Executive MBA in Sustainable Business

  • Accelerate your Career as a Sustainability Leader
  • Mix Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business to deliver value and impact
  • Pace your learning

Your Executive Education comes in 3D!

We have constructed BSL’s Executive Education with one central aim: empowering you as responsible actors of change. We have therefore designed the program three-dimensionally.

Dimension 1 – Specialization: an innovative approach for a decisive step

The specialization in Sustainable Business accelerates your transition to become a positive impact leader among your executive peers. BSL’s innovative approach creates a unique learning environment to explore real-world issues and nurture immediately applicable solutions.

Dimension 2 – Focus: fine-tuning a unique mix of competences

Students of the EMBA in Sustainable Business can choose a focus to enhance their capacity as change-makers: Data Science or Business Transformation and Entrepreneurship. They all acquire and develop core competencies in Marketing, Leadership, Strategy, and Finance. The program results in a holistic learning experience that will transform you into a self-aware, knowledgeable and sustainability-conscious business practitioner.

Dimension 3 – Organization: a learning pace that will suit you

The program is modular, meaning that you progress one step at a time. You can choose between full-time or part-time, thus deciding on the intensity of your learning. The module calendar is available early enough to allow you to make sure the modules will fit into your schedule. All modules are available in Dual-Mode if a last-minute event prevents you from coming to BSL.

Sustainable Business

With digitalization, sustainability is the business mega-trend with the most considerable influence on today’s world. BSL committed to the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact as early as 2006. BSL became a member of PRME (Principles of Responsible Management Education) in November 2010.

Philippe Du Pasquier, President of BSL, explains the reasons for BSL’s early commitment to Sustainability in these words:

We chose these two affiliations, amongst others, because BSL has always been aware of the important role education can and should play in developing future responsible leaders, helping businesses become more sustainable, and engaging in the public social debate.

We often hear that sustainability will create numerous business opportunities. BSL pays special attention to how entrepreneurs can capitalize on these opportunities here and now and imagine new business models. The entrepreneurs’ paths pave the way for innovative initiatives in the corporate world and civil society.

We know we have limited time for concrete results when moving towards sustainable business models. BSL builds on its partnerships to leverage the conversation between sustainability experts, business actors, and citizens. MBA Students are invited to actively participate in this conversation, where they can either receive support for their projects or participate in initiatives at local, national, or global levels.

Learning Ecosystem

At BSL, a genuine Learning Ecosystem empowers Classroom learning. The EMBA students benefit from various features that will enable them to transfer the knowledge and skills they acquire into their personal and professional development. BSL Career Center provides a structured and holistic pathway toward career advancement, transition, or switch. The program is made of counselling sessions, self-development, and self-branding. It is plugged into the EMBA program through classroom modules, individual meetings, online webinars, and social events. Learn more about Career Support & Employability.

BSL is the partner of the Incub&Co incubator to provide a space entirely dedicated to entrepreneurial initiatives. Distinguished and inspirational Guest Speakers regularly visit EMBA classroom modules and open direct access to a wealth of real-world experiences and innovations.

Flexible Format

Duration: 1 or 2 years

  • 1 year for the full-time model
  • 2 years for the part-time model

Course work: 16 courses

  • 5 Core modules
  • 5 Focus modules (Data Analysis)
  • 5 Specialisation modules (Sustainable Business)

Workload:

  • Each module includes 3 days (27 hrs) of class time and 35-50 hrs of independent study
  • The E/MBA Executive Project includes 300hrs of study time spread over your program, in parallel with your seminars (1 year full-time or 2 years part-time)
  • Weekly time:
    – Full-time model: approximately 30 hours/week
    – Part-time model:
    approximately 15 hours/week

Program Credits: 60 ECTS

(3 ECTS credits per course, 15 ECTS credits for the Executive Project)

Curious about the impact our E/MBA will have on your career?

Connect with our Head of Student Enrollment and Admissions and learn how an E/MBA at BSL can bring you to the next steps in your career!

Contact Us

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Learning Style

Personalization of learning starts with the creation of your Study Plan. We want to ensure that you access the courses you need at times that suit you optimally.

We do everything to benefit our EMBA students from what some call “the best consulting machine.” They mean that every module is taught by seasoned and currently active business practitioners and experts with proven success in the field.

Expertise does not only lie with the Faculty. Our admission criteria make for a student body with practical experience and a varied professional and international background (60+ nationalities). Even if courses are taught in small groups (up to 25 students), we estimate that every EMBA student can work in close cooperation with up to 80 fellow learners during a regular course of studies.

You will thus be part of a vibrant learning community, where the semi-formality of the classroom discussions enhances your capacity to inspire and communicate your goals and ambitions. This routine that only personalized education can offer nurtures initiatives with limitless impact.

Your learning journey culminates with the project you are to present at the end of your studies. It enables you to integrate your learning throughout the program and apply it to a meaningful experience. You will work on a project of strategic importance and receive support from a teaching faculty member. The experience is challenging – you will need to be agile and “build the plane as you fly.” However, you will gain confidence in your capacity to work in the sustainability field and establish meaningful connections with various stakeholders.

Learning Output

The EMBA journey is an invitation to explore new dimensions of your current business activities:

  • You will undertake a personal transformation journey that will enable you to know yourself better, explore your purpose, and nurture your capacity to lead yourself and others towards a better world. The EMBA journey will immerse you in a multi-faceted learning space that fosters your personal growth through soft skills courses, mentoring, and reflective practices.
  • You will be exposed to unconventional thinking beyond business-as-usual and explore an outside-in perspective that redefines business strategies as being driven by sustainability challenges. You will discover innovative concepts and tools for tackling global issues related to business’s economic, environmental, and social impact.
  • You will accelerate your professional growth and have the chance to make a positive contribution to an actual organization within the program.

The EMBA learning experience serves your personal and professional development. It helps your progress to help your career. Hence, the learning output of the program provides you with varied possibilities, such as:

  • Accelerating your current career
  • Assisting your transition to a new corporate career
  • Supporting your entrepreneurial project
  • Developing your consulting skills

Backgrounds & Testimonials

Read about our Current Executive Education Students and Alumni Experiences at BSL.

Current Students
<strong>Pablo Celi</strong> <strong><em>(Current Student)</em></strong><br><em>2020 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (<em>Fall Intake </em>)</em><br>
Pablo Celi (Current Student)
2020 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake )

“The small number of students per class and the positive environment is highly energizing. I can say that the colleagues I found here are already friends and we have already shared some awesome experiences.”

<strong>Yannick Bouyidou</strong> <strong><em>(Current Student)</em></strong><br><em>2020 Part-Time MBA in Business Transformation & Entrepreneurship (Fall Intake)</em><br>
Yannick Bouyidou (Current Student)
2020 Part-Time MBA in Business Transformation & Entrepreneurship (Fall Intake)

“The size of the school allows you to create strong and personal relationships with your professors and classmates which maximizes the learning experience exponentially.”

<strong>Sezen Abithodzheva <em>(Current Student)</em></strong><br><em>2020 Part-Time MBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)</em><br>
Sezen Abithodzheva (Current Student)
2020 Part-Time MBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)

“I chose BSL because I wanted to embark on a personal transformation journey, to explore my personal purpose and to nurture my capacity to lead myself and others towards a better world.”

<strong>Vanesa Rocha Lopes <em>(Current Student)</em></strong><br><em>2020 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)</em>
Vanesa Rocha Lopes (Current Student)
2020 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)

“I’m a fashion designer with several years of practice in product development and retailing. Due to the challenges faced in the industry, I decided to pursue an Executive Education to enhance my knowledge in areas such as leadership, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and sustainability. In that sense, my goal is to become a holistic professional with a solid understanding of the industry, from creative to managerial view.  As I am committed to achieving excellence as an entrepreneur and leader, I believe the E/MBA BSL is the next logical step to move forward with my career, in order to combine my professional expertise with a high qualified learning experience.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to build a strong foundation, networking and broader my perspectives. I have chosen Business School Lausanne for its recognition and the innovative bias in Sustainable Business, since I’m eager not only to improve business but also to cultivate and promote conscious decisions, making a small but meaningful impact.”

Alumni
<strong>Ramona Valentina Runcan</strong> <strong><em>(Alumna)</em></strong><br><em>2019 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable (Spring Intake)</em><br>
Ramona Valentina Runcan (Alumna)
2019 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable (Spring Intake)

“What I experienced during the program has been much more than initially expected. It was not only an educational experience but excellent leadership training, personal growth and great professional development experience as well. BSL created an environment where professors, as business professionals, and specially selected fellow students with different backgrounds, contributed to my development of not only business knowledge per se but also of social and ethical awareness. I think the entire program adds tremendous value to my long-term career aspirations as a leader who wants to have a more positive impact.”

<strong>Anna Chilton</strong> <strong><em>(Alumna)</em></strong><br><em>2019 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable (Spring Intake)</em><br>
Anna Chilton (Alumna)
2019 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable (Spring Intake)

“The classes at BSL are organized to allow mutual learning and sharing. Just in the first weeks, I can see myself challenged in ways that I’ve needed for my interpersonal and professional development.”

<strong>Nicole Watson <strong><em>(Alumna)</em></strong><br></strong><em>2020 <em>Part-Time <em><em>EMBA</em></em></em></em> <em>in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)</em><br>
Nicole Watson (Alumna)
2020 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)

“I chose BSL primarily for its’ Sustainable Business MBA program, as I am looking to move into for-profit business models that hold true to my values in environmental conservation and greater global balance.”

<strong>Beat Fahrni <em>(Alumnus)</em></strong><br><em>2018 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)</em><br>
Beat Fahrni (Alumnus)
2018 Part-Time EMBA in Sustainable Business (Fall Intake)

“My background is over 30 years of Telecom and Software development. As a Dipl. Ing. HTL I graduated in 1994 and extended my education in 2002 as a part-time graduate in “Nachrichtentechnik und Software in Telekommunikation” at Eduswiss. As the Director of a company and with considerable experience in the telecom market, I felt it was time to extend my education, to help me and my career to meet today’s challenges in finance, investment, risk-sharing, and technical parts in my day-to-day work. BSL Lausanne is a small and future-oriented school which offers the niche education I was looking for.”

Orientation in Executive Education

Three questions will define your route for your Executive Education.

Question 1: MBA or EMBA?

The MBA route is designed for those who are starting a managerial career. The EMBA route is designed for those with significant managerial experience. The MBA and EMBA modules differ when the learning curve differs between starters and experienced students. The MBA and EMBA modules are shared when the conversation between starters and experienced students can be fruitful.

Question 2: Specialization and Focus

All Specializations share a Core curriculum designed to ensure that all students acquire all necessary business knowledge and skills. Each Specialization is combined with a Focus defined by BSL for provide the most useful mix of competencies. The program is designed so that Specialization, Focus and Core modules can be followed separately.

EMBA COMPLETE PROGRAM (60 ECTS)

5
Specialization modules

(15 ECTS)

5
Focus modules
(15 ECTS)

5
Core modules
(15 ECTS)

1
Project
(15 ECTS)

Question 3: Full-time (one year) or part-time (two years)?

We recommend full-time to professionals seeking a career transition or those who want to take a break from work and focus entirely on a year of dynamic learning immersion. We recommend part-time to working professionals in or outside of Switzerland who would like to keep their employment and study part-time, which means attending classes every few weeks.