Micro-credentials

A micro-credential is an academic credential that recognises knowledge and skills in a specific subject, gained through a short, focused learning journey. They allow you to develop specialist expertise that helps you to develop the targeted expertise and insight needed to tackle specific challenges. 

Micro-credentials are designed to be flexible, so you can fit your professional development around your schedule.  

At Vlerick, you achieve a micro-credential when you complete an eligible executive education programme and an additional assessment. You can use your micro-credential as a standalone academic achievement. Or you can stack multiple micro-credentials and put them towards achieving an MBA. 

Micro-credentials and certificates are similar. But they have a few key differences. A micro-credential is a short learning journey which focuses on a specific subject area. It’s designed to help you develop new knowledge or skills, quickly and flexibly. Typically, certificates take longer to complete and cover a broader area of study.  

In a world where careers could span 40-50 years, and the ways we work are evolving rapidly, micro-credentials give you the opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge rapidly, at time you need them. 

A micro-credential is a recognised academic achievement which enhances your CV – and which can pave the way for a more formal qualification in the future, if you decide that’s the right path for you. 

Micro-credentials are designed to offer mid to senior level professionals a fast, flexible way to upskill. 

If you need to learn new skills or deepen your expertise in a specific area – while gaining a recognised qualification – micro-credentials are a quick way to achieve your goals. 

And if you’re considering a degree programme like an MBA, but you’re not ready to commit just yet, micro-credentials allow you to spread your learning over time. You can put the micro-credentials you achieve towards a future MBA, allowing you to upskill right now while keeping your options open for the future.  

Right now, you can only use micro-credentials you’ve gained from Vlerick towards a Vlerick MBA. However, we are exploring how we could incorporate micro-credentials from other institutions – so it could be possible in the future. Watch this space! 

You can certainly build a personal portfolio of micro-credentials from Vlerick and other institutions. However, you won’t necessarily be able to combine them to achieve a diploma or qualification. This will depend on the individual institution.