The 13 Best MBA Courses in Ireland in 2024

MBA courses in Ireland have become increasingly popular among international students as they offer the opportunity to

• Gain advanced business skills
• The knowledge that is in high demand by employers
• Courses designed with current market trends
• Highly-experienced faculties in business

Featuring tons of benefits and a wide range of universities and programs to choose from, we have compiled a list of the best MBA courses in Ireland for 2024 – Ready to find yours?

Universities for MBA Courses in Ireland

• University College Dublin (UCD) Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
• Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Business School
• University of Galway, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
• Dublin City University (DCU) Business School
• University of Limerick Graduate Business School
• Cork University Business School

13 Best MBA Courses in Ireland

The universities/colleges in Ireland offer full-time, part-time, and executive MBA programs, focusing on developing leadership and management skills in finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.

This is the list of popular 13 popular MBA courses in Ireland in 2024:

1. Trinity College Dublin – General MBA
2. Trinity College Dublin – EMBA
3. University College Dublin – General MBA
4. University College Dublin – EMBA
5. University of Galway – General MBA
6. University of Limerick – UL EMBA
7. Dublin City University – EMBA
8. University College Cork – EMBA
9. Dublin Business School – General MBA
10. Dublin Business School – MBA Finance
11. Dublin Business School – MBA Cloud Computing
12. National College of Ireland – General MBA
13. Griffith College – MBA International Business

MBA Courses in Ireland: Module Reviews

1. General MBA | Trinity College Dublin

The MBA program at Trinity College is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor the course to their specific needs and interests. The curriculum covers a range of business subjects, including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.

Trinity believes that Leadership and Professional Development are integral aspects of Business education. Specifically designed with the courses are three different leadership learning modules that provide tools to develop your personal leadership style, self-awareness, and knowledge. Through this, you’ll hear from industry leaders on various leadership areas, helping you prepare for your leadership journey.

No wonder it ranks as the #1 MBA program in Ireland.

Upon completing the core modules, you will have to take up a Strategic Company Project, a mandatory part of your course. This is the single most differentiating feature of the Trinity MBA that focuses on live-action learning.

You can also choose two small projects or just one with two electives. Viola! There are also two optional week-long international residency electives to pick from.

Key Highlights:
#34 in Financial Times European MBA Ranking 2022
#32 in QS Top Universities Global MBA: Europe 2022
33% Average salary hike
100% Faculty with Doctorate
86/100 in The Economist Ranking
Triple Crown Accreditated
International study options

2. EMBA | Trinity College Dublin

EMBA program is designed with a blend of on-campus and online distance learning required for professionals. Two-year part-time EMBA courses are designed specifically for busy professionals to make the next level leap to leadership.

So what is unique about Trinity’s EMBA to make it stand out as one of the top MBA courses in Ireland?

So, what’s unique about this course to gain this global ranking?

• This ultra-modern MBA is taught by expert faculty from ‘The Matrix Room,’ a bespoke educational hub with virtual learning technology to connect international classmates and empower global teamwork. This state-of-the-art interactive hub was developed exclusively for this two-year part-time program
• Another unique feature of this program is its deep dive into real-world strategic issues in three leading Irish and international companies
• Lifelong access to a solid and collaborative global network

You will gain the vital tools to develop the business acumen and leadership skills needed for tomorrow’s future

Key Highlights:
#64 in Financial Times Global EMBA Rankings 2022

3. General MBA | University College Dublin

This is the #2 ranking full-time MBA program in Ireland for international students and is a part of UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

This MBA course in Ireland starts with a foundation week that assists you in preparing yourself for the finance part of the MBA program, as well as workshops and teamwork activities, communication skills, and intercultural development.

This program is followed by 15 core modules, and 2 electives split across 3 semesters. Students will gain an understanding of the market and develop and specialize in global growth strategies through consulting projects. The entire course curriculum is designed for students looking to build their careers in the business world.

As one of the best MBA courses in Ireland, you will have the opportunity to undertake an exchange period at one of UCD’s exchange partners abroad.

Key Highlights:
#22 in Financial Times European Business School Rankings 2022
#37 in QS Top Universities Global MBA: Europe 2022
82/100 in The Economist Ranking
Triple Crown Accreditated
#1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability

4. Executive MBA | University College Dublin

Smurfit, a member of the Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM), a network of 32 business schools, equips this 2 years part-time course with three international study trips and exchanges. This global collaboration exposes you to global market issues and problem-solving in international settings.

This MBA course in Ireland must be on-campus for 2 days per month and covers the modules below as part of their curriculum.

UCD’s courses are always beyond what you expect. Their EMBA design is more power-packed by incorporating a Modular EMBA Leadership Development Programme, MBA Careers Development, and other extra-curricular activities to make your study period super-exciting.

Key Highlights:
#31 in Financial Times Executive Education Open Enrolment program
#69 in Financial Times Business School EMBA Rankings 2022
#57 in Economist Intelligence Unit EMBA Global Rankings
#46 in QS World University Rankings for EMBA

5. MBA | University of Galway

A futuristic aspect of the best MBA courses in Ireland is that it lets you expand your world through accelerated career progression.

With 49 years of experience in MBA provision, the University of Galway has designed its MBA course to build globally talented leaders of vision with a regional edge.

This MBA course in Ireland is a part-time program that spans two years and is one of the best in Ireland. This course offers a unique blend of academic and practical learning experiences with a strong focus on ethical and sustainable business practices.

The core modules are developed on the university’s three integrated learning experience pillars.

The average class size of 14 to 20 exposes you to a higher degree of individual attention and peer-peer discussion.

Key Highlights:
Tailor-made to your requirements
AMBA and AACSB accredited
Company-based consultancy projects
MBA Distinguished Lecturer Series
Exceptional return on investment
Deloitte being their major recruitment process

6. UL EMBA | University of Limerick

The MBA program at the University of Limerick is designed for students looking to advance their careers in business and gain a competitive edge in the job market.

This 2 years part-time program is structured in the best way possible for people who want to reshape their decision-making skills without hindering work and family commitments. This unique method requires you to be present on campus 3 days a month.

The curriculum is practical and hands-on and focuses on developing leadership and management skills. It focuses on five themes Internationalisation, Managerial Vision and Competencies, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Strategic Thinking, and Leadership.

Key Highlights:
Top 1% of B-schools with Triple Crown Accreditation
PMI-GAC approval
The only MBA in Ireland with a specialist Engineering Management Stream
The only MBA in Europe with a specialist Aviation Management stream

7. EMBA | Dublin City University

Do you know what makes your study at DCU more special?

This university develops evidence-based, data-driven managers. This is done in collaboration with the Centre for Evidence-Based Management and Carnegie Mellon University in the United States. Students learn how to read, analyze, and identify the best available data to make their decision-making more effective.

As one of Ireland’s best MBA courses, DCU has designed the modules to provide a solid foundation in finance, marketing, and operations.

In addition, their curriculum is connected with theory, scientific research, data, and practice through participative teaching approaches. This program is further extended to give intense training with industry speakers, national and international company visits, and industry-focused projects.

Key Highlights:
Among the top 5% of global B-schools with AMBA and AACSB accreditations
The executive profile of candidates ranks in the top 41.1% of Europe
Action-based projects and workshops

8. EMBA | University College Cork

The EMBA program at Cork University Business School is in partnership with IMI to support and inspire you to unlock your potential and fulfill your ambition. Irish Management Institution (IMI) was founded by business leaders for business leaders, empowering world-class executives for over sixty years.

The Leadership Development program is an essential feature of UCC’s EMBA curriculum. The first three semesters of this course end with one development framework that helps you face challenges to consider your personal and professional development. The fourth semester allows you to self-assess the skills you learned through leadership and strategic projects.

Along with these core modules, the students can choose one elective in the fourth year.

Key Highlights:
AMBA accredited
Can understand core disciplines like operations management, decision-making, finance risk, human resource, innovations, sustainability, and leadership all in one program

9. MBA | Dublin Business School:

Dublin Business School is the leading private college that offers professional postgraduate programs in Ireland. 

Furthermore, DBS boasts the only international MBA program in Ireland across various specializations. This unique course allows you to study the pure MBA (General) or choose a specialist route for your MBA award within the following programs.

The below structure includes the core modules for all the students and the mandatory extra modules for specializations. Students who select the general option select 2 modules from the 12 modules available in the specialist streams. A dissertation project must be completed for all students choosing an MBA course at DBS. 

Applicants can choose between a 1-year full-time or a 2-year part-time MBA, depending on their convenience. 

10. MBA | National College of Ireland:

This part-time MBA is a blend of theoretical and practical applications in real-world settings and cases. 

This MBA course in Ireland is highly regarded for encouraging the entrepreneurial mindset that makes career game-changer for our graduates. NCIRL has 65 years of excellence in delivering management education with international recognition and has a widespread alumni network employed across several giant corporates.  

The curriculum comprises 8 core modules, electives, a dissertation, workshops, and an international field trip. Electives are available in marketing and international business, human resource management, and information technology. 

The next exciting part of being a student in NCIRL is the opportunity to participate in an exciting enterprise management simulation game in your final semester. This design reassures that this is one of the best MBA courses in Ireland, underpinned by a strong foundation in enterprise and leadership skills. 

11. MBA in International Business | Griffith College:

This MBA course in Ireland is designed for people in managerial roles wishing to consolidate their learning from the workplace with an award that reflects knowledge and skills in international business. Students can choose between a 1-year full-time course or a 2 years part-time course. 

Griffith’s MBA curriculum equips the students with the ability to advance their careers and earn potential with intense training in complex global business scenarios. This is an interactive course with a desirous focus on business strategy and policy implications.

Besides these core modules, students can choose one elective from the three available options – Digital business, Regional analysis, and Global marketing methods. You can integrate your business topic of interest at the end of the taught modules as a dissertation project. 

Cost of MBA Courses in Ireland:

How to Apply for MBA Programs in Ireland?

MBA programs in Ireland are one of the brilliant decisions you could make as part of your study abroad goals. Thorough knowledge of the MBA course and university is a must-to research factor before you send the applications. This blog details all the business management programs in Ireland, followed by their application procedure. 

• A valid GMAT score when you apply to university MBA courses
• A valid IELTS/TOEFL/DET/PTE 
• A well-written SOP that explains your motive to join the MBA course
• Proof of work experience as required by the university/college
• 3 LORs
• Academic documents
• Passport copy

Ready to Take the Next Step?

…..But not sure where to start? 

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