Executive MBA
Who is the programme aimed at?
Profile
Ready to experience the transformation that is an Executive MBA? Need help taking an innovative idea and turning it into the next disruptor? Want to gain new skills so you can lead the change at your company?
If this sounds like you, then it’s time to see yourself at Solvay Brussels School.
Key admissions criteria
Admission Criteria- Higher Education Diploma (Bachelor/Master/Other)
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience
- English proficiency certificate from TOEFL, TOEIC or Solvay Executive Education Admission Test (SeeAT)
- Scores from GMAT, GRE or SeeAT
Why join the Solvay Executive MBA?
Solvay Brussels School’s unique, progressive learning structure ensures a deeper level of understanding and a transformational experience. Starting with management essentials and building to leadership essentials and leading innovation, as participants progress through the course, they evolve into the change they want to be. These classes ensure you have a solid foundation in leadership from which to build from. In the final stage of this transformation, participants must put theory into practice and use their skills and knowledge to overcome real-world challenges.
We are accredited by the two leading international quality assurance bodies: EQUIS and AMBA. This ensures that we strive for the highest quality of research and education, and guarantees a world-wide recognized value of for your diploma.
Under the EQUIS accreditation scheme, every 3 or 5 years, we are subjected to the most demanding independent evaluation. Research, faculty, quality of programmes and infrastructures, commitments in innovation, school's vision, partnerships and inclusion of the business world in the school management, EQUIS inspects every aspect of what makes a top business school
The Association of MBAs (AMBA), the best independent international authority on post-graduate business education. We are also Qfor accredited. The Qfor audit determines the quality and professionalism of training institutes and consultancy firms. At the national level, the Qfor accreditation is recognised by the Flemish and Walloon Regions.
We are also a member of AACSB Business Education Alliance, a global nonprofit association that connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.
The faculty comprises Solvay Brussels School and ULB professors bringing in their theoretical insight and the latest research expertise from their respective fields, as well as top-level practitioners driven by a real passion for education bringing in their practical insight and on-the-field experience. Top-of-the-line guests are also invited for additional workshops or sessions.
Earning an Executive MBA takes time – a commodity that is often in short supply. You shouldn’t have to choose between an advanced degree and your work. That’s why Solvay designed a schedule that lets you remain fully effective at work while fully engaged in your studies. The program lasts 18 months and runs from November to June. Classes are typically held one long week-end per month built on a blended learning approach. This creates an interesting combination of on-campus sessions, organised from Thursday evening to Saturday evening, and asynchronous 4-hour online seminars, offered for each of the courses.
Classes are intentionally limited to manageable-sized and coherent cohorts, ensuring maximum participation and easy access to the faculty and the Executive MBA academic or administration team.
At Solvay Brussels School, your Executive MBA experience doesn’t end with a degree. In a sense, this is when it really begins. Our graduates aren’t only lifelong leaders, they’re lifelong learners. This ongoing quest for knowledge is nurtured with the support of our international network of 25,000 alumni. As leaders of some of the world’s biggest and most successful businesses, the Solvay Alumni Network is a resource rich in knowledge and who can contribute to your success as a student and as a business leader.
Diversity in class in terms of gender, academic background and culture enhances your student experience. Benefit from our international faculty, international case-studies, the student trips to other cities and the multicultural environment you will be studying in, right at the heart of Europe.
Your peers are just as integral to your learning experience as the faculty. At Solvay, you’ll learn alongside talented business leaders who represent diverse functions, industries and geographies. As a result, you’ll gain a broader perspective on everyday business challenges, as well as build a wider network of global executives. The friendships and relationships that begin on campus will continue through life, enriching you both personally and professionally in unforeseen ways.
An international network. A partner for your career.
Solvay Schools Alumni brings together all graduates and certified from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management ULB and the Solvay Business School VUB. The association has more than 26,000 alumni, coming from more than 100 countries around the world and represents all sectors of economic activity.
Each year, Solvay Schools Alumni organises nearly 50 activities and conferences. Objective: to offer you continuing education opportunities, support for your career development, and numerous networking opportunities. As a member of the Solvay Schools Alumni association, you also have access to the directory of graduates.
With Solvay Schools Alumni, you develop your own network and contact alumni whenever you want, to feed your thinking and your professional career. Events and several fun activities also allow you to meet alumni outside of the professional framework.
Lead the Change
The Solvay Executive MBA provides you with the essential tools, skills and mindset needed to deal with the challenge of organisations in fast-evolving environments. It brings you up to speed with managerial and leadership principles to be able to lead innovation and change.
The Labs are where our participants get their hands dirty.
Using the skills developed in during EMBA’s courses, the Labs challenge participants to experiment with innovation, sustainability and strategy. This is an opportunity to test, explore and develop a concept, turning what was once just an idea into a practical business solution.
Participants have to choose among two Labs:
- Advisory Lab
- Strategy and Innovation Lab
The Solvay Career Advancement Program (CAP) is where it all comes together.
During the CAP, a team of executive coaches personally guide you through your transformational journey by offering their unique, experience-based insights and connecting you to their curated professional network.
By learning to leverage their knowledge and skills and discovering their leadership style, participants emerge well-positioned to have a transformational impact on the people, places and projects they influence.
The Solvay Executive MBA supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prior to the start of the EMBA, applicants can apply for our scholarships rewarding SDGs enablers. Later on in the programme, participants have to leverage their newly acquired skills and critically assess the sustainability policy of a real company within the framework of the Sustainability Project. This course is about using innovative ideas to generate sustainable change.
Discover our international study trips (optional):
1. The Silicon Valley Immersion Week Program provides students with an up-close look at the core capabilities of global entrepreneurs and an inside view on the challenges they face when launching or working in a start-up. With visits to leading universities and companies like Tesla, Google and Facebook, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity.
2. With our partner IPADE, participants head South to Mexico. During this one-week long study trip, participants explore "How to do business in Mexico" through a mix between keynotes and visits.
Curriculum: a 3-level approach
1 . MANAGEMENT ESSENTIALS
Begin your transformational journey by building key knowledge and skills in six management areas.
2 . LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS
Continue your transformation by expanding your knowledge and skills with mandatory leadership and elective courses.
3 . LEADING THE TRANSFORMATION
Bridge theory and practice by learning how to lead innovation and change.
Participants.
Before the MBA, I had a much more narrow perception of my abilities and myself. This has totally changed.
What did the MBA do for you?
It gave me the confidence to face any business challenge because I have a library of knowledge and a toolkit of skills to rely upon. Before the MBA, I had a much more narrow perception of my abilities and myself. This has totally changed.
How do you apply your MBA at work?
I apply the Solvay approach to solving business cases everyday in strategic program management at Volvo Financial Services. My coursework on stakeholder management and process improvement is fundamental to my job as well. The MBA was very practical for me.
You were known for being one of the most social members in your class. Do you still keep in touch with your former classmates?
Absolutely. My friends from Solvay are the foundation of my social life in Europe, especially since I’m originally from Brazil. They are a big reason for my decision to stay in Brussels.
Solvay Executive MBA excels at providing a holistic view of today’s business challenges and equipping us with practical solutions for addressing real-world issues.
How did you feel that it was the right moment to join an Executive MBA?
After almost 17 years in the banking and the financial sector, I felt my career was no longer moving forward and the day-to-day was beginning to get monotonous. This was a bit of a wake-up call for me. I decided to take action, challenge the status quo and invest more time in my professional development.
How is your MBA helping you in your job today?
I feel Solvay’s Executive MBA excels at providing participants with a holistic view of today’s business challenges while equipping us with practical solutions for addressing real-world issues.
Why did you choose Solvay Brussels School in particular to accompany you in your career development?
I felt I was part of the ´family´ the moment I started interacting with Solvay. The course curriculum is well thought and well organized and combines the basics – finance, accounting, etc. – with such hot topics as innovation, global entrepreneurship and digital enterprises. The schedule was perfect as it lets working professionals like me to combine work with an executive education. The international faculty are always helpful and go out of the way to assist you in your work.
What would you say to potential future MBA candidates who are still hesitating?
I would strongly recommend anyone who wants to invest in themselves to pursue an Executive MBA. Combining your work experience with an Executive MBA will give you the skills you need to tackle any problem with confidence. An Executive MBA is also a place where you can meet like-minded individuals and grow your professional network.
Go for it! And the earlier you do it, the better!
Why did you enrol in an Executive MBA?
I realized I wanted to get out of finance and reorient my career into entrepreneurship. I became more and more aware of the fact that I lacked a whole set of key skills, such as marketing, project management, strategy to name but a few, to transform my idea into a successful achievement. After doing some extensive research, I figured an MBA programme, from a top tier Institution, was going to be the most effective way to acquire these skills and reach my goal.
Why did you choose Solvay Brussels School to accompany you in this transition?
I researched pretty much every reputable program in Europe and ended up with a short list of 2 that really fitted my entrepreneurial ambitions. I chose Solvay for the proximity of network, programme focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, international study trips opportunities, but also scheduling mode, tuition fees and scholarships schemes available.
Which are the main impacts that your MBA is having on your project?
Apart from providing real practical tools and insights, Solvay MBA professors and coaches offered in a way some consulting advice as their feedback on the assignments, as well as during class discussions and the coaching sessions, translated into directly actionable new concepts that I could apply to my startup. Another key asset of Solvay Executive MBA that keeps fascinating me is the quality and atmosphere amongst my fellow students.
Do you have any advice for people who wants to start an MBA?
It may be interesting to share a lesson that I wish I knew earlier, which is basically “start before you are ready”, enrol in the Solvay EMBA, trust yourself and others and you will be amazed by the results.
Learn to evolve in parallel with your field, understand the big picture and get ready to shape the future!
How did your MBA shape who you are ?
I realised my personal limits and how to define my bottom-line. With every step I am taking in my personal development, I am now able to push this even further. In today’s VUCA world, it is key to know your own core from which you can navigate, regardless of what life throws at you.
At business schools, you learn a lot of concepts and drivers for businesses and functions in the decision-making process. It is an eye opener and provides the toolkit to become a great leader. The key is to apply them every day, going beyond your comfort zone, standing for what you believe in and inspiring other people to join your cause for the greater good.
How would you describe your MBA experience at the Solvay Brussels School?
It was a very enriching experience to go back to school, to take some quality time for personal development and to deeply immerse myself in a new environment, new context and new personal network. I made great friends and gained more experience. Although it was very challenging besides working and having a family, I enjoyed it a lot. I definitely learned to prioritise and balance my responsibilities.
Do you have any advice for people who want to start an MBA?
Establish and engage your support network before you start (in particular when you have a family!). It will sustain and support you during this remarkable experience.
Professors & Coaches
Executive MBA Reimagined
Blended Learning
Designed for professionals, the learning experience is mixed between on-campus classes and online asynchronous learning. Our partnership with Coursera opens a wealth of quality online content.
 |
Top-Ranked
Our programme is among the best in the world (Top 100 QS Quacquarelli Symonds Executive MBA Ranking 2023).
Leading Belgian business school
Any questions?
The key admission criteria include:
- Higher Education Diploma (Bachelor/Master/Other)
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience
- English proficiency certificate from TOEFL, TOEIC or Solvay Executive Education Admission Test (SeeAT)
- Scores from GMAT, GRE or Solvay Executive Education Admission Test (SeeAT)
Upon completion of your curriculum, you will be awarded the “Executive Master of Business Administration” university certificate delivered by Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management – Université libre de Bruxelles.
Did you complete your MBA or EMBA with Solvay Executive Education/Brussels School and require administrative assistance? Please complete this form and our team will get back to you shortly.
Solvay Brussels School has a well-earned reputation as a school of opportunity for all. In this regard, we would like to help you identify and access the financial options that we offer to make your MBA dream a reality:
1. Company Sponsorships
Some employers will finance the totality or part of your MBA tuition. We welcome the opportunity to talk with employers about sponsorship, or help you prepare your case.
2. Solvay Scholarship
We offer numerous scholarships each year to promote diversity in the classroom, academic excellence and equal access to learning. Our scholarships reward change makers whose actions contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. Learn more about our SDGs scholarships.
3. Public Funding
Many governments offer funding in the form of grants and scholarships. Contact the authorities in your country or visit educational platforms online to learn more about the resources that may be available to you.
4. Training Cheques
Depending on where your company is based, you may benefit from subsidies from the Brussels Region, Wallonia and Flanders covering part of your tuition fees. Check the conditions on the relevant websites.
5. Student Loans
Student loans remain the most common source of financing. Please check with your bank the conditions for this type of loan.
6. Tax Deduction
Your MBA may be a tax-deductible expense depending on your profile. Check with the authorities in your country.
7. Discounts & Preferential Rates
Solvay Executive Education Alumni are eligible for a tuition discount. Reduced tuition is also available for partner organisations and companies, as well as for non-governmental organisations.
8. Early Bird Reduction
Applications submitted by May 1st 2021 will get 10% reduction on the tuition fees.
Any questions regarding these options? Please send us an email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Participants also like these programmes
English6 long week-ends over 6 months3-4 days/monthMin. 3 years experienceFrench9 months2 days/weekMin. 5 years experienceEnglish1 yearEvery dayNo experience
