What do you learn in the master's programme?
Strong foundations are the focus in this Master in Management. You’ll build the knowledge needed for a wide range of management positions. Learning from professors from academia and industry, you’ll master a range of transferable skills, including analysis, communication, practicality, intellectual creativity, triple bottom line thinking, ethics and cross-cultural awareness. We pay special attention to concepts such as sustainability, economic intuition and vision, as these are important elements in modern management. Our courses are carefully selected with a very international and multidisciplinary audience in mind. So, we'll always consider a wider context, preparing you for management positions in varied and complex international environments.
Programme structure
The Master's programme consists of 60 ECTS. One ECTS equals on average between 25 to 30 hours of study work. Covering a wide view of the business and economics domains, courses include accounting, finance, informatics, strategy, human resources management, marketing, supply chain management and a master's thesis. There is a strong focus on developing analytical skills through a variety of courses providing interactive exercises and group work, such as business games. All classes, both in the Preparatory and Master’s programme, are organised in the evening (between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.), allowing students to combine studies with professional or personal commitments. Some classes occasionally take place on Saturday mornings (before noon).
Admission and duration
The Master's programme in Management (60 ECTS) is directly accessible to students holding a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering. All other students are required to complete a Preparatory programme of 21 or 27 ECTS, depending on their academic background (Bachelor or Master). The Preparatory programme is offered in the first semester only, while the Master's programme spans a full academic year. As a result, the full trajectory (Preparatory + Master's) takes at least two academic years to complete. To help students manage their workload effectively, we offer several study scenarios that allow you to spread the Preparatory and Master's programme over multiple academic years, depending on your personal situation, particularly if you have professional or family commitments.
Working while studying
Block teaching
The Master's programme in Management is structured according to the block teaching system. This means that we have scheduled the second-semester exams of the Master’s programme to take place in the two weeks following Spring Break. This leaves the final weeks of the academic year free of lectures, providing you with sufficient time to complete your Master’s thesis.
Find out more about this programme
The strengths of our Management master's programme
- You’ll develop a broad overview of all aspects of modern business management.
- You can study at a pace that suits you, with evening classes, and convenient scenarios to spread the Preparatory and Master's programme over several academic years.
- You’ll gain access to the strong Solvay Business School alumni network, providing valuable professional contacts.
Awadesh Kumar Mallik (alumnus):
"After working for 15+ years in advanced science and engineering technologies at different organisations, I felt my career needed a boost in managerial capacities, and felt the best way was to get a master's degree. Seeing such a flexible and affordable management programme from a highly-ranked university motivated me to apply. As an engineer and scientist, I learnt many new subjects, and I enjoyed writing my master’s thesis always getting prompt replies from my supervisor and their teaching assistant."
Onur Ercan (alumnus):
"Our programme at VUB is special because it brings together people from all walks of life — not just from economics and management. We have engineers, lawyers, psychologists, and scientists — all united in our quest to understand the world around us and make a meaningful impact. This diversity has not only broadened my perspective, but has also taught me to see the world in a new way — more critically, more thoughtfully, and with greater awareness."
After graduation
The Master of Science in Management offers you the know-how needed for management positions in many different industries, as well as governmental and non-profit organisations. For example, preparing you to launch your own business, take up a management position or enter one of the business fields.
Discover the many opportunities
Is this programme for you?
A better idea of the programme?
Curious to find out if this programme is really the right fit for you? Take part in our (online) study choice activities. Discover the campus on a guided tour, ask our professors questions during an online info session, read our alumni testimonials or experience the atmosphere yourself at an open day.