What Are The Best Business Schools For An MBA In Ireland?

Studying in Ireland is more popular than ever. In January 2025, a report by ApplyBoard found that there were 40,400 international student enrolments in 2023/24, a 15% increase on the previous year. 

Students are increasingly drawn to the country thanks to its ties with Europe—unlike its UK neighbors, the Republic of Ireland still enjoys EU membership and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the Eurozone.

Ireland is also a top European hub for many leading multinational companies such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pfizer, and GSK.

Additionally, Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the EU, meaning that tuition is in English.

Find out how much it costs to study in Ireland, the choice of business schools and their rankings, plus graduate outcomes including salaries.

How much does it cost to study an MBA in Ireland?

Studying for an MBA in Ireland can be considerably more affordable than in other countries. At the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton, for example, MBA tuition costs more than $185,000 over the program’s two years. Meanwhile, a 12-15 month MBA at London Business School costs upwards of $160,000.

However, at Griffith College Dublin, an MBA costs between just €13,000 and €16,000 (approx. US$15,000 to $19,000).

As well as lower tuition fees, the country also offers lower living costs compared to major US cities—although costs vary.  Dublin, its capital, is generally more expensive than cities such as Cork and Limerick. 

Which companies can MBA grads work at?

Ireland is the European HQ for companies including Google, Meta, Pfizer, and Apple, meaning post-MBA professional opportunities are plentiful. This means that there are great postgraduate opportunities. 

Dublin has its own tech hub, known as Silicon Docks. 

Thanks to the Post-Study Work Visa (Third Level Graduate Program), non-EU students can stay in Ireland for up to two years after graduating to find a job. 

Dublin ranked number one in fDi’s European Cities of the Future 2025 Ranking for economic potential and number three for business friendliness. 

What salary can you get after an MBA in Ireland? 

Postgraduate salaries will depend on your location. In Dublin, graduates of top-ranked University College Dublin Smurfit's MBA can expect strong outcomes with an average salary of $140,828—a percentage increase of 91%—within three years of graduation, according to the Financial Times Global MBA ranking.

Meanwhile, in the smaller cities of Galway or Limerick, reported MBA salaries reach as high as around €60,000, which is around $70,000.

What are the top universities for an MBA in Ireland?

University of Galway

Located on the banks of the River Corrib, the University of Galway is just 15 minutes away from the center of the city that's often referred to as Ireland’s “cultural heart”. 

The MBA here features flexible blended delivery and takes place in a purpose-built MBA room, with small classes. 

An integral part of this program is its Masterclass and Leadership Lessons Series, which sees speakers such as Mike Hughes, president of Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, and Mary Inman, international whistle-blower lawyer, sharing their expertise and insight. The University of Galway MBA costs €16,000 per annum for EU students and €18,000 (around $21,000) for international visitors.

The university reports that 98% of its graduates are working or in further study six months after graduating. 

©University of Galway / Facebook

Maynooth University School of Business 

Located in the university town of Maynooth, County Kildare, Maynooth University School of Business offers an MBA that combines the practical application of learning with strong industry connections and research-informed insight into all core aspects of business. 

Studied over 16 months, the program includes 10 months of weekly on-campus classes and a six-month capstone of full-time placement or business consulting project. 

This is a new MBA program which will begin this September (2025).

Dublin Business School

This MBA can be done in one year full-time or two part-time and offers students specialized pathways to allow them to tailor their education to specific career goals or industry requirements. These pathways include cloud computing, supply chain management, law, and creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 

Annual fees here are set at €12,950 (full-time) for EU students and €14,500 (approx. $17,000) for international students. 

Dublin Business School graduates have gone on to secure roles at Deloitte, TikTok, Apple, and Amazon. 

©Dublin Business School / Facebook

Griffith College Dublin

The innovative MBA in International Business offered by Griffith College Dublin can be studied on a full- or part-time basis and covers a diverse range of topics such as global marketing, managerial finance, entrepreneurial innovation, and digital transformation. 

Instead of a traditional thesis, Griffith students can integrate what they have learned through a practice-based dissertation project. 

An MBA in International Business here costs around €13,800 for students from the EU. International students can expect to pay around €16,000 (around $18,700).

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024, on average, 86% of Griffith College Dublin graduates were employed and/or in further education within two months of graduation. 

The School of Business, National College of Ireland (NCI)

Located in the heart of Dublin’s International Financial Services Centre, NCI offers a part-time two-year MBA that includes electives including strategic HRM, e-business, and commercial law. 

The school reports that 70% of MBA holders see a salary increase of 20% or more in the two years following graduation—arguably a good ROI given its annual fees of €6,825 (around $8,000).

Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin

Trinity Business School’s MBA ranked 101-110 in 2025’s QS Global MBA Ranking, which also made it the highest-ranking business school in Ireland. 

The college is triple-accredited, placing it among the top 1% of business schools globally. The MBA here, which costs €36,600 (around $50,000), includes five taught core modules, electives including International Business, Leadership and Grand Challenges, and Tech Trends, and an optional residency week in Belgium. 

©Trinity Business School / Facebook

UCD, Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

An MBA at triple-accredited Smurfit, which placed 73rd in the FT’s rankings and 121-130 in QS Global MBA Rankings 2025, offers students the chance to immerse themselves in case studies and take part in international study trips, as well as to study alongside a truly international cohort—84% of its intake are international students. 

According to the FT rankings, Smurfit’s female students make up 41% of its cohort, and its graduates command a salary of $140,828. The school reports that 61% of its graduates secure employment within three months. 

An MBA here costs €37,910 ($51,000).

All-in-all, it’s well worth considering an MBA in Ireland if you want an English-speaking study experience in a dynamic business environment. Ireland also offers a rich, unique culture with stunning landscapes and was recently ranked the second safest country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index 2025.