When thinking about where to study an MBA, Ireland is an appealing option. The country is a popular location for international students of a variety of subjects, and a particularly good place to get a business degree. Ireland is not only home to some of the world's top universities, but also a powerful financial services sector. Here, we explain why you should consider studying there.

Top universities

If you choose Ireland for a postgraduate degree, you'll be joining a community of more than 30,000 international students in a country full of great universities. Five of these are rated among the top 400 globally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. In addition, the QS World University Rankings 2023 place three of Ireland's universities in the top 300.

Several of the country's universities offer MBA courses. Most notably, the ones at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin are regarded as being close to the top 100 in the world by the QS rankings. Along with the MBA taught at the University of Limerick, these are the only business courses in Ireland to have the prestigious triple crown accreditation, meaning that they are among the most respected in the field.

Other top universities that offer MBAs in Ireland include:

In addition to the standard MBA, Ireland also has universities where you can study for an EMBA (Executive MBA). This qualification is mostly intended for people who already have significant business experience, and can be earned at University College Cork and Technological University Dublin.

Discover more universities in Ireland where you could study business.

Opportunities to stay in the country

Ireland is known to have a favourable post-study work environment for international students. Graduates from EEA countries can live and work in the country freely, while if you are from elsewhere, you can benefit from the third level graduate scheme.

Under the terms of this scheme, you could be allowed to live and work in Ireland for up to 24 months after graduating. This is subject to certain conditions, such as evidence of employment and restrictions on the number of hours you can work. However, if you are still working in Ireland by the end of your period of eligibility, you will be in a good position to apply for an extended work permit.

A growing economy and great career options

Ireland is a significant player in the global marketplace, playing host to some well-known multinational companies. Dublin is home to the European headquarters of Google, Airbnb and Microsoft, while many similarly large businesses have their own presence in the country. This is a definite plus point for MBA graduates looking to work for a prestigious company.

It is also encouraging that the unemployment rate in the country is around only four per cent, similar to both the UK and USA. In addition, the Irish economy is projected to grow by more than four per cent in each of the next two years by the European Commission. This is all good news for the career prospects of MBA graduates.

Learn more about finding a graduate career in Ireland.

Reasonable tuition costs

Costs are always a concern when considering higher education. Fortunately, studying for an MBA in Ireland is often less expensive than in other countries.

If you’ve been looking at studying in the UK, you may find that tuition fees and living costs are similar in Ireland. However, if you were considering an MBA in the USA, Canada or Australia, you may be pleasantly surprised at how affordable Ireland can be.

Fees for MBAs in Ireland do differ. At the less expensive end, you could pay EUR 13,500 at Dublin Business School. For the highly regarded course at University College Dublin, meanwhile, international fees are EUR 36,760. However, even this compares favourably to other countries. For an MBA at similarly ranked universities in the USA, you can expect to pay between EUR 56,000 and EUR 93,000.  

Want some help towards paying for your MBA? Investigate some of the top scholarships in Ireland.

A location like no other

Life as an international student in Ireland comes highly recommended by those who have experienced it. Dynamic, multicultural cities combine with impossibly beautiful countryside and coastlines to make up a nation in which you are never far from something new to enjoy. You can expect a warm welcome, too. Ireland is famous for its relaxed approach to life and inclusive sense of humour.

An MBA degree can be earned in countries around the world, but few offer what Ireland can. With high-quality educational standards, great post-study opportunities and a balanced way of life, it could be the perfect place to make your business dreams come true. Sound good? Try our course matcher tool to find the right Irish MBA for you.