Private company

Vlerick Business School

Logo: Vlerick Business School, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons4

Belgian business school

Vlerick Business School ("Vlerick") is a Belgian business school with campuses in Ghent, Leuven, and Brussels. It is a result of a merger of MBA programmes of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and of the Instituut Professor Vlerick voor Management of Ghent University, in 1999 (which, however, have both started offering MBA programmes again since). It is a higher education institute recognized and subsidized by decree.2 It was founded by André Vlerick.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1953Founded1
  • HeadquartersGhent, Belgium1
  • Websitewww.vlerick.com
  • Legal formpublic utility foundation1
  • Kind of organizationFoundation1
  • LEI549300LUXVAFYF1CMK423
  • StatusActive3
  • LEI statusIssued and current3
  • Registered addressReep 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium3
  • Registered withFederal Public Service Economy (Ministry of Economy), 04242440493
Gent - De Vlerickschool - België
Photo: Spotter2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons6

Vlerick Business School ("Vlerick") is a Belgian business school with campuses in Ghent, Leuven, and Brussels. It is a result of a merger of MBA programmes of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and of the Instituut Professor Vlerick voor Management of Ghent University, in 1999 (which, however, have both started offering MBA programmes again since). It is a higher education institute recognized and subsidized by decree.2

The story

Founded by André Vlerick in 1953.1

In 1953, professor, politician, and entrepreneur André Vlerick founded the Centre for Productivity Studies and Research at State University of Ghent, which in 1983 became an autonomous school called the Instituut Professor Vlerick voor Management. In 1968, the Catholic University of Leuven created an international MBA programme, later organised by the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

In 1999, the universities merged their MBA programmes, creating a new institution named Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School and established in Leuven and Ghent. In parallel, the UGent and KU Leuven continue to offer graduate courses in management and business administration, including MBA programmes, in their faculties of Management and Business administration. In 2006, Vlerick opened its campus in Saint Petersburg, and in 2013 its Brussels campus, in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.

In 2012, Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School changed its name and becomes the Vlerick Business School. Vlerick presents itself as being the oldest business school in Europe though in 2018, it is legally speaking the most recent one founded in Belgium.

From Wikipedia’s article on Vlerick Business School, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5

Leadership

Who has led Vlerick Business School, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Subsidiaries and ownership

Former owners and parents

From Wikidata.1

Former names

  • Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School1998 to 20121

Timeline

  1. 2012Renamed Name changed to Vlerick Business School1
  2. 1998Renamed Name changed to Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School1
  3. 1983Renamed Name changed to Instituut Professor Vlerick voor Management1
  4. 1953Acquired Acquired by Ghent University1
  5. 1953Founded Founded1