The globally ranked Smurfit MBA at University College Dublin provides an unequalled opportunity to unlock and develop your leadership potential, accelerate your career and build your global network. We offer a Full-Time MBA programme, delivered intensively over 12 months, and an Executive MBA programme delivered over 24 months. Compare our MBA programmes below and discover which option is right for you.
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Full-Time MBA |
Executive MBA |
Summary |
The Full-Time Smurfit MBA is an intensive, one-year programme designed to develop global business leaders from any discipline and across all industry sectors. The full-time MBA can provide the catalyst for career change, development and growth in your professional life. |
The Executive MBA offers busy professionals in all disciplines a highly independent, low-residency delivery. Students complete each module over two on-campus days and four hours’ online delivery, combined with a high level of independent study. This mode of delivery means the programme can accommodate participants who cannot commit to weekly classes. Participants complete the programme on a module-by-module basis. |
Benefits |
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Who does this programme suit? |
This programme is recommended for those looking to study full-time and who are motivated by regular interaction with leading faculty and peers. It is ideal for people looking to make a change in their career, and offers career support and coaching. |
This programme is recommended for senior professionals who are looking for a low-touch, concentrated learning option. Participants must be motivated to complete independent study while undertaking monthly intensive interactive classes, supported by online elements. |
Programme Structure |
The programme is structured over 3 trimesters, August to August. You will complete 15 core modules, 2 option modules and a Capstone project. The year will also include both required and optional Leadership Development Programme offerings (see Curriculum tab on the website for details). |
The programme is structured over 2 years. Participants will complete 15 core modules (8 first year, 7 second year), and 1 option module. Participants will also undertake a Capstone project. The Leadership Development Programme requires participation one Thursday per term, and offers several optional activities throughout the programme (see curriculum tab on the website for details). |
Time on campus |
Full Time MBA students take all classes at UCD Smurfit’s Blackrock campus. Classes generally take place between the hours of 08.00 and 20.00, Monday to Friday; however, some option modules and other events run in the evenings and weekends. Participants must be flexible and prepared to undertake group work and self-directed study outside of scheduled class time. The Programme begins with a required four-day Foundation Week including orientation activities, LDP workshops and introductory lectures. |
Modular MBA students take courses at UCD Smurfit’s Blackrock campus once a month, for two full days of teaching (Friday and Saturday from 08.30 - 18.30). Two additional days per year are required to attend Leadership and Development Programme workshops. All dates are outlined in the curriculum tab on our website. We would advise that participants envisage 8-12 additional group work and self-directed study hours per week to achieve their coursework. The Programme begins with a required four-day Foundation Week: two days of Programme Orientation and LDP workshops, and two days of introductory lectures for the first term’s modules. |
Travel modules and GNAM |
Travel modules are core modules. Full Time MBA students undertake the following: In October, students have the option to undertake a module as part of Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM). Participating students can travel to a network Business School, or may undertake the module at UCD Smurfit School’s Blackrock Campus. |
Travel modules are optional. They require one full week of attendance outside of Ireland: ‘Global Business Environments’ takes place in an EU city in June of your first year, and ‘Doing Business in International Markets’ takes place in an overseas destination in March of your second year. Participating in these subsidised modules will incur an additional fee. In June of Year 2 EMBA students have the option to undertake a module as part of Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM). Participating students can travel to a network Business School, or may undertake the module at UCD Smurfit School’s Blackrock Campus
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Leadership Development Programme |
The UCD Smurfit MBA places particular emphasis on developing your leadership skills. Our bespoke Leadership Development Programme supports your professional growth through a combination of workshops, master classes, psychometric assessments, and executive coaching to expand and advance your leadership skills.
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The UCD Smurfit MBA places particular emphasis on developing your leadership skills through our bespoke Leadership Development Programme. The Modular EMBA has dedicated LDP days outlined in our curriculum tab on the website for LDP workshops. LDP offerings outside of these days–which may include master classes, psychometric assessments, and executive coaching–are completely optional, and scheduled outside of core business hours.
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Careers Service |
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Assessment |
Continuous Assessment & Exams |
Greater focus on Continuous Assessment (an exam may be relevant depending on the module) |
Minimum work experience at time of application |
3 years |
3 years |
Average Work Experience (Mean) |
7 years* |
11 years* |
Average Age (Mean) |
30* |
36* |
Fees |
€36,760 (academic year 2023/2024) |
€18,380 per year (academic year 2023/2024) |
Starts (yearly) |
end of August |
end of August |
Course Duration |
12 months |
24 months |
*2022 Intake