Global Executive MBA

During 15 intensive, hands-on months, you’ll explore the full Executive MBA management spectrum and build additional expertise in how leading companies are driving the transition towards sustainable business practices.

Element 1A: Core Curriculum (Online Courses)
This part of the core curriculum is delivered through live, online learning sessions. The sessions take place once a month over one weekend, from 9 am-5 pm (Saturday and Sunday).

In these sessions, you’ll work with your peers and our faculty and take part in exercises, discussions, and case studies. This is complemented by self-paced, online learning that you complete on your own schedule, where you prepare for lessons, work on projects, and study for exams.

Lay the foundations

• Data-based Decision-Making
• Financial Management
• Financial Accounting

Develop key management capabilities

• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Marketing Management

Transform your business

• Digital Transformation
• Strategy
• Strategic Management Accounting

Element 1B: Core Curriculum - International Study Courses (Classroom)
This part of the core curriculum is delivered in the classroom where you have the opportunity to meet with peers and faculty face-to-face, visit different cities across Europe, and participate in company visits, simulations, workshops, and valuable networking opportunities.

These insightful trips are designed to experience world-leading companies based in some of the most important business hubs globally. 

• Brussels: Doing Business in EuropeParis: Sustainable Finance
• San Francisco: Innovation & Entrepreneurship 
• Singapore or Stellenbosch: Leadership in an international context 
• Elective: Choose one additional study course from 12 different global locations 

Element 2: Electives & Specialisations (Online & Classroom)
Our electives provide you with the choices to personalise your MBA experience. Depending on the elective courses you choose, you can participate online or in the classroom. You can also specialise in the following fields:

• Sustainable Business
• Strategy & New Business Models
• Digital Business Transformation
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Element 3: Develop your leadership potential (Online & Classroom)
As part of your international leadership development, you'll complete online modules, 360-degree assessments, and participate in dedicated sessions and coaching throughout the programme that will encourage you to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, build your confidence, and help you become a better leader. Topics covered in the leadership track include:

• Strategic Decision Making
• Impactful Communications
• Building Resilient Teams

Element 4: Your entrepreneurial mindset track (Online & Classroom)
As part of your entrepreneurial mindset track, you'll complete online modules and have dedicated sessions throughout the programme. You’ll study the approach entrepreneurs use to identify opportunities and develop the mindset and skills to innovate within a business or to start and grow a new venture. Topics covered in the track include:

• Idea Development
• Value Proposition
• Business Model
• Investor Pitch
• Creating Impact

Element 5: Your Knowledge-in-Action Project (KIAP)
Create an immediate return on your investment in your MBA. The KIAP is your opportunity to take everything you’ve learned and apply it to a real business situation. Choose to tackle a strategic challenge your company is facing – or create a business plan for a new venture.

Your Career Advancement
Every element of the Global Executive MBA is designed to get you closer to achieving your professional goals – from expanding your knowledge in classes and gaining international experience on trips to honing your skills in projects. You also have regular opportunities to take part in events to help accelerate your career, including:

• Career Events
• Coaching
• Dedicated Careers Team

Achieve your international ambitions

Deepen your understanding of the global business landscape. The Global Executive MBA will give you unparalleled insight, connections, and confidence.

You’ll learn from leading international faculty – and you’ll explore international businesses in cities across the globe. It’s a unique opportunity to understand international business and build an outstanding network of contacts.

Dive deep into global business ecosystems

Break out of the classroom and dive into big-name businesses in prominent international centres. You’ll experience approaches and models coming to life in live cases and simulations – and you’ll absorb business life, culture and practices.

Blended online and in-person learning gives you flexibility – and prepares you to get the most from your immersive experiences in businesses across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.

Consult on high-impact projects – with expert support

Apply everything you’ve learned in the Knowledge-in-Action project for your own company – or for a new business case. As part of the programme, you can also create positive, sustainable impact in a separate project, for a not-for-profit organisation.

You’ll receive expert, personalised support and coaching. This is designed to develop you as a leader, help you understand everything you’d like to achieve – and know the steps you need to take. You also get career coaching and curated networking opportunities and introductions.

Blended learning for ultimate flexibility

Modern working lives demand flexibility and you also want to meet your peers, faculty and businesses face-to-face. The Global Executive MBA blends the best of online working with opportunities to meet in hands-on international study courses. All of this means you have the flexibility of an online programme, combined with face-to-face experiences and opportunities. Networking, career coaching, support, live cases, introductions and deep interaction all come together on this programme.

Find out more about studying at Vlerick >

Whatever your ambitions, our careers team is here to help you achieve them. They’ll be by your side throughout the programme – giving you advice and support, and helping you identify opportunities to go further. They’ll encourage you to take part in: 

• Career coaching and using our career self-management tool 
• Company presentations 
• International networking opportunities 
• Mentorship programmes 

Watch this video to learn more about our career services.

We welcome participants from diverse professional, social, and cultural backgrounds. It’s an approach that contributes a rich blend of specialisms, experiences, and perspectives to our class groups. 

When you join the Global Executive MBA at Vlerick, you’ll join a select group of peers. With them, you’ll expand your network, gain fresh insights from a wide range of industries, and develop a truly international mindset and business perspective.

Average class profile

Start date: 21 January 2026
Locations: Brussels, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore/Stellenbosch, one elective international study course (choose from among 12 different global locations)
Format: A blend of immersive learning experiences in international business hubs, and highly interactive online learning
Duration: 15 months

Time investment for the Global Executive MBA 

Taking an MBA involves a considerable time investment. You can expect to spend an average of 10-12 hours a week taking part in classes, immersive experiences, team assignments, projects, and self-paced study.

Applying for our Global Executive MBA programme

Our Global Executive MBA has one intake per year, in January. The programme takes place over a 15-month period, finishing in June of the following year. We limit the number of places to make sure you have a quality experience, with high levels of personal attention.

We accept applications for the programme on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply sooner rather than later. Applying earlier also means you can take full advantage of any scholarships that may be available to you.

The tuition fee for the Global Executive MBA is €52.750 (for the 21 January 2026 start).

This includes:

• Tuition (15 months)
• Textbooks and course materials
• Access to live, online courses
• Use of campus facilities
• Group and individual coaching for career and leadership
• Programme during the international study courses
• Alumni membership
• Lunches during international study courses
• Online subscription to Financial Times

It does not include: Transport and accommodation during the international study courses are not included in the tuition fee.

Financing your Global Executive MBA

Your company may be willing to finance part or all of your Global Executive MBA – particularly if they need help making their sustainability ambitions become reality.
Find out how to make a case for funding to your employer >

You may also be able to source finance in your home country or region from organisations or government. For example, the KMO Portefeuille can be helpful for professionals in Flanders. 

In addition, we offer a number of MBA scholarships and grants.
Find out more about available scholarships and grants >

There are four steps to applying for your Global Executive MBA programme at Vlerick: 

1. Check your eligibility 

What you need:

• A degree from a recognised university 
• At least four years’ full-time, relevant work experience 
  
  Check your eligibility >

2. Submit your application 

Use our application tool to create your profile and start completing your application. Remember, we review applications on a rolling basis.

3. Go through the admissions process 

We’ll get in touch a few days after you submit your application. 
 
If you meet our criteria and we feel the Global Executive MBA programme is a good fit for you, we’ll invite you to an admissions test and online interview.

4. Get your results 

Within two days of your test, we’ll let you know our decision. If you’re successful, we’ll offer you a place on the programme. If not, we’ll give you individual feedback – and you can retake your admissions test once more in the same academic year.