Business Administration - MBA - Human Resource Management Stream

Overview

The DBS MBA (HRM), awarded by QQI, focuses on the management of human resources to ensure competitive advantage by maximising resources for the benefit of an organisation and society, which places human resource management (HRM) at the heart of organisational management in a complex global marketplace. HRM enables learners select from complex and advanced skills such as analysis, a critical awareness of current problems such as selection and retention of employees and ensures that the HRM strategy is part of the overall strategy and management of the organisation.



The Irish Management Institute believes an effective human resource management strategy will involve the designing, building and managing of a “human organisation that will execute [your] business strategy” with a high performing human resource strategy enabling dominance in the marketplace (Irish Management Institute (www.imi.ie).



Aims of the Programme

Graduates will be able to critically evaluate strategic human resource management and the importance of people management in organisational strategy. They will also be able to demonstrate critical awareness of the management of employee performance and the role of reward in employee performance.



Key Features of the Programme

This unique programme allows you to study the pure MBA, or choose a specialist route for your MBA award within the following programmes: HRM; Project Management; Finance; Information Systems; Cloud Computing or Marketing. This ensures students are afforded the widest choice of specialisms from which to choose. A practitioner focus is part of this programme, and industry-led workshops and guest lecturers keep information current and applied.



This MBA includes:

• Personal, academic and professional development.

• Lectures and assessment methods that apply the business knowledge required for students to perform as an effective manager in any organisation.

• Through, extensive study of key issues in business theories students will be capable of evaluation and application of important global management issues which impact on organisational effectiveness and performance.

• Knowledge and understanding of global business, most especially on issues such as globalisation, standardisation and customisation of products and services.

• Skills and knowledge to inform you how an organisation is best managed in a changing world.



With these in mind, the programme is designed to provide you with relevant knowledge, so that you are familiar with the latest theoretical and practical developments relating to business management and development.



Structure

The full-time MBA programme spans three semesters, with 30 ECTS per semester, totalling 90 ECTS. The curriculum is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of core business functions and offers opportunities for specialisation.



Semester One: Focuses on six mandatory 5 ECTS modules: "Risk and Change for Global Issues," "Managerial Financial Analysis," "Strategic Marketing Analysis," "Strategic Planning and Management," "Dynamic Leadership Development," and "Sustainable Operations Management". These modules lay the groundwork in essential business administration skills.



Semester Two: Includes one mandatory 10 ECTS module, "Conducting Research for Business," and two 10 ECTS elective modules. Learners can choose electives from various specialised pathways, including Marketing, Human Resource Management, Cloud Computing, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Law. Choosing two electives from the same pathway leads to a specific specialisation.



Semester Three: Dedicated to the "Business Simulation" capstone module (30 ECTS), which synthesises learning from previous modules and focuses on critical inquiry, research, and strategic problem-solving in real-world scenarios.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme has the following content in stages 1 & 2:



Stage 1

Core Modules

Module Name / ECTS

Risk and Change for Global Issues 5

Managerial Financial Analysis 5

Strategic Marketing Analysis 5

Strategic Planning and Management 5

Dynamic Leadership Development 5

Sustainable Operations Management 5

Conducting Research for Business 10

Business Simulation 30



Elective Modules - Choose 2

Module Name / ECTS

Strategies for Human Resource Management 10

Reinventing Performance Management 10

The minimum entry requirements for the Master of Business Administration are:

To be eligible for the Master of Business Administration programme, applicants must meet the following minimum entry requirements:



A Level 8 primary undergraduate honours bachelor's degree with a minimum Second Class Second Division award (2.2 classification) in any discipline from a recognised third-level institution (or equivalent).



Alternatively, a Level 6 (EQF) primary undergraduate bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).



An equivalent professional qualification such as ACCA or CIMA.



A GMAT examination is a mandatory requirement for all applicants who do not hold an Honours Bachelor's Degree (Level 8) with a minimum of second class second division classification.



For international applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught in English, evidence of English language proficiency equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) is required. This can be evidenced through recognised tests like IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE, or DBS English Assessment, with test certificates dated within the last two years.



Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification at a 2.2 award level but have at least three years of work experience may be considered through DBS's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedures. An interview and/or GMAT examination may be required for RPL applicants.

We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2025.

Continuous assessment is an integral part of many of our taught modules. The weightings attaching to coursework and other forms of continuous assessment vary from module to module to facilitate all learning styles. You will experience a variety of teaching and learning assessment methods including lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, group and individual projects, examinations and reports.

Full-time: 1 year

Part-time: 2 years



Delivery

Both versions are delivered through on-site face-to-face and online teaching and learning modalities.

Next Intake dates: September 2025

Careers Opportunities

Careers Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at DBS have excellent long-term career prospects due to the programme’s alignment with current industry needs and the high demand for qualified business professionals in Ireland and globally.



Specific career opportunities and roles that MBA graduates can pursue include:



Management and Strategic Business Roles: Graduates are well-prepared for management and strategic business roles across diverse industries, including public and private sectors.



Business Development and Consultancy: There is strong evidence of growth in management consultancy, with roles like management consultants and business analysts being among the top professional occupations in job vacancy adverts. The programme’s focus on structured analysis, problem-solving techniques, and effective decision-making directly supports these roles.



Project Management: The demand for project professionals is high, with communication, problem-solving, collaborative leadership, and strategic thinking identified as crucial skills. The MBA programme includes dedicated project management pathways.



Marketing and Sales: Roles such as marketing and sales directors, and retail and wholesale managers have seen significant growth in job vacancies.



Finance: Opportunities exist in financial services and related fields.



Other Fields: Graduates can also find opportunities in administration, education, and retail.



Leadership and Innovation: The programme specifically aims to equip learners with skills for making high-level strategic decisions, enhancing productivity, profitability, and organisational value, and preparing them for complex challenges in dynamic business environments.



Entrepreneurship: Graduates can also become entrepreneurs.