Vlericks Executive MBA: A worthwhile time investment
One of the most common questions we get from potential Executive MBA participants is: “How much time will I need to dedicate to my studies?”
The answer is a good chunk. But we get potential MBA participants to reframe the question as: “How much time will I be investing in my future?” Because more than anything else, an Executive MBA is a conscious investment in your development, your career and your life.
An intense schedule has an immediate impact
If you’re considering an Executive MBA, you’ll know the schedule can be intense. There is a continuous rhythm of weekly classes, group work, reading and assignments. Then there are peaks, where the workload increases around deadlines and exams.
And the learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. There are trips, networking events and hands-on projects that take different types of energy. This intensity is intentional. Because it allows our participants to achieve significant results, rapidly.
Susanne de Laat, Senior Programme Manager for the Executive MBA, says: “The intensity is part of what makes the experience so powerful. It allows participants to learn quickly and immediately apply what they’re learning on the job. “Many people start seeing real impact at work while they’re still on the programme. And because everyone is going through the same journey together, it creates a really strong bond within the group.”
Time management is essential
Most participants study for their Executive MBA alongside their work and personal life. You need to prioritise your time carefully to strike the right balance.
“We try to make sure there are no surprises,” says Susanne. “From the start, participants get a clear overview of the programme, including key dates, deadlines and expectations. They know what’s coming up, and when. We also share tips on balancing the MBA with work and personal life. We stay realistic. And if needed, we are here to help think things through and make a plan that works.”
Former Executive MBA participant, Ester Bolsens, says the time commitment was something she considered before applying. “Honestly, I was scared of the impact on my personal life,” she says. “I worried about not being at home on Saturdays, having to study and do assignments on top of my job. But I’m a very organised person.”
Fellow participant, Angeliki Ntikmpasani, knew she would need to make a significant time commitment. “I anticipated dedicating around 14-16 hours per weekend,” she says. “To make this sustainable and protect family time, I applied for 20% study leave from my workplace. This meant I could free up one day through the week for my MBA.”
Flexibility is key
Ester has found that the workload varies. “For the first few months, I spent more time on the MBA, as the courses were harder for me,” she says. “Now, it’s much more balanced. Some weeks it’s 12-14 hours, others it’s only eight.”
Angeliki has had the same experience. “Everyone has a different learning rhythm, but for me, some classes require more preparation time to familiarise myself with the content,” she says. “There are definitely busier and lighter periods. The programme is structured in a way that makes it realistic to combine your studies with other commitments.”
Get your family and employer on board
Your Executive MBA will go more smoothly if your family and your employer are aware of what the journey is going to look like. Susanne recommends going in with a plan, and being honest.
“It helps to set expectations early,” she says. “With your employer, your family, and yourself. Try to establish a routine and set aside time for your studies. And keep reminding yourself why you started. That really helps during the busier periods.”
“It’s not easy, but with planning, flexibility and the right support system, it becomes manageable,” says Angeliki. “I use the time when my children are doing their activities to make progress, and if needed, I work after their bedtime.”
Ester is also studying around a busy home life. “I plan in advance when I need to study, travel for work and meet big deadlines. My children always come first, and I try to work everything around them. My husband is my greatest supporter and is really helping me with the household so I can focus on work and the MBA.”
Reach out for support
Of course, even with the best preparation in place, things happen – and you might find yourself struggling at some point on your journey. If that happens, the Vlerick team and your classmates will help you get back on track.
“We offer a very personal approach,” says Susanne. “We stay in close contact with participants, so if someone is finding things tough, we can sit down one-to-one to help reprioritise or look at how they’re managing their workload. Sometimes small adjustments can make a big difference. And beyond us, the class itself is a huge support system. People really help each other out.”
Invest in your future, reap the rewards
Angeliki’s advice for potential Executive MBA participants is not to be discouraged by time constraints. “Everyone finds their own way to make it work,” she says. “There’s no denying that an MBA requires significant effort, but each milestone you achieve motivates you to keep going.”
Susanne says: “It is a big commitment, no doubt. But it’s also a very rewarding one. People don’t just gain knowledge. They grow as leaders and often change the way they approach their work and decisions. And remember, we’re there the whole way to support that journey.”
For Angeliki, the investment has definitely been worthwhile. “Participating in this programme is not only about gaining new knowledge. It’s also about interacting with like-minded people who share similar ambitions,” she says. “The energy you gain from the programme, the people and the discussions is greater than the energy you spend.”
Ester agrees: “I was scared the first day that this would be too hard. But now I can say that I’m so happy I made this decision. The Executive MBA is worth every single minute of the time you spend on it.”
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