Course Summary
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. Our core academic programme adapts in tandem with the most up-to-date business and organisational thinking, enabled by research and consultative collaboration between faculty and industry.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
A university degree*
A minimum of three years’ (for Full-Time MBA) and five years' (for Executive MBA) quality professional experience (excluding summer placements, part-time or temporary work experience) at the time of application.
GMAT requirements:
Full-Time MBA: A valid score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). GMAT Focus , GMAC Executive Assessment (EA) or GRE are also now accepted. Preferred minimum score of 600 (565 on the GMAT Focus). Further details via link in "course webpage" url link below.
English Language Requirements: All applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in English language. If English is not your first language you must present with the minimum standard in a recognised English language test, as outlined - view https://www.smurfitschool.ie/admissions/internationalapplicants/englishlanguagerequirements/
Through our rigorous selection process we endeavour to manage expectations so that the candidate’s aspirations for the programme and career objectives are aligned with what the programme can deliver.
*If you do not hold a university degree equivalent to NFQ Level 8 please contact Admissions for further advice on the non-standard admissions process.
**List of majority English speaking countries:
Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Guyana.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/
Application Details
Apply online
Who Should Apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
B009 MBA FT Master of Business Administration Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught (UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)
Fees
Full-Time MBA Fees:
Full-Time MBA Tuition Fee (EU and Non-EU): €36,990 (academic year 2024/2025)
Full-time MBA tuition fees can be paid in three instalments: September, January and May.
Executive MBA Fees:
Executive MBA Tuition Fee (EU and Non-EU): €18,490* per year (academic year 2024/2025)
*EMBA participants pay fees on an annual (per academic year) basis, with fees split into three instalments per year. The Year 2 fees can also be paid in three instalments for that year. So, over the two years, the full fees can be paid and split into six spread out instalments. EMBA participants may be subject to fee increases in Year 2.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Career Progression
Over the past few years, our Full Time MBA class have secured roles in a large number of organisations, including: McKinsey, Google, Kellogg’s, EY, Grant Thornton, PwC, Amazon, Hubspot, Facebook, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Mainstream Renewable Power, KPMG, Novartis, Accenture, Roche, CRH and Glanbia.