*Important Notice: All open enrolment part-time diploma programme fees will increase by 4% from September 2022

In line with University Finance Guidelines, fees will increase by 4% from September 2022. This fee increase will apply to the following part-time UCD Smurfit Executive Development Diplomas.

A 5% discount on tuition fees is still available to UCD Business Alumni on accedited diploma programmes.

This fee increase will affect all part-time accredited diplomas that commence from September 2022 onwards. Our new pricing is outlined in the table below.

For more information please contact (01) 716 8889 or emailexec.dev@ucd.ie

Non-Attendance Policy

Given the participative nature of our programmes, participants are advised to attend all workshops.  Participants are encouraged to check the module dates for the programme to ensure availability.

If a participant does miss a complete module due to unexpected circumstances, he/she will be required to complete an additional assignment in lieu of this, to achieve the learning outcomes of the module.  We do not offer an option to take a module with another intake of the programme.

As part of the assignment, the participant will be asked to talk to two people in their learning group/class to get their reflections of the module and address this in the assignment. We would appreciate if all participants could take the time, if feasible, to talk to a fellow participant if they are called upon in this context. 

Full details of the additional assignment will be communicated to you by your programme manager.  The participant will also be expected to submit the assessment of the module itself.

Assignment Submission

Assignments should be submitted on the scheduled due date.

In line with University Policy and in the interest of fairness, assignments submitted after the submission deadline will be subject to penalty.

Assignments received any time within one week after the due date will have the grade awarded reduced by two grade points. Work received after that but within two weeks of the due date will have the grade reduced by four grade points. Work submitted later than two weeks after the due date cannot be accepted and a student will not pass that particular assessment.

Full details of the University’s policy on late submission of coursework are available.

At the discretion of the Programme Director and Graduate School of Business Taught Programme Board, extensions to assignment submission due dates may be granted in extenuating circumstances as defined by the University.  Such requests should be made via your Programme Manager. 

For full details on UCD’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances, please click here.

Visit our Smurfit Executive Development website for a list of all our programmes.

Programmes are held at Smurfit Executive Development, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. or as otherwise stated.

The school will endeavour to deliver the programme as described in the brochure and on the school’s website, however the school reserves the right to make alterations to the programme including the faculty, timetable, location, tuition fee, content and method of delivery, in response to operational demands.

Yes, bespoke programmes at Smurfit Executive Development are offered and are intended to meet the specialised needs of your organisation. Visit our customised courses webpage for more information or call our Head of Business Development – Customised Programmes Sandra Rogan on +353 (1) 7168906. We would be pleased to discuss your organisation's requirements.

No, we do not currently offer online courses.

No, we do not currently offer the option of distance learning.

Visit our open enrolment programme webpages for online descriptions. Alternatively, you can download our full brochure from the website or request that we post you a hard copy of our brochure.

The primary language used on our programmes is English and our programmes may involve a considerable amount of ‘business’ vocabulary and reference to technical subjects, as well as group discussion and interaction. To achieve the greatest benefit from our programmes and to be able to participate fully, participants are expected to have a good command of both written and spoken English.

Programmes will run from approximately 9.00am to approximately 5.00pm each day with regular tea/coffee and lunch breaks. A final programme agenda will be sent to you prior to starting your programme. You are advised to make appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements to enable you to attend the full duration of the programme. The Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire offers our participants a discount rate.

We assess applicants on their suitability to participate in the programme on an individual basis. Candidates without a third-level or professional qualification may be admitted based on experience. This information is requested by way of a CV and non-standard admissions form. Participants must have a minimum of 5 years’ professional/managerial experience. 100% attendance is required on all programmes.

Participants taking up the offer of a place on a Smurfit Executive Development programme, agree to pay the programme fees in full within 30 days of receipt of our invoice. Participants may pay by bank transfer (EFT) or alternatively by logging onto their student record SISWEB account and paying by credit or debit card.  However, in circumstances where the offer is made within 30 days prior to commencement of the programme, payment is due upon receipt of the invoice. Payment is required prior to the programme start date. We accept payment by cheque, bank transfer, laser or credit card (MasterCard, Visa.) Details are included on the programme invoice. Participants who have not paid the fees in full shall not participate in the programme.

The fee includes your tuition, all course-related materials, lunches and refreshments while on campus, library access etc. There are no additional overheads. We offer staged payments and there is no interest charged for choosing this option. Terms and conditions apply.

Smurfit Executive Development is not responsible for covering travel, accommodation and incidental costs incurred by the participant.

Yes, accredited programme fees qualify for tax relief where payment is made by the participant. Visit revenue.ie for further information and use Form IT31 to make your claim.

If you need to cancel participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the programme commencement date. Due to programme demand and the volume of pre-programme preparation, cancellation fees apply as follows:

• 10% of the full programme fee will be charged on cancellations received up to 30 days of the start date.
• 25% of the full programme fee will be charged on cancellations received within 10 working days or less of the start date.

Cancellations must be made in writing. A letter should be sent to your Programme Manager and addressed to Smurfit Executive Development, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Alternatively, you can email your Programme Manager.

If for any reason a programme is cancelled by Smurfit Executive Development, we will provide a 100% refund.

In exceptional circumstances, participants may defer their participation on a programme to the next scheduled intake which should take place within a 12-month timeframe.  A request for a deferral must be made in writing to the Programme Manager, Smurfit Executive Development, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin no less than 10 working days in advance of the commencement of the programme. Alternatively, you can email your Programme Manager. All deferrals must be approved by the Graduate Taught Programmes Board of UCD Smurfit Business School.

f you decide to withdraw from Smurfit Executive Development after you have started your programme, you must notify your Programme Manager of your decision immediately. Any refunds will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and in conjunction with UCD refund policies.

No, participants must successfully complete the programme to which they are registered and have their results ratified by the Examination Board prior to enrolling on another diploma.

To qualify for the award of an MSc, participants must successfully complete 3 of our 30-credit diplomas from the suite of programmes within the framework for that qualification.

You are responsible for checking your individual visa requirements and ensuring that your visa application is submitted in sufficient time to avoid incurring transfer or cancellation fees. Only upon receipt by us of payment of the full fee will requests for visa invitation letters be actioned by your Programme Manager.

We keep all information about your progress on a programme confidential and do not share this information with any third party.

If you complete an open enrolment accredited diploma programme, you will receive a Level 9 Diploma.  This will be awarded by UCD following successful completion at a graduation ceremony.

Participants may transfer from enrolment in a particular programme to the same programme at another date, provided the Smurfit Executive Development is notified at least six weeks prior to the commencement of the original programme, and subject to availability.

In exceptional circumstances, replacement candidates may be accepted at the discretion of the Programme Director. A completed application is required in adequate time to review and process the application. The school reserves the right to reject substitute candidates and retain the total fee at its discretion.

We are always delighted to welcome participants back to our business programmes and yes you do become an Alum. Alumni can benefit from a 5% discount on all Open Enrolment Accredited Programmes.

We are able to cater for all dietary requirements, and we are delighted to offer a selection of meals to suit any medical, dietary, and religious requirements. Please contact your Programme Manager to discuss dietary requirements.

To attain a diploma, participants are assessed by individual continuous assessment and on some courses exams. The emphasis is placed throughout on the practical application of knowledge to benefit you and your organisation.  Assessment workload is spread across the duration of the programme to enable you to combine learning with work and life demands.