Masters in Business Analytics & AI

The Masters in Business Analytics & AI runs full-time from early September until the end of June - entailing 60 ECTS credits. Classes take place from 9am to 5.30pm and are a dynamic mix of working on real-life business cases, class interaction, company visits and group exercises.

Our active learning approach involves many assignments in small teams and thus requires mandatory attendance, 100% motivation, and the willingness to work hard.

Besides the AI study trip to Amsterdam, students can complete an international exchange during the programme at one of our partner business schools.

Get a full overview of all different courses here

At Vlerick, our unique approach blends action learning and personal development.

Action learning

From theory to practice:

Interactive classes

• Pragmatic, multidisciplinary approach
• Insightful business simulations
• Real-life cases and challenges

Highlights of the Business Analytics & AI track include:

• Data-driven business innovation project: Put your analytical ability and innovative thinking to work in a project focused on data and analytics.
• Hackathon: Collaborate with your course colleagues and put your skills to the test in a real-life hackathon.
• AI study trip to Amsterdam: Get an inside view of the world of analytics and data and their application in the world of business. Includes company visits to Google, Amazon, Nike, Cognizant, Uber Eats and Cisco, and networking and lectures. 
• Company project: Over two months, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned to a real business challenge of your choice – either in a consultancy project or a global social project for an NGO.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Besides the necessary hard skills, this programme will also develop your soft skills that are necessary to work in multidisciplinary teams, bridging the gap between tech experts and business and at a later stage grow into a managerial role.

Leap from student to professional with:

• Continuous feedback and coaching
• Targeted skill development
• Comprehensive career services
• Multiple networking opportunities
• Personal development portfolio

Highlights of the Masters in General Management, Business Analytics & AI track include:

• My Vlerick Development Portfolio: Gain insight into your own strengths and weaknesses, and be challenged to reflect and take actions to improve.
• Management Skills Seminar: During three days you will focus on leadership development and the management skills you need for the digital age.
• Diversity and inclusion: Understand your own assumptions, biases and preconceived ideas about how the world works – or should work. Discover which behaviours are acceptable, open your mind – and begin to develop a broader world view.
• Career Coaching: Stay aligned to the current global job market as you gain the skills, insights and instincts to make a difference and explore your true potential.

EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES

Students from the Masters in Business Analytics & AI can apply for an international exchange that typically takes place between January and March. Our exchange partner business schools are Nova School of Business and Economics (Lisbon, Portugal) and ESMT Berlin (Berlin, Germany). Vlerick offers a partial refund of the accommodation cost to allow as many students as possible to apply.

• Broaden your knowledge of all core areas of management 
• Bridge the gap between data analytics and a broad range of business fields and industries 
• Adopt hands-on IT, business analytics and machine learning skills that are relevant for business
• Develop real, hands-on leadership skills through interactive classes, real-life business cases, business simulations and in-company projects
• Test your abilities in a real-life hackathon
• Get an insight into the world of analytics and data and their application in business on an AI trip to Amsterdam. Includes company visits to Google, Tesla, Amazon, Nike, Picnic, Accenture and Cisco, as well as networking and lectures
• This programme was developed in close collaboration with business experts specialised in the field of AI, who will actively contribute to the programme: ML6 (machine learning partner of Google), Imec (R&D hub for digital technology), Faktion & Metamaze (leading experts in NLP), BDO, KBC, Allianz, etc.
• Put your skills into action in a two-month consultancy project in an industry of your choice
• Enhance your learning journey by going on a short-term exchange abroad during your programme to our partner business school Nova School of Business and Economics.
• Stand out and kick-start your global career by taking a double degree in two countries (Belgium & the United States) at our renowned partner school Darla Moore School of Business.
  
  Curious to find out what it means to study at Vlerick? Discover what it’s like to study in Belgium – as well as practical information on how to organise your stay.
  
  Want to know what our Masters students are up to? Check out the Masters stories page.

Take a look at the career prospects for graduates of the Masters Business Analytics & AI:

• Business analyst
• Data & analytics translator
• Technology & Innovation manager
• Technology consultancy
• Data scientist
• Data & AI analyst 
• Customer engineer
• New business opportunities within a variety of business sectors

Define your career goals and align them with the jobs market with the help of:

• Practical workshops
• Career clubs and competitions
• One-to-one coaching
• Career and networking events

Take a look at our full career services offer 

Are you:

• A recent graduate with strong analytical skills?
• Inspired by data science and AI-driven tech applications?
• Committed to making an impact on the future of business?

Then you’re a perfect fit for the Masters in Business Analytics and AI at Vlerick. A background in the analytics field is not mandatory. You’ll join an incredibly diverse group of students who all share a passion for technology – and an analytical mindset.

Start date: 1 September 2025 
Duration: 10 months (from September until June)
Location: Leuven (discover our Vlerick Leuven campus)
Application deadline non-EU citizens: 30 April 2025

The tuition fee for the Masters in Business Analytics & AI is €20,500.

This includes:

• Textbooks
• Company visits
• Amsterdam AI-trip (accommodation, local travel, and company visits)
• Travel between the school’s different campuses for mandatory programme events
• One year of full online access to the Financial Times and The New York Times

The fee does not include the cost of travelling abroad for the study trip, visa costs, living expenses or costs related to any optional modules abroad that you take as part of your programme.

Financing your Masters

Joining a Vlerick programme can be a significant financial investment. But there are many financing options available to help towards your tuition fees – and we’re here to help you explore what types of support you might be eligible for. We process applications for our Masters programmes on a rolling basis as of October, for the September intake. If you want to be considered for one of our full scholarships, make sure to submit your scholarship application together with your programme application before February.

Academic Excellence Scholarships

Academic Merit Scholarship

• Purpose: Reward students with an excellent academic track record
• Requirements:
  • Belgian degrees: Study results equal to great or greatest distinction at Bachelor’s level.
  • Non-Belgian degrees: Study results within the top 20% of the class at Bachelor’s level.
  • Outstanding GMAT/GMAT Focus (> 700/> 655) or GRE (> 164 quantitative and > 163 verbal) scores (for specialized programs only).
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee.
  

Diversity & Equality Scholarships

Women in Analytics

• Purpose: Encourage women to enter fields in which they are underrepresented.
• Requirements: Outstanding academic record, leadership potential, and passion for specific fields.
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee.

Equal Opportunity Scholarship: 

• Purpose: Encourage social diversity and individual commitment.
• Requirements: Represent diversity (e.g., minority group, underprivileged community) or actively promote diversity and inclusion by engaging in long-term initiatives that have a clear social impact.
• Scholarship: Up to 50% of the tuition fee, with a chance to receive one full scholarship sponsored by alumnus Jan Toye. Applicants who fit the criteria will be automatically considered for this full scholarship.
   

Need-based Scholarship

Financial need scholarship: 

• Purpose: Support students with financial need.
• Requirements:
  • A realistic financial plan.
  • Proof of financial need (e.g. previous scholarships or grants).
  • This scholarship can be combined with any other scholarships
• Scholarship: Amount and allocation decided on a case-by-case basis. Full scholarships sponsored by MGM1973, MGM1990, MGM1999 alumni (three full scholarships), and 3d Investors (three full scholarships). Applicants who fit the criteria will be automatically considered for this full scholarship.

 If you're planning to apply for a scholarship, make sure you apply early and submit your scholarship applications alongside your application file. Please check the application form for full conditions.

Loans

You could also consider getting a loan to cover your programme fees.

• Regular loans: A loan from your bank could cover your tuition fees – get in touch with them for more information.
• Prodigy Finance loans: Our partner, Prodigy Finance, offers loans to international students at the world’s top business schools. These loans could cover your living expenses and 100% of your tuition fees, minus any scholarship you may be awarded. Learn more

Paying in instalments

You can choose to pay your tuition fees in three separate instalments in November, February and April.

If you want to pay in instalments, you need to sign a contract and pay an admin fee of €250.

There are four steps to applying for a Masters programme at Vlerick: 

1. Check your eligibility 

What you need: 

• Candidates studying in Belgium need a Masters degree from a recognised institution  
• Candidates from outside Belgium can apply with a Masters degree or a 3 to 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised institution (there may be additional requirements too)

Our Masters programmes are designed for young graduates, with an average age of 23 and little-to-no professional experience. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact our admissions team. 

2. Submit your application 

We process applications on a rolling basis from October, for the following September intake. If you need a visa to study in Belgium, we expect your application by 30 April at the latest for the following September intake.

Complete your personal details and upload all necessary documents to our application tool. If you don’t need a visa to study in Belgium, you have until June to apply. However, we advise early application as we allocate places on a first come, first served basis. 

3. Take your admissions test 

There are three elements in your admissions test:  

1. Online Test  – We accept our own in-house analytical test (i.e. numerical reasoning and abstract reasoning test), GMAT (minimum 555) or GRE (157 verbal and 158 quantitative). 
2. Motivational interview – Using a standard set of questions, we assess the match between you, Vlerick and our programme. This interview takes place online and lasts about 20 minutes.
3. Knowledge interview – Vlerick faculty will ask you about your interest and insights into the field of studies you are applying for. This interview also takes place online and lasts about 20 minutes.

Want to prepare for your admissions test? – discover our tips and tricks.   

4. Register for the programme 

We’ll let you know within a week of your interview whether you’ve been admitted. You can request feedback on your application, whatever the outcome. Once you’ve been admitted, you can go ahead and register.

Discover what it’s like to study in Belgium – as well as practical information on how to organise your stay.