School Profile

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is one of the top business schools in Europe and Ireland 's leading business school. With a history of MBA education for over 45 years, Smurfit launched the first Executive MBA programme in Europe in 1964.

Part of University College Dublin (UCD), we offer the benefits of Ireland 's largest and most richly diversified university with the intimacy of a dedicated campus.

Smurfit School is one of an elite worldwide group to hold the three major international business schools accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA.

What can a Smurfit MBA graduate offer?

Fresh thinking: The economy today presents new challenges for employers. More than ever employers need employees with the ability to think strategically and who possess strong analytical and leadership skills. An MBA develops and strengthens these skills and provides individuals with a current focus. Our MBA participants cite the development of new management skills and techniques and 'learning in action' as the major advantage to them and their employer;

Broaden your knowledge base: Participants follow corporate and integrative modules such as Corporate Finance and Strategic Management. These help to foster an understanding of the complexity of modern business and the impact of the global environment in influencing business decisions. The result is a manager who does not make decisions in isolation but takes the bigger picture into consideration at all times;

Better Cross Functional Working: MBA participants complete modules covering a variety of business functions such as Accounting, Financial Reporting, Operations Management, Finance, Human Resource Management and Marketing. As employees they will be in a much better position to understand and work with the various business functions in their organisation;

Expert knowledge in specific areas: Participants have the opportunity to specialise by taking modules that are specifically of interest to them. They will also have to complete a capstone project which allows them to focus on particular areas in detail and acquire specialised knowledge to bring back to the workplace. As a potential employer, you will also have the opportunity to test a potential MBA candidate by submitting a project for one or more MBA participants to investigate;

A valuable and diverse MBA Network: Current participants place networking in their top five gains from the Smurfit MBA and Alumni place it in their top ten. MBA participants are selected with the aim of creating as diverse a mix of backgrounds as possible giving participants the opportunity to learn from their peers as well as from faculty members. Close bonds are formed with peers from all industry, geographic and academic backgrounds.