International Exposure Meets Action-Based Learning

Vlerick Business School in Belgium delivers hands-on, experiential business education. Renowned for its global focus and emphasis on imaginative leadership, Vlerick equips students with the skills, mindset, and network to thrive in international settings. Vlerick Business School’s new Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) blends flexibility, immersive study abroad trips, and action-based learning. The program, which launched in July 2025, is an evolved version of the school’s highly successful European Executive MBA. 

Vlerick Business School’s alumni come from over 95 countries. This diverse cohort provides a rich learning environment. Moreover, students benefit from a sense of belonging with the help of a supportive community within a dynamic and inclusive space. One that cultivates both professional and personal growth. 

Program Director Bjorn Cumps explains how the GEMBA program equips graduates with the leadership and entrepreneurial skills to thrive in today’s global business environment.

Unpacking Vlerick’s Global Executive MBA

Vlerick Business School’s GEMBA program is made up of three core components.

Leadership 

The program is designed to help you lead with confidence and embrace challenges. Each element of the GEMBA focuses on instilling the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in complex business environments.

“We are focusing on future leaders,” says Bjorn. “People who are ready to take that next step. People who have already… followed a certain trajectory in their companies, but need that extra boost to become a future leader.” (01:30)

Entrepreneurship 

Vlerick Business School is renowned for its emphasis on entrepreneurship. For Bjorn, it is perhaps the most important component of the three. 

“This is what is in the DNA of the school… what you really feel throughout the program,” he explains. (00:52)

Action-Based Learning

“Every MBA that we have is really focused on experiential learning,” explains Bjorn. (1:05) The school’s Knowledge-in-Action Project is the perfect example of the hands-on, practical journey that awaits students at Vlerick.

The school’s meticulously designed framework enables you to put everything you learn into practice, applying theory directly to real-world challenges.

A Personalized Learning Experience

A highly tailored learning journey is one of the standout elements of the Global Executive MBA at Vlerick Business School. This is evident from the moment you apply for the GEMBA. The first step is the personalized admissions process, in the form of a one-to-one consultation. Here, you’ll explore whether the MBA is right for you, how it fits into your career path, and which format is best for you.

Bjorn expands on this idea of a customized learning experience: “What is unique at Vlerick is that you will be able to have or to make your MBA. It is not just a product or a program that we offer to you. You will be able to tailor it… to mold it into your own MBA program.” (02:02)

As a Vlerick GEMBA student, you choose up to four specialization tracks that best align with your professional goals. These are innovation and entrepreneurship, strategy, digital transformation, and sustainability.

A Program Reimagined For a Broader Scope

The GEMBA was introduced to build on the successful elements of the European Executive MBA. The new program retains the strengths of the blended format and immersive modules of its predecessor. But Bjorn says the decision shifted the focus of the program from a European perspective to a more global outlook.  

“A lot is changing in the world. Global context is becoming increasingly important. This is by far our most international program,” says Bjorn. (05:34)

This global focus prepares graduates for a wider range of international roles and a richer diversity of professional environments.

Meeting the Changing Needs of Global Leaders

“I honestly believe there’s no better moment to step into a global executive MBA,” says Bjorn. (05:55) He goes on to explain that, when it comes to modern business, context is everything. 

“You could have people looking at the same topic, the same concept,” he says. “But if you studied this from a European, U.S., African, or Asian point of view… looking at the same reality, could all of a sudden bring in a very different angle.” (06:31)

Bjorn’s point demonstrates the incredible value of an MBA with an international focus. You study business concepts through a global lens. Additionally, you immerse yourself in different locations. Overall, you understand the importance of global context in today’s business world at a deeper level.

Another key aspect of the Vlerick Executive MBA is flexibility. The program helps executives balance demanding careers with expansive learning ambitions.

“We try to build a program which makes it as easy as possible for you to combine [work and study]. You have the flexibility to follow the models online… at your own pace. To connect with your fellow students. But also to be immersed in different locations… live, person-to-person,” says Bjorn. (07:34)

With a flexible structure and a focus on work-life balance without sacrificing rigor, the Vlerick Global Executive MBA provides an enriching learning experience.

Immersive Learning Across Continents

The self-paced online modules of the GEMBA are the base courses of the program. These establish the fundamental concepts of modern business, including finance, accounting, and strategy.

Aside from these core concepts, students travel to five locations around the globe. These international modules take place over the course of 18 months, with locations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.

During these international study courses, students access global networking opportunities, breaking out of their own cohort to connect with executives worldwide. Afterwards, they return to their cohort to exchange ideas and share their experiences. 

Expanding Careers Through Networking & the EMBA Consortium

The GEMBA’s international modules provide exposure to companies and executives worldwide.

“These immersive modules that we build are very much… action-oriented,” explains Bjorn. (15:32) “That means a bit of theory, and most of the theory has already been covered in the self-paced modules. But then it means putting it into practice.” (15:45)

Students solve live challenges at global companies, giving them valuable real-world experience. This helps form connections and get new perspectives.

“By visiting these companies, you’re building your international network… you’re seeing in an international context how the same issues are tackled differently by different companies,” says Bjorn. (16:04)

Additionally, students benefit from the EMBA consortium – a global network of business schools. This gives students the chance to connect with peers from across the globe, creating valuable professional relationships.

A Highly Accredited, Award-Winning School 

Vlerick Business School’s triple accreditation places it among Europe’s business school elite. This “triple crown” means that the school has its quality assured by three independent accrediting bodies. These organizations set the benchmark for business school standards and inclusion in this elite group is a result of rigorous auditing and displaying consistency in quality over time. 

They are: 

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), based in the USA
  • The Association of MBAs (AMBA), based in the UK
  • The European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), based in Belgium

Bjorn is keen to highlight the significance of this triple accreditation, which the school has held for 20 years. Only 1% of business schools worldwide are triple-accredited.

“Not a lot of schools have this triple crown or triple accreditation,” he says. “…That means that we have been audited… for our quality. Not only in research, but also in teaching and also in building our learning journeys.” (17:18)

Beyond accreditation, Bjorn says he is even more proud of the school’s Financial Times Teaching Award for Responsible Business Education in 2024. This award was recognition for the school’s immersive module in Paris, which has a strong focus on sustainability.  

Why Vlerick’s Global Executive MBA Could Be the Perfect Fit 

Are you a professional who looks beyond your local business environment? Do you value flexibility and international exposure? Then Vlerick’s Global Executive MBA could be your career-defining moment.  

“I think the best profiles are people who have a strong interest in what is happening not only locally… but also have a strong interest in what is happening internationally, [people] who have that global view,” says Bjorn. (13:33) “If you ask me, that could be anyone. That doesn’t need to be one specific profile. But anyone who shows the interest to look at the business landscape from different viewpoints,” he adds. (14:04) 

Do you have an international mindset and want a truly global career? Are you ready to take the leap with a life-changing experience? The Vlerick GEMBA program starts in January 2026. Be one of the first to earn this triple-accredited GEMBA from one of Europe’s top business schools.

Want to study at Vlerick Business School? Take our eligibility quiz to see if you qualify!