If you are a working professional looking to take your career to the next level — without pressing pause on it — the VU Amsterdam School of Business and Economics (SBE) for Professionals might be exactly what you have been searching for.
Located at the iconic Zuidas, Amsterdam’s most prestigious business district and home to major law firms, banks, and multinational corporations, VU SBE offers a powerful lineup of part-time MBA, Executive MBA, postgraduate, and even part-time PhD programmes designed entirely around your professional life. You can keep working full-time while earning a world-class degree from one of Europe’s top business schools.
Whether you are a mid-career manager, a senior executive, an entrepreneur, or a professional looking to shift industries, this article walks you through everything you need to know about studying at VU SBE for Professionals in 2026.
🎓 Programme Overview
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is the economics and business administration faculty of VU Amsterdam. Its mission is rooted in independence, collaboration, and social responsibility — a belief that good business education should serve not just individual careers but also society and the wider world.
In 2022, VU School of Business and Economics became the first faculty in the European Union to receive dual AACSB Business and Accounting accreditation — a distinction that places it among the very top business schools globally.
VU SBE for Professionals is situated right in the middle of Amsterdam’s Zuidas business centre — one of the best locations in the world for executive education. This means your classroom is just steps away from the offices of global companies, giving you unparalleled access to industry networks, guest speakers, and real-world business insights.
The programmes on offer are built for ambitious professionals who want to grow without stepping away from their careers. All key programmes are delivered on a part-time or executive basis, with flexible scheduling that fits around a demanding work life.
Host Institution: Te Herenga Waka — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) Faculty: School of Business and Economics (SBE) Location: Zuidas, Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱 Accreditations: AACSB (Business & Accounting), EQUIS, NVAO Programme Types: MBA, Executive MBA, Postgraduate Certificates & Masters, Part-time PhD Target Audience: Working Professionals, Managers, Executives, Entrepreneurs
🎓 Benefits & Value
Enrolling in a programme at VU SBE for Professionals comes with significant advantages beyond just a degree:
- Triple-Accredited Institution — AACSB, EQUIS, and NVAO accreditations ensure your qualification is recognized at the highest international levels
- Prime Amsterdam Location — Being at the Zuidas means direct access to a dense ecosystem of global corporations, law firms, and financial institutions
- Part-Time Flexibility — All programmes are designed for professionals, with sessions structured to fit around full-time work commitments
- Globally Recognized Qualifications — MBA degrees are NVAO-accredited, granting an officially recognized MSc degree under Dutch law
- World-Class Faculty — Learn from leading academics who are also active researchers and practitioners in their fields
- Strong Alumni Network — Graduating from VU SBE connects you to a powerful community of business leaders across Europe and beyond
- Applied & Purpose-Driven Education — Every programme is built around real-world challenges, not just theory
🎓 Available Programmes for Professionals
VU SBE for Professionals offers a broad and carefully designed portfolio of programmes across several key areas. Here is an overview of the main options available:
1. 🎓 Part-Time MBA in International Business
With a unique approach, the MBA in International Business at VU Amsterdam helps professionals develop entrepreneurial thinking and holistic perspectives to become leaders who know how to generate impact. The programme is delivered with immersive sessions just three days a month, allowing you to stay embedded in your professional life while transforming it.
This programme suits early-to-mid career professionals with around 3 to 7 years of experience, career changers from non-business backgrounds, and entrepreneurs looking to scale their ventures. Tuition fee for this programme is €35,000.
2. 🎓 Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose
The Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose equips leaders to tackle complex challenges and create meaningful change, combining academic excellence with real-world impact through globally recognized faculty and a purpose-driven approach.
This programme is designed for senior professionals and leaders who want to refine their leadership identity, sharpen their strategic vision, and drive organizational transformation. Both MBA programmes are NVAO-accredited, granting an officially recognized MSc degree under Dutch law.
3. 🎓 Part-Time PhD in Business Studies (ABRI)
The Amsterdam Business Research Institute (ABRI) offers a part-time PhD programme for management practitioners. It supports executives and professionals in conducting PhD-level research, while matching their professional experience with excellent academic insights — offering intensive academic and mentoring support, access to VU Amsterdam facilities, and an extensive array of enrichment activities.
The PhD programme is a structured four-year training programme. The learning process is divided into sequential modules, with each programme year focused on developing scientific papers that become part of the PhD dissertation and can be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed journals — allowing working professionals to pursue their doctorate alongside a near full-time professional commitment.
4. 🎓 Postgraduate & Executive Programmes
The postgraduate courses at VU SBE for Professionals focus on: Accounting & Control, Finance, Management & Leadership, Audit & Compliance, Business Analytics & IT, and there are specific courses for Public Professionals. There are both NVAO-accredited executive masters and professional programmes with certificates.
5. 🎓 Short Courses & Executive Education
VU SBE for Professionals also runs short executive education courses, seminars, and academies — including a Servant Leadership Academy — for professionals who want targeted skills development without committing to a full degree programme. A 10% discount is available for alumni of SBE master and executive education programmes, as well as for anyone who registers before July 3rd, 2026.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary by specific programme, but the general criteria for VU SBE professional programmes are:
For MBA Programmes (International Business & Executive MBA)
- A recognized bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (any discipline — no prior business degree required for the MBA in International Business)
- Relevant professional work experience — generally 3 to 7 years for the MBA in International Business, and senior professional experience for the Executive MBA
- Proficiency in English (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Motivation letter and CV as part of the application
For the Part-Time PhD (ABRI)
- A relevant master’s degree or equivalent academic background
- Significant professional or managerial experience in business
- A compelling research topic aligned with ABRI’s research areas
- Strong academic references
For Postgraduate / Executive Master Programmes (Accounting, Finance, etc.)
- A university bachelor’s degree in economics, business, or a related discipline is required, equivalent to at least a Dutch academic bachelor’s degree from a research university
- For some programmes, HBO (higher vocational) graduates may enter via a pre-master’s pathway
- Professional certifications (CFA, ACCA, etc.) cannot substitute for an academic degree but may complement one
English Language Requirements International applicants whose prior education was not in English generally need to submit one of the following:
- IELTS (Academic) — typically 6.5 or above
- TOEFL iBT — typically 90 or above
- Cambridge English or PTE Academic (check individual programme requirements)
🎓 Who Should Apply
VU SBE for Professionals is the right choice if you are:
- A working professional who wants to earn an internationally recognized degree without quitting your job
- A manager or executive looking to upgrade leadership skills and strategic thinking
- An entrepreneur or innovator wanting to sharpen your business acumen
- A career changer from law, medicine, engineering, or any other non-business field who wants to pivot into business leadership
- A senior business professional who wants to pursue a doctorate while continuing to work
- Someone who values studying in a multicultural, internationally connected environment in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities
🎓 Who Should NOT Apply
This opportunity may not be a fit if:
- You are looking for a full-time, classroom-intensive programme (most VU SBE professional programmes are part-time or executive format)
- You do not have any professional work experience — these programmes are built for people already in careers
- You are looking for a fully funded scholarship — most professional and executive programmes involve tuition fees that participants are expected to cover, often supported by their employers
🎓 Tuition Fees
Fees vary significantly depending on the programme. Here is a general guide:
| Programme | Approximate Fee |
| MBA in International Business | €35,000 (total) |
| Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose | Contact admissions for current fee |
| Part-Time PhD (ABRI) | Contact programme office |
| Postgraduate Executive Masters | Varies per programme |
| Regular Master’s (international students) | €9,580 – €23,930 per year |
Many employers in the Netherlands and internationally sponsor professional development programmes. It is worth discussing employer funding with your HR department before applying.
Early bird and alumni discounts are available for some programmes. A 10% discount applies for SBE master and executive programme alumni, as well as for early registrations before July 3rd, 2026.
🎓 Required Documents
While exact requirements vary by programme, you will generally need:
- Completed online application form (via VU Amsterdam admissions portal or Studielink for regular masters)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates from all previous institutions
- Up-to-date CV highlighting professional experience
- Personal motivation letter explaining your goals and reasons for applying
- Two academic or professional reference letters
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS / TOEFL / equivalent)
- Copy of valid passport or ID
PhD applicants will also need to submit a research proposal.
🎓 Application Process
Step 1 — Choose Your Programme Browse the full range of VU SBE for Professionals programmes at vu.nl and identify which programme best matches your career goals, experience level, and academic background.
Step 2 — Check Eligibility Review the specific admission requirements for your chosen programme carefully. For regular academic master’s programmes, use Studielink (the Dutch national student registration system). For MBA and executive programmes, apply directly through the VU SBE admissions portal.
Step 3 — Prepare Your Documents Gather all required documents including transcripts, CV, motivation letter, references, and English language scores.
Step 4 — Submit Your Application Submit your complete application before the relevant deadline. The admissions team will review your file and respond within a few weeks.
Step 5 — Admission Interview (if required) Some programmes — particularly MBAs and the part-time PhD — include an interview stage as part of the selection process.
Step 6 — Receive Your Admission Decision Successful applicants receive an offer letter and proceed with enrolment, fee payment, and visa arrangements if coming from outside the Netherlands.
🎓 Important Dates
Application timelines and intake dates vary by programme. Key reference points for 2026:
- Early Bird Discount Deadline (some programmes): 3 July 2026
- Regular Master’s Applications via Studielink: Generally close by 1 June for September intake
- Part-time PhD (ABRI): Contact the programme coordinator for the current cohort intake
- MBA Programmes: Rolling admissions — contact the MBA Admissions Team for current session dates
⚠️ Check each individual programme page on vu.nl for precise deadlines as these vary.
🎓 Why Study at VU Amsterdam SBE for Professionals?
1. Europe’s Most Business-Connected Campus The Zuidas location is not just symbolic. Being physically embedded in Amsterdam’s financial and legal district means networking opportunities are built into daily life at VU SBE.
2. Triple Accreditation — A Global Gold Standard VU Amsterdam’s School of Business & Economics holds AACSB, EQUIS, and NVAO accreditation — placing it among the most rigorously verified business schools in the world. An MBA from VU is legally recognized as an MSc under Dutch law, which carries significant weight for career advancement in Europe.
3. Designed Around Working Life Every professional programme at VU SBE is built with the working professional in mind. You do not need to choose between your career and your education.
4. Research That Matters VU SBE’s philosophy is “Science with Purpose” — producing knowledge that addresses economic and social challenges facing the world today and in the future. As a student, you benefit from cutting-edge, research-driven teaching that goes well beyond standard textbook content.
5. The Netherlands — A Hub for Global Business The Netherlands is home to dozens of Fortune 500 headquarters, one of Europe’s busiest international airports, and a highly internationalized business environment. A degree from VU Amsterdam opens doors across Europe and globally.
6. Diverse, International Cohorts VU Amsterdam enrolls international students from 87 countries, with 17% of its student body being international — creating a genuinely diverse learning environment.
Looking for more education and career opportunities? Explore all listings at Gradualin Scholarships or browse Jobs & Internships for opportunities in Europe and beyond. You can also check our guides:
- Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the UK 2026
- Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA 2026
- Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia 2026
🎓 Official Source
For the full list of programmes, current tuition fees, application portals, and upcoming intake dates, visit the official VU SBE for Professionals page:
🌐 https://vu.nl/en/education/school-of-business-and-economics-for-professionals
📧 MBA enquiries: Contact the MBA Admissions Team via the programme pages on vu.nl 📧 Part-time PhD (ABRI): Contact Programme Coordinator Niki Konijn via vu.nl
🎓 Programme Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
| Institution | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) |
| Faculty | School of Business & Economics (SBE) |
| Location | Zuidas, Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱 |
| Accreditations | AACSB, EQUIS, NVAO |
| Programme Types | MBA, Executive MBA, Part-time PhD, Postgraduate Masters |
| Study Mode | Part-time / Executive (alongside full-time work) |
| MBA Tuition | From €35,000 |
| Target Audience | Working Professionals & Executives |
| Open to | Dutch & International Applicants |
| Official Website | vu.nl/en/education/school-of-business-and-economics-for-professionals |
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