% of achievable marks if you set up the proportion

I'm not saying it will be easier as I have absolutely no idea how hard it will be in London or in Italy.

What I am saying is that if you apply to positions in London that require a CV rather than an online application with auto filters, there's a very good chance that the person reviewing your CV will think your grade is good even though it's not. In Italy, they will obviously know it's not good.

I wouldn't worry about whether they have heard of your Master's university... they know Bocconi and that's what matters.

I wouldn't hold out any hope of getting accepted to the larger banks due to excessive competition and auto filters, but the smaller ones where an analyst is looking at your CV you might have a chance at. Just keep your eyes open for job postings that ask for a CV instead of an online application. I've certainly seen a few such postings, and I can tell you first hand that if you have an "unconventional" background they tend to be more fruitful.

So you don't think I should retake my undergraduate degree?

No. I think that's crazy.