UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School announced the launch of its 1+1 partnership with Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York City. This innovative collaboration will see the delivery of joint post-graduate degrees and allow students to study one year in New York City and one year in Dublin over the two-year programme.

The Fordham Gabelli School of Business located in Midtown Manhattan is ranked 57th in the United States by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and is home to over 1,600 graduate students. With a second campus in London and thousands of globally connected alumni, Fordham University is a natural partner for Ireland’s global university.

Launching in September 2020, this partnership will allow top students from the UCD Smurfit School to apply for any Gabelli School Masters, including MS Applied Statistics, Decision Making and the MS Media Management. While in New York City during their second year of study, students will benefit from studying in one of the world’s top financial and artistic centres and be actively engaged with the UCD Smurfit School Alumni Chapter and UCD Smurfit School’s North American Irish Advisory Board. Students will further be supported by UCD’s North American Global Centre which is also based in New York.

Fordham students will enrol in any UCD Smurfit School master programme, including the MSc Management Consultancy and MSc Human Resources Management during their second year at UCD Smurfit School. They will have access to UCD Smurfit School’s renowned corporate network including the array of American companies operating in Ireland, the UCD Smurfit School global alumni network, careers network service and all student supports in Dublin.

As the world adapts to more online interaction due to the global pandemic, the delivery of this partnership will begin through digital platforms and webinars.

High achieving students that complete the programme, will be awarded degrees from two of the world’s leading business schools— UCD Smurfit School and Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. Scholarships are available to students who wish to apply.

On the launch of the partnership with Fordham University, Professor Gerardine Doyle, Director of the UCD Smurfit School said,

“This partnership is unlike any other in Ireland and highlights UCD’s commitment to offering programmes in partnership with top-tier international partners that advance high academic standards. As Ireland’s leading graduate business school, it is our commitment to continuously evolve our offerings to meet the needs of students and businesses in our rapidly changing world. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we nurture and develop partnerships that offer our students new opportunities to learn and grow into their full potential as leaders who will have a positive impact on the world of business and beyond.”

Shaun Kelly, Chair of the UCD Smurfit School North American Advisory Board and Former Global COO, KPMG International said,

“The long established business connections between the US and Ireland offer a unique opportunity for our students to understand historical links, while experiencing first-hand the rapid evolution of the relationship as we enter a post-COVID-19 business landscape. The connections through UCD business alumni and the North American Advisory Board add an unparalleled layer of engagement as students can interact with key influencers in the development of Ireland’s economy and its impact globally. These interactions beyond the classroom will enhance the student experience as they develop meaningful, business relationships and strengthen international career networks.”

For more information about this exiting partnership between the UCD Smurfit School and Fordham Gabelli School of Business, contact the UCD Smurfit School Admissions team.