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University College Dublin

Strategic Management & Planning

The MSc in Strategic Management and Planning provides students with the relevant knowledge and competences needed to take strategic management decisions in a digital age. The Programme has been recently re-designed to serve the needs of companies operating in innovative, international, and entrepreneurial markets. Our exclusive offer includes modules taught by internationally reputable academics and ex-managers, such as competitive, corporate and behavioural strategy, technology and innovation management, strategic resource allocation, entrepreneurship and new venture creation, negotiation and decision-making techniques.

This Programme attracts every year high-potential Irish and International students, often also with relevant work experience. In terms of academic background, it is ideal for students with an undergraduate degree in business, economics, engineering, science, law, as well as for students with postgraduate business diplomas. Applications from non-business graduates are also considered on a one-to-one basis.

The MSc in Strategic Management and Planning is intellectually challenging as it requires students to learn and implement strategies during a range of selected courses taught by reputable international academics and practitioners. The course content equips students with some of the most relevant competences to formulate and implement strategies in global markets facing radical innovations.

Entry requirements

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.

• A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline

• A primary degree with a minimum of three years' relevant work

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our courses. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

Graduates of this course are equipped with an excellent foundation for a career in strategic consultancy, general management, business analysis and project management.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will become a member of the Strategic Planning Society (SPS) - the leading professional strategy association. All students on the MSc in Strategic Management and Planning are eligible to apply for Graduate Membership of the IMCA (Institute of Management Consultants & Advisors in Ireland).

80% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey).

Career opportunities
The MSc in Strategic Management and Planning from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School gives you the specialised skills and knowledge you need for a career in a wide variety of business and finacial sectors.

In 2016, 77% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: First Destination Report 2016)

Potential careers for our graduates include:
• Management Consultant
• Project Management
• Business Analyst
• General Management
• Credit Analyst
• Commercial Banking
• Entrepreneur in Residence

Further enquiries

The Admissions Office can be contacted at
email: smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie
or phone +353 1 716 8934

Subjects taught

Semester 1
• Economic Foundations of Strategy
• Planning and Decision Making Techniques

+ 1 option module
• Project Management - Open Elec
• New Venture Dynamics
• Leadership Development Skills
• Strategy & International Business

Semester 2
• Behavioral Foundations of Strategy, Planning and Control
• Strategic Resource Allocation

+ 1 option module
• Contemporary Issues in Strategy
• Economics of Entrpreneurship
• Creativity Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Technology & Innovation Strategy
• Mindfulness & Resilience at Work
• International HRM

Summer Term
• Managing the Negotiation Process

+ 2 optional modules
• Technology & Innovation Strategy
• Managing Leading & Coach. Chng
• The Science of Teams
• Cross-Cultural Management
• Globalisation & Social Movement
• Financial Management
• Managing Leading & Coach. Chng

Or
• SMP Dissertation

Note: option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years. What is offered each academic year is subject to change.

Application date

Step 1: Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application*.

These can include but are not limited to:
Transcripts
CV
References
English Language test
Other Documents

Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now online.

You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
We are open for applications for the academic year 2020/21. Please note that many of our courses fill in advance of September each year so we advise you apply as early as possible. Some key deadline dates to ensure you get your application in by are December 15th 2019, March 15th 2020, May 15th 2020 and July 15th 2020.