Business Administration - Executive MBA

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 whilst applying what you are learning in real-time in the workplace.



The UCD Smurfit Executive MBA is delivered at our dedicated Graduate Business School campus, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, located in Blackrock, 4km from the main UCD Belfield Campus.



As an aspirational business leader, your time is at a premium but don’t let that stop you advancing your career. With typically only two days on-campus attendance required each month, the Executive MBA from UCD Smurfit School is the flexible choice for those with busy professional and personal schedules.



Benefit from an outstanding and challenging academic curriculum, delivered by an international faculty. Our location in one of the world's most vibrant capital cities Dublin, a hub of business, finance and innovation, provides a culturally diverse home for our MBA. Immerse yourself in case studies, action learning, 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 & Employability Advancement Programme (LEAP) to support your career development and be prepared for the challenges of leadership in an ever changing world.



Why consider the Executive MBA?

Flexibility is the distinguishing feature of the Executive MBA programme, allowing busy executives and managers to progress their careers (managing personal and professional responsibilities) while gaining an EMBA from UCD Smurfit School. This programme is really well suited to those juggling demanding careers and for those with young families as well as those based outside of Dublin looking to study at UCD.



One of the main advantages of the UCD Smurfit EMBA in terms of time management is the freedom it gives to participants to plan ahead. Dates are locked in and modules are typically spread out evenly over the course of the programme, which allows participants to make fixed arrangements with colleagues and employers before the start of the programme. Another feature is that the flexible delivery also allows for participants to come from further afield nationally. Typically students will be on campus once a month (Friday and Saturday) with an additional Saturday morning monthly online session and will also undertake a number of week-long modules over the course of the two year programme.



The programme builds on students’ previous experience and gives practical skills in business topics such as finance, strategy, marketing, accounting, economics and human resources. Students will also undertake a block foundation at the start of each term to introduce modules, in addition to four hours per module in an online format. The programme is underpinned by a unique Leadership & Employability Advancement Programme (LEAP).

Stage 1 Options - A)8 of:

Select eight core modules

ACC41010 Financial Reporting (Mod) Autumn 5

BMGT45410 Leadership & OB (Mod) Autumn 5

BMGT45420 Competitive Strategy (Mod) Autumn 5

MKT42640 Marketing Management Autumn 5

ACC41000 Management Accounting (Mod) Spring 5

FIN42090 Corporate Finance (Mod) Spring 5

BMGT45370 Operations & SC (Mod) Summer 5

HRM40890 Strategies for HR (Mod) Summer 5



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Students may take one Option module in Summer or Spring Trimester

FIN42320 GNAM SNOC Aviation Finance Spring 5

MKT45970 GNAM SNOC Future of Food Spring 5

MKT46050 Digital Mkt&Customer Analytics Spring 5

BMGT44090 EMBA International Consulting Project Summer 5

BMGT45550 Strategy Development Systems Summer 5



Stage 1 Options - C)9 of:

Select nine core modules

BMGT45330 Global & Corprt Strategy (Mod) Autumn 5

BMGT45340 Business & Society (Mod) Autumn 5

BMGT45350 Leading Innov. Enterpr (Mod) Autumn 5

FIN42080 Investment Management (Mod) Autumn 5

BMGT45380 Entrepreneurship (Mod) Spring 5

MIS41410 Data, Artificial Intelligence and Analytics Spring 5

BMGT45390 Managing Negotiat.Process(Mod) Summer 5

SBUS46120 Executive LEAP Summer 2.5

SBUS46140 Capstone Project EMBA Summer 7.5



Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of:

Students select one Option module in year 2.

BMGT44040 Doing Business in International Mkt Spring 5

FIN42320 GNAM SNOC Aviation Finance Spring 5

MKT45970 GNAM SNOC Future of Food Spring 5

MKT46050 Digital Mkt&Customer Analytics Spring 5

BMGT45180 EMBA Global Network Week UCD Summer 5

BMGT45550 Strategy Development Systems Summer 5

Globally ranked and accredited, the UCD Smurfit MBA attracts applications from an international, innovative, and driven cohort of students from a wide range of professional backgrounds each year. Please note that meeting the minimum Entry Requirements does not guarantee you an offer. Competition for places on our MBA / EMBA programmes is intense. We conduct a holistic review on all applications and fit to the programme is also considered.



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). Please note that we look at applications on a holistic basis, and a high GMAT score does not guarantee admission. The average GMAT for our current MBA class is 646 (approx. 595 on the GMAT Focus). OR An EA score of 151 and above is required for the FT MBA. Alternatively can submit a valid GRE Test Score. Indicative equivalencies can be calculated here. If you have any questions in regards to your application we recommend that you contact the MBA Admissions team. Apart from meeting the minimum overall GMAT/EA score, candidates must also do reasonably well in the quantitative component of this test.



Executive MBA: GMAT score of 520 (495 on the GMAT Focus) or above required. OR An EA score of 149 and above is required. More information on the EA available here. Alternatively can submit a valid GRE Test Score. Indicative equivalencies can be calculated here. If you have any questions in regards to your application we recommend that you contact the MBA Admissions team. IMPORTANT NOTE for Executive MBA applicants: Where a candidate’s professional achievements and qualifications exhibit the skills and competencies evaluated by the GMAT /Executive Assessment, the UCD MBA Academic Director may grant a waiver for GMAT/EA test following an interview. A candidate with extensive management experience or holders of a master's or PhD qualification in a quantitative discipline from a reputable University will be considered for a test exemption. The decision to grant a GMAT Executive Assessment waiver is at the discretion of the UCD MBA Academic Director. UCD Smurfit reserves the right to request any candidate to submit a GMAT exam. Please note that scholarship competitions may require submission of a GMAT/EA score.



NB: Please note that scholarship competitions may require earlier submission of a GMAT score, which may vary from those noted above. View our Scholarships page for more details.



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 below. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in a majority English speaking country.**



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 score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iTB) with minimum score 24 in Writing, and minimum score 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking components.

For all proficiency tests the results must normally have been issued within two years prior to the start of your programme.



OR

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2023/24 intake. A DET score of 130 will be accepted with at least 110 in each subscore.



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/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

2 Years Part-time

B094 Executive MBA Master of Business Administration Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

(UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)

Career Opportunities

The Executive MBA gives you the flexibility to maintain your career momentum and earning power while you study. Working while you study also means you have the opportunity to make swift gains in the workplace by applying what you learn on an ongoing basis. Many participants on the Executive MBA change roles within their organisation either during the programme or shortly after. Some graduates choose to use their EMBA to pursue opportunities with new employers on completion of the programme. The UCD Smurfit Careers Network supports the career development of our MBA students and provides them with support, insight and expert advice throughout their career development journey.



Over the past few years, our MBA graduates have secured new roles in a large number of organisations, including: Google, Novartis, LinkedIn, Amazon, Facebook, Kellogg's, Hubspot, EY, Grant Thornton, Roche, PwC, Glanbia, Salesforce, Mainstream Renewable Power, CRH and KPMG, TikTok and Henkel.