The post MBA in Ireland – An Insight appeared first on Jamboree Education.
Over the last decade or so, the Masters in Business Administration degree has slowly and steadily overtaken all the PhDs and Masters to become the most coveted and prized professional degree of today, particularly for those eyeing a career in management or as an entrepreneur. Introduced in the early 20th Century in the United States, there are more than 2500 MBA programs being offered around the globe today. MBA programs have come a long way since then to cater to the dynamic and evolving demands of economies.
Why an MBA?
Having worked for a certain number of years in an organization, people find that they have reached a plateau. They have reached the maximum level they can attain with their given undergrad or Master’s degree. The only next step for them to take is a quantum leap into the management circle. Even though they have probably been already leading teams, taken decisions, handled deliverables and so on, they realize that to get into a formal management position they need to possess the tools of business that can be acquired only through an MBA degree. Thus, an MBA degree can help with career advancement. Such a degree can also help in a shift in domain. Whether it is a change in industry or a functional area change, there are specialized MBA degrees that can help bridge the chasm. The degree gives the freedom of mobility to its graduates. Further, an MBA need not be restricted only to the world of business. It can prove to be useful even for those aspiring to find work in the government, private or public industries or even NGOs.
Finally, and in no way lessening its value, MBA courses enable students to widen their circle of professional networking immensely. Since most of the well-recognised business schools have an international diaspora of students, there is a strong sense of intercultural and multicultural exchanges. Faculty members and students come from various countries and backgrounds and interacting with them on an almost daily basis ensures a healthy exchange of ideas, perspectives and knowledge sharing. Additionally, almost all business schools arrange for conferences, seminars, and events that bring in industry experts and professional to participate and share their experiences and talk of current trends in the business world and so on. This networking can be particularly useful as a gateway to find desirable and attractive jobs and openings in companies and industries. Schools also have career support centres to help students find their specific niche, and craft their profile accordingly.
Why study in Ireland?
While US has always remained the most preferred destination for MBA aspirants, in recent years, countries like Ireland and New Zealand are fast becoming favorite destinations. Doing an MBA in the US is extremely competitive in terms of securing admission, and increasingly prohibitive in terms of cost. Ireland is one of Europe’s fastest growing economy and is also affordable when compared to the US. Business schools in Ireland offer one-year MBAs at anything between 3/4th to 1/4th the cost of a US MBA. Apart from this, Ireland’s friendly and welcoming culture is another attraction for international students. The country offers a two-year graduate work visa that allows graduates to work in Ireland after completing their MBA. Easy access to the rest of Europe on low-cost airlines is another attraction for international students who will be able to experience different cultures, languages and cuisine.
The Republic of Ireland, or just Ireland as it is commonly called (there is a small part of Northern Ireland that still belongs to UK), is a small country in the north west of Europe. It has a small but highly globalised economy. It welcomes businesses with open arms allowing them to set up ventures in the country with minimum red tape and excellent infrastructure. The country abounds with top global finance, tech, agricultural and pharmaceutical multinationals, and dynamic start-ups. Its beautiful scenery, rich heritage and the English language, Irish schools are growing increasingly more attractive to international students. There is always something to do, be it the beautiful natural scenic spots to explore or the famous Irish pubs to visit or learn to play the Gaelic football or snooking, or even perhaps visit the renowned farmers markets all across the country to enjoy healthy eating.
Another feature that makes Ireland very attractive to students, particular those from countries like India, is that students in Ireland can apply for a green card which is actually a work permit. They can earn while studying thereby easing their financial situation. Many universities also provide internships for their students to get some practical experience. Apart from these there are many loans given by both the Government and the individual universities to help finance studying for international students in Ireland.
Where to study in Ireland?
The country offers many MBA programmes through a wide range of business schools in cities like Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Some of these have an international accreditation, such as AMBA or AACSB, while others have international MBA rankings recognised by major international publications. Specializations are offered in fields such as finance, business analytics, accounting, supply chain management, human resource management, hospitality management, or even just general management which ensures a good grounding in the various facets of management including soft skills like presentations, business language and negotiations.
Some of the top schools in Ireland offering Business and Management studies at the post graduate level are:
| School Name | City of Location | QS World Rankings | Other Information |
| Trinity Business School, Trinity College | Dublin | 104 | Both full time MBA and part-time Executive MBA are offered
GMAT of 550+ or equivalent GRE Minimum 3-5 years of professional/managerial experience required Interview with the MBA director is mandatory Limited number of significant funding available as scholarship. Recipients have to fulfil ambassadorial obligations |
| Smurfit School of Business, University College | Dublin | 193 | Full time MBA: GMAT OF 600 +
Executive MBA: GMAT of 520+ GRE also accepted Scholarships available Full time professional experience must |
| J.E.Cairnes School of Business, National University of Ireland | Galway | 260 | Two-year Executive MBA
3-5 years of professional experience is must Compulsory interview Several scholarships are available and they all cover up to 50% of tuition fees Applications must be submitted by May 1st week to be eligible for scholarships |
| Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick | Limerick | 411-520 | Two-year part time Executive MBA
4 years of professional experience or equivalent 30 students per batch, accepted after an informal interview No scholarships for MBA |
| DCU Business School, Dublin City University | Dublin | 422 | Executive MBA offered along with many MSc degrees in Management related topics
No GMAT or GRE required Several scholarships available Customized and tailored programmes |
Most schools offer both the one year full time MBA and the Executive MBA which is a part time course for two years. Both GMAT and GRE are accepted and individual schools have their own benchmarks for these. A TOEFL or IELTS score is mandatory for non-native English speakers. The websites of the schools have detailed information regarding the courses offered, the application requirements, tuition fees and the scholarships available. Internships, multiple study locations and flexible curriculum make Business Schools in Ireland attractive to international applicants. Since all the courses are very competitive, it is best to apply early to gain an extra edge over others.
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