11 Best Business Schools in Ireland – Abraod Study Guide
Master’s & MBA degrees from a Business School offer exciting opportunities for anyone seeking to improve their skill set, specialize, or diversify.
In that case, considering Business schools in Ireland will definitely add a feather to your cap. They offer specialized programs that are tailor-made to your academic and financial needs.
Best Business Schools in Ireland for international students bring multifold options like business, finance, management, human resource, technology, marketing, and more.
This article will provide an in-depth look at,
Best 11 Business Schools in Ireland
Here is the list of the best business schools for international students in Ireland:
- Trinity Business School
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
- Cork University Business School, UCC
- DCU Business School, Dublin City University
- Maynooth University School of Business
- Kemmy Business School, the University of Limerick
- J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, University of Galway
- Graduate Business School, TUD
- Dublin Business School
- Graduate Business School, Griffith College
- School of Business, National College of Ireland
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Best Business Schools in Ireland: Overview
1. Trinity Business School
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, MBA, EMBA |
| Fee structure | UG €20,450 – €21,080
PG €16,300 – €24,600 MBA €36,600 |
An ultra-model educational experience from the heart of Ireland’s thriving capital city. This is what Trinity Business School awaits to give you.
This is a part of Trinity College Dublin that houses international students from 44 different countries across the globe.
Being the #1 Business School in Ireland, it also holds the pride of Triple Crown Accreditation, making it stand among the top 1% of business schools globally.
Students can earn degrees in undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, MBA, and executive MBA programs at this school.
What is a Triple Crown Accreditation?
This indicates that three major international accreditation bodies accredit the Management school – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBAs), and the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
2. UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
| Programs offered | Postgraduate, Research, MBA, EMBA |
| Fee structure | PG €21,520 – €26,140
MBA €36,760 |
Built on the extraordinary leadership gift from Dr Michael WJ Smurfit (a leading Irish businessman), the hallmark of the success of Michael Smurfit Business School lies in its dedication to excellence since 1908.
Besides being among the top 1% globally ranked business schools with triple crown accreditation, Smurfit school is proud to be the only Irish member of the leading business school alliances CEMS and the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM).
Is a non-business background keeping you from achieving your business master’s degree?
Not to worry. This school hosts over 20+ one-year specialist MSc/MBA programs, many of which do not require a previous study of business.
People also read: Top MBA Colleges in Ireland
3. Cork University Business School (CUBS)
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, Executive Development |
| Fee structure | UG €3,138
PG €10,630 Research €15,130 |
Cork University Business School is one of the best business schools in Ireland that is notable for its strengths in experimental learning and effective practice-oriented research. Besides this, they also act as KPMG’s academic partner in Ireland.
CUBS was established as part of Cork University in the late 2014s. This School has recently received both accreditations from AMBA and AACSB, making it among the 2% of the top business schools worldwide. By earning these recognitions, a business school ensures that its students have access to practice-inspired programs of the highest business education standards.
4. DCU Business School
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Executive Education |
| Fee structure | UG €12,600
PG €15,500 – €17,500 |
As one of the top business schools in Ireland, DCU Business school is famed for its method of operating, “Invest in You and Learn Innovatively”.
In the same way, businesses require constant innovation, and so does the workforce.
DCU prepares strategic individuals who can enter tomorrow’s workforce equipped with the latest and most relevant knowledge and skills.
No wonder their programs are ranked in the QS rankings and in the Financial Times as the top 90 European business schools.
DCU Business School believes that its longstanding connection to industry has been the hallmark of our approach to education since its foundation in 1980.
They pride themselves in having alumni connections from some of Ireland’s top industry giants like KPMG, Google, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and more.
Through INTRA (paid work placements) at the undergraduate level, practicums with real clients at the postgraduate level, and consultancy projects in MBA class, students are offered real-life applied learning that makes their choice of DCU business school stand out from the rest.
5. Maynooth University School of Business
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research |
| Fee structure | UG €7,500
PG €14,000 – €15,000 Research €14,000 – €15,000 |
With innovative and engaging management, accounting, and finance programs, Maynooth University School of Business stands out among its peers housing 15,000 students worldwide.
Having acquired two prestigious accreditations like AMBA and AACSB, Maynooth’s School of Business is on a mission to develop critical thinkers and create impactful knowledge for our community. This school operates on its five core values.
6. Kemmy Business School (KBS)
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, EMBA |
| Fee Structure | UG €12,800
PG €8,000 – €17,500 Research €11,700 EMBA €16,700 |
KBS is the next top business school in Ireland that has gained a Triple Crown Accreditation.
A unique feature of KBS is the Cooperative Education Programme, which allows students to learn in a real-time industry environment, learning by doing.
Besides, you would be open to courses with an 8-month work placement built into your degree.
Being part of the University of Limerick, KBS is dearly loved by its graduates, who describe the school as having more to offer than its course listings.
Three outstanding factors make Kemmy Business School student-friendly,
- Stands as #1 for career preparation. The employment rate has been higher than the national average for over 10 consecutive years
- Being a part of the Erasmus, students can travel across Europe to other partner universities for studies and exposure
- Their unique First seven weeks program is a find your feet initiative for first-year students to know the tips and tricks in studying
7. J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research, Executive degree |
| Fee Structure | UG €16,540 – €24,840
PG €14,166 – €17,790 |
University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School targets its staff and their skills as its most important resource and commitment to motivation.
They believe in their innovative teaching approach, solely focusing on professional mentoring, global experience, student placements, and group-based project work.
This school offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in various disciplines, such as Accountancy and Finance, Economics, Management, Marketing, and Business Information Systems.
Eduniversal’s European Business Schools Rankings list features two of their courses, MSc in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics, in 2022. Overall, this school has earned two palms under this system.
8. TUD’s Graduate Business School
| Programs offered | Postgraduate, Executive degree |
| Fee Structure | PG €13,500 |
Housing over 1000 students in the postgraduate educational community, TUD’s Graduate Business School ranks among the top 2% of Business Schools worldwide.
The program pattern ensures a balance between academic excellence and real-world relevance with an eye on building the crucial soft skills required for career success.
The faculties at TUD engage with members from leading Irish and international organizations to ensure that their 40+ courses reflect the latest trends and thinking in business.
All these are done consistently to create a community that provides a highly connected, supportive & transformational learning environment that shapes you into tomorrow’s leaders.
9. Dublin Business School (DBS)
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, MBA |
| Fee structure | UG €13,500 – €14,500
PG €10,050 MBA €13,500 |
Like the other listed, Dublin Business School (DBS) is not a part of any Irish university.
Rather it is the country’s largest independent private institution specializing in career-focused education.
To add, DBS has earned 4 stars in QS Top Universities ranking.
Established in 1975, this school offers programs in various subject areas such as business, law, finance, computing, media, arts, psychology, and social science.
DBS’s world-class teaching is reflected in its awards and recognition from Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the twelve-week onboarding program it offers that makes the students’ journey as comfortable as possible.
DBS values fall under these 5 main perspectives,
- Act with integrity
- Empower & support
- Create opportunity
- Grow knowledge
- Drive results together
10. School of Business, NCIRL
| Programs offered | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Fee structure | UG €10,000
PG €15,000 |
The National College of Ireland (NCIRL) prides itself as the only independent graduate institution in Ireland to earn 5 stars in the QS Top Universities ranking.
They offer degrees in various sectors like HRM, Marketing, Finance, Management, and Entrepreneurship.
One of the biggest advantages of studying at NCI School of Business is its IFSC campus (International Financial Services Centre).
Programs at NCI are designed to help students obtain leading-edge business knowledge and skills to enhance their career prospects while benefiting from the school’s IFSC neighbours, including all major multinational technology companies and banks.
11. Graduate Business School, Griffith College
| Programs offered | Postgraduate, MBA |
| Fee structure | PG €14,000
MBA €14,000 |
Next on the list of Ireland’s independent institutions is Griffith College, with locations in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick.
The Graduate Business School at Griffith offers 28 courses with different study modes. They offer degrees that are HETAC and QQI approved and ran at the highest academic levels.
This school offers MBA degrees across various specializations, of which International Business is the top pick among their students.
Among the other, most popular Master’s programs are Global brand management, International procurement, Accounting & Finance, and International Business & Law.
Read more: Guide to the Top 3 Business Schools in Dublin
10 Reasons to Choose a Business School in Ireland
- Affordable cost
- Top 1% to 2% of globally ranked schools
- Commitment to world-class teaching
- International recognition
- International Accreditation
- Wide range of courses
- Career-focused courses
- Tie-ups with global industry giants
- No GMAT required
- Work experience is not mandatory
Business Schools in Ireland Rankings
1. QS Global MBA Rankings 2023: Europe
| University / Business School | Ranking |
| Trinity College Dublin | 33 |
| UCD (Smurfit) | 38 |
2. Financial Times European Business School Rankings 2023
| University / Business School | Ranking | Average Salary (Euros) |
| Smurfit Business School (UCD) | 24 | 1,04,767 |
| Trinity Business School (TCD) | 32 | 1,03,353 |
| DCU Business School | 90 | Not disclosed |
3. Eduniversal Business School Ranking in Ireland
| University / Business School | Ranking |
| Trinity Business School | 1 (5 Palmes of Excellence) |
| UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School | 1 (4 Palmes of Excellence) |
| DCU Business School | 1 (3 Palmes of Excellence) |
| Kemmy Business School | 2 (3 Palmes of Excellence) |
| College of Business and Law (UCC) | 3 (3 Palmes of Excellence) |
| Dublin Institute of Technology – College of Business (TUD) | 4 (3 Palmes of Excellence) |
| J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics | 1 (2 Palmes of Excellence) |
Business Schools in Ireland – Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for business schools in Ireland vary from between institution.
As a result of extensive research across all the business schools, we have summarized them on an average scale to help you plan your study in Ireland journey.
| CGPA | 60% – 75% |
| TOEFL | 80iBT – 100iBT |
| IELTS | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| PTE | 61 – 63 |
| Duolingo | 95 – 110 |
| Work experience | Might require 2 to 3 years of relevant experience if you don’t satisfy the minimum CGPA score |
| GMAT | 550 to 600 (for MBA in universities) |
| LOR | 2 |
| SOP | Approx 500 words |
| CV | Required |
| Passport copy | Required |
| Completed online application form | Required |
| Academic transcripts | Required |
Your application for a business school in Ireland must also meet all the above requirements.
Where can you get more help about Business Schools in Ireland?
A degree from one of the top business schools in Ireland can be as low as €7,500 up to €36,600, and each penny in it counts.
Would you like to know if your study abroad journey is making you spend your hard-earned money wisely?
Then a study abroad expert’s guidance would be the right choice. An expert’s hand would simplify everything from screening your profile to suggesting the best courses in a business school to visa application and post-landing support.
We have 20+ years of industry experts, exclusively for Ireland’s Business school.
FAQs
1. Is Ireland good for business studies?
Ireland is considered a good location for business studies, as it has a strong economy and a history of attracting foreign investment.
And what’s more? It is a global ITC and Finance hub with several top-ranked universities that offer business and management degrees, consistently ranking among the top universities for business studies in Europe.
2. Why is Triple Crown accreditation important to Business Schools?
Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) is an important distinction for business schools because it marks excellence in business education.
This indicates that a business school is among the elite in the field and is recognized as providing a high-quality education. It also opens access to a wider range of international opportunities for students and faculty.
3. What are the business schools in Ireland with Triple-Crown accreditation?
Three business schools in Ireland hold the pride of Triple-crown accreditation.
They are the Trinity business school, Michael Smurfit business school, and Kemmy business school making them among the 1% of the top business schools worldwide.
4. What are the business schools in Ireland for international students?
Some of the most well-known and highly ranked business schools in Ireland for international students are,
- Trinity business school
- Michael Smurfit business school
- Kemmy business school
- Cork University business school
- DCU business school
- J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics
5. Are there private business schools in Ireland for international students?
Three private or independent colleges in Ireland have faculties for full-time business studies for international students.
These include the School of Business, NCIRL, Dublin Business School, and Griffith College Graduate Business School.
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