FAQ

Here you can find some frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, please contact us!

A) About Executive MBA programmes
B) About the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme
C) Application and Admissions
D) Programme cost and Sponsorship
 

A) About Executive MBA programmes
1. What is an Executive MBA programme?
An Executive MBA is a type of MBA (Master of Business Administration) that is specially designed and adapted for managers with the appropriate academic and professional experience in either the private or public sector.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) originated in America over a hundred years ago and has now reached worldwide recognition. In the 1990s the Executive MBA programmes begun to establish outside the North America. Accredited business schools worldwide now run more than 300 Executive MBA programmes.
 

2. Who is suitable for Executive MBA programme?
Many managers feel trapped by day-to-day operations and cannot foresee that they can allocate time for an Executive MBA. Their long-term development does not get prioritised. These managers are encouraged to think again; they need to give priority to their long-term development instead of just resolving urgent matters.

If you are an experienced manager with an ambition to advance your career by reflecting and learning from a general perspective of business and need practical tools that can be applied in real situations, provided that you also have the commitment and time, then an Executive MBA programme is right for you.

3) Are Executive MBA programmes suitable for employees in the public sector?
Though the original purpose of MBA programme was to develop managers in the private sector, MBA programme is also relevant for managers in the public sector. And what we see is that the group dynamics becomes much better if there are participants from both the private and public sectors. Actually, the task being a manager in a public-sector organisation may be more complex than the corresponding task in the private sector. There is a substantial cross-learning between participants from companies and public organisations.

4. What are the main differences between MBA and Executive MBA programmes?
Executive MBA programmes cover the curriculum of MBA programmes. However, Executive MBA programmes give a totally different experience than the standard university courses.

In general, Executive MBA programmes differ from MBA programmes in the following ways:

• Unlike full-time programmes, Executive MBA programme participants continue to work while they study and are generally older and more experienced.
• Unlike most distance learning programmes, the direct personal interaction in the classroom and in study groups is considered critical to the learning experience.
• Unlike full-time MBA programmes, Executive MBA programme participants start the programme in the middle of their career. This allows them to share valuable experiences from different positions from a large variety of professional backgrounds.
• Executive MBA programmes usually offer additional support for participants, including staff support, meals, and other amenities, so participants with busy schedules can focus on learning.

B) About the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme
5. What are the unique features of the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme?
The Gothenburg Executive MBA programme is both common and unique. It is common since its contents adhere to international standards and cover those topics that are required for a full-fledged Executive MBA programme. Our programme is unique when it comes to our attention to details and the tight integration of the entire program. The School itself has always had an international outlook and we state that the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme is a general management programme with an international focus. We have more than 30 years of experience of delivering Executive MBA programmes and the programme undergoes continuous improvement. To further strengthen the quality of the program, we have an international Academic Steering Committee with seasoned professors from Stanford, Tel Aviv and Harvard. On top of that, we work closely with our strategic international partner universities across the globe.

6. How is the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme designed?
The Gothenburg Executive MBA programme is designed to access the latest management knowledge to build the skills needed to address your current business challenge as well as to exploit new business opportunities.

Over 21 months in four terms, we will offer you the possibility to develop a profound understanding of management and leadership, of how the various functions of an organisation interwork and how they can be effectively managed. We will also explore the financial, legal and social ramifications of business management in a globalising world and how modern leadership can make a real difference in reinventing businesses. Twice during the programme will we travel to Asia to obtain up-to-date perspective on undertaking business as well as experiencing the Chinese and Indian cultures.

The Gothenburg Executive MBA programme is delivered on a part-time basis, with classroom sessions every third week (Thursday to Saturday)

7. Where will we study?
The School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg is located at Vasagatan 1, in the very centre of Gothenburg. Classroom sessions take place both at the main campus on Vasagatan and in our brand new campus for Executive Education. Our organisation, School of Executive Education, has recently moved to the Biotech Center close to Sahlgrenska Hospital. The visiting address is Arvid Wallgrens backe 20, 15-minutes walk from the main campus at Vasagatan.

The Gothenburg Executive MBA classes take place in such a perfect venue for Executive Education, in the modern and bright premises with a dynamic and creative learning environment that is closely linked to the business community.

8. What learning support is available?
Participants of the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme have access to web-based learning platform, Economic Library and Financial Laboratory to complement their learning.

Lunches and coffee breaks will be arranged in every class day.

9. What workload should I expect?
Over 21 months, participants have three intensive class days from Thursday to Saturday in approximately eleven modules per year. There are both individual home assignments and group-based projects. Approximately 500 contact hours and 800 hours of individual work or group projects are estimated.

C) Application and Admissions
10. What are the admissions requirements for the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme?
All applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree equivalent to 180 ECTS (120 p) with at least 90 ECTS (60 p) in a single subject. Out of these, a minimum of 15 ECTS (10 p) must be a thesis project, conducted individually or in a project team.

Admission to the programme is based primarily on your professional development after obtaining your undergraduate degree. The more successful that you have been in your career and professional development, the higher priority you will get in the admission process. This is why we stress the importance of including a detailed description of merits as well as your past and current areas of responsibility in your application.

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required. In recent years, however, successful applicants have had more than five years of professional experience.

11. Is Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration a pre-requisite for the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme?
No, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration is not required for the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme. The programme covers the basics of Business Administration in the undergraduate programmes. Participants with an education background in business administration also benefit greatly from the Executive MBA programme.

D) Programme cost and Sponsorship
12. What more should I budget for the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme apart from the programme fee?
The programme fee is 390 000 SEK (excluding VAT) which includes lectures, supervision and all mandatory study literature. It also includes refreshments and lunches.

Costs for travel and accommodation, if applicable, for the campus sessions, the three-day, off-campus leadership workshop and the two separate one-week residencies in China and India are not included in the programme fee. The cost for the leadership workshop is approximately 6000 SEK and the cost for of the one-week residencies in China or India is approximately 17 000 SEK, respectively.

13. Are there any scholarships or other reductions of the fee?
We do not have scholarships. However, our School runs a partner programme, which has some 40 member companies. Senior Partners from these companies get a 10% reduction on the programme fee. To check if your employer is a partner of our School, please go to: www.handels.gu.se/partner

14. Why should employers provide sponsorship to employees to embark on the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme?
Recent research conducted in the Silicon Valley shows that the only way to keep highly-talented people is to make sure that they are employable. As soon as the talents feel that they lose “employability” by staying, they tend to leave. Therefore smart employers make sure that talented employees get developed. We have had a few cases with companies that have sent Executive MBA participants to our programme as a means to retain them in the company. In general, our programme is oriented towards developing the participants so that they add more value to their current organisations.

Also, a recent study titled “On the Value of Executive Management Education” confirms how post Executive MBA planning can make a significant difference. Sponsoring organisations that devote time to post Executive MBA follow-up and planning exhibit a significantly higher likelihood of retaining Executive MBA graduates: 80% are still with the organisations five years after graduation with good follow-up, wheras only 35% are still with the organisations five years after graduation with poor follow-up. Reflecting the substantial investment made by sponsors, the School is committed to supporting them with templates, advice and coaching on how to establish a career planning for future Executive MBA graduates. Such a planning process should be initiated when the programme application is submitted.