Executive Master's in International Association Management

What is the Executive Master's in International Association Management (EMIAM)?

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EMIAM is a premium executive education programme created for present and future leaders in international Association Management. Developed by ESAE and powered by Solvay Brussels School, it combines academic credibility with practical Association leadership expertise. Over 6 modules and 12 face-to-face days, you build the skills, frameworks and network to lead an Association in a complex, evolving environment and you leave with a complete business plan tailored to your own organisation.

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What makes EMIAM different from other executive programmes?

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EMIAM is the only executive programme tailored specifically for international Association Management. Other business school and university programmes address the broader NGO or not-for-profit sector, but EMIAM's cases, speakers and frameworks are built around the organisations our community works for: medical societies, trade associations, professional bodies and federations. Every module pairs academic theory with practitioners from the sector, so the concepts are immediately applicable to your daily work from day one. It is not a corporate MBA loosely adapted for Associations; it was designed for associations from the ground up.

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Who is the programme for?

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EMIAM is designed for current and aspiring Association leaders, professionals from trade associations, professional societies, federations and membership organisations. You do not need to already hold a senior leadership title to benefit; the programme is built to be valuable whether you are stepping up, broadening your organisational perspective, or preparing for a future leadership role. ESAE deliberately seeks a diverse cohort, so participants learn from a range of Association structures and contexts.

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Does EMIAM award a formal university Master's degree?

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No, EMIAM does not award a formal academic university Master's degree. On successful completion you receive an Executive Master Certificate in International Association Management, issued by Solvay Brussels School. For many participants this executive certificate from a leading European business school carries strong professional weight, but if a formal accredited degree is essential for your career development, it's important to be aware of this distinction before applying.

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What does the programme cover?

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The programme follows the logic of real-world business planning, with each module building on the last:

• Leadership & Change (22–23 January 2027)

Who am I as a leader? Self-awareness, leadership style, and leading change with and without formal authority.

• Membership & Markets (26–27 February 2027)

Who do I serve? Understanding members and non-members, retention, and identifying growth.

• Strategy & Business Models (18–20 March 2027)

What do I offer and why? Value creation, business-model design, and strategic positioning.

• Finance & Performance (23–24 April 2027)

What does it cost and what does it return? Translating strategy into budgets, KPIs and financial planning.

• Governance (1–2 June 2027)

How is it governed? Boards, committees, stakeholders, accountability and risk.

• Project Management & Delivery (2–3 June 2027)

How do I deliver? Projects, programmes and portfolios aligned to a multi-year plan.

 

Is there a final thesis or research paper?

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No. EMIAM centres on a progressive, facilitated business plan: you build it step-by-step, module by module, guided by a cohort tutor, so the final result is immediately applicable to your own organisation rather than a one-off academic essay.

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How is the programme delivered?

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EMIAM uses a blended model of on-site and online learning, structured around 12 face-to-face contact days delivered in blocks of roughly 1.5 to 3 consecutive days. On-site days are where the cohort comes together to network and work through cases; these are complemented by pre- and post-module online activities so everyone arrives prepared and can apply the learning afterward.

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Can I follow the programme while working full-time?

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Yes. EMIAM is designed to be fully combinable with full-time work, and it does not require a career break. Modules are kept to two or three days, and two-day modules are typically arranged across one working day and one weekend day (for example a Friday and Saturday) to balance professional and personal time.

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How much study time should I expect between sessions?

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Plan to carve out a few hours for preparation between modules. Pre-readings are not compulsory, but they make a real difference, especially for the more technical modules like finance, so you arrive with a shared baseline. This is a full Executive programme rather than a passive webinar, so some self-directed time is part of the experience.

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What does "residential" / on-site mean? Can I attend online instead?

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The large majority of sessions take place at the business school campus in Brussels. In previous cohorts, participants regularly travelled to Brussels from outside Belgium to attend. There is no online aspect to the programme.

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Is attendance at every module compulsory?

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Yes, participants are expected to attend all modules and complete the coursework in order to receive the certificate. The certificate is based on attendance and completion of the required programme elements. If a module is skipped, participants are expected to follow it the next year.

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What language is the programme delivered in?

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The programme is delivered entirely in English. A sufficient level of English is required to participate fully in the sessions, discussions and coursework.

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Do I need to already be in a senior leadership position?

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No. While the programme develops senior leadership capability, it is valuable for current and aspiring leaders alike, and the content is immediately applicable even before you reach a senior role.

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Is the content specific to Belgian Associations?

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No. EMIAM focuses on broad, international association management. There may be occasional references to specific legal points, for example board-member liability under Belgian law, since many international Associations are headquartered in Brussels, but the programme is not designed around the Belgian legal framework.

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How many people are in a cohort?

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The ideal cohort size is 15–25 participants, small enough for meaningful interaction, networking and a balanced exchange across sectors. If demand exceeds capacity, additional applicants are considered for the next edition.

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When does the cohort run?

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The programme kicks off in January 2027 and runs through June 2027.

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How much does the programme cost?

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Tuition depends on when you register and whether your organisation is an ESAE member (all figures excl. VAT):

 

Early bird (until 15 September) | ESAE member | €6,500

Standard (after 15 September) | ESAE member | €7,000

Standard (after 15 September) | non-ESAE member | €8,500

 

Registering early as an ESAE member secures the lowest fee, at €6,500.

 

Are there discounts for sending more than one person from my organisation?

 

Yes. An additional discount is available for the second successful applicant from the same organisation. To request it, please get in touch with us at info@esae.eu.

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Can I pay in instalments?

 

For more information on the available payment plans, please email info@esae.eu and the team will be glad to walk you through the options.

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What does the fee include and what isn't covered?

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The fee covers tuition across the six modules, the blended learning materials and the facilitated business-plan journey. It does NOT cover travel or accommodation costs for the in-person modules in Brussels; these are the participant's responsibility.

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What is the cancellation or refund policy?

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Once your application is approved, a deposit of 10% of the tuition fee is paid to ESAE to secure your seat. From that point, the following terms apply:

• More than 3 months before kick-off: if you cancel, your tuition is reimbursed in full, including the deposit.

• Between 3 months and 30 days before kick-off: the 10% deposit is non-refundable, but the remainder of the fee is reimbursed. Alternatively, your deposit can be carried over to the following year's edition.

• Less than 30 days before kick-off, or after kick-off: the deposit and the full tuition fee are due, and no reimbursement is available.

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All cancellation requests must be made in writing to info@esae.eu.

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When do applications open?

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Applications open on June 30, 2026, and run through to15 December 2026.

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