Full-time MBA

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.

• Global Perspective
• Rankings And Accreditation
• Experiential Learning
• Careers And Alumni
• Leadership Development Programme

Global Perspective

The Smurfit MBA is designed to develop global leaders. On average, 65% 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.

As an MBA student, you will build on your previous experience and gain practical skills in emerging business topics, Finance, Strategy, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Human Resources and Leadership among other disciplines. The programme is structured over 3 semesters during which time you will complete 15 core modules, 2 option modules, a major project and the opportunity to take modules in locations across the globe. Optional modules can be taken in autumn, spring and the summer term. The list of options evolves over time based on student feedback and the identification of new areas of interest.

Curriculum Overview

Please note that the information below is for indicative purposes only as modules are sometimes moved or replaced for academic reasons.

Autumn Trimester

FOUNDATION WEEK

• Preparing the Ground
• Introduction to Finance
• Case Study workshops
• Communication Skills
• Effective Team Work
• Intercultural Development

UNDERSTANDING THE FIRM AND LOOKING TO THE MARKET

• Financial Reporting
• Corporate Finance
• Marketing Management
• Leadership & Organisational Behaviour
• Competitive Strategy
• Business Economics

Option Modules

Global Network Immersion Week at UCD

Spring Trimester

BUILDING STRATEGIES & SPECIALISING FOR FUTURE GROWTH

• Operations, Innovation & Management
• Management Accounting
• Doing Business in International Markets
• Digital Strategy and Transformation
• Entrepreneurship

Option Modules

1 x option modules which may include: 

• Digital Marketing & Customer Analytics
• Managing the Negotiations Process
• Strategy Execution
• Corporate Governance

Summer Trimester

GLOBAL STRATEGY, CONSULTING AND FIELD WORK

• Strategies for Human Resources
• Global & Corporate Strategy
• MBA Consulting Project (Capstone)
• International Consulting Project

Option Modules

1 x option modules which may include: 

• Strategy Development Systems
• Executive Decision Making
• Business & Society

MBA Leadership Development Programme - planned series of seminars, workshops, psychometric assessment and optional executive coaching

MBA Careers Development – planned series of seminars, workshops, employer events, speaker events and career mentoring

Extracurricular Activities - MBA Clubs

Please be advised that the above reflects the 2022/2023 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.

- A university degree*

- A minimum of three years’ professional experience (excluding summer placements, part-time or temporary work experience).

- Valid score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) Preferred minimum score of 600.

- GMAC Executive Assessment (EA): EA score of 151 and above is required.

If English is not your first language:

- An average IELTS score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.5 in each band on the Academic Version.

OR

- A minimum TOEFL score of 100, with a minimum score of 24 in Writing, and a minimum score 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking components.