World Bachelor in Business

About the course

A four-year, English-taught business programme run jointly by Bocconi, the USC Marshall School of Business and HKUST. The cohort spends year 1 in Los Angeles, year 2 in Hong Kong and year 3 in Milan, with year 4 at a location of the student’s choice, and graduates receive three bachelor’s degrees, one from each university.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Bocconi publishes no Leaving Cert subject, Higher Level or H-grade minimums for this programme, and CAO points are not used. The application asks for secondary school transcripts (grades 9-12 or 10-13), so confirm with admissions which Irish school years (including Transition Year) to submit.
• Selection is holistic via the Common App: transcripts, activities summary, personal essays and a WBB writing supplement, counsellor or teacher recommendations and a financial statement (due by 1 November 2026). SAT or ACT is optional but highly recommended and must be taken by October 2026.
• English: an English language proficiency test is required, with details on USC’s international students page. Whether Irish applicants are exempt is not stated, so confirm with admissions.

How to apply

1. Prepare earlyGather school transcripts, plan any SAT or ACT sitting by October 2026, and budget for three countries including US and Hong Kong costs.
2. Apply on the Common AppChoose USC as the university and WBB (code 1485) as first-choice programme; submit essays, the WBB supplement, recommendations and financial statement by 1 November 2026.
3. Get your resultEarly Decision results arrive in December 2026 and Early Action results in January 2027. The Early Action enrolment deadline is 1 May 2027.
4. Enrol and plan visasIf admitted, confirm your place and fees, then arrange US and Hong Kong student visas for years 1 and 2.

Costs

• Students pay the tuition and fees of the university where they are based each year. For 2025-26 Bocconi listed: Year 1 at USC, USD 69,904 tuition plus about USD 20,203 accommodation; Year 2 at HKUST, HKD 250,000 tuition plus about HKD 100,000 accommodation; Year 3 at Bocconi, €25,000 tuition plus about €8,000 accommodation. Year 4 costs depend on which of the three locations you choose. The figure shown is the Bocconi-year tuition only; 2027-28 figures are not yet published. Applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, and EU citizens can apply for a dedicated loan with Intesa Sanpaolo. Any Common App/USC application fee is not stated on Bocconi’s pages.

At a glance