When choosing a Master’s programme, most students weigh up one institution at a time. But what if you didn’t have to choose? What if you could study in three different institutions during one degree programme?
If you’re considering studying business in Belgium, then the two-year triple degree at ICHEC Brussels Management School should be on your radar. ICHEC has partnered with UCLouvain (UCL) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), two of the largest French-speaking universities in the country, to offer a Master’s in Business Management that leads to a jointly awarded triple diploma.
But what is a triple degree, and why is the programme at ICHEC a strong choice for aspiring business students?
Three diplomas, one degree
This rare master’s program, called the Triple Degree program, allows students to obtain a single diploma jointly awarded by three universities: ICHEC Brussels Management School, UCLouvain, and Université libre de Bruxelles. In an increasingly competitive job market, that matters. Employers – whether in Brussels, Paris, London, or further afield – will recognise the names ICHEC, UCLouvain, and ULB, and you’ll also benefit from three times the alumni networks.
For starters, ICHEC was the first French-speaking Belgian management school to receive AACSB accreditation, and has been recognised by the Eduniversal Ranking as an institution with a strong innovative spirit. The student population totals over 2,800, representing 60 nationalities.
UCLouvain, meanwhile, has received five Palmes Emeritus in the Eduniversal ranking, with ULB achieving four, indicating a top business school with international influence. Both partner universities contribute to dissertation supervision, meaning your final thesis benefits from academic expertise drawn from across the collaboration.
The result is a Master’s that offers a solid grounding in general management combined with highly specialised knowledge through a wide range of optional pathways, from Financial Markets and Entrepreneurship to Sustainable Business Models and Digital Transformation.
Experiencing three international business schools
One of the less obvious, but perhaps most valuable, benefits of a triple degree is the exposure to different ways of learning. Every business school has its own academic culture: different teaching styles, classroom dynamics, and campus experiences.
But not only does moving between schools during a triple degree allow you to experience different ways of learning, but it also challenges you to adapt quickly – a skill that is highly valued by business school recruiters.
On the Master’s in Business Management triple degree, students spend time across all three university campuses. You are required to gain 15 credits at both ULB and UCLouvain (at either their Louvain-la-Neuve or Mons campus), the equivalent of a full semester’s work.
ICHEC is known for its practical approach to management studies – the school’s faculty comprises academics and industry professionals, blending first-class research with real-world business skills. As a result, classroom learning frequently covers soft skills, including being a responsible leader and developing a critical mindset.
On the triple degree, you’ll also have the chance to specialise in one of numerous business areas, ranging from finance and international business to marketing or sustainability.
UCLouvain and ULB, meanwhile, add further internationally-oriented perspectives to your degree. Studying across all three means you’ll view the world of management through three lenses, developing the flexibility and diversity of thinking that employers increasingly want in their new hires.
Multiplying your network with a triple degree from ICHEC
Your professional network isn’t just made up of your peers in the classroom. At business school, your network includes everyone from professors to alumni and extends to wider partnerships with companies and other institutions.
With a triple degree, you can tap into three times the network of one on-campus programme. When you graduate from the triple degree at ICHEC, you’ll gain access to the alumni communities of three Belgian institutions, each with its own unique reach across sectors, companies, and countries.
Graduates at ICHEC don’t just work in Belgium – among the 17,000-strong alumni network, 15% live and work abroad. This kind of broad network building is particularly important in the business world, where your career can be built on whom you know or are introduced to during your degree.
Why study a triple degree in Belgium?
Belgium often flies under the radar as an international student destination. In 2023, there were approximately 21,300 international students on Master’s programmes in the country, compared to over 140,000 in neighbouring France.
However, discounting Belgium as a destination for business studies would be a mistake. The capital, Brussels, is the de facto capital of the European Union, home to the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO headquarters, and thousands of other international organisations. For students interested in international business, policy, finance, or consulting, there’s nowhere better to be than this dynamic, accessible city.
ICHEC has two campuses in Brussels: the main administrative centre in Montgomery and a hub for second-year students in Anjou. The proximity to European institutions means you can easily take advantage of internships and full-time work opportunities. Plus, Brussels’ multilingual, multicultural environment (French, Dutch, English, and dozens of other languages are spoken daily) prepares you for the reality of working in international teams.
Belgian tuition fees also remain significantly lower than those in the UK, the Netherlands, or many other Western European countries. The Master’s in Business Management triple degree from ICHEC includes tuition fees of €1,194 per academic year for Belgian and EU students, with discounts for students from low-income backgrounds.
Consequently, the combination of world-class education, a European capital city, and three recognised diplomas offers exceptionally strong value.
Is ICHEC’s triple degree right for you?
A triple degree isn’t for everyone – you may prefer to remain on the same campus throughout your degree, strengthening bonds with your peers. But for students who want to graduate with more than a single institution’s stamp of approval, the ICHEC-UCLouvain-ULB programme is a compelling option.
You’ll leave with three prestigious diplomas, both broad business knowledge and in-depth specialisation in a chosen field, a cross-institutional network, and two years spent in one of Europe’s most strategically located cities. In a world where differentiation matters more than ever, few Master’s programmes offer quite this combination.
Find out more about the ICHEC-UCLouvain-ULB triple degree programme here.
Student review
Studying at ICHEC Brussels Management School has been a truly enriching experience. The professors are approachable and bring real-world expertise into the classroom, making every lesson practical and engaging. What impressed me most is the school’s international outlook,working with students from diverse backgrounds has broadened my perspective and prepared me for global business challenges.
One of my proudest achievements here was leading a group project that was later presented to industry professionals, an experience that gave me both confidence and valuable connections. ICHEC is not just about academics.it’s about growth, networking, and becoming ready for the professional world.
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