Universidad del Pacífico Executive MBA Programme Guide 2026

Why Choose the Universidad del Pacífico Executive MBA

The Universidad del Pacífico has established itself as Peru’s most prestigious institution for business and economics education since its founding in 1962. Its Pacífico Business School Executive MBA programme represents the pinnacle of executive education in the Andean region, combining rigorous academic standards with practical business acumen tailored to the Latin American market.

What distinguishes the Pacífico Executive MBA from other programmes in the region is its unique positioning at the intersection of academic excellence and real-world corporate impact. The programme is designed to transform the leadership capabilities of experienced professionals, offering a personalised, challenging, and innovative learning experience that drives both personal growth and organisational value creation. As Programme Director Ben Schneider puts it, the focus is on “empowering competencies for high-impact management.”

Located in Lima, Peru’s capital and economic centre, the programme provides students with direct access to one of South America’s fastest-growing economies. Peru’s strategic position as a gateway between Pacific and Atlantic markets makes the Pacífico Executive MBA particularly valuable for professionals looking to lead organisations operating across Latin America. Students considering other highly ranked programmes in the Americas may find our guide to Stellenbosch Business School MBA a useful comparison from another emerging market perspective.

AACSB and AMBA Accreditations at Pacífico Business School

Pacífico Business School holds dual international accreditation from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and AMBA (Association of MBAs). Universidad del Pacífico was the first Peruvian university to receive AACSB accreditation for both its undergraduate and graduate business programmes, a milestone that places it in a select group of fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide.

The AACSB accreditation evaluates the entire business school ecosystem — from faculty qualifications and research output to curriculum relevance and student outcomes. AMBA accreditation specifically endorses the MBA programme’s quality, curriculum design, and the career advancement achieved by graduates. Together, these accreditations provide Executive MBA students with assurance that their degree will be recognised by employers and institutions globally.

Beyond these two primary accreditations, Pacífico Business School maintains memberships in EFMD, CLADEA (the Latin American Council of Management Schools), BALAS (Business Association of Latin American Studies), and SEKN (Social Enterprise Knowledge Network). The school is also recognised by Eduniversal’s Best Masters ranking, further confirming its standing among Latin America’s top business education institutions.

Executive MBA Programme Structure and Schedule

The Pacífico Executive MBA is structured as a 24-month programme delivered in a face-to-face (presencial) format. The schedule is specifically designed to accommodate senior professionals who cannot step away from their careers:

• Thursdays and Fridays: 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
• Saturdays: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

This intensive weekend-plus-evening format ensures that students can maintain their professional responsibilities while pursuing their MBA. The next cohort is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with applications currently open. The in-person delivery model facilitates the kind of deep peer interaction and networking that is essential to the executive MBA experience — something that online formats cannot fully replicate.

The programme follows a structured progression from foundational business concepts to advanced strategic leadership modules, with each phase building on the previous one. The cohort model means that students progress through the programme together, building strong professional bonds that extend well beyond graduation.

Curriculum and Leadership Development Focus

The Pacífico Executive MBA curriculum is built around a core philosophy of transformational leadership. Under the direction of Ben Schneider, the programme emphasises developing competencies for high-impact management that creates value not only within organisations but also for society at large.

The curriculum integrates traditional MBA pillars — finance, marketing, operations, strategy, and organisational behaviour — with contemporary topics relevant to the Latin American business environment. Students engage with real-world case studies drawn from the region’s most dynamic industries, including mining, banking, consumer goods, telecommunications, and retail.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its emphasis on personalised learning. Given the senior profile of participants, the curriculum adapts to leverage the professional experience each student brings to the classroom. Group projects and case analyses are designed to create cross-industry learning, with students from banking collaborating with those from mining, technology, and consumer goods. This cross-pollination of perspectives is one of the programme’s most valued attributes, consistently highlighted in alumni feedback.

Tuition Investment and Financial Planning

The total investment for the Pacífico Executive MBA programme is S/. 98,500 (Peruvian Soles), approximately USD 26,000 at current exchange rates. This pricing positions the programme as one of the most competitively priced dual-accredited (AACSB + AMBA) Executive MBA programmes in Latin America.

When compared to Executive MBA programmes at leading institutions in the United States (typically USD 100,000-200,000) or Europe (EUR 60,000-120,000), the Pacífico Executive MBA offers exceptional value. The programme’s dual accreditation ensures that this affordability does not come at the expense of quality — graduates earn a degree that carries international recognition equivalent to programmes costing four to five times as much. For students comparing costs across different regions, our guide to Sciences Po Paris tuition and scholarships provides useful financial context.

Student Profile and Corporate Network

The strength of any Executive MBA programme lies in the calibre of its participants, and the Pacífico programme attracts professionals from Peru’s most important corporations and institutions. The diverse corporate representation creates a networking environment that is arguably unmatched in the Peruvian market.

Current and recent cohorts include professionals from:

• Banking and Finance: BCP, BBVA, Interbank, Scotiabank, Banco Falabella, Prima AFP, Pacífico Seguros, Rimac Seguros
• Consumer Goods: Alicorp, Nestlé, Gloria, Mondelez Perú, Belcorp, Machu Picchu Foods
• Energy and Mining: Repsol, Pluspetrol, Cia. Minera Lincuna, Luz del Sur, Solgas, Primax
• Telecommunications and Technology: Claro, Entel, Telefónica Móviles, Lenovo, Neo Consulting
• Retail and Services: Real Plaza, Ripley, Cencosud, Lima Airport Partners, Saint-Gobain
• Professional Services and Media: PwC, El Comercio, Deposeguro, Clínica Internacional

This corporate diversity ensures that classroom discussions are enriched by perspectives from multiple industries, and the alumni network provides graduates with connections across virtually every sector of the Peruvian and Latin American economy. Students at Pacífico routinely report that the professional relationships built during the programme are among the most valuable outcomes of their MBA experience.

Faculty and Academic Leadership

The Executive MBA programme is directed by Ben Schneider, a recognised authority on leadership and strategic management in Latin America. Professor Schneider’s vision for the programme centres on the principle that “change invites change” — the idea that developing personal leadership competencies creates cascading positive effects throughout organisations and society.

Pacífico Business School’s faculty combines full-time academics with strong research credentials and visiting professors from partner institutions worldwide. The school’s affiliation with international networks including EFMD and CLADEA facilitates faculty exchanges and ensures that students are exposed to global best practices alongside regional expertise.

Faculty members maintain active connections with Peru’s business community through consulting, board memberships, and research partnerships. This dual engagement with academia and industry ensures that course content remains current, relevant, and immediately applicable to the challenges facing executive participants in their daily professional lives. For professionals evaluating faculty quality at other top business schools, our guide to the Bologna Business School Master in HR offers another perspective on world-class business education.

International Partnerships and Global Exposure

Pacífico Business School maintains a robust network of international relationships that enrich the Executive MBA experience. Through memberships in EFMD, CLADEA, BALAS, and SEKN, the school participates in a global community of business education institutions committed to excellence and innovation.

These partnerships provide Executive MBA students with opportunities for international modules, exchange experiences, and exposure to business practices in other markets. The school’s recognition by Eduniversal’s Best Masters ranking further validates its position within the global business education landscape.

The international dimension is increasingly important for executives operating in Peru’s open economy, where trade agreements with the United States, European Union, China, and Pacific Rim nations have created a business environment that demands global literacy. The Executive MBA programme prepares its graduates to navigate these international complexities with confidence, combining deep local market knowledge with a broader understanding of global business dynamics.

Campus Location and How to Apply

Pacífico Business School is located at Jr. Sanchez Cerro 2121, Jesús María, Lima, Peru. The campus sits in one of Lima’s most central and accessible districts, well-served by public transportation and major roadways. The modern facilities provide an environment conducive to executive learning, with dedicated classrooms, breakout spaces, and technology infrastructure designed for the needs of advanced business education.

Prospective students can begin the application process by contacting the admissions team directly:

• Angelina Mendizabal: a.mendizabal@up.edu.pe | Phone: 922 863 770
• Luz Cecilia Ruiz del Castillo: ruizdelcastillo_lc@up.edu.pe | Phone: 960 095 781
• General enquiries: maestrias_informes@up.edu.pe | Phone: +51 2190101

With the April 2026 intake approaching, interested professionals are encouraged to reach out early to discuss their candidacy and secure a place in the upcoming cohort. The admissions team provides personalised guidance throughout the application process, helping candidates understand how the Executive MBA aligns with their career aspirations and professional development goals. For those exploring a wider range of options, our overview of EUI Global Executive Master programme covers another prestigious executive education pathway.