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Overview

Experiential. Transformational. International. The globally-ranked Smurfit MBA provides an unequalled opportunity to unlock and develop your leadership potential, accelerate your career and build your global network.

One of the world’s most vibrant capital cities, Dublin is a hub of business, finance and innovation, and provides a culturally diverse home for our MBA. Benefit from an outstanding and challenging academic curriculum, delivered by an international faculty within an intimate classroom setting. Immerse yourself in case studies, action learning, international study trips, integrated projects and global virtual teamwork. Expand your horizons with a dedicated careers service and an active network of 4,000 MBA Alumni worldwide. Engage in Smurfit’s MBA Leadership Development programme, and focus on the skills necessary to communicate effectively, understand yourself better, and lead diverse teams and organisations anywhere in the world.

The UCD Smurfit MBA Difference

Global Perspective

The Smurfit MBA is designed to develop global leaders. Approximately 80% of the MBA class is international and the programme is delivered by an international faculty.

A member of the Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM) network of 32 business schools including Yale, INSEAD, Oxford and Said Business School, UCD Smurfit School will offer you a global perspective through international study trips and exchanges, action learning via global collaboration, exposure to thought leaders on global issues and problem-solving in international settings.

Rankings and Accreditation

Accredited for more than 20 years, we are one of an elite group of schools worldwide to hold the ‘triple crown’ of accreditation from the three centres of business and academic excellence,  EQUIS (Europe), AACSB (US) and AMBA (UK).  Our accreditations are a signal of quality from international independent peers and are your guarantee that you will receive a top quality, internationally recognised degree.

The UCD Smurfit MBA has been consistently featured in global rankings over the last ten years and is ranked in the Global Top 100 by the Financial Times. Learn more about our rankings and accreditations

Experiential Learning

MBA participants engage in action learning throughout the programme. From case studies to business simulations to international consultancy, you will learn by doing.

The major Capstone project will task you, as part of a team, to develop a solution to an actual problem faced by an organisation. You will master real-life challenges by applying the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme, demonstrating your skills of analysis, problem-solving and strategy.

Careers and Alumni

MBA participants have access to a dedicated careers service which will assist you in developing the necessary skills for career development and advancement, including networking, CV building, career strategy and interviews.

The MBA Alumni Association gives you unparalleled access to an elite and active global network of 4,000 Smurfit MBA Alumni – your network for life.

Leadership Development Programme

Empowering you to become a self-aware, insightful and influential leader, Smurfit’s Leadership Development Programme helps you to communicate more effectively, better understand your motivations and behaviour, develop your personal strengths and lead others through persuasion and influence.

This innovative and highly interactive programme includes understanding personality and preferences, mastering communication and team building. One-to-one coaching provides a private space during the programme for you to reflect on key learnings and insights.

Our MBA in Numbers

#94

Financial Times Full-Time MBA Ranking 2023

74%*

% Average growth in earnings

90%*

% Employed within 3 months

12 Months

Duration

Late August 2023

Starting

Class Profile

Based on class of 2022/2023

47%/53%

Females/Males

30

Average Age

7 Years

Average Work Experience

80%

% International Participants

680

Average GMAT

Upcoming Events

Jun

8

GMAT and EA Prep Sessions

Online via Zoom

Read More

The Smurfit Experience

View our Video Gallery and Webinars On-Demand to gain a deeper insight into the Smurfit MBA. These videos and webinars provide valuable and practical insight as you consider your MBA options.

The MBA Blog

The Smurfit MBA Blog gives an inside perspective of the MBA Programme. Content is written by our current students, who share their experience of the Smurfit MBA Journey.

Bella Italia

Read more

Advice to Live By

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Meet an Executive MBA Class Rep: Allyson Barr

Read more

The MBA Journey

Foundation Week

Foundation Week is held in late August, and prepares students for the UCD Smurfit School MBA by providing an introduction to core modules and introducing students to new skills such as case study analysis and financial reporting. Students will bond with their assigned autumn term groups in a full-day Accelerating Team Performance workshop; gain confidence in a Presentation Skills workshop; and network with classmates, faculty and administration at networking lunches and the end-of-week MBA reception.

Start of Classes and MBA Clubs

Run by students with the support of the MBA Programme Office, MBA Clubs offer students the chance to apply leadership and organisational skills, to socialise with other students outside of the classroom and to network with alumni and business/thought leaders. An event held in September will offer students the opportunity to learn more about existing clubs, recruit new members and even propose new clubs. MBA Clubs generally range from the fun and social (Golf, Rugby, Tennis), to the professional (Fintech, Entrepreneurship), to the socially-conscious (Gender Equity in MBA (GEMBA), Social Outreach). Clubs manage their own budgets and sponsor events throughout the academic year. 

Global Network Week

UCD Smurfit School is a member of the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM), which comprises 32 leading business schools from across the world. Global Network Week gives Smurfit MBA students the option to pursue intensive study in one of 22 schools in the network offering a focused mini-course that leverages the perspectives, programmes and faculty expertise of that school. Alongside their counterparts from elsewhere in the network, students who choose to participate attend classes, tour local businesses, and meet with experts focused on current business problems.

Impact Makers MBA Lecture Series #1 and Options Night

The Impact Makers Series features world-renowned business leaders sharing unique insights from their career in a conversation-style interview with UCD faculty. These leaders are characterised by vision, empathy and a track record of global business success that has a positive impact on society. Featured guests answer questions from our MBA students, which allows students to engage with truly memorable leaders.

On Options Night, faculty present information about the available choices, and answer questions from students. MBA students chose options for their spring and summer coursework. 

Autumn Term Exams and End-of-Term Celebration

The MBA Programme Office provides Class Reps with a budget to plan social events to mark the end of each term. These events offer an opportunity to celebrate with your classmates and network with EMBA students.

Spring Term Commences

All students return to classes for Spring Term.

IMPACT MAKERS MBA Lecture Series #2

The Impact Makers Series features business leaders sharing unique insights from their career, in conversation with UCD faculty. These leaders are characterised by vision, empathy and a track record of global business success that has a positive impact on society. The featured guests answer questions from our MBA students, which allows students to engage with truly memorable leaders.  

Doing Business in International Markets Study Tour

MBA candidates participate in a one-week International Study Tour as part of the Doing Business in International Markets core module. The tour combines visits to high-profile companies as well as presentations and panel discussions from leading executives, government officials and entrepreneurs. Module coordinators develop key themes for each destination, creating a unique environment in which to learn about the country's business and cultural landscape. Previous Study Tour destinations have included Vietnam, Singapore, Peru, Chile, UAE, India, Argentina and Japan.

Impact Makers MBA Lecture #3

The Impact Makers Series features world-renowned business leaders sharing unique insights from their career in a conversation-style interview with UCD faculty. These leaders are characterised by vision, empathy and a track record of global business success that has a positive impact on society. Featured guests answer questions from our MBA students, which allows students to engage with truly memorable leaders.

Spring Term Exams and End-of-Term Celebration

The MBA Programme Office provides Class Reps with a budget to plan social events to mark the end of each term. These events offer an opportunity to celebrate with your classmates and network with EMBA students.  

International Consulting Project

An important element of preparation for the MBA Capstone, the International Consulting Project (ICP) provides students with the opportunity to learn via real-world projects, gain international experience and apply what they've learned in the MBA. In June 2019, students travelled to Lisbon, Portugal, where for one week, student groups worked closely with local companies on business-critical assignments that required them to identify and present opportunities, efficiencies and innovations.

Capstone Project

For the Capstone Consulting Project, completed over a six-week period in the summer term, MBA students work with companies to address real-life strategic or operational issues for a company. The Capstone blends all of the learnings of the MBA at the final stages of the academic year and offers students an opportunity to gain experience in sectors where they may not have previously worked. 

Capstone Submission & Presentation and End of Academic Programme

To mark the end of the academic portion of the MBA, the Programme Office hosts a special event for students and their families.

Degree Conferral and Graduation Ball

The MBA Graduation Ceremony takes place in early December each year at O'Reilly Hall, UCD Belfield Campus.

The Graduation Ball is organised by a student committee, and MBA students use this as an opportunity to raise funds for an identified charitable cause.

Degree Conferral and Graduation Ball

The MBA Graduation Ceremony takes place in early December each year at O'Reilly Hall, UCD Belfield Campus.

The Graduation Ball is organised by a student committee, and MBA students use this as an opportunity to raise funds for an identified charitable cause.

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Discover our Rankings and Accreditations