What will I learn?
The CEMS curriculum and network provides students with an array of personal, academic and recruitment opportunities that very few students of other Masters in Management programmes enjoy, including international connections, corporate partners offering recruitment opportunities and a unique trimester abroad experience.
The programme provides a direct bridge between the academic and corporate worlds, combining the top-level academic theory, hands-consulting experience and in-the-field expertise of CEMS corporate partners. Graduates are equipped with:
Students are equipped with the academic knowledge and practical skills required to operate within global businesses and multinational teams.
Students gain an opportunity to learn about and practice responsible management from top academics and business professionals, via a varied curriculum that promotes personal development. Students are equipped with a vision of responsible business decision-making, leadership and global citizenship that is informed by ethical reasoning, personal integrity and respect for social diversity.
Students gain an awareness of and working within different cultures, schools of thought and ways of doing business, via a semester spent abroad in a CEMS member school, an international internship and constant interaction with the corporate world during the course via the CEMS Business Project, Skill Seminars and other corporate events.
Students gain exposure to a vast, global network of schools, companies, NGOs, students and alumni, offering an exceptional international learning experience and the ultimate launch-pad to an exciting international career.
Curriculum
All UCD CEMS students will spend either trimester 1 or 2 in a partner CEMS partner school. The curriculum options for trimester 1 and 2 depends on where the trimester is spent. Trimester 3 can be done remotely for the Business Research thesis project
Trimester 1 (UCD) - If attending UCD in trimester 1, students will complete a block seminar, the CEMS core Global Strategy module, plus 2 option modules across a range of subject areas. Students who undertake trimester 1 at a CEMS partner school will complete the related partner school curriculum.
Trimester 2 (UCD) - If attending UCD in trimester 2, students will complete a global citizenship seminar, the CEMS core Global Leadership module, business project plus 1 option module which includes the CEMS model UNFCCC module. UCD Smurfit School is one of a limited number of CEMS Schools offering the UNFCCC option. Students who undertake trimester 2 at a CEMS partner school will complete the related partner school curriculum.
Option modules enable students to deepen their knowledge in a specific domain or acquire a broad set of competencies. Other requirements of the course are CEMS skills seminars, the Business Research Insights thesis paper and an eight-week international internship. Please note that internship placements are not guaranteed. Students are responsible for finding their own internships, and most are secured through a competitive interview process.
| Autumn Trimester* | Spring Trimester* | Summer Trimester | ||
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| Mandatory UCD Orientation and Block Seminar (last week of August) | Modules – 30 ECTS & Skills Seminars* (if attending UCD in Trimester 1) | Mandatory Orientation and Global Citizenship Seminar (mid-January) | Modules – 30 ECTS & Skills Seminars (if attending UCD in Trimester 2) |
UCD Thesis (UCD Term Time) & International Internship (mid-August onwards) |
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Students select either Pathway A or Pathway B Pathway A:
Pathway B:
CEMS Exclusive Modules include: *Subject to change annually |
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Modules: 30 credits + CEMS Skills Seminars* 2 Core Modules +
Core Modules Option Modules: 1 option module selected from a range of subject areas from Marketing, HR, Finance, Business, Management or the CEMS model UNFCCC module.
A hard skills /Quant course is required in term 1 or 2
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Business Research Insights Thesis (remote) International Management Internship – Min. 8 weeks onsite at employer location |
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Additional CEMS Graduation Requirements Trimester 1 and 2: Weekly Skills seminars and corporate engagement (an additional 2 ECTS) |
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Extracurricular Activities:
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NOTE: The above reflects the 2025/2026 curriculum structure and is for indicative purposes as is subject to change each year. Module options are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change. Module descriptors are updated in advance of each academic trimester.
UCD CEMS Students are required to complete an International internship in a graduate level role, for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks as part of their CEMS degrees.
Internships can commence between August until early September. The 8 weeks must conclude by the first week of November in the same year. The first 8 weeks of a full time role or a graduate programme can count as an internship. Students source their own internship positions.
The CEMS International internship requirement can also be pre approved before students start the Masters, taking previous work experience into account this must be at graduate level. The UCD Careers Internship Manager ensures the requirements are met and then validates the Internship requirement.
Information on internships can be viewed in the CEMS Internship Guide and also on CEMS Internship webpage.
CEMS is a global alliance of academic and corporate institutions dedicated to educating and preparing future generations of global business leaders to enter into a multilingual, multicultural and interconnected business world. The UCD CEMS MSc in International Management is the only dual degree in the College of Business portfolio with a distinct internationally diverse student body. The programme is targeted towards high achieving multi-lingual business students who aspire to work at
the highest levels of international business. The focus is on both the theory and practice of business across a range of management and related disciplines with the purpose of equipping students with the necessary analytical, practical, and personal skills necessary to act responsibly and succeed in the global economy (Purpose).
The UCD CEMS MSc in International Management, in line with the CEMS alliance, promotes global citizenship, with a particular emphasis on the values of: the pursuit of excellence with high standards of performance and ethical conduct; understanding and drawing upon cultural diversity with respect and empathy; and professional responsibility and accountability in relation to society as a whole (education and subject/discipline/professional values).
Reflecting the values of CEMS and its focus on international business and practice students spend one semester in UCD, one semester in a partner school of the global CEMS alliance, and also complete an international internship. There are both compulsory modules and practice based seminars across all CEMS schools, as well as school specific option modules. The
modules and seminars focus in the main on the international dimensions of business and incorporate both the theoretical and practical, with particular emphasis depending on the module or seminar (the nature of the learning environment for students).
A wide variety of approaches are used with the classroom with both academics and practitioners leading the students through the modules and seminars, much of the teaching is a mix between lectures and participant based learning. Given the diverse
nature of this programme, as well as the necessity that students meet CEMS language requirements a large variety of assessment tools are utilized. Learning and assessment tools include case studies, exams, applied business projects, language tests (oral, aural, and written), presentations as well as group and individual assignments (key approaches to teaching learning and assessment).
On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:
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Programme Goals: |
Programme Learning Outcomes: |
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Programme Goal 1: Internationalism - Our graduates will be knowledgeable international business practitioners able to draw on an international learning experience. |
Critically assess the theory and practice underpinning international business and management. Identify local, regional and global economic, social, political, cultural and institutional factors that inform effective business decision-making and change management in diverse contexts. |
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Programme Goal 2: Business-Embeddedness - Our graduates will be able to apply advanced management and leadership competencies. |
Employ suitable theoretical and business frameworks to assist the identification and resolution of real business problem. Use discipline specific knowledge gained during the programme while undertaking a work-integrated learning experience. |
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Programme Goal 3: Responsible Citizenship - Our graduates will be able to champion a holistic vision of responsible business decision-making, leadership and citizenship. |
Demonstrate an appreciation of responsible citizenship that is informed by ethical reasoning, personal integrity, respect for social diversity, commitment to success through sustainable business practices and adherence to a multi-stakeholder perspective on organisational purpose. Demonstrate an ability to apply ethical codes of conduct appropriate in real business situations. |
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Programme Goal 4: Reflective Critical Thinking - Our graduates will be confident, agile and reflective decision-makers and problem-solvers. |
Undertake an analysis of a business situation or problem and formulate and apply innovative solutions to complex business challenges and opportunities in diverse contexts. Utilize relevant business and management information to make appropriate business decisions or solve business problem drawing on appropriate databases and literature. |
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Programme Goal 5: Comprehensive Leadership - Our graduates will assume leadership responsibilities early in their careers. |
Engage in collaborative learning by completing business projects and assignments in cross-cultural teams and display an understanding of individual and cultural differences as well as self-confidence as leaders and team players as part of these collaborative learning activities. Critically assess diverse theoretical and business perspectives to demonstrate thought leadership and ability to bridge between academia and practice. |
Global Leadership Programme (GLP)
Our optional Global Leadership Programme (GLP) offers you a unique opportunity to engage in a diverse range of co-curricular professional development activities alongside the modules you take on the Master's programme. Participation in the GLP can give you an advantage over similarly qualified job candidates and increase your readiness for success in the workplace.
Sustainable Development Goals
As part of the curriculum, students are engaged with issues related to sustainability in all of its many facets, including responsible leadership, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and inclusive business practices. As educators, we believe in the value of exposing our students to a variety of perspectives on the role of business in society and equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle even the most intractable problems. Our programmes seek to develop informed and imaginative leaders that are mindful of responsible and sustainable business objectives and practices and embed a number of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the curriculum.
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