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Global Executive MBA

Global Focus, Flexible Format

WINNER

FT Award Winner for Responsible Business Education

TRIPLE

accredited Business School (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS)

#1

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Executive Education in Benelux

Our blended Executive MBA with online and classroom learning and international experiences

For senior leaders who value the combination of flexible, online courses and highly interactive classroom learning, this Global Executive MBA provides unique international learning experiences across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.

Detailed programme

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
  • People and Culture

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: Business Basecamp
  • Singapore / Cape Town: Leadership in an international business context
  • Paris: Sustainable value creation
  • Consortium*: Choose one additional study course from 12 different global locations
    * Application in progress 
  • San Francisco: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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 and alternate between the two modes for your convenience. 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.

EMBA Consortium
The EMBA Consortium* is a global network of business schools. By participating in the Vlerick Global Executive MBA, you join a global network of Executive MBA participants. During the EMBA Consortium global network week, you have the opportunity to attend an international study course at the school of your choice, together with participants from other schools, to give you access to a global network.
* Application in progress 

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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
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Why this programme

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. 

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 >

Career benefits

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.

Who should attend

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

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Practical info

Start date: 12 January 2026
Locations: Brussels, Singapore/Cape Town, Paris, San Francisco, and one of 12 global destinations
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.

Fees and financing

The tuition fee for the Global Executive MBA is €52.750.

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 >

Admissions

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

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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.

Success stories

Mirkina Olga (1)

I particularly valued meeting different companies. When you work in the same industry for 20 years, you usually encounter companies that all work in a similar way – and you start thinking, everywhere must be like this. But the MBA gives you a fresh perspective. You meet new people and explore different ways of working and companies that do it well.

Ottaviani Sara (2)

The trip to Paris was on sustainable finance, which was not my area of expertise, so I was curious about how much I’d be able to achieve. By the end, I really understood how to transform a business in terms of sustainable finance. We visited companies and we didn’t just listen to a presentation, they put us to work. It was intense, but that was needed.

Menu Geert (1)

The format works perfectly, particularly for someone like me who is travelling a lot professionally. The online self-paced work and the weekend classes aligned perfectly with my schedule, and I still got to meet my MBA colleagues during the study courses.

Vercouteren Cis (2)

I like the fact that we get to visit and learn about new business trends, practices, and solutions in different countries. I also chose the programme, because I can complete the online modules at my own pace, but I still encounter and work together with interesting people during the immersion trips and projects. The aspect of meeting people was something I was not willing to sacrifice.

Faculty

Kerstin Fehre

Kerstin Fehre

Professor of Strategy

Kerstin Fehre is passionate about strategy and explores the ways organisations make strategic decisions.

David Veredas

David Veredas

Professor of Financial Markets

David Veredas makes sure you understand finance and sustainability – and think critically about them.

Martin Butler

Martin Butler

Professor of Management Practice

Martin Butler lectures in digital transformation, digital resilience and technology futures.

Katleen De Stobbeleir

Katleen De Stobbeleir

Professor of Leadership

Katleen De Stobbeleir is inspired by leaders who stand up and speak – and she is passionate about those who have the courage to sit and listen.

Get in touch!

Sihame Ghaddab

Sihame Ghaddab

Customer Relationship Manager – Global, On-campus and Online Executive MBA

Frequent asked questions

What is a blended MBA and how is it different from a hybrid MBA?

Both 'Blended MBA' and 'Hybrid MBA' are terms used to describe a programme that combines online and in-person learning. A hybrid programme describes a model where both online and classroom participants join at the same time. In contrast, a blended programme offers a curriculum in which some classes are conducted entirely online, while others are exclusively classroom-based. Our Global Executive MBA is a blended MBA, not a hybrid MBA.

How are blended MBAs taught?

A blended MBA programme combines in-person and remote online learning to create flexible approaches. At Vlerick, this blended MBA programme includes elements that are 100% online, such as the majority of the Core Curriculum and Electives. The classroom element consists of six immersion trips where the entire class participates face-to-face for project work, case studies, and guest speakers, as well as company visits. The programme has been created and is delivered by our highly experienced faculty, who are experts at bringing both online and in-person learning to life, creating deeply immersive experiences, regardless of your preferred learning mode.

Is an MBA worth it?

An MBA from Vlerick helps professionals across the world take the next leap in their lives and careers. It’s an investment that can give you significant returns – including access to more senior and fulfilling roles and higher salaries. In addition, the Global Executive MBA gives you a unique view of the sustainable way that Europe does business.

If you’d like to find out more – or speak to our alumni – please reach out.

What level of English language ability is needed to follow the programme?

You need a professional business standard of English language. This is because all teaching on this Global Executive MBA programme is delivered in English. You therefore need to be able to understand, discuss and write in good English.

What is the minimum GMAT or GRE score required for this programme?

If you have a high standard GMAT or GRE score, we will certainly consider it. However at Vlerick, we have our own admissions test – the VBAT. This has been designed to take account of your experience and motivation, as well as your skillsets and capabilities. 

Can you apply for a Global Executive MBA without a bachelors degree?

To apply for our Global Executive MBA programme, you must have a degree from a recognised university. In addition, you should have at least four years’ experience in the workplace.

Do you get a degree or diploma when you graduate from the Global Executive MBA?

Yes, you do. When you graduate from the Global Executive MBA programme, you get a Masters in Business Administration. This is the same qualification as if you take part in our Executive MBA programme, Online Executive MBA programme or Full-time MBA programme.

What is the grading system for Global Executive MBAs?

We evaluate participant progress in a number of ways, including exams, papers, casework, group work and presentations. This happens course by course, so you’ll always know how you’re performing – and if you need to brush up in any particular areas.

How long does the Global Executive MBA take?

Our Global Executive MBA takes 15 months to complete. For more details, please reach out. Set up a call >

How much time will I need to spend each week on my Global Executive MBA?

On average, you will need to spend 10-12 hours every week on classwork, assignments, projects and study. Remember that in months when you have international study courses, you will be spending five days in each country – in addition to the time you’ll need for study.

Every three months you travel to different locations around the globe. You’ll need to factor in time to travel to and from these locations.

In between these visits, you will spend one weekend each month taking part in live, online learning activities. These take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you have any questions, please get in touch – we’d love to hear about your ambitions.
Set up a call >

Is it possible to do the Global Executive MBA as a working professional?

Absolutely, yes. We have designed the Global Executive MBA, especially for busy working professionals. It’s an intense time commitment – but one you’ll be so glad that you made. Talk to us to find out more about scheduling.

Arrange a call >

How do exams take place on the Global Executive MBA?

Exams for the Global Executive MBA take place via Zoom. Remember, you’ll also be evaluated via group work, individual papers, presentations and projects. Want to find out more? Please reach out, we’d love to help. Set up a call >

How many start dates are there for the Global Executive MBA?

We start the Global Executive MBA once each calendar year, in January.