MBA in Ireland: Top Universities, Eligibility, Documents & More

An MBA (Masters of Business Administration) is a two-year program offered at a few universities across Ireland. The executive MBA for professionals with prior job experience is another popular MBA program in the country. Fees for an MBA in Ireland for an international student range from roughly €10,000–36,000 annually. In fact, the impressive return on investment of studying in Ireland b-schools makes it the top option for Indians. Upon completing an MBA from Ireland's top b-school, you can expect to make up to €164,471 annually. 

Interested to Study In Ireland? Apply for Free Counselling

Also Check: Study in Ireland

Top MBA Universities in Ireland

We’ve listed some of the top MBA universities in Ireland that will offer you an academically stimulating environment.  

University	Ranking
Trinity College Dublin	111–120
University College Dublin: Smurfit School	111–120
University College Cork	-
Technological University of Dublin (TU Dublin)	-
National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway)	-

Source: QS Global MBA Rankings 2024

While Ireland’s business schools may not have as many well-known names as the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, there still are Ireland universities such as UCD’s Michael Smurfit Business School that rank among the top100 b-schools for full-time MBAs. In addition, Trinity College and Dublin City University are known worldwide to offer MBA and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) programs to overseas students. 

Top MBA Specializations in Ireland 

Candidates may choose various specializations, including marketing, finance, accounting, supply chain management, and business analytics, to name a few. 

General MBA courses are also available at many Irish institutions. However, there are specific MBA in Ireland requirements that you should note, right from academic criteria to work experience and others. Ireland offers an industry-oriented MBA curriculum for aspirants and access to many networking opportunities. At the same time, the country offers lucrative employment opportunities for MBA graduates in various business sectors. An MBA degree in Ireland is recognized globally, making students eligible to pursue careers in other countries.

MBA in Ireland Requirements- Eligibility Criteria

Here are some of the MBA requirements in Ireland that you should note (keep in mind that eligibility criteria vary across universities): 

• A three-year UG or bachelor’s degree or any other professional qualification with examinations. 
• Aspirants should have earned their degrees from accredited institutions or demonstrate a good track record of professional/business accomplishments if they do not have any degree/qualification. 
• Aspirants may have to submit their GMAT Exam (Graduate Management Admissions Test) scores. The minimum GMAT score threshold is usually 550 at leading Irish universities. 
• Scores of English language proficiency tests, such as the IELTS Exam (International English Language Testing System) or the TOEFL Exam(Test of English as a Foreign Language). However, candidates who have completed their formal education in English may be exempted from the same. 
• At least 3-5 years of work experience, depending on the university. For example, the Technological University of Dublin requires 5 years of experience, while the Dublin Business School, University College Dublin or Trinity College Dublin take applicants with 3 years of work experience. 
• The bachelor’s degree should be equivalent to the primary degree level in Ireland, i.e., NQF Level 8. 
• Some institutions may require GRE scores in place of GMAT scores. 
• Personal interviews may be needed for aspirants at some institutions. 
• Executive MBA programs usually take GMAT Executive Assessment scores. It has already been implemented at several Executive MBA providers, including Smurfit Graduate Business School and Trinity Business School, among others in Ireland. The minimum score threshold is 140 out of 200 in this test. 

Popular Business Course in Ireland: Master in Business Studies in Ireland

Documents Needed for MBA in Ireland

Many documents are required to apply for an MBA in Ireland. Here’s taking a look at the same: 

• Official academic transcripts (translated if required) and mark sheets. 
• Updated Resume/CV with all work experience details along with professional achievements and academic journey. 
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Personal Essay, depending upon university guidelines. 
• Identity proof and two photographs. 
• Proof of funds and loan papers, along with visa documents. 
• Two LORs (Letters of Recommendation). 
• Score sheets of standardized tests like GMAT/GRE. 
• Score sheets of English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL,  IELTS, or PTE Exam 
• Passport Copy. 
• Receipt of application fee payment. 

Other Resources: SOP for MBA in International Business | LOR for MBA

English Language Requirements for MBA in Ireland

Non-native speakers have to adhere to English language requirements for applying to MBA programs in Ireland. 

Here are the average scores required for applying to MBA programs in Ireland: 

NAME OF THE EXAMINATION	MBA UNIVERSITIES	MBA PROGRAMS AT INSTITUTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY	MBA COLLEGES
PTE	63	59	63
TOEFL	90	90	90
IELTS	6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in every section	6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in every section	6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in every section

IELTS Requirements for MBA in Ireland

Institution	MINIMUM IELTS SCORES Minimum IELTS Score
Dublin Business School	Minimum score of 6.5
Trinity College Dublin	Minimum score of 6.5
University College Dublin	Minimum of 7.0 with at least 6.0 in every section
Institute of Technology, Carlow	Minimum of 6.0

TOEFL Requirements for MBA in Ireland

Institution	Minimum TOEFL Scores
Institute of Technology, Carlow	80
University College Dublin	100 with 20 in each section.
Dublin Business School	88
Trinity College Dublin	88

PTE Requirements for MBA in Ireland

NAME OF THE INSTITUTION	MINIMUM PTE SCORES REQUIRED
University College Dublin	Minimum of 65 and at least 59 for each item.
Trinity College Dublin	63 with no section’s score going below 59
Dublin Business School	Minimum score - 63 (with no section score below 59)
Institute of Technology, Carlow	55

** All the information for this section was taken from the official website.

Deadlines for MBA Admissions in Ireland

MBA applications are accepted on a rolling basis in Ireland. Students must maintain track of intake dates to secure their places in their preferred b-schools on time. 

Listed are some of the top universities and their admissions deadlines-

• Galway National University – May
• Trinity College Dublin – Rolling basis
• Dublin Business School – September
• Limerick University – August
• Dublin Technological University – September
• Cork University College – November
• Griffith College – January to June and from September to November

MBA in Ireland Without GMAT

GMAT or GRE scores are considered a crucial part of the MBA admission process in Ireland. Certain colleges will accept applications for an MBA without a GMAT.

There are, however, several conditions that must be met. Applicants can seek a GMAT (or GRE) waiver for university applications in Ireland if they meet the following criteria:

• They have a master’s or doctoral degree from a recognized university. 
• Work experience of 8 to 10 years or more. 
• Professional accomplishments and credentials that qualify for a waiver. 

Also,  NUI Galway, Griffith College, and others are among some universities in Ireland that do not require GMAT scores for admissions.

An MBA degree is accepted globally for the universities in Ireland that are among the top research-based educational hubs. It attracts more international students to choose Ireland as their study abroad destination. I hope this article has provided you with all the details regarding the MBA in Ireland requirements.

Popular MBA Jobs in Ireland 

We have listed the top profiles that MBA graduates can opt for. 

Profile	Average Annual Salary
Market Research Analyst	€39,000
Investment banker	€42,000
Marketing Manager	€57,000
Management Consultant	€ 50,000
Data Analyst	€37,000

Source: Glassdoor 
Also Read: https://www.upgradabroad.com/articles/mba-jobs-in-ireland/