This is a year many of us will want to forget. But it is shaping up to be a strong 12 months for providers of executive MBA courses. For those in management roles who are fortunate enough to have kept their jobs, there is a strong incentive to invest in improving their technical and leadership skills as well as growing a network of contacts, all while working, which is what an EMBA offers.

In general, EMBA course leaders are not reporting the high double-digit increases in applications seen on many full-time MBAs this year. However, there is relief at many business schools that EMBA demand has held up despite travel restrictions and classes often being taught online rather than face-to-face, something these part-time students particularly value.

Applications for the incoming EMBA class at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business were up about 7 per cent this year. Marjorie DeGraca, assistant dean and executive director of admissions, had been concerned that many of the 70-strong class would pull out at the last minute because campus teaching and study trips remain on hold, probably until next year.