New opportunities to pursue specialist subjects on the Executive MBA

How it works

To add a specialisation to your Executive MBA, you start by choosing electives from the discipline group. Following that, your Knowledge-in-Action Project should be in the broad context of this discipline. 

We want to maximise your flexibility to shape your learning the way you need. Specialising in this manner, is entirely optional. The best part of this specialisation? You can wait until you choose electives and a Knowledge-in-Action Project to decide whether you want to do it. Your learning pathway, your choice.

What can you specialise in?

Our new-look Executive MBA launches with three options for specialisation:

• Digital
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategy

…and we may introduce further options in the future.

A dynamic way to study

Professor Martin Butler, Academic Director for the MBA, says that adding the option to specialise is an example of Vlerick embracing its entrepreneurial spirit and designing our MBAs for an increasingly dynamic business context. 

“It adds a new dimension to the programme – and even greater opportunities for our participants,” he says. “Importantly, it doesn’t impact the core programme our participants follow, or limit the options for those choosing not to specialise.” 

Flexibility is key to our refreshed Executive MBA – and is particularly evident in the new approach to electives.

Martin says: “We’ve increased the number of electives to allow participants even more opportunities to dive deeper into the interesting topics we will curate for them annually. As the business landscape evolves, so will our electives.” 

“We invite faculty, supported by top leaders from industry, to propose cutting-edge subjects that are based on their latest research and emerging trends. Our electives cover both evergreen topics – like negotiation and change management – and topical subjects like geopolitical unrest and artificial intelligence, giving participants a diverse range to choose from.” 

“We have also created an exciting new option for participants by extending electives to those offered at other business schools. This offers participants the chance to study an elective at one of our partner institutions – and we invite participants from these institutions to join us at Vlerick. We draw on each other’s areas of expertise – and all play to our strength. This sharing of electives broadens participants global networks.” 

Discover the new Executive MBA

Learn how the MBA develops leadership skills, fosters entrepreneurial thinking, and addresses global challenges through specialised tracks and hands-on projects.

Your MBA, your way

Martin is keen to stress that specialising on the Executive MBA is optional and designed to not increase the workload.

“You don’t have to specialise – and you don’t have to do any additional work if you do decide to specialise,” he says. “It’s a flexible process, and you don’t need to decide at the start of your programme. You can wait and see where your interests lie, then decide when you make your elective and Knowledge-in-Action Project choices”.

Add another string to your bow

If you decide specialisation is the right approach for you, it could open doors to even more opportunities after you graduate. For example, if you choose to specialise in entrepreneurship, this could look impressive on a funding application in the future. Specialising in the Digital domain allows for career progression in digital roles, or being more efficient in managing in an increasingly digital business context where all leaders are faced with digital-intrinsic business decisions.

Martin says: “By building the option to specialise into our refreshed Executive MBA, we’re offering you the opportunity to tailor your journey, and provide more ways to gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take your next leap in your career.” 

Keen to learn more about our new-look Executive MBA?

Get in touch with our MBA Admissions team. Book a call >