Rotterdam School of Management’s Global Executive MBA blends personalized learning, strategic leadership development, and global learning opportunities. Their generous scholarships can help make your dream a reality. Academic Director Hans van Oosterhout explains how the Rotterdam-based program prepares ambitious professionals to thrive in C-suite roles.
Academic Director, Hans van Oosterhout, describes the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) as a journey of exploration.
He says, “Our Global Executive MBA is truly a discovery. You will not only learn new things, but also discover things about yourself and the major decisions you have to make in navigating your career.” (00:02)
The GEMBA program was specifically designed for senior managers and advanced professionals on track to the C-suite. He highlights it is highly suitable for those who “aspire to have an acquired position in the C-suite of an independently operating company.” (00:23)
The Triple Crown-accredited program empowers leaders with strategic leadership development, global awareness, and deep personal insight.
Hans elaborates, “Given that no two people are the same, it’s very important that at the beginning of the program we zoom in on your personal needs and desires.” (00:31)
At the start of the program, students undergo an extensive assessment. The assessment includes individual surveys, 360-degree feedback surveys from colleagues, and a leadership challenge in the first week of the program.
Through this, a personalized learning plan is created for each individual student. This ensures that each student’s learning journey is uniquely tailored to them.
This structured and personalized approach helps participants clarify their goals and get the most out of their learning experience.
RSM equips students with the business fundamentals needed for senior leadership. The core courses ensure that students are up-to-date on all essential business knowledge. These core courses include strategy, finance, and corporate governance.
“It’s really about the knowledge that you need to be a joint decision-maker in the C-suite,” Hans explains. (01:06)
The core courses ensure that students have a solid foundation of business knowledge that prepares them for excelling in C-suite positions. However, students can also further personalize their learning by selecting from a wide range of electives.
Students of the Global Executive MBA program can choose from a diverse range of 30 electives. They can tailor their learning journey to better suit their desired career path and professional development.
The electives cover topics such as leadership, sustainability, finance, and operations. In 2024, the available electives included Sustainable Investing, Strategy and Consulting, Innovation Ecosystems, and Finance for Decision Making, among others.
Hans notes, “We are able to offer our students a wide choice [of] electives, in themes and topics to further explore during their learning journey.” (01:26)
The GEMBA program at RSM offers students a well-rounded learning experience. The GEMBA program at RSM offers students a well-rounded learning experience. In addition to core courses and electives, GEMBA offers global learning opportunities.
Another core component of the GEMBA program is experiential learning. Hans explains, “There’s also experiential learning, where you learn by doing and experiencing things.” (01:33)
The program incorporates experiential learning in various ways throughout the program.
The Strategic Development Track runs throughout the whole program. This track is designed to accelerate personal, technical, and strategic leadership skills. Hans underscores, “It really zooms in on your leadership competencies and attitudes.” (01:42)
This track keeps strategic leadership development at the forefront of the learning journey throughout the whole program.
The Global Experiential Learning Courses (GELS) focus on a set of strategic challenges that C-suite leaders face, either in the current business landscape or in the near future. For instance, one such topic is Leading Digital Transformation. Students learn about tackling these challenges through experiential learning.
For example, senior-level industry leaders join as guest speakers to discuss these topics. Furthermore, students go on company visits and travel to global locations. “We travel to destinations in the world where things are ‘hot and happening’ from a business perspective,” Hans iterates. (01:50)
Through these international study trips, GEMBA students gain firsthand exposure to strategic business challenges across four global cities. Each GEL combines interactive sessions, senior executive insights, and company visits, allowing participants to apply core concepts in real-world contexts. Therefore, these dynamic experiences enhance strategic thinking, leadership capability, and adaptability. These are essential skills for today’s global business leaders.
Furthermore, due to their extensive partner network, RSM invites business leaders into the classroom. Industry leaders share firsthand insights and their personal leadership journeys with students.
The experiential learning element enhances the GEMBA learning experience. Students don’t only passively absorb information, but actively engage in their own learning.
And while the program is based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, there is a distinct focus on a global outlook. “Having a global outlook is in our DNA,” Hans says. (02:34)
Based in Rotterdam, home to the largest port in Europe, RSM offers a gateway to Europe and a thriving business ecosystem ideal for international networking and learning.
Thinking of applying? Don’t forget to check the scholarships available to students for the GEMBA program at RSM. They offer scholarships to support students in their leadership journey.
Once you have started your GEMBA program application, you can easily apply for scholarships online. You do so by submitting a scholarship application letter and supporting documents via the online portal Embark. Applicants may apply to multiple scholarships but may only receive one.
Their available scholarships include:
And there are more scholarships available. For a full list, view their scholarships page. Moreover, alumni of Erasmus University receive a 10% discount on tuition fees for the program.
If you’re ready for a high-impact, globally focused Executive MBA that supports your leadership growth, consider the Global Executive MBA at RSM. This program is the first step towards future-ready leadership in the C-suite.
With a personalized approach, diverse electives, international business exposure, and direct industry insights, it offers a well-rounded preparation for your next steps. Furthermore, generous scholarships offer a financial boost to make your dreams a reality.
Want to study at Rotterdam School of Management? Take our eligibility quiz to see if you qualify!
