Monday, June 3, 2019: UCD Smurfit Executive Development has been ranked 24th in Europe and 43rd in the world for its Open Enrolment programmes according to the prestigious 2019 Financial Times Executive Education Rankings which have been published today.

Pictured above l-r: Helen Brophy, Director UCD Smurfit Executive Development, Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean UCD College of Business

In securing the 43rd place, it is the third consecutive year that Smurfit Executive Development has achieved a global top 50 ranking, rising five places from the 2018 ranking of 48th.

By securing a top 25 ranking amongst European peers, UCD Smurfit Executive Development is one of only 10 business schools in the UK and Ireland to feature in the ranking including London Business School, Cambridge and Oxford.

The study, which assesses performance across a number of criteria including course quality, faculty and diversity, showed UCD Smurfit Executive Development ranked in the top 50 across multiple categories including Aims Achieved (33rd) and New Skills and Learning (44th). A position of 46th was achieved for Quality of Executives which are largely comprised of mid to senior level executives. The new world-class facilities at the Blackrock campus were ranked highly, contributing to the advance in position.

The ranking demonstrates consistency at the highest standard in the delivery of world-class executive education programmes and places UCD Smurfit Executive Development with an elite group of business institutions that are the most recognized in the world.

Following the publication of the ranking, Prof Anthony Brabazon, Dean, UCD College of Business said:

“Ireland’s economy is now ranked as the 7th most competitive in the world and talent management is one of the key indicators contributing to this position. UCD Smurfit School adds to the world-class infrastructure to both attract and retain multinationals with our fourth consecutive Financial Times ranking. Attaining this recognition from highly regarded international rankings such as the Financial Times is a key benchmark of our offering against the very best in the world. As the standard-bearer in the delivery of executive and graduate business education in Ireland, we continue to be competitive and advance on a global scale. ”

Helen Brophy, Director, UCD Smurfit Executive Development said:

“The standards of excellence escalate as schools rise in the Financial Times rankings with the group unequivocally regarded as the best in the world. Ranked in the top 25 in Europe and 43rd globally, our leadership position in Ireland demands that we set the pace and that we consistently deliver programmes of the highest distinction. To maintain this elite status for our Open Enrolment programmes, sustained and strategic investment in high-calibre faculty, growth of elite global alliances and maintenance of prestigious accreditations is required. Leadership and forward thinking from our corporate partners, as well as Irish and North American Boards, has been instrumental in attaining this prestigious ranking.”