The 6 Best MBA Programmes in Dublin

Looking for a good MBA programme to pursue? Well, Dublin is home to the best business schools that Ireland has to offer.

If you’re not yet convinced, our list of the best MBA programmes in Dublin will help you decide otherwise. In this article, we’ve discussed many things, from tuition fees to each institution’s highlights.

Without doubt, though, pursuing an MBA is a major financial decision. So, before proceeding to our list, let’s discuss costs first.

The Best MBA Programmes in Dublin

Let’s head over to the top universities for the best MBA programmes in Dublin!

1.   Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin

PROGRAMMES	Full-time MBA, Executive MBA (part-time), Flexible Executive MBA
WEBSITE	https://www.tcd.ie/business/mba/
ADDRESS	Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin College Green, Dublin
CONTACT DETAILS	+353 1 896 3683 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Mon to Fri: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Sat: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

It’s unsurprising that Trinity Business School made it to our list. Trinity College Dublin has consistently ranked as the top university in Ireland, and among the best globally.

This top ranking comes with its fair share of benefits and drawbacks though. While graduating from a top-ranked university means that companies will favour you, being admitted in the first place has its own set of challenges.

In other words, admission is very competitive, considering that the programme will only admit around 40 students each year.

Still, one of the many things we like about Trinity Business School is its flexibility in accommodating students’ busy schedules. They’re one of the very few universities in Ireland to offer 3 MBA programmes designed to cater to full-time and part-time students.

If you intend to study full-time, then you can speed up the process of getting an MBA within a year only. But if you’re working and studying at the same time, you can either complete their Executive MBA programme or Flexible Executive MBA programme in 2 years.

The main difference between these programmes is the mode of teaching. The Executive MBA programme offers the traditional face-to-face set-up common among business schools.

What’s unique about the Flexible Executive MBA programme is that it mixes on-campus and online learning, with the majority of the programme being conducted online. This is the perfect option for students who live away from the city centre.

Still, we highly recommend taking classes at its historic campus located at the heart of the city if you have the chance. It’s easily accessible via public transport with a multitude of shops and multinational companies within reach.

2.   Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin

PROGRAMMES	Full-time MBA, Modular Executive MBA, Executive MBA (part-time)
WEBSITE	https://www.smurfitschool.ie/programmes/thesmurfitmba/
ADDRESS	UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
CONTACT DETAILS	+353 1 716 8934 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Mon to Fri: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

It’s also a no-brainer why Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School made it to this list. After all, it’s also one of Ireland’s elite universities to make it to global rankings such as The Economist’s Full-Time MBA 2021 Ranking.

Whether you’re planning to study full or part-time, you have the option to select from three programmes here too.

What really sets them apart is their recently-launched Modular Executive MBA programme, which follows a 2-day block schedule each month. This means that you’ll only need to attend classes on campus 2 days each month, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm on designated Fridays and Saturdays.

This is an ideal arrangement for students with demanding schedules and for those starting a family. Moreover, you also have the option to embark on an optional international study tour for an additional cost.

As with all business schools with an excellent reputation, data shows that graduates from Smurfit benefit from a relatively quick hiring process within three months of graduation.

Of course, this also means that the admission process is quite competitive, accepting no more than 40 to 50 students each year. Tuition fees are quite expensive too.

While campus is located away from the city centre, the seaside town of Blackrock creates a relaxed learning environment for students. Nothing to worry about in terms of accessibility though, as there are train stations and bus stops nearby.

3.   Dublin City University (DCU) Business School

PROGRAMMES	Executive MBA
WEBSITE	https://business.dcu.ie/executive-education/
ADDRESS	Dublin City University, Collins Ave Ext, Whitehall, Dublin
CONTACT DETAILS	01 700 5265 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Mon to Fri: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

DCU Business School’s Executive MBA is recognised by the QS Executive MBA 2020 Ranking as one of the top 40 programmes to apply for in Europe.

It’s also one of the only 3 Irish institutions to receive an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation—an internationally-recognised qualification that gives graduates an extra edge should they look for work abroad.

DCU Business School has only 1 MBA programme spanning over 2 years on a part-time basis. You’ll need to attend classes 1 day a week from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm, which may be a challenge for those with busy schedules.

While fees are relatively more affordable, non-EU-based students would have to pay a premium price though.

Do take note that part-time MBA programmes in the country are limited to local and EU-based students due to visa limitations. So if you’re located outside of the EU, we recommend asking the university’s admissions team to know your options. 

Alternatively, we also think the university’s non-MBA programmes are still worth checking out due to their good reputation. Some programmes include Master’s in Finance, and even highly-specialised programmes like the Master’s in Aviation Leadership.

Take note that only around 30 students are admitted to the programme per year. So, be sure to plan early and pay attention to application deadlines, which are available on their website.

4.   TU Dublin

PROGRAMMES	Executive MBA
WEBSITE	https://www.tudublin.ie/
ADDRESS	Park House, 191 N Circular Rd, Cabra East, Grangegorman, Co. Dublin, D07 EWV4, Ireland
CONTACT DETAILS	+353 1 220 5000 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Mon to Fri: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

We highly recommend TU’s Executive MBA programme. It’s another institution accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), meaning that the university boasts of high standards in business education.

They only offer 1 MBA programme, which is conducted on a part-time basis over 2 years. Similar to our previous entry, you’ll have to be on-campus for classes on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

There are also a number of Saturdays that are kept free each semester. This schedule provides a bit more leeway for students to manage their time better between classes, work, and their personal lives.

There are 2 key highlights of the programme that we think are worth mentioning. First, tuition fees are relatively low for Irish and EU residents compared to others on our list.

And to add to that, the university also allows students to pay in installments over the course of 2 years. In fact, you can also apply for a tax return on tuition fee payments.

Next, the programme also includes a week-long trip to Silicon Valley in the U.S., where students can interact with business leaders, attend workshops, and many more.

The campus is also located at the heart of the city, with many corporations and commercial establishments within walking distance.

Do take note that non-EU-based students must be holders of an Irish residency or work permit to be eligible for the programme.

5.   Graduate Business School, Griffith College

PROGRAMMES	MBA in International Business (full-time or part-time)
WEBSITE	https://www.griffith.ie/faculties/graduate-business-school
ADDRESS	Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin
CONTACT DETAILS	01 415 0400 [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Mon to Fri: 8:30 am to 9:30 pm Sat: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Sun: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Lastly, we have Griffith College’s MBA in International Business. The programme is offered on a full or part-time basis, which can accommodate local and international students alike.

As you can tell, the programme’s primary focus is on exploring business trends on a global scale. So, if you’re looking to work in a multinational company eventually, then this institution is worth considering.

Graduates of the programme will earn a Level 9 QQI qualification, which means that your diploma is recognised and highly regarded in Ireland, Europe, and the rest of the world. This is also a huge plus for international students who wish to stay in Ireland for employment.

Sadly, the curriculum doesn’t come with a study abroad programme, contrary to our entries on our list. This would’ve been a great opportunity to immerse students in an international business setting—the core focus of the programme.

Despite this, tuition fees are also quite reasonable, especially for international students who only need to pay slightly higher fees than Irish and EU-based students. Not to mention that campus is also pretty near to the city centre, which is also easily reachable by public transport.

6.   IBAT College Dublin

PROGRAMMES	MBA – Masters of Business Administration (Full-time)
WEBSITE	https://www.ibat.ie/courses/masters-courses-postgraduate-master-of-business-administration-mba-full-time.html
ADDRESS	Wellington Quay Campus 16-19 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland. Frederick Street Campus 24-27 Frederick Street North, Dublin 1,Ireland.
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone Main Office: +35318075055 Email General enquiries: [email protected] Course enquiries: [email protected] Registrar: [email protected] Student Services: [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Enquire for more details

Another addition to our list is IBAT College’s MBA in Masters of Business Administration. This is a full-time programme spanning for 12 months and is open to both local and international students. 

What’s great about this programme is that it gives students options for flexible learning. You can start in either February or September, so you’re not pressured to begin at a certain month. 

A plus for is having many other responsibilities—like work and family—will not deter you from taking up this programme because they can offer you a part-time option.

With this course you’ll get to learn about Finance, Marketing Management, Digital Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Human Resource Management, and Leading and Managing Projects. It wraps up with a dissertation you can work on for 6 months. 

However, if you want to get a chance to become exposed to the business settings of other countries firsthand, you might want to look at our other options since this one doesn’t have international exchange programmes. 

If you’re looking for another reason to apply for this course, their programme costs the least among our list. You get quality education without breaking the bank.

Being a flexible programme that’s considerably cheaper than the rest and located in the heart of Dublin City, we don’t see why you shouldn’t give this one a shot.

FAQs about MBA Programmes in Dublin

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And those are the best MBA programmes in Dublin! We hope our guide helped you decide which university to go for.

Think we missed a programme that also deserves to be on our list? Just drop us a message and we’ll check them out ASAP.

If you’re looking to diversify your options outside of Dublin, you can also check out our list of the best business schools to get your MBA in Ireland.

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