Which suits you better?

The short MBA or mini MBA is a term that comes up more and more often in education land. But what is it? For whom is it suitable? And how does the abridged programme compare to a ‘regular’ Master Business Administration?

Within Netherlands Business Academy, Susan Pelkmans is responsible for new courses, including, since 2019, the short MBA programme. We asked her all about MBA, short MBA and the interpretation of both programmes. Interested in the interpretation of both programmes?

What exactly is an MBA?

‘Although the origin of the MBA is in the US, today it is one of the most internationally known
master’s titles. What sets it apart from other master’s programmes is its highly practice-oriented
nature. In the programme, this often translates into assessment through papers, case studies and
presentations. All this with the aim of translating to the professional field. Although there is a large
offer in the market, not all MBA programmes are accredited. NVAO accreditation is very important
because it guarantees the quality of the programme and there is an absolute added value if you
can receive an accredited degree.’

Why pursue an MBA part-time?

‘An MBA is a valuable addition for (future) managers. A manager has to process information
quickly, analyse complex matters and make strategic decisions. The higher someone functions in
an organisation, the more complex the environment and the more important it is to possess
sufficient skills to get to the bottom of problems. So a general manager actually needs to have a
helicopter view and at least a basic knowledge of all business processes in order to be able to switch quickly.

At Netherlands Business Academy, we focus on professionals who want to study part-time to get more out of their career. This part-time programme lasts 2.5 years in which you work on your final assignment: the thesis. During these 2.5 years, you should take into account a study load of about 10 hours per week (including lecture days). Precisely because our participants are professionals, the programme is packed with practical examples so that our lecturers, who are also specialists in the field, can explain the theory directly using these examples. A great learning process also often ensues between participants because they gain insights into what is going on in other
organisations.’

Can you talk more about what makes an MBA a practice-oriented master’s?

‘Because you complete each module with a paper in which you apply the theory to your own field of work, the MBA is a very practice-oriented programme where you can start applying your development immediately. This is one of the reasons why employers are often positive about
taking a practice-oriented master’s programme. We therefore often see our students being supported both in terms of time and training budget by their employers. The added value for the company is visible right from the first module because the employer sees that the papers the students write are directly applicable in the organisation. But of course, there are also self-employed people or students who want to invest in their own development. Then it can be quite a step to take an MBA, both in terms of time commitment but also financially. Fortunately, there is the ‘Lifelong Learning Credit’ which enables almost everyone to keep developing and studying.’

So what is an abridged MBA route

‘The abridged MBA pathway is also called a short MBA or mini MBA, with us it is called a short MBA because mini doesn’t really do justice to the programme. This programme is ideal for the professional who does not want to – or cannot – take a full Master’s programme and wants to develop himself efficiently and effectively in a short time. Short MBA is the way to broaden and brush up on knowledge in a targeted way, as you see all the highlights of the regular MBA in just a few days. There are some clear examples when this is interesting, this could be because you already have a master's degree in a specific field and need more general business knowledge (for a management position, for example). However, it can also be interesting when you doubt whether the investment of following a full Master’s degree is the right choice. Will I manage to combine work-life balance with an education? However, there are also participants who indicate they are very doubtful about which training institute can best meet their needs and get to know us as a training institute in this way. In short; there can be many different reasons for not wanting to embark on a 2.5-year full master’s, but wanting to develop yourself.’

Can you talk more about short MBA vs regular MBA?

‘The short MBA programme is exactly what the name suggests: the regular accredited MBA programme in short. Perhaps very bland, but it covers the load. Every module from the regular MBA programme is covered in the short MBA programme; but in one day. The lecturers of the MBA programme have reduced the 3- or 4-day modules to one day in which the most important insights, theories and practical examples are covered. This is exactly where our short MBA differs from other programmes; we see them often focusing on a number of subjects from the regular MBA and covering them in full. We consciously choose to introduce the participant to all subjects’ should you still want to go deeper afterwards, the full MBA or a separate master class on that subject is ready for you.’

So moving on is possible?

‘Absolutely! If you have followed the short MBA programme, you can easily move on to the full MBA because you have a taste for it. Of course, this gives you exemption for certain parts and you have already seen a lot of theory, so you will get even more out of it. Also, in your mini-papers during the short programme, you have already laid a foundation which you can build on, reducing the study load of the regular MBA. However, we have also seen students choose to follow the full module of one or two specific courses, simply because they are more interested in it or it is an important part of their current position. Incidentally, it is also possible that, on the basis of your previous education, you do not qualify for a master’s but are still eligible for the short MBA programme. We always look at this on a case-by-case basis so this is a piece of tailor-made work!’

If you want to know more about short MBA or the regular MBA, download the brochure or contact info@nlba.nl.

Download the brochure