MBA in Ireland extends over a 1–2-year period. If you’re someone with prior work experience, an Executive MBA is a popular choice you can pursue in Ireland.
The cost of an MBA in Ireland for Indian students should range from ₹10 to ₹30 lakhs for the entire programme. This is a huge bargain compared to other European B-schools.
Business schools in Ireland might not be as famous as their US and European counterparts. But some schools, such as the UCD’s Michael Smurfit School of Business, are among the top hundred B-schools for a full-time MBA programme. Other notable colleges include Trinity College, Dublin City University, etc.
Studying MBA in Ireland for Indian Students
Ireland is one of the most preferred destinations for higher education in the European region. It is home to many renowned scholars and has a high literacy rate of 99%.
The universities in Ireland offer quality degree programmes, best-in-class amenities, research centers, and other facilities.
Here’s a list of reasons why you should give an MBA in Ireland a thought,
- B-schools in Ireland are globally recognized and offer quality education that can help you advance your career on a global scale.
- MBA in Ireland for Indian students shouldn’t be an issue since there is no language barrier. Most MBAs in Ireland are English based and English is spoken predominantly across the country, making it easier for you to communicate.
- As it’s one of Europe’s most attractive business locations, Ireland houses the European headquarters of major tech companies like Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. This is great news if you plan to work in Ireland during or after your MBA.
- As an international student, you can stay back in Ireland for up to 24 months after graduating. You can utilize this time to find job opportunities in Ireland with a graduate work visa. You can also apply for a green card or work permit.
- According to this report, an MBA graduate can earn an average salary of ₹ 53,92,936 (approx.) in Ireland. In addition, Irish universities are highly career-oriented, helping their graduates find career opportunities straight out of the university.
Types of MBA programmes you can pursue
You have various options for pursuing an MBA in Ireland. This includes your regular full-time and part-time MBA in various streams.
And you also have an executive MBA. You can pursue an executive MBA only if you have prior work experience.
Full-time MBA programmes are intensive and completely classroom-based. Students will have to attend classes all day and will not be able to pursue a job during the programme. The programme duration is 1 or 2 years.
On the other hand, an executive MBA is a 2-year programme for people with full-time jobs. Classes take place during the weekends, with lectures taking place over a nominal amount of time. The whole programme is designed to accommodate the needs of a working professional.
It should be noted that Indian students are not eligible to pursue an EMBA in Ireland.
Getting into an MBA in Ireland
You don’t have to set foot in the university during the application process. You can complete the entire process online. Since you’re an international student, applying as early as possible is best.
Requirements you will have to fulfill for admission into an MBA in Ireland:
- As an international student, you need to possess a valid bachelor’s degree equal to an Irish university’s primary degree level. A degree at Irish NQF level 8 should do the trick.
- You might need a GMAT score ranging between 500 and 600 or equivalent GRE scores to get into some top B-Schools in Ireland. If you’re planning on joining an EMBA, you will need a score of 140/200 in the GMAT Executive Assessment. It’s a test of data-driven and real-world skills required for EMBA programmes.
- You will have to submit proof of English language proficiency. You must take the TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent exams to prove your proficiency.
- Finally, you will have to attend an interview for your MBA admission process.
IELTS requirements for MBA in Ireland
| Name of the Institution | Minimum Scores |
| Dublin Business School | Minimum of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each section |
| Trinity College Dublin | Minimum of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each section |
| University College Dublin | Minimum of 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each section |
| Institute of Technology, Carlow | Minimum of 6.0 with at least 6.0 in each section |
TOEFL requirements for MBA in Ireland
| Name of the Institution | Minimum Scores |
| Dublin Business School | 90 |
| Institute of Technology, Carlow | 90 |
| Trinity College Dublin | 90 |
| University College Dublin | 100 (20 in listening, reading, and speaking + 24 in writing) |
Pearson Test of English requirements for MBA in Ireland
Name of the Institution |
Minimum Scores |
| Dublin Business School | 63 |
| Institute of Technology, Carlow | 59 |
| Trinity College Dublin | 63 with all section scores being more than 59 |
| University College Dublin | 63 with all section scores being more than 59 |
Admission Requirements for Indian students
Pursuing an MBA in Ireland for Indian students requires them to have a second-class honours degree equivalent.
A second-class honours degree (grade two/grade one) is equivalent to a 3 or 4-year bachelor (honours) degree or professional bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
Table showing the 2:2 and 2:1 honours degree equivalent required by Indian students
| Qualification | Percentage Equivalent | CGPA on a 10-point scale | CGPA on a 4-point scale |
| 2:2 Honors | 60-65% (first division at 60%) | 7.0 | 2.7 |
| 65-69% (first division at 65%) | |||
| 2:1 Honors | 66-74% (first division at 60%) | 7.5 | 3.2 |
| 70-79% (first division at 65%) |
Source: collegedunia.com
Work experience requirement for MBA in Ireland
An MBA in Ireland for Indian students would require them to have between three and five years of professional experience. This varies with the university.
You can find universities with their minimum required work experience in the below table.
| University | Minimum Required Work Experience (in years) |
| Trinity College Dublin | 3-5 |
| University College Dublin | 3 |
| National University of Ireland Galway | 3 |
| University College Cork | 3 |
| University of Limerick | 4 |
| Technological University of Dublin | 5 |
| Griffith College | 3 |
| Dublin Business School | 3 |
Source: collegedunia.com
Cost of MBA in Ireland for Indian Students
An MBA in Ireland for Indian students can cost anywhere between ₹3.28 Lakhs at IBAT College and ₹24 Lakhs at Michael Smurfit’s School of Business.
The average cost of an MBA in Ireland should cost you around ₹8 to ₹12 Lakhs per year. In comparison, the average cost of an MBA in the US is ₹46 Lakhs. And in the UK, an international MBA fee can range between ₹34 lakhs and ₹55 Lakhs.
Here is a list of universities offering MBA programmes, along with the approximate programme fee,
| University | Programme | Approx. Programme Fee (in ₹) |
| Dublin Business School | MBA | 10 lakhs |
| EMBA | 20 lakhs | |
| Griffith College | MBA | 12 lakhs |
| EMBA | 23 lakhs | |
| NUI Galway | EMBA | 25.5 lakhs |
| TCD | MBA | 29 lakhs |
| EMBA | 29 lakhs | |
| TU Dublin | MBA | 17 lakhs |
| UCD | MBA | 28 lakhs |
| EMBA | 26 lakhs | |
| University College Cork | EMBA | 22 lakhs |
| University of Limerick | EMBA | 27.5 lakhs |
Accreditation and Tuition Fees
The tuition fees in international institutions depend on the level of accreditation they possess. In the case of an MBA in Ireland, you will have to look out for three accreditation bodies.
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
- Association of MBAs (AMBA)
The more accreditations an institution has, the higher the tuition you will have to pay. UCD Smurfit is the only B-School in Ireland to have all three accreditations. It is also the one with the highest tuition fees for an MBA in Ireland for Indian students.
Scholarships Offered by Irish Universities
Scholarships can go a long way in helping you get a degree. Scholarships in Ireland can cover almost the whole tuition fees and even extra expenses. Here’s a list of popular scholarships offered to international students:
- The Centenary Scholarship Programme offers a 100% tuition fees waiver for 1 year.
- The Central Bank of Ireland Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students offers a ₹ 2196481 annual salary.
- Scholarships for Ontario College Graduates get you a 15% waiver on tuition fees.
- NUI Galway International Students Scholarships provide you with a 100% waiver on tuition fees and ₹ 1360257 for research programmes.
- The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship 2021 provides a ₹ 8,70,000 stipend for 1 year of study. In addition, it funds your tuition and other registration costs.
- Other notable scholarships include the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, the Walsh Fellowship, University College Dublin Scholarships, Fulbright Scholarships, and University Scholarships in Ireland.
Cost of Living in Ireland for Indian Students
The cost of living in Ireland as a student is estimated to range from ₹ 5.7 lakhs to ₹ 9.8 lakhs per year. This estimate includes rent, electricity, laundry, medicine, and books. It also includes travel passes and other social expenses.
Some universities provide you with living facilities for a minimal fee. You can also reduce your expenses by sharing your accommodation.
Note that the cost of living will vary depending on your location, type of accommodation, and lifestyle.
Ireland presents a wonderful opportunity for businesses to grow. The nation has been welcoming businesses to make their base there. This is evident in large tech and pharma companies basing their European operations out of Ireland.
Getting an MBA from Ireland could give you a home base advantage during job hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1. Is work experience a compulsory requirement for an MBA in Ireland?
Ans. Yes, you will need work experience between 3 and 5 years to pursue an MBA in Ireland.
Question 2. How much does it cost to pursue an MBA in Ireland for Indian students?
Ans. It should cost you anywhere from ₹10 to ₹30 lakhs on average to complete an MBA in Ireland. It could be higher or lower, depending on the university.
Question 3. Do I have to take an English language proficiency test?
Ans. Yes, you will have to submit proof of English language proficiency as part of your admission process. Most MBA programmes are English-based. So, you will have to meet the requirement.
Question 4. Is there a minimum eligible score I’ll have to achieve in the English language proficiency test?
Ans. Yes, you will have to score a minimum depending on the university you choose.
Question 5. Can I work in Ireland after graduation?
Ans. Yes, you get two years of stay back period to work in Ireland after graduation. You can find a job and apply for a work permit beyond the two years if you wish to extend.
