Vlerick Full-time MBA2011

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Dean’s Greeting 4

History 6

What is an MBA? 8

Why take an MBA? 10

Why the Vlerick MBA? 11

Who takes the Vlerick MBA? 12

Curriculum 16

International Business in Context - China Study Trip 18

Projects 19

In-Company Project Sponsors 20

Giving Something Back Project 22

Admission & Application Requirements 24

Scholarships & Funding 26

MBA Career Services 30

The Mentorship Programme 32

Living in Leuven 34

Corporate Partnerships 36

Contact us 39

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Content

Leuven Town Centre: Oude Markt

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A word of welcome

Originating in Western Europe in the 1950’s the Vlerick MBA is now delivered in programmes in Leuven and Ghent in Western Europe, St Petersburg, Russia and at Peking University in Beijing, China.

At the heart of our design philosophy is the objective to deliver an academic-based, entrepreneurial MBA in a context of multicultural and multidisciplinary understanding and fl uency.

We take a strong personal interest in the development of each of our participants. Our MBA class is small and structured to provide the maximum diversity in terms of work, academic and cultural backgrounds and experience. Career services work throughout the study year and afterwards to guide, help and advise on career options and processes.

Over the years we have developed close links with a broad range of organisations in the business community. Today these partners fund our scholarships and activities, provide projects for our participants and research experiences for our faculty, and recruit our graduates.

Dean’s Greeting

Academic excellence is derived from our relationships with our parent universities: the Catholic University of Leuven (1425) and Gent University (1817). Our faculty conducts both academic and business issue focused research, which is transferred into teaching and learning experiences in the classroom.

Finally, the Vlerick MBA is hosted in our purpose-built, postgraduate campus in Leuven – a beautiful centre of learning since the Middle Ages. Services and activities are geared to the student population and the quality of life is excellent for both MBA participants and their dependents.

I am sure our MBA team will be happy to tell you more about us and our programme to help you decide if it is appropriate for you. Please feel free to contact them.

Prof Dr Philippe HaspeslaghDean, Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School

Prof Dr Philippe Haspeslagh• MBA (1977) and DBA (1983) from Harvard Business School

• Faculty member and Director of the Strategic Issues in M&A

programme at INSEAD Business School (1980 - 2008)

• Entrepreneur and Chairman & Board Member of several listed

and unlisted companies

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Prof Dr André Baron Vlerick

The School’s rather unusual name is the result of a partnership between the former De Vlerick School voor Management, the K.U.Leuven, and Gent University. Professor André Vlerick (1919-1990) was a successful banker and an inspired scientist, who laid the foundations of the School in 1953. He was Minister of the Economy, and is widely credited with managing the development of the Belgian economy to its current position as one of the most dynamic in the world.

The merger

History

The late Baron Vlerick and King Baudouin, 1967

1425Established

1968MBA programme

1817Established

1953

originated as a department

1959MBA programme

1999MBA programmes merged to

become the MBA programme of

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The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an internationally recognised degree that focuses on preparing future managers to discover and further develop their skills with the view to pursuing an advanced career in business and management.

The Vlerick MBA is a general MBA which provides education in a wide range of business of subjects though the emphasis remains fi rmly on how to apply these in an international environment.

The value of this degree is, however, not limited to the ‘business’ world, but is equally benefi cial for those choosing careers in the public sector or non-governmental organisations (NGO’s). No matter the sector where participants may elect to operate upon completion of their MBA, they will be better prepared and skilled to excel at senior managerial and leadership positions.

What is the Vlerick MBA?

The Vlerick MBA is a one-year postgraduate qualifi cation, accessible to persons who have at least three years of work experience and also have a recognised University degree.

The programme comprises a series of well integrated courses that are grounded in reputable research theories and fi ndings relating to management and business leadership. Courses are designed to prepare participants to creatively engage in the increasingly challenging business environment, optimally actualising their potential.

The programme consequently not only focuses on academic excellence, but also seeks to ensure that students experience their Vlerick years as a life changing experience.

Why is a recognised University Degree required to enrol for the Vlerick MBA?

Requiring a university degree ensures that all participants have a basic understanding and mastery of the most important building blocks that are essential to progress to the higher level of learning an MBA requires. Our Admissions Team can provide specifi c guidance on what degrees are recognised by Vlerick.

What is an MBA?

This ensures that all participants are able to optimally benefi t from the highly practical nature of the Vlerick MBA, in which course materials are continuously related to the business environment.

Having had at least three years of business experience, participants are able to relate newfound knowledge, insights and classroom experiences to their previous business experiences with their fellow

classmates. In the absence of such experience of the world of business, participants would not optimally benefi t from the programme.

We do though welcome business experience from a diverse range of backgrounds and sectors and we are always happy to have in depth discussions candidates to establish whether their experience provides the basis for a successful MBA.

Why is a minimum work experience of three years required?

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Why take an MBA? Why the Vlerick MBA?

The reasons for taking a Vlerick MBA are varied and are often very personal choices but some key reasons are:

• To realise a specifi c career objective, e.g. to move from a specialist management to a general management role.

• To acquire specifi c managerial and professional competencies needed to improve your overall performance or accelerate your career progression.

• To improve your CV or resumé in preparation for a international business career.

• To enhance and refocus your skills-set or to reassess the way forward in your career.

• To be part of an exciting and demanding intellectual and personal challenge that will lead to greater personal satisfaction.

• To improve your long-term career and fi nancial security.

• To gain the range of business skills required to develop as a successful entrepreneur.

All students have their own reasons for considering an MBA and at Vlerick, we are happy to discuss your future with you in complete confi dence and to assist you and provide expert advice in determining whether an MBA is the best choice for you.

We are also always happy to put you in touch with current students or our network of alumni where you can discuss their experiences of the program.

> The Vlerick MBA is ranked by the Economist, as the N°1 MBA programme with regard to the number of MBAs employed within 3 months of graduation.

> Research conducted by the Financial Times indicated that many Vlerick MBAs received job offers from the companies where they did their internships.

> The average annual salary of Vlerick MBAs after graduation was € 71,000, an increase of 65% on the pre-MBA income.

> The Vlerick MBA is the most international MBA with 95% of the students from countries outside Belgium, whilst the number of students from each nationality is limited to ensure a rich diversity of cultures. The incoming class represents at least 40 nationalities.

> The Vlerick MBA has an academic-based entrepreneurship focus. Backed by its two parent universities, the Catholic University of Leuven and Gent University, Vlerick ensures the academic credibility of its programme. In order to ensure that participants are able to apply their knowledge in the real world, the programme is presented in an applied context.

> Given the importance of conducting business across cultures, an important part of the programme involves courses delivered during the compulsory study trip to China. This reinforces the international nature of the programme.

> Vlerick has an increasingly large global network of alumni numbering 14,000 members in over 100 countries. Vlerick graduates are eligible to become members of the Vlerick Alumni Organisation, which introduces them to a wide network of past graduated and employees.

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I joined the MBA program at Vlerick with a

change in career path in mind. With a previous

degree in industrial engineering, most of my work

experience was completed in a manufacturing

environment. I have had a strong interest,

however, in pursuing a career in a socially

responsibly business outside of the manufacturing

environment.

With these interests in mind, I found an in-company

project that was secured through a relationship the

school had with a company I was very interested in.

Upon completing the 8-week in-company project

at a small start-up consultancy that specializes

in social business innovation, I was offered and

accepted a permanent job at their offi ce in the

center of Brussels.

As I now get ready to leave the country for 6 weeks

for my next Vlerick project with a non-profi t

organization in Bangkok, I can confi dently say

my time in the Vlerick program has not only been

personally rewarding but it also has opened the

door to new opportunities I would never have

imagined prior to joining the program.

Jason Donohue (American) - Full-time MBA 2010Professional Background: Engineering

I have chosen the Vlerick School because my main ambition

is to build a strong international profi le as an entrepreneur in

Europe and Russia. The idea to create my own business had always

been in the back of my mind, but at that time my experience

was mostly focused on my sales and marketing position at

Johnson&Johnson. After following the MBA programme of

Vlerick, I feel totally transformed. I have not only gained the

management and analytical skills I wanted, but also some

concrete opportunities to create a business, thanks to the great

international variety of the class and our large alumni network.

Tatiana Sultanova (Russian) - Full-time MBA 2008Professional Background: Sales & Marketing

More testimonials: www.vlerick.com/mba/testimonials

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Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School attracts a very mixed group of participants and therefore has student workgroups that benefi t from the contrasting business and social cultures. This enriches the entire educational experience.

Who takes the Vlerick MBA?

201020092008

Average age 30 31 30 31 30

Average work experience 6 7 6 7 6

Average GMAT 640 640 640 640 640

Male 60% 60% 60% 60% 76%

Female 40% 40% 40% 40% 24%

Student profi les:

Academic background of 2010 graduates

Work experience of 2010 graduates

Geographical origin of 2010 graduates

• Western Europe - 26%

• Eastern Europe - 19%

• Africa - 1%

• East Asia - 6%

• Western Asia - 2%

• South East Asia - 7%

• South Asia - 12%

• North America - 14%

• Central & South America - 12%

• Oceania - 1%

• Business - 19%

• Economics - 13%

• Finance & Accounting - 2%

• Engineering - 22%

• Science - 22%

• Law - 1%

• Humanities - 17%

• Other - 4%

• Banking & Finance - 22%

• Education & Research - 1%

• Energy, Oil & Gas - 6%

• Entertainment & Media - 2%

• Healthcare/Pharma Food & Beverage industry - 2%

• Consumer Goods - 13%

• Government & Non-profi t - 13%

• High Tech, IT & Telecom - 10%

• Manufacturing - 17%

• Professional Services - 11%

• Other - 3% “

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Gleana Albritton (American) - Full-time MBA 2010Professional Background: Marketing

Pursuing my MBA at Vlerick has afforded

me with the opportunity to interact on a daily

basis with some of the most brilliant minds

in the world. In the program this year we had

approximately 41 nationalities and I am proud

to say that I’ve had the opportunity to interact

with almost everyone in the program. One of

the reasons I chose Vlerick was to build my

international experience and I believe that

taking the year off to attend this program,

while getting an education in the heart of

Europe was the right move for me.

The program is intense, it’s one year packed full

of theory and practical learning opportunities.

The professors at Vlerick, especially those

teaching the quantitative courses are some

of the most best, most talented educators in

the world.

One of the highlights of the full-time MBA

program for me was the two-week study trip

we took to China. While in China we met with

several companies and heard lectures from

some of the people who had worked there both

as expats and natives of the country as well as

networking with some of our colleagues in the

BiMBA program.

The value for the money is one of the big

reasons I chose the program and I believe in the

end the program met my expectations. There

are very few programs like the one at Vlerick;

the Vlerick brand is strong here in Belgium and

it’s the right choice it’s worth pursuing if you’re

considering a career in Belgium. Vlerick gives

those who want to live and work in Belgium the

opportunity of a lifetime.

More testimonials: www.vlerick.com/mba/testimonials

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Approach

Teaching methodsThe Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School MBA programme is characterised by the following range of teaching and learning techniques:• Practice-based learning• Group work• Case studies• Small class sizes, with work groups normally

composed of 5 participants and the maximum lecture class of 50.

• Business games and simulations, in-house or in competition with other programmes and other AACSB/EQUIS/AMBA accredited schools.

• Guest speakers: Entrepreneurs and senior executives from global and local fi rms representing a wide range of expertise such as Proctor & Gamble, AT Kearney, McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, KBC Banking & Insurance and Estée Lauder.

For more information on the MBA curriculum: www.vlerick.com/mba/programmedetails

Entrepreneurship as part of the Vlerick MBA

Throughout their Vlerick MBA students will be immersed in the entrepreneurial process, both from an academic and from a practitioner’s point of view. Students learn how to develop an opportunity in a viable business model and then how to grow the venture successfully.

The most obvious form of entrepreneurship is that of starting new businesses or start up. However, in recent years, the term has been extended to include social and political forms of entrepreneurial activity.

This is typically when a fi rm or large organization and may include corporate venturing when large companies launch spin-off organisations or brand extensions.

Our experience shows that the Vlerick MBA makes people seriously consider running their own business post MBA at some stage in their career. The Entrepreneurial theme runs throughout the programme and are interwoven into courses as Corporate Finance, Innovation Management, Strategic Management and the in-company project.

Curriculum

Full-time MBA Programme

ELECTIVE & ORIENTATION COURSES

SIMULATION INTEGRATION EXERCISE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN CHINA

PROJECTDEFENSES & GRADUATION

Considerable attention is given to the links between the different subject areas. The programme highlights the real-world need to integrate the cross-disciplinary nature of business problems and the benefi t of integrated strategies and solutions.Seminars:• Doing business in Europe • Social skills• Project management• End-of-year closing seminar

A trip to our partner institution at Peking University, the leading university in China where participants study Chinese business on the ground.

The seminars offered during the study trip are a combination of academic lectures and corporate studies, supplemented by cultural and social immersion.

Students need to make themselves available for any questions regarding their submitted projects. Followed by graduation and a career as an MBA.

• Entrepreneurship• Leadership• Managing across cultures• Financial accounting• Corporate fi nance• Human resources

management• Management & Organisation• Decision sciences• Business ethics & CSR• European business law• Marketing management

Faced with a current, real business problem or strategic question, participants must prepare a plan of action, analyse the situation, develop a series of options and evaluate these to produce recommendations that will be accepted by a demanding client.

• Negotiation skills• Managerial aspects of

European Integration• Strategic management• Operations management• Innovation management• Value-added ICT• International management• Managerial accounting &

control• Integrated (e)supply

management

A project where students carry out a piece of work aimed at assisting an NGO in developing some aspect of their activities.

CORE COURSES I

IN-COMPANY CONSULTANCY PROJECT

CORECOURSES II

VLERICK GIVINGSOMETHING BACK PROJECT

August - September March - AprilSeptember - March April SeptemberAugustJune - JulyMay

Orientation courses• Statistical

techniques• Economics• Financial accounting

Optional Language Classes:Advanced English or 14 other languages.

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The in-company consultancy project

The in-company consultancy project is, for most participants, the most exhilarating part of the programme. It is a unique opportunity for them to re-integrate themselves in a real business environment and apply the knowledge, skills and experience they have acquired during the programme.

Faced with a current, real business problem or strategic question, participants must prepare a plan of action, analyse the situation, develop a series of options and evaluate these to provide recommendations that can positively impact the business.

Recent in-company consultancy projects:

• Building a fi nancial system for a start up business.• Strategic review and competitor review of the

European Private Equity market.• Brand extension recommendations for a European

Women’s magazine.• A market entry strategy for an IT Solution provider

to enter the Chinese market.• Pricing and forecasting for Saudi fi nance company.• Business intelligence project for the healthcare

industry.• Innovation process improvement at a bio-tech

company.• Talent segmentation in a global banking and

insurance company.• Alignment of supply chain strategy with business

strategy for a European logistics fi rm.

ProjectsInternational Business in Context - China Study Trip

• Organisation and strategy of a global consultancy fi rm.• Repositioning the brand: a strategic marketing

plan for growth in a declining market.• Marketing strategy for an organic foods company to

enter the US market.• Communicating compliance directives in an

international conglomerate.• Pricing strategy for a competitive medical devices

sector.• A new paradigm for professional accountants in

South Africa.• Drivers for consolidation in the European fi nancial

services sector.• Requirements for new fi rst-line HIV treatment in

Sub-Saharan Africa.• Implantable medical devices: market entry strategy

for a semiconductor company.• Strategic pricing project for an international

security products fi rm.• Design of a communication strategy for the launch

of an online community.

International Business is best studied in context therefore as part of the Vlerick MBA the entire class will undertake a study trip to China.

During the trip to our partner institution at Peking University, the leading university in China, participants study Chinese business on the ground. The seminars offered during the study trip are a combination of academic lectures and corporate studies, supplemented by cultural and social immersion.

In addition, all students taking the Vlerick MBA study business in the Chinese context to prepare for the inevitable business roles of the future wherein the Chinese economy will have increasing signifi cance.

All students prepare for multicultural business from the outset of the MBA programme and prior to travelling to China participants are immersed in Chinese history and its economy.

All normal costs associated with travel and the seminar (visas, food and accommodation) are included in the tuition fee.

Firms/organisations that have recently commissioned projects:

Agfa Gevaert, Arcelor Mittal, Belgacom, Bridgestone, Cisco, Continental, Deloitte, DHL, Eurocontrol, Euronext, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, HP, I-Propeller, Johnson & Johnson, KBC Bank, Mastercard Europe, Microsoft, Pepsico, Pfi zer, Philips Lighting, Securex,Shell, Siemens,SIG, Staples, Suez, Telenet, TopShop, 3M, UCB.

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For the past 3 years, Abbott Vascular has hired students

from Vlerick to help them develop projects all over the world

in the areas of marketing, fi nance and corporate strategy.

Last year, students explored the Central and Eastern European

markets for growth opportunities.

Two years ago, students travelled to Asia Pacifi c for 2 months

on a strategic fi nancial project. As a growing company, we

use the internships and projects to identify talent for our

recruitment pipeline. In Europe, Abbott Vascular works with

Insead, IMD and Vlerick and in the US, with Kellogg, Stanford,

and Harvard.

Sigrid Schelstraete - HR Manager, Abbott Vascular

During the in-company project, Uplace really liked the

practical approach of the students and the fact that they were

concerned about the business implications for the company.

The project report the students presented had a sound academic

foundation with useable recommendations. Because the company

is a small start-up students had easy access to everyone within the

company.

The project will have lasting implications for the company.

Lorin Parys - COO Uplace (Real Estate)

More testimonials: www.vlerick.com/mba/testimonials 2008 was the fi rst year that GE hired students

from Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School for an

in-company project. The company was impressed with

the quality of the students and is thrilled to have been

presented with recommendations that are ready for

implementation and that can be used for the company

to go forward.

We look forward to working together again.

Francis Van Parys - Marketing Director, EMEA - GE

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In-Company Project Sponsors

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I am an environmental scientist by education

and my areas of expertise are environmental

management with special focus on climate change

and CSR. Swiss by nationality, I grew up abroad,

went to the French school and ended up studying

and living in Zurich. So I love different cultures,

speak 6 languages and feel very much at home in

the international full-time MBA class at Vlerick.

I had the chance to bring in my entrepreneurial

experience as the founder of the NGO myclimate

and my working experience in CSR, in the food

retail industry.

I chose Vlerick for the internationality of its

full-time programme, for the diversity of the

fellow students, for the personalized atmosphere I

experienced from the fi rst time I entered the school

and certainly, for the excellent value for money of

the programme. Not least, the city of Leuven is a

great place to study!

The in-company consultancy project gave me

the chance to get a glance in an industry and

a functional area where I had no previous

experience. Working as a consultant on a

market entry strategy for a semiconductors

company required many of the skills I acquired

during the MBA: strategy, marketing, fi nance,

entrepreneurship, innovation. And naturally the

soft skills were of big importance in interacting

with the company, setting the objectives,

delivering the results and working and sweating in

a challenging environment together with project

team member.

Corinne Moser (Swiss) - Full-time MBA 2009Professional Background: Scientist

Giving Something Back Project

The School and the Community

To help retain a balanced perspective between the roles of business, the individual and the wider society and environment in which we live the Vlerick MBA includes a project wherein students carry out a piece of work aimed at assisting an NGO in developing some aspect of their activities.

Throughout the year of the Vlerick MBA, working in small teams, students will identify and prepare how they can assist an NGO. The parameters of the project have to be developed by the group and must have the support of the programme director (and possibly the NGO.) This will be implemented (where practical) towards the end of the study period in order that the benefi ts of the programme can be transferred to the recipient NGO.

This is a major opportunity to establish a balance of behaviour – between traditional profi t-centred activity (e.g. the in-company project) and sustainable social and environmental development for all the Vlerick MBA graduates.

Participants must present the rationale for their projects, a project report and defend the outcomes at the end of the project period.

Countries for the GB projects

India, Japan, Thailand, China, South Africa, Ghana, USA, Peru, Honduras, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Macedonia, Great Britain and Lebanon.

Some examples of organisations: • Balkan Youth and Children Foundation – an

organisation focused on developing a long term strategy to help youth in the Balkans.

• Swisscontact - Supporting SMEs in southern and eastern countries by providing them with advice and training. Also actively involved in creating a better economic environment in these states.

• Transparency International - a global civil society organisation leading the fi ght against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. Their mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.

• UNESCO - As a specialised agency of the UN system, UNESCO contributes to the building of peace, the alleviation of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

Examples of the scope of the projects:• Writing business plans• Setting up fundraising initiatives• Consultancy on strategic planning• Set up school health initiatives• Develop entrepreneurship training programmes

(incl. planning, facilities, etc.)• Streamline social development programmes

More testimonials: www.vlerick.com/mba/testimonials

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Basic Requirements before applying:

All applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an approved institution as well as a minimum of three years of relevant work experience at the start of the program.

Admission & Application Requirements

To apply, applicants should submit

• A GMAT score (if not taking the admission test).• A TOEFL or IELTS score (if applicable).• Two references (if not taking the admission test).• A completed application form.• An application fee of € 50 (non-refundable).For more information on our applications process please visit: www.vlerick.com/mba/application

GMAT Route

• Taking the GMAT and obtaining a good score – as a benchmark the average for the class of 2010 is 640.

• Also if appropriate a recognised test of English such as IELTS or TOEFL.

• If the majority of your undergraduate degree was taught in English you will not normally be required to hold a further English language qualifi cation.

• An oral interview.A decision is not made on GMAT score alone we also take into account interview performance and work & academic background.

The Vlerick Admissions Test Route

• The Vlerick Admission Tests are conducted throughout the year at Vlerick campuses in Belgium, Russia, China.

• Admissions Tests are also held throughout the year for individually selected candidates at a number of international test centres throughout the year.

• Participation in the Vlerick Admission Test is only available to university degree holders.

• An oral interview with Vlerick Admissions and Alumni.

• There is no requirement for a recognised test of English as this is evaluated as part of the Admissions Test.

A decision will then be made taking into account test results, interview performance and work & academic background.

How to apply

We use an online application system. Go toapply.vlerick.com/mba

• Our MBA starts in September each year. We operate a fi rst-come fi rst-served system until the allocation of places is exhausted. We also list recommended application deadlines by international location on our website. We advise all Applicants to apply by these deadlines to ensure.

• As the number of places is restricted we strongly advise you to apply as early as possible. We undertake to provide an admissions decision within one month of receiving your completed application.

• Applicants to the Vlerick Admission Test only need to complete the initial information and pay the application fee.

• GMAT based applicants must complete the entire application.

Programme Cost

The fee for the entire programme is € 28,500

Included in the fee: • Textbooks distributed during the programme• Residential seminars• Travel within Belgium on company and intercampus

visits• Travel and lodging for the China module

MBA Fairs and Information Sessions

The Vlerick MBA recruitment team regularly travel to provide information sessions either one-to-one or in small groups. Please contact us for details of the next information session near you.

The Vlerick MBA is also represented at many MBA fairs worldwide. Details of forthcoming fairs are on our website www.vlerick.com/mba/fairs or can be obtained by emailing us at mba@vlerick.com.

Application Routes

In addition to the above Vlerick offers two standard admissions procedures:

OR

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Vlerick Corporate Scholarships

Vlerick has negotiated with a series of corporate sponsors to provide general or region specifi c partial scholarship to students. These are normally 25% or 50% of the level of tuition fees.

For Central &Eastern European students:

Central &Latin American students:

UK & Ireland students:

EU students:

The Dirk Kuijper Endownment Fund

This fund, created with a generous donation from the late Dirk Kuijper, is used to promote internationalisation of the Vlerick MBA.

Scholarships & Funding

To be considered for one of these Scholarships:• Candidates need to to complete a single essay

which is included in the Online Application. • Only one essay is required to be considered for all

Scholarships.• A decision on Scholarship is only made once a

candidate has been admitted to the programme.• The decision is made by the Admissions Comittee

and is usually made within four weeks of the Admission date.

How to apply

Funding

The Vlerick MBA Student Loan Fund Programme has been created to provide loan funding for international candidates admitted to the Vlerick MBA programme. Students can, subject to credit status, normally borrow up to 75% of the tuition fee less any Vlerick originated scholarships.

We also advise that study loans are available from many sources to help you to fund your MBA studies. It is advantageous to apply to your existing banking organisation as they have your credit history and can best assess your creditworthiness. You will also have access to guarantors in your existing location. Knowledge of your credit history and the availability of a guarantee should reduce the rate of interest you will be expected to pay on loan funding.

In Belgium, loan arrangements have been made with KBC Bank to provide funding for Vlerick MBA studies. In the UK, HSBC provide fi nancing for those taking the Vlerick MBA (under the AMBA accredited programmes loan scheme) for those who may return to the UK on graduation.

Many other MBA loan schemes are available; please do not hesitate to ask for further information.

More information on all schemes is available at www.vlerick.com/mba/funding

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Andrew Mason (Canadian) - Full-time MBA 2009Professional Background: Investment Banking

Prior to attending Vlerick I worked in

Investment Banking in Toronto, Canada.

Receiving an MBA was an important personal

career goal for me. I felt it was an opportunity

to build on my skills and better position

myself for the future.

I have always aspired for a senior leadership

role at a large company; nowadays, I think

an MBA is a prerequisite for admission.

Stakeholders want business professionals

running companies.

Gaining a European business perspective was

the main reason I came to Vlerick. It was an

opportunity to transition my career to Europe,

by building an international network and

leveraging a strong academic brand.

Vlerick is a very strong program, combining

intensive study and a great personal

experience with a diverse international

student base. The program attracts

accomplished and intelligent students from

around the globe, making a great impact on

the overall MBA experience. On a value for

money basis, Vlerick is tough to beat. An MBA

is a huge personal investment, in both money

and time, and it was important to me that I

was maximizing my return on investment.

Vlerick has an incredibly strong reputation

in Europe. For the past 56 years, the school

has been developing business leaders. A high

calibre international alumni base has spread

the school’s reputation far and wide. It’s a

strong academic brand in Benelux, Western

Europe and around the world.

More testimonials: www.vlerick.com/mba/testimonials

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Recruiters of our MBA graduates during the past years include:

Abbott, Accenture, Alcatel, American Express, Arcelor Mittal, Arthur D. Little, Bain & Company, BASF, BBH Holding, Beijafl ore Consulting, Bekaert, Black & Decker, Boehringer, Boston Consulting Group, BP, Bridgestone, Capco, Cap Gemini, Cisco, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Delaware Consulting, Delhaize Group, Deloitte, Detecon, DHL, Dirol-Cadbury, Dow Corning, Dredging International, Emantra, Ericsson, European Commission, Ernst & Young, Eli Lilly, Euroclear, Exxon Mobile, Fortis Bank, Fruit of the Loom, GE, General Motors, Glaverbel, GlaxoSmithKline, Heineken, Henkel, Hewlett-Packard, Honda, Honeywell, Hydro Alumnium North America, IBM, IKEA, InBev, Ingersoll Rand, Intellect International, Johnson & Johnson, Kelly Services, InBev, KBC Bank, KPMG, Kraft Foods, KPN, LerNetz AG, Levi Strauss, Lloyds Register, MasterCard, Materialise, McKinsey, Microsoft, Millennium Investment Banking, Nestlé, N-Side, NXP Semiconductors, Opel, Palmolive Company, Philip Morris, Philips, Pioneer, PWC, Proctor & Gamble, Quadriga Capital, Roche Corporate, Roland Berger, SAP, Samsonite, Sara Lee, Siemens, Shell, Sibelco-Ramensky GOK, SIBUR, Skanska, Sony, Tele Atlas, Total Fina, Toyota Technical Center, UCB Pharma, UPS, Unilever, URSA Eurasia, Volvo, Wimm-Bill-Dann.

Organisations recruit Vlerick MBA graduates based on their passion, commitment and ability to create economic and social value across all business disciplines, their knowledge of the essence of business and their leadership skills.

Career Development

Whether your goal is career enhancement or to move into a different career, the Vlerick Career Service team will be there to provide you with the opportunities, tools and counselling to better understand yourself, your career aspirations and that which you will excel at. This will facilitate your job search.

At Vlerick, Career Services is integrated into overall MBA programme, exposing you to workshops which focus on topics such as:• Self-assessment• CV and the writing of a cover letter• Career strategies• Competency based mock interviews• Time management• Salary negotiation• Personalized coaching• Networking

MBA Career Services

The Vlerick career services team, the alumni and the faculty are a networking resource to assist you in gathering the necessary information to develop your career focus.

Supporting your Career search

Our MBA programme exposes you to many opportunities to network, gather information and prepare yourself for the important goal of fi nding the best possible career opportunity.

The Career Services team aspires to create an environment in which recruiters and students are able to fi nd ideal career match.

In pursuit of this goal, the following marketing initiatives are organised to give you insight into career possibilities:• A class profi le and CV book• On-campus recruiting by way of career fairs• Business speakers• Networking opportunities

The Career Services team is your guide, as you embark on the road to self-discovery and the evaluation of your career opportunities and your progress towards fi nding the most fulfi lling career.

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Vlerick MBAs are afforded several opportunities during their MBA year to interact with Vlerick Alumni who have opted to act as mentors, sharing their business expertise across a wide range of business disciplines, sectors and functions.

The mentorship programme gives participants the opportunity to refi ne their career expectations and relate their newfound knowledge, insights and skills to the real world. It furthermore, provides valuable insights into living and working in Europe and networking with business professionals in a manner that improves their overall networking skills.

The Mentorship Programme

The Alumni Association, in collaboration with Career Services, is dedicated to creating events where participants are able to relate to Alumni in a mutually benefi cial manner that empowers them to develop the most benefi cial approaches to their career futures.

Our alumni

The Vlerick Leuven Gent Alumni Association is a vibrant, rapidly growing community of 14,000 alumni spread across 100 countries. The Alumni Association prides itself on the strong relationships it has built between Vlerick alumni that represent a wide spectrum of cultures.

Full-time MBA Class

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Paris

Brussels

Frankfurt

AmsterdamLondon

2 hours3 hours

LeuvenGent

Leuven: the city of culture, learning, chocolate, beer and cycling• Catholic University Leuven – founded in 1425.• World headquarters of ABInBev, the world’s biggest

brewery.• Population 90,000 – including 30,000 students.• Superb cultural, social, sports and entertainment

facilities.• MBA participants have ID cards enabling

preferential access to all facilities.

The new campus: a place to work, rest and play• Creatively reconstructed home of the Vlerick MBA.• Auditoria designed to encourage Vlerick MBA-style

participant interaction.• Purpose-built breakout rooms, library, IT facilities

and rest zones.• Access to campus at all times (24/7) to facilitate

your schedule.• Full supporting services from the University:

housing, medical, sports, social and cultural organisations.

Living in LeuvenThe wider Environment: living in Leuven, Belgium, Europe

RentElectricity, heating and waterFoodMiscellaneous (trips, laundry etc)

Total

€ 350€ 125€ 250€ 125

€ 850

Living Costs

Living costs depend on your choices. However, recent participant feedback indicates a budget of € 8,000 to € 12,000 is suffi cient for the duration of the programme.

Average monthly costs are as follows:

Quality of life index 2010

Brussels - BelgiumAmsterdam - the Netherlands

Bern - SwitzerlandMunich - Germany

Berlin - Germany

Hamburg - GermanyNürnburg - Germany

Stuttgart - Germany

London - United Kingdom

Helsinki - Finland

Barcelona - Spain

Madrid - Spain

Paris - France

Milan - Italy

Lyon - France

Lisbon - Portugal

Oslo - NorwayDublin - Ireland

Luxembourg - LuxembourgStockholm - Sweden

Copenhagen - Denmark

Frankfurt - GermanyDüsseldorf - GermanyGeneva - SwitzerlandZürich - SwitzerlandVienna - Austria

105,4105,7

106,5107,0

105,0

104,1103,9

103,3

101,6

102,6

100,6

100,2

102,9

100,8

101,9

100,3

103,9103,6

104,6104,5

106,2

107,0107,2107,9108,0108,6

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Source Mercer 2010 under Quality of Life Index.

36 37

Corporate Partnerships

Vlerick has a unique series of partnerships with businesses. In return for an annual payment (with the amount depending on the nature of the relationship), businesses are entitled to participate in our research,

have access to our alumni and graduate population, and demonstrate publicly that they support the work of Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School.

Chairs

Prime Foundation Partners

Foundation Partners

Campus Partners

The Belgacom Chair‘Building Organisations that Last’

The Goodman Chair‘Logistics Management’

The Swift Chair‘Market-Driven Innovation’

Bosal Chair‘Doing Business in Europe -Doing Business in South Africa’

Joint Chair ‘Doing Business in Europe - the Legal Context’

The Gimv Chair‘Private Equity’

The Deloitte Chair ‘Bringing ICT to board level’

The BNP Paribas Fortis Chair‘Internet Banking’

The Eandis Chair‘Resilient Supply Chains’

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Would you like to fi nd out more about the full-time MBA programme?

• Visit our website www.vlerick.com/ftmba.• You can also meet us at MBA fairs throughout the

world. (see www.vlerick.com/mba/fairs for details on

times and locations).• Visit our campus, talk to current students and

attend a lecture.

Please e-mail us at mba@vlerick.com to schedule your visit.

For any questions about our full-time MBA programme please contact:

Yolanda HabetsFull-time MBA Programme ManagerVlamingenstraat 83, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumT: + 32 16 24 88 86F: + 32 16 24 88 80E-mail: mba@vlerick.com

Contact us

Prof Dr Nigel RoomeProfessor of Corporate Responsibility and Director of

the Full Time MBA Programme 1st Sept 2010.

• Professor and Academic Director GLOBUS

competence centre for global corporate

responsibility TiasNimbus Business School.

• Daniel Janssen Chair of Corporate Social

Responsibility Solvay Business School.

• Chairs at Erasmus Uiversity, Tilburg University,

Schulich School of Business and various

academic positions in the UK.

Originally from Aberdeen Scotland, I worked

for Total in upstream Oil and Gas as a drilling

engineer. I held positions offshore in the North

Sea and also onshore in the offi ce, based both in

Scotland and in France. I chose to do an MBA for

the learning challenge and to broaden my personal

knowledge: to prepare myself for whatever

the future may bring in terms of life and work

opportunities.

The reason I chose Vlerick is because of the

school’s increasingly good reputation, the open

welcome and encouragement that I received when

visiting and especially the international class

profi le. I wanted to differentiate myself from

other British MBA graduates and I wanted to stay

abroad and international after my work experience

in France prior to my MBA. I chose the full time

course so that I could benefi t from the intensity

and focus on the experience.

Some of the courses help you to make sense of past

work experiences, such as e-supply management or

accounting and cost control. Many of the courses

are of direct practical relevance to working life

that you can put into practice immediately during

group assignments. You gain an appreciation for

the context of the what, why and how from the

cases and the course contents that prepares you

for the future. The class quickly forms its own

culture and character.

Group assignments and class discussions allow

you to get to know everyone in the class. The

international element augments this and adds to

the fl avour of social events. Getting to know each

classmate is a highlight of the year, you connect

with new friends and fi nd fresh and common

ground from which to learn. In Leuven, everything

you could need is close to the school. The proximity

of Leuven’s university, its huge student body and

the architecture of the city generates a fantastic

platform for an MBA environment.

Roy Allen (Scottish) - Full-time MBA 2009Professional Background: Oil & Gas Engineering

More testimonials: www.vlerick.com/mba/testimonials

© J

os V

erho

ogen

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Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School

Leuven CampusVlamingenstraat 833000 Leuven, Belgium

Gent CampusReep 19000 Gent, Belgium

St. Petersburg CampusBirzhevaya Liniya 16St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia

www.vlerick.com/ftmba