Applications Open for MSc Business Sustainability at Smurfit, UCD

Recruitment is now open for the MSc Business Sustainability (Bord Bia Origin Green Ambassador Programme) at Smurfit Executive Development, University College Dublin.

Applications deadline has been extended to 1st September 2025

Programme starts 26th January 2026.

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, acts as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers throughout the world. Its objective is to develop markets for Irish suppliers and to bring the taste of Irish food to more tables worldwide. With its headquarters in Dublin, Bord Bia has an extensive network of overseas offices. The Bord Bia Talent Academy in partnership with Smurfit Executive Development, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School offers a range of world-leading post-graduate opportunities including the MSc Business Sustainability (Bord Bia Origin Green Ambassador Programme).

Together we are seeking applications from ambitious executives with a minimum of 4 years experience who come from a broad range of specialist areas and who want to hone their skills in the area of business sustainability. This programme is starting 26th January 2026 and ending 26th November 2027.

You will undertake overseas placements with some of the world’s leading global brands, while gaining an internationally recognised Masters. Although a majority of markets will be English-spoken, some of the overseas placements will require a sufficient working-level fluency in Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch or Chinese.

We have assembled the world’s best food industry educators from business schools including INSEAD, Harvard, IMD and UCD Smurfit School.

This is a full scholarship programme. All tuition fees are paid and, in addition, you receive a tax free bursary of €32,100 per 12 months (subject to confirmation)

Placements are overseas, at the headquarters of the world’s leading brand-owning firms. These have included: Starbucks, Nestlé, Danone, McDonalds, Coca Cola, Subway, Ahold, Costco, Sainsbury’s, Five Guys, Diageo, Marks & Spencer, Mars, Tesco, Alibaba, Sodexo, Bidvest, Bunge, Pepsico, among others.

Click here for full details.

Hear from some of our students below: 

• Recent OGA's; Edward Walshe, Rebecca Cummins and David Cooney re the impact programme has had on their personal and professional development - Click here to view
• Kate Murray's Programme highlights - click here to view
• Andrew Wafer's Programme highlights - click here to view