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University College Dublin

Executive - MBA

Programme Overview

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.

One of the worlds most vibrant capital cities, Dublin is a hub of business, finance and innovation, and provides a culturally diverse home for our MBA.

Benefit from an outstanding and challenging academic curriculum, delivered by an international faculty within an intimate classroom setting. Immerse yourself in case studies, action learning, international study trips, integrated projects and global virtual teamwork.

Expand your horizons with a dedicated careers service and an active network of 3,800 MBA Alumni worldwide. Engage in Smurfits MBA Leadership Development programme, and focus on the skills necessary to communicate effectively, understand yourself better, and lead diverse teams and organisations anywhere in the world.

The Smurfit MBA is designed to develop global leaders. Over 70% of the MBA class is international and the programme is delivered by an international faculty.

A member of the Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM) network of 29 business schools including Yale, INSEAD and LSE, Smurfit will offer you a global perspective through international study trips and exchanges, action learning via global collaboration, exposure to thought leaders on global issues and problem-solving in international settings.

UCD Smurfit School is the only business school in Ireland and one of an elite group of schools worldwide to hold triple crown accreditation from the three centres of academic and business excellence, Equis, (Europe) AMBA (UK) and AACSB (US).

UCD Smurfit is also the only Irish business school consistently ranked by both the Financial Times and the Economist Intelligence Unit, both of which position the Smurfit MBA in the top 100 MBA programmes in the world. Learn more about our rankings and accreditations.

Duration

24 months - Part-time

Careers or further progression

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 or on completion of the course.

In 2017, the Financial Times ranked The Smurfit Executive MBA in 74th position in the prestigious global FT rankings, and calculated that our EMBA graduates earnings grew by 51% in the 3 years after graduation.

Graduates of the Smurfit MBA are highly sought after to take up roles across all types of organisations, from top consulting firms and banks to tech innovators such as Amazon and Google. Some of our most recent MBA graduates have secured roles in McKinsey, Grant Thornton, EY, Accenture, Bank of Ireland, Northern Trust, Citi Group, Workday, Aer Lingus, Datalex, Microsoft, KPMG and Liberty Insurance.

Subjects taught

Foundation Week
Preparing the Ground
Introduction to Finance, Marketing and Strategy
Case Studies
Business Simulation
Communication Skills
Team work

Autumn Semester
Financial Reporting
Perfomance-driven Marketing
Competitive Strategy
Leadership and Organisation Behaviour

Spring Semester
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Management Accounting
Corporate Finance
Strategies for HR

Summer Term
Global Business Environment

Autumn Semester
Leading the Innovative Enterprise
Investment Management
Global and Corporate Strategy
Business and Society

Spring Semester
Options (including study tour)
EMBA participants take 4 options during programme

Summer Term
Capstone Project
EMBA Global Immersion week option
Possible block option in early summer

MBA Leadership Development Programme - planned series of seminars, workshops, 360 feedback and executive business coaching

MBA Careers Development planned series of seminars, workshops, employer events, speaker events and career mentoring

Extracurricular Activities - International Case Study Competitions, MBA Clubs, MBA Blog, Networking Events

** Please note that the content is subject to change yearly

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Curriculum & Learning

As an EMBA participant, you will build on your previous experience and gain practical skills in Finance, Strategy, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Human Resources and Leadership among other disciplines. The programme is structured over 2 years during which time you will complete 12 core modules, 4 option modules, a major project and the opportunity to take modules in locations across the globe.

Most optional modules are usually taken in year 2 semester 2 and the summer term. In recent years we have also added an option that may be taken at the end of year 1 as well to allow participants to spread their learning. The list of options evolves over time based on student feedback and the identification of new areas of interest.

Curriculum Overview

Please note that the table below is for indicative purposes only as modules are sometimes moved or replaced for academic reasons.