Back to study: a guide to the different types of master’s programs and choosing the right training for you
15 October 2025Why is September the right time to choose a Master’s program?
September is the month of new beginnings: we return to work, set new goals, and think about the future. It is also the ideal time to consider a post-graduate or post-diploma education path.
A Master’s degree is a valuable tool for acquiring practical skills and improving career prospects.
But how do you choose among the many options available?
What are the different types of Master’s programs and what are their differences?
Let’s start with First- and Second-Level University Master’s programs.
First-Level Master’s programs are open to students with a Bachelor’s degree. These are post-graduate specialization courses that allow quick entry into the job market.
Second-Level Master’s programs, on the other hand, require a Master’s degree. They are suitable for those seeking leadership positions or who want to complete their academic profile with advanced training.
An Executive Master is designed for professionals already in the workforce, with evening or weekend classes to balance study and career. These programs aim to improve professional skills in order to reach senior positions.
The MBA (Master in Business Administration) is an international, intensive program dedicated to management, often sought after by large companies.
The Executive MBA (EMBA) is the executive version of the MBA: tailored for those already in managerial roles, it deepens all management-related topics and focuses on enhancing communication and leadership skills.
Which Master’s program is best for you?
When asking how to choose a Master, it is important to consider some criteria. Here is a practical checklist:
- Educational background: there are programs for Bachelor’s graduates, Second-Level programs, and even post-diploma options.
- Work experience: recent graduates can choose full-time programs, while professionals with years of experience should opt for executive formats.
- Available time: consider whether you can attend a full-time Master’s or whether a part-time or online path is better suited.
- Career goals: those who want to specialize in a specific field can choose vertical Master’s programs (e.g., marketing, data science, sustainability). Those aiming for leadership roles should consider an MBA or EMBA.
Which Master’s programs are most in demand in 2025?
Among the most sought-after programs by companies in 2025, three themes stand out globally: sustainability, data and AI, and finance.
Highly requested programs include:
- Data analytics and artificial intelligence
- Digital marketing and communication
- Sustainability and green management
- Finance and management control
- Business administration and leadership
These programs generally offer high employability in a short time, often thanks to final internships.
A Master’s degree is a powerful career accelerator. A post-graduate specialization path enhances technical skills, expands professional networks, and provides access to better job opportunities.
Companies increasingly value candidates with post-academic training, especially in digital and managerial fields.
Bologna Business School offers a wide range of programs tailored to recent graduates who want to quickly enter the workforce, to those who dream of a significant managerial career after graduation, and to busy professionals who want to enhance their skills to reach senior positions.
Attending a Professional Master at BBS means experiencing your post-graduate journey in an international and stimulating environment, getting in direct contact with leading Italian companies, meeting their managers, and building relationships that often translate into internships—the key to entering the world of work. Bologna Business School offers several 12-month full-time programs, with specializations in analytics, finance, HR, sustainability, and business management. Choosing a Full-Time Master at BBS means entering the business world through the main door, thanks to the practical approach of an international Faculty made up of academics and professionals, and the powerful BBS network and Community.
The Global MBA at BBS adds a unique italian touch to the business skills offered by international schools: beauty, art, passion, and design. Everything that characterizes creativity worldwide originates here.
The proximity to major companies in the Food and Motor Valley, manufacturing and automation industries, as well as iconic automotive and motorcycle brands admired worldwide, is an invaluable advantage. In Italy, the pursuit of excellence is born, and here—like nowhere else—you can shape your future around your passions.
For those already working, Bologna Business School offers part-time programs designed to balance work and study, such as the Evening Part-Time MBA and many others.
For established professionals, Executive Master’s programs are opportunities for growth and networking, enabling them to lead departments or companies and make a difference.
From AI to Data Management, from Sales and Marketing to Sustainability, from Business Management to Technology and Innovation, BBS offers part-time, on-campus or hybrid programs, held in the evenings or on weekends, to provide the best solution for balancing work, training, and personal life.
The EMBA is an excellence program for professionals and managers who want to advance without interrupting their careers.
BBS offers a flexible structure, with a strong focus on concrete company needs for established professionals. Integrated theory and practice, multiple formats, personalized mentoring, and networking events make the EMBA at Bologna Business School a proven career accelerator. A strategic choice for those aiming for top-level professional development.
Whether it’s a Professional Master, an Executive Master, or a vertical Open Program, continuous education is now a must for anyone who wants access to senior positions and to have an impact in the world of work.
September is the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and invest in yourself: because choosing the right Master’s is not just about studying—it’s about building your professional future.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bologna Business School, where you will find the program best suited to you, the one designed around your needs.
