What Makes Us Special?
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is Ireland’s leading business school and research centre offering world-class business programmes that equip students to become impactful global business leaders. It is the only business school in Ireland, and one of an elite group of schools worldwide, to hold the ‘triple crown’ of accreditation from the three centres of business and academic excellence — EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.
Engagement efforts have resulted in one of the world's top business school alumni communities with over 98,000 professionals around the globe in over 40 international chapters. Along with leading global/international academic administration, leadership derives from two prestigious advisory boards, the Irish Advisory Board and the North American Advisory Board.
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is one of four constituent parts of the UCD College of Business and offers postgraduate courses, including the CEMS programme, an MBA and a wide range of specialist business masters. UCD Smurfit School opened a campus solely dedicated to graduate business education in 1991 and has a centre for PhD research.
The UCD CEMS programme offers students the opportunity to study within a dynamic research community in Ireland’s vibrant commerce capital of Dublin. Also, home of the EU and EMEA headquarters of the world’s leading multinational companies. UCD’s deep ties with industry and friendly culture, gives students unprecedented access to global business leaders.
What to Expect on Campus
The UCD CEMS programme has a small cohort of both Irish and international students who all start together in either the first or second trimester. So lifelong student connections are made from the beginning.
The campus is close to Dublin's vibrant city, which not only has a great social culture, but it is also the home to many tech companies’ HQs in Europe. You will have a chance to meet many international CEMS alumni working in Dublin. The UCD Smrufit campus and city ethos is extremely warm and welcoming and there is easy access to the rest of Europe from Dublin.
Living in the City
Dublin is a vibrant European city, with plenty to see and do. There are a wide range of activities to suit all tastes from active walks up to Bray Head or Howth Head, through to visiting historic locations such as Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol. Christchurch Cathedral and hikes in Co. Wicklow. Of course, there’s also the ever-popular nightlife from live music through to clubbing and the city is the home of Guinness. In addition to the historic sites and cultural activitie Dublin is now home to some of the largest multinational headquarters in Europe – including META, Google, Microsoft, Hubspot, AirBnb, LinkedIn and Twitter.
The Smurfit School campus is located a 20-minute suburban train ride away in a beautiful seaside suburb called Blackrock. The campus is a 10-minute walk from the sea front.
The Dublin City Centre and the beautiful neighbouring County Wicklow (the so-called ‘Garden of Ireland’) are accessible from Blackrock. It’s the ideal campus for taking in both the urban and suburban lifestyles in Dublin. For information regarding the city’s amenities and ‘where to go, what to do Lovin Dublin has lots of recommendations on things to do and see, restaurants and upcoming festivals and events. We recommend you refer to the Dublin.ie, Happenings or Dublin Events Guide websites.
CEMS Club Dublin
UCD Smurfit has a very active CEMS Club and the UCD CEMS Club has been recognised in the CEMS alliance for their outstanding contributions to the CEMS Community. Throughout the semester CEMS Club Dublin may organize trips away, corporate events, tech tours and social gatherings. Events are frequently run in partnership with other CEMS Schools or the local chapter of the CEMS Alumni Association (CEMS LC Ireland). A new CEMS Club Board is elected each semester, and the Club is open to all home and visiting CEMS students.
In addition to the student gym on the Smurfit Campus, the UCD main campus at Belfield has a 50m swimming pool and student gym classes. UCD Belfield has over 60 sports clubs (we have seen a number of CEMS students join the UCD hockey club for example). 70 student societies including the UCD International Students Society which is open to all students.
Read more about CEMS Student Life.
Contact
Why Choose Us for Your CEMS MIM Programme?
As the no 1 ranked business school in Ireland and only Irish school that is part of the elite CEMS alliance, our programme evolves in consultation with world-renowned faculty and business leaders, who bridge academic rigour and leadership expertise to offer an insight into management best practices.
Students will be equipped with the academic knowledge and practical skills required to operate within global businesses and multinational teams. They will gain the vision of responsible business decision-making, leadership and global citizenship that is informed by ethical reasoning, personal integrity and respect for social diversity. An awareness of different cultures, schools of thought and ways of doing business is developed by being with a broad mix of nationalities and spending a semester abroad in a CEMS member school. There are also an international internship and ongoing interaction with the corporate world during the programme via the Skill Seminars, regular corporate visits and the CEMS Business Project.
What to expect when studying the UCD CEMS programme - some quick facts:
- UCD CEMS programme takes 1 year to 16 months max to acquire globally recognised qualifications. End August commencement date in either UCD or assigned CEMS partner school and graduation in December of the following year.
- Small, dynamic cohort of Irish and international students with an active student led CEMS Club Dublin with numerous social activities
- One trimester is @ UCD (either Autumn or Spring). The other two trimesters are spent at an assigned CEMS partner school (either Autumn or Spring), completion of a thesis remotely (Summer trimester) followed by an international internship.
- UCD offers up to 14 languages at its Centre for Global Languages for students to meet the 3rd CEMS language graduation requirement.
- Access to 70+ plus global operating corporate partners with a high percentage of graduates expatriating or working in Dublin post-graduation.
- The UCD CEMS programme has consistently high employment rates and provides international springboard career opportunities.
- An experienced and accessible UCD CEMS office team in regular student contact from onboarding to module selection, visa & language guidance, corporate engagement and dedicated careers services open to all CEMS students.
Join the #1 FT Ranked Business School in Ireland and you will have an unforgettable experience in Dublin.
Applications are made directly to UCD.
16 months
Early September
DEGREE CONNECTED TO THE CEMS MIM
- Masters of Science in International Management
Why Choose Us for Your CEMS MIM Term Abroad?
Ready for a special and impactful CEMS term? Sláinte to Dublin! At UCD Smurfit, Ireland's #1 triple-accredited business school, you'll join a world-class CEMS programme (FT ranked) with unmatched corporate connections. Dublin’s thriving industry hub offers especially strong ties to the tech sector. UCD also offers up to 14 languages at 3 different proficiency levels.
Beyond academics, CEMS Club UCD ensures a packed semester with company visits, local & international trips and networking events. Dublin's cosmopolitan vibe, legendary pub culture, and affordable flights make it an ideal base for exploring Europe. Study on a historic campus—complete with a library in an old church —and build a global network with over 98,000 alumni. Experience Irish warmth at one of the world's top 1% universities and top ranked business school in the country.
Why choose us?
- Small, dynamic cohort of international students with an active student led CEMS Club Dublin and numerous social activities.
- There is a new CEMS cohort in both the Autumn and Spring semester so it's easy to get to know your CEMS class and make new connections.
- An inclusive, friendly school with a strong student focused approach where both home and visiting CEMS students have the same experience and opportunities.
- Weekly skill seminars and company visits offered.
- UCD offers up to 14 languages at its Centre for Global Languages for students to meet the 3rd CEMS language graduation requirement.
- Excellent CEMS business projects with top international companies and a chance to engage with companies directly before indicating your preferred project option.
- An experienced CEMS team in regular student contact from onboarding to visa and language guidance with an onsite dedicated careers services open to all CEMS students.
- Strong network of Dublin based CEMS alumni to connect with and develop career opportunities in the many Dublin based tech companies.
Still have questions?
Curriculum Overview
Please see the CEMS MIM Curriculum overview to understand how the offerings on this page fit into the CEMS MIM programme.
For more information, including:
- Course Selection Process
- Academic Expectations
- Grading
- Available languages
…visit the UCD Smurfit Business School’s International Management MSc/CEMS MIM curriculum page and see the UCD Smurfit School CEMS fact sheet and UCD Centre for Global Languages.
Academic year
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Course code Title Type of course Teaching mode Start date End date View FIN42200 Sustainable Finance Hard Skills / Exclusive In person 2025-09-08 2025-11-24 View MKT46320 Strategic Marketing Management Elective In person 2025-09-08 2025-11-24 View BMGT43510 Global Strategy Strategy In person 2025-09-09 2025-11-25 View BMGT43600 Managing the Negotiations Process Exclusive In person 2025-09-09 2025-11-25 View MKT46140 Omnichannel Marketing Communications Elective In person 2025-09-10 2025-11-27 View MKT46090 Big Data Analytics Hard Skills / Exclusive In person 2025-09-10 2025-11-26 View MKT46130 Consumer Behaviour Elective In person 2025-09-10 2025-11-26 View