History and evolution

From roots to recognition: fifty years of growth 

The Department of Management (DiPSA) is the result of over five decades of academic, social and institutional evolution that has shaped business studies in Bergamo and beyond. Since its origins in 1974, the department has grown into a nationally and internationally recognised hub for management, economics, and innovation, with a deep connection to its territory and an eye on global challenges. 

Our beginnings 

In 1974, the University Institute of Bergamo officially launched the degree course in Business and Economics, following the Decree of the President of the Republic no. 680 of 29 October 1974. The first cohort of 264 students began a new chapter in the university’s expansion. 

Initially hosted in the historic Palazzo Terzi, and later relocated to Piazza Rosate, the Faculty of Business and Economics quickly became a core part of the university’s academic offering. 

Development and transformation
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  • 1987: Establishment of the Faculty of Business and Economics; 
  • 1990: University of Bergamo receives the Erasmus Prize for best international cooperation; 
  • 2001: Move to the Caniana Campus, a renovated 1950s industrial site; 
  • 2011: Launch of the first English-taught master’s degree; 
  • 2012: Transition from faculty to department; 
  • 2020: Creation of DiPSA as an independent department; 
  • 2023: Recognition as a Department of Excellence for the 2023–2027 cycle

Learn more

Discover what makes us a national centre of excellence. 

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A learning community that reflects its time 

Today, DiPSA offers: 

  • One Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, structured across three curricula: Administration and Control, Management and Business Management, and International Business and Financial Markets. Explore our undergraduate programme

  • Five Master’s degree programmes, including three fully taught in english: 
    Accounting, Governance and Sustainability, International Management and Marketing, Economics and Finance. Discover our graduate pathways  

A community of people and impact
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With over 60 faculty members, 900+ graduates per year, and a growing international network, DiPSA is a place of transformation and inclusion. Over 76% of graduates are first-generation university students, demonstrating our role in promoting social mobility and access to higher education. 

Experience our campus life.

Discover the spaces and services that support our student community. 

Looking ahead

From its roots as a pioneering faculty to its present as a Department of Excellence, DiPSA has evolved with a mission to combine knowledge, inclusion, and innovation. The celebration of its 50th anniversary (1974–2024) is not just a moment of reflection, it is a launchpad for the future. 

Learn more about our strategic direction
See how we plan for the future.