Program Reviews

Do NOT waste your money. The only thing that made this program worthwhile was the ability to travel. A proper gap year would have been better/cheaper. The graduate business school at UCD is an absolute joke, especially compared to the rigor you get in the US. Not to mention, the school treats you horribly and gives ZERO support to international students. On a scale of 1-10 their accessibility rating would be 0. You're forced to endure some professors that do not know how to teach at all. The school makes it extra difficult for students to get any kind of job, part-time or full-time, as they do not support any kind of employment. Yes, this is a BUSINESS school that will shame you for any kind of employment. And it is not even close to a good enough school to act the way they do. It is the most disorganized, chaotic organization I have ever seen. Their communication is horrible and it is clear that the program is the bottom-tier priority of all who work there, yet master's students aren't even permitted an ounce of job flexibility. It was like going back to kindergarten. Save your money, just travel for a year or go somewhere else. To be fair, none of the schools in Ireland are worth it based on what I've heard from many peers, including Trinity College.

I found that deciding to attend UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business for my Msc. was the best decision I ever made. Though daunting moving to a new country where I didn't know anyone the staff at the school were very supportive and always helpful. Coming from NYC I compared living on campus to living in Central Park. It is a beautiful surrounding with top rate facilities (business library, meeting rooms, lecture halls, etc..). You're close enough to the City Centre for entertainment, but near the sea to be able to go for relaxing walks, take in some exercise in Blackrock Park, or bond with classmates over lunch in Blackrock Village. The coursework is rigorous, the standards are high, but the payoff is well worth it in terms of career advancement and academic fulfillment.

Attending UCD's Smurfit Graduate School of Business was the best decision I have made for my personal and professional development.
The MSc in Digital Marketing is a rigorous, but rewarding course. Classes are taught by Ireland's leading academics, and also exceptional names in the marketing industry. Tutorials are given directly in the European headquarters of Google, Facebook, Accenture, and LinkedIn. The exposure Masters candidates are given to the transformative global businesses in digital marketing is invaluable. The projects cultivate teamwork as is to be expected in a professional setting, as well as the autonomy to own your own work and see it through.
On a personal level, going to graduate school in a foreign country both pushed me out of comfort zone, and forced me to become more independent. While UCD's staff is always available to support with any issue or to answer any question, and both the academic and lifestyle buildings are set up to satisfy any and all needs, the culture and lifestyle encourages personal growth.
The Irish way of life is beautiful, familial, and generous. You can count on being comfortable and have fun no matter what you're doing. I cannot recommend attending UCD enough!

The Origin Green Ambassadors is a unique opportunity that provides an interdisciplinary approach to teaching food business sustainability.
During the first three months of the programme we visited farms, processing facilities, and government agencies. We talked to farmers about slurry management and other ways to minimise the environmental footprint of their herds; we observed how plant managers implemented their Origin Green plan, for example achieving zero waste to landfill; and we discussed with Teagasc about pilot initiatives that calculate biodiversity on farms.

After coursework was completed, each student had multiple placements focused on CSR within companies and organizations. My classmates were one of the best aspects of the programme. Despite being spread all over the globe, we were able to foster a community and share with one another our learnings.

Overall, the MBA Program at UCD Smurfit was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone with some business experience who wants to take their career to the next level.

I actually didn't live in student accommodation, but I saw it and it was fine! Blackrock is a great place to experience Dublin and Ireland. Lecturers and classmates in my cohort were smart and engaged. I really enjoyed the curriculum and it has affected my career choices and opportunities since I graduated.

As with any program, you get out of it what you put in. If you're going to give a year of your life to get an MBA, I think you should be prepared to work hard and learn a lot.

Smurfit is a perfect place to get a graduate degree abroad. I would describe my time there as a well-rounded learning experience. It's a very international school and by the end of it, you will have at least 10 friends from 10 different countries. My program was a great extension of my already existing business knowledge but with an international perspective. Overall, I really appreciated the like-minded global network gained from this experience (and you will get this no matter what program!!).

Dear Prospective Students,

My name is Thom. I attended the full time MBA program at Smurfit in 2017-2018 and it changed my life in more ways than I can cram into 500 characters. It broadened by executive skillset, improved my public speaking, changed my approach to problem solving and team management, opened up a world class network through my peers and alumni, gave me unforgettable experiences in Ireland (and made it easier to travel through the EU), and nearly doubled my pre-program income.

Studying for my Masters at Smurfit was one of the best experiences I’ve had abroad and I highly recommend it to any prospective students. The coursework is challenging but manageable while adjusting to living abroad and enjoying all that Ireland has to offer. Smurfit does a great job at supporting international students both professionally and personally; I met one of my best friends on day 1 at an orientation event and was able to build friendships with people from all over the world. This experience is a great resume builder and helped me launch a career at a large MNC. You’ll have a great experience and you’ll be supported the entire way.