1What qualities does an MBA candidate have?

Career goals
It is important to align your career goals with the knowledge and skills you will develop during the MBA program in order to make the most of your investment.


Motivation and temperament
MBA students possess energy, drive and ambition that separate them from the rest. They take charge and are eager to share their leadership skills in study groups and team projects.

2How can I take advantage of networking?

By joining a team of highly motivated talents, you will further develop your future or present business. Besides expanding your contacts during the modules, you will also network with top executives in a relaxed and stress-free environment, during numerous extra curriculum events and activities organized by COTRUGLI.


COTRUGLI Alumni Association consists of six Alumni Clubs, each one representing a country in the SE Europe where COTRUGLI operates. Each club has its own President and Ambassadors from different generations. They are chosen by their colleagues to help members of the Alumni community stay connected.


COTRUGLI Business School has developed a special network for its Alumni and students – The Alumni Portal – which enables the members to exchange information and contacts at any time. In order to facilitate networking, Alumni Association organizes many different events and gatherings for the Alumni community.


Formal events include forums, master class, presentations and round-table discussions. The most famous event of this kind is COTRUGLI Days, traditionally held every year at a different location in the region and which brings together the whole Alumni community, students, partners and friends of the school. Informal events include dinners, traditional monthly gatherings and other events organized for students after each module, such as sports activities and various informal gatherings.

3What does it mean to be AMBA accredited?

COTRUGLI has joined the group of world’s best business schools accredited by AMBA, independent association providing independent proof of quality and excellence for MBA programs. COTRUGLI has been awarded the AMBA accreditation and became the only business school in Croatia to receive such accreditation for MBA programs.


AMBA accreditation represents the highest standard in postgraduate business education and is earned only by the best programs. The largest benefit of the accredited MBA programs is international recognition. As your MBA diploma is recognized around the world, you can apply for a managerial or executive position in any country and even pursue your Doctor’s degree in any of the reputable business schools.


“Accreditation gives business schools international credibility and status. The number of MBA qualifications available worldwide is now in thousands, but only a small percentage of these would achieve accreditation if they were submitted to our rigorous international criteria. Accreditation by the Association of MBAs identifies programmes as the best there is.Employers looking to acquire the best managers and future business leaders know that graduates of our accredited programmes have received the highest quality and most relevant management education. To recruit a graduate from one of our accredited programmes is to recruit top talent.”


Association of MBA’s
For almost 50 years, AMBA’s aim has been to raise the profile of business education and MBA qualification, and most importantly, to protect the MBA participants. AMBA currently accredits programs at over 200 business schools in more than 70 different countries. Some of these include business schools with highest world rankings such as: IMD (Switzerland), IESE (Spain), London Business School (United Kingdom) and SDA Bocconi (Italy). In order to receive the AMBA accreditation, programs must satisfy the highest standards and reflect changing trends and innovation in postgraduate management education. The biggest accent is on the program’s quality. However, other criteria must be satisfied, as well.
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4What is an Executive MBA?
The Executive MBA is a specific type of accredited MBA program. It is designed for working managers and professionals, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, but 11 on average, often including prior management responsibility. The class schedule is formatted to allow students to continue working while they pursue their studies — in fact, the expectation is that they will remain employed in a position that allows them to apply what they are learning while they complete the program. Students also bring their current and prior experience into the classroom to enrich the learning experience of their fellow students. Direct personal interaction in the classroom and in study groups is considered critical to the learning experience.
5Who are Executive MBA participants?
EMBA candidates are successful managers, leaders, and forward-looking entrepreneurs with significant professional experience, fluent in English who share an ambition to make a difference. Average age of the participants is 35. Economic background is not mandatory; our participants come from different professional backgrounds; from engineers and doctors to consultants and bankers
6What qualities does a candidate have?
Work Experience MBA program greatly depends on the experience of students enrolled in the program and thus, the employment history plays an important factor in the admission process. Whatever your previous employment was, a record of significant achievement is a good indicator of your ability to succeed in the MBA program. Current Employment MBA students who hold a position that allows them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom will benefit most during the program. This is likely to be a management position. Career Goals It is important to allign your career goals with the knowledge and skills you will develop during the MBA programs in order to make the most of your investment. Motivation and Temperament MBA students possess energy, drive and ambition that separate them from the rest. They take-charge and are eager to share their leadership skills in study groups and team projects.
7What is the duration of Executive MBA program?
This part-time program takes 20 months to complete (18 months of modules and the rest for finalizing the business plan). On average, the modules take place once a month, generally from Thursday to Sunday. Program starts every year in February.
8How to apply?

MBA admissions staff makes a concerted effort to advise prospective students and help them “self-select” before they apply for the program. Given that the programs will require a significant commitment of time and money, not only from you but also from your employer, it makes sense for program staff to help you assess whether or not you are prepared for the program and if you can expect to benefit from it at this point in your career.


In evaluating candidates, admissions committees consider many factors, most of which have already been mentioned: work experience, current employment, prior education, ability to benefit and ability to contribute. If you are an exceptional candidate with university degree, fluent in English, and share an ambition to make a difference, schedule a one-to-one meeting with a COTRUGLI representative. There is no single formula for a successful candidate. You will be the core actor of the MBA program and the value delivered will greatly depend on your virtues.


Therefore, we prefer the individual approach to learn your strengths, achievements and scan your potential. If you feel you have all the information needed and wish to apply directly, please fill in the application form. You can also schedule a one-to-one meeting with a COTRUGLI representative and learn more about our programs.
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9How can I fit this program into my busy schedule?
COTRUGLI Executive MBA program is designed to make it possible to allow students to remain productive and perform at a high level on the job. Therefore, we have created a schedule to take an average 2 days a months off work. Modules are organized typically from Friday to Sunday once a month. There are some modules that are more intense and take up more preparation time and days off work, but all participants receive a schedule more then one year ahead so they can plan they activities. Projects and other assignments may be assigned to study groups where the group can divide responsibilities and delegate tasks to individual members. Nevertheless, Executive MBA program will demand a significant amount of time and effort from each student. Many report that the experience forces them to become highly efficient in managing their time, and that this is indeed an important skill they develop during the program.
10How are the modules organized?
The modules take place from 9 am – 7 pm, and are divided into several sessions. After each interactive lecture held by a faculty member participants work on projects in small teams where they compare the presented best-practice with the practice they apply at work. Questions and discussions are raised, exchanging ideas and challenging the perspectives begins!
11How are the exams organized?
Performance in majority of courses is assessed by individual exams. Exams may take the form of either in-class exams, essay exams, projects and case studies. Before, after, and during the module, together with your fellow teammates you solve real-life cases to meet your exam requirements.

Anything else you would like to know?