Ireland is known as the Land of Saints and Scholars. It is an English-speaking country with friendly and welcoming people and is recognized as one of the happiest and safest countries in the world. This beautiful country is also called the Emerald Isle because of the lush green grass that seems to cover the entire Irish countryside.
The educational standards are high in Ireland and the Irish government allocates a significant amount of funds to the education sector so that universities can maintain the high quality of education provided in the country.
Business schools in Ireland are also known to be the best in the world and the country’s advanced economy provides numerous employment opportunities. Here are five of Ireland’s best business schools along with short explanations on why they are considered the best.
Best Business Schools in Ireland
1. Trinity Business School
Trinity Business School is part of Trinity College Dublin and currently holds 1st place in the most recent ranking for business schools made by Eduniversal, a prestigious agency based in Paris, France that specializes in evaluating and ranking universities around the world.
One of Trinity’s main objectives is to contribute to the improvement of business and society. This top business school in Ireland conducts a significant amount of research to bring awareness to analyze and evaluate different areas and challenges in the business industry. It also has a yearly event called the Trinity Global Business Forum where relevant issues surrounding business and society are discussed.
Trinity Business School offers Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. It aims to support its students not just academically, but also in their overall personal development. Students learn from established individuals both from the school’s faculty and industry partners. They are also provided with numerous opportunities and resources to expand their knowledge, skills, and networks such as studying abroad, internships, establishing their own start-ups and collaborating with Trinity’s corporate partners in conducting projects.
2. UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is part of University College Dublin which is the oldest university in Ireland. This top business school in Ireland is the only business school that has been accredited by the three elite accrediting bodies for business schools, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). Being accredited by these three organizations make up what is called the Triple Crown Accreditation, which has only been obtained by 1% of all business schools in the world. UCD Smurfit has also made its presence known in global rankings for the past 10 years.
50% of the student population at UCD Smurfit are international students. The school has also maintained solid relationships in the international business community. It is a part of several global alliances that are composed of top business schools, multinational corporations, and organizations which opens numerous opportunities to its students to study and work overseas.
UCD Smurfit offers Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in a broad range of subject areas and some of its Master’s programs are available for students with non-business backgrounds. Programs are designed to develop the analytical, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills needed by the students to adapt and excel in the industry. They also get to learn from notable individuals from the academic, research, and business world.
3. Dublin City University Business School
Dublin City University Business School is one of best business schools in Ireland and is among the top 100 business schools in the world. It has been accredited by the AACSB and AMBA which is a great indicator of the excellent quality of education it provides. Many of its academic programs have also appeared multiple times in yearly global rankings.
Innovation and research are highly integral to learning business at DCU. The school’s faculty and students conduct intensive research that focuses on business trends, strategies, and challenges in the modern world. Relevant insights are also obtained through DCU’s industry partners. DCU Business School aims to raise individuals who can thrive in the fast-paced, ever-changing, and usually stressful business industry and can strategically develop and implement ways to improve it.
Dublin City University Business Schools offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees. Many of the school’s programs give students the freedom to choose between taking them part-time or full-time. Students are also encouraged to apply for exchange studies and internship programs to broaden their skill sets and gain relevant industry experience even before they graduate.
4. Kemmy Business School
Forming part of the University of Limerick, Kemmy Business School is known as the largest business school in Ireland. It is part of the 2% of the world’s business schools that hold accreditation from the AMBA and of the 5% that has been accredited by the AACSB which signifies the high standard of education provided in KBS.
Despite the outstanding quality of education provided at KBS, the school still seeks to continue improving its standards by maintaining a supportive learning environment for its students, doing relevant research for the improvement of the business world and society as a whole, and expanding its international reach. KBS currently has a total of 83 partner universities within and outside of Europe and is part of multiple international organizations to provide numerous opportunities for exchange programs, internships, and other activities that would support its students’ knowledge and skill development.
Kemmy Business School offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees. Other than international exchange and internship programs, business students at KBS are also given the chance to be employed and earn while putting their learnings into practice. There is also an option to earn a double degree at KBS and in another leading business school.
5. Cork University Business School
Cork University Business School is among the 2% of business schools in the world that are accredited by the AMBA. Many of its programs in management, accounting, and finance have also received multiple recognitions and accreditations from prestigious international bodies.
Several Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are offered at Cork University. Students are encouraged to actively participate during class lectures to practice their communication and analytical skills. At this top business school in Ireland, assessments are conducted through a series of examinations, oral presentations, group projects, and case studies. Most programs also include industrial placements in Ireland and overseas to further develop their skills and gain first-hand experience in the business industry.
6. Griffith College Graduate Business School
Ireland’s largest independent third-level college, Griffith College Graduate Business School, has campuses in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick. The business school, which has more than 7,000 students, has acquired a prestigious reputation for giving students the best lectures and study materials. Further, the school has a strong reputation for student success, both nationally and increasingly internationally.
Everybody can find something to experience at Griffith Business School, one of the most recognized business schools in Ireland. In addition to a variety of professional, short-term, and corporate training options, it provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs that are accredited internationally. This university significantly enhances both personal and professional development. Who wouldn’t want to learn in an atmosphere where the professor is conscious of their skills and limitations and can provide proper support if necessary?
The MSc in International Business Management is offered as a full-time or part-time degree, and it provides graduates with a highly practical, demanding academic, and intellectually stimulating educational experience. On the other hand, accounting modules support controlling expenses, and other areas provide information about the operational side of businesses. To experience college life outside of the classroom, the school encourages business students to join any of the clubs and societies available. The Griffith College Graduate Business School makes sure there is always room to expand professional networks and exchange experiences.
7. J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics
Cairnes School of Business & Economics is a part of the University of Galway and it aims to provide students with a high-impact academic way that will allow them to grow into well-rounded, and professional business experts. The curriculum of the school continuously emphasizes the learning experience of the students, and as a result, student participation is increased through a combination of extended lectures and engaging groups.
The business school offers a variety of research facilities, devoted offices, co-working spaces, and data analysis infrastructure across its three locations on campus. Through effective engagement and research, all faculty members improve society, business, and academia. As one of the top-ranked business schools in the country, the Cairnes School offers a wide range of programs, from undergraduate degrees to EMBA and Ph.D., that focus on developing the professional skills needed to flourish in a globally connected and competitive economy.
The development and progress of the smart economy rely heavily on graduates with degrees in business or economics. Therefore, the school offers students the chance to participate in local, and international experiences.
8. Maynooth University School of Business
The Maynooth University School of Business is situated in the center of the main university town in Ireland and is among the top 20% of business schools in the world for research. The community vibe in and around the university town is quite popular with students. The objective of the school has been to foster critical thinking, produce information that will have an impact on the student group, alumni, and outside professional networks, as well as make a constructive contribution to the fields of business, management, accounting, and finance.
Through the use of practice-based learning, skills projects, and summer industry experiences, all the business programs directly link students to industry and practice. In this setting, students can develop their critical thinking abilities by learning how and when to apply various concepts and skills in various situations.
The Maynooth faculty conducts ground-breaking research and communicates knowledge intending to make a difference and ensure the long-term success of students. There is a thriving group of faculty members there that are engaged in research. The university provides organized Ph.D. programs in business and management, accounting, and finance that serve as the foundation for Ph.D. students in their particular fields of study.
9. Dundalk School of Business
The Dundalk School of Business, the largest of the four schools of the Dundalk University of Technology, has received numerous honors for both its teaching and research, including a second DELTA Award in 2022. With a focus on digital and entrepreneurial skills in an international setting, the campus is filled with top-notch facilities and offers a variety of business and management courses.
The courses carefully balance academic and practical knowledge to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace. The school has strong ties to local industry and service providers, which support collaborative projects, student placements, and research. Due to this fact, the students are constantly given the chance to create entrepreneurial ideas and complete work experiences.
With a wide range of study options, from an ordinary degree to a Ph.D., This exceptional business school gives students more options. DkIT consistently attempts to maintain costs low and commits to prioritizing the futures of students!
10. Waterford School of Business
The Waterford School of Business is located in the heart of Ireland’s vibrant and attractive southeast and is one of the country’s elite integrated business schools. More than 85 faculty members engage at the school, and there are close to 1,500 students who participate in a wide range of school activities with the goal of obtaining academic excellence for the real world.
Through a distinctive learning environment that gathers exceptional students from throughout the nation and around the globe, Waterford makes sure that all students receive instruction in all of the professional skills, knowledge, and competencies required to thrive in their chosen areas. The school combines executive, entrepreneurial, and undergraduate education with connections to business, the workforce, and international education. It also offers postgraduate and executive programs.
In evaluations of employment prospects, business degrees typically rank among the most employable. As the professional world and personal interests change, business degrees offer a quite broad range of career choices and the flexibility to switch between industries. The aforementioned business schools are the best options if one is looking to pursue an education in Ireland.
If you want to obtain a business degree in Ireland but are hesitant due to financial constraints, you can check out the Europe Scholarships Page for funding opportunities!
