Executive MBA - DCU Business School

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Executive MBA

DC951 | Postgraduate Part Time

DURATION 2 Years

START DATE September 24th 2026

APPLICATION Accepting Applications

NFQ LEVEL:

QQI Level 9

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Discover more about the programme and watch our webinar recording here to hear directly from the team and alumni.

Welcome to the next step in your leadership journey — the DCU Executive MBA.
This transformative, part-time programme blends academic rigor with real-world application, empowering experienced professionals to enhance their strategic
and leadership impact. Learn alongside a diverse cohort, guided by expert faculty
and industry leaders, and join DCU’s global alumni network for lifelong growth
and success at Ireland’s University of Enterprise.

— Dr Eric Clinton, Executive MBA Course Director

Discover our Executive MBA

The Executive MBA at Dublin City University Business School is a transformative, practice-oriented programme that combines personal growth with professional development. Through a focus on self-awareness, strategic thinking and advanced leadership capability, graduates are equipped to excel in senior executive and board-level roles globally.

The curriculum emphasises leadership, innovation, strategy, and sustainability, aligning with the rapidly evolving business landscape. Developed collaboratively with industry leaders, the programme aims to develop confident, forward-thinking business leaders equipped to create long-term value.

DCU Business School MBA is triple-accredited by AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS, signalling world-class excellence and international recognition of its quality. Participants undertake immersive consultancy and strategic projects that transform academic insight into tangible real-world impact—delivering measurable value to their organisations while accelerating their personal leadership growth.

The programme’s dynamic design reflects DCU’s ethos as Ireland’s University of Enterprise, committed to driving innovation and leadership.

Globally Recognised Quality

Triple-accredited (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS)—placing DCU Business School in the top 1% of business schools globally.

conference call

Advanced Leadership Capability

Grow self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and values-driven decision-making through transformative leadership development.

Strategic & Innovation Competence

Build expertise in strategic leadership, finance, sustainability, and digital transformation through applied learning.

Challenge-Based Learning

Solve real organisational challenges through hands-on consultancy projects with measurable impact.

International Engagement

Broaden your global mindset through international study visits and engagement with global industry leaders.

Engaged Alumni Network

Join DCU’s 110,000+ strong alumni community for lifelong professional growth and leadership opportunities.

Career Advancement & Mobility

Accelerate your path to senior roles with strong strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership skills.

Career Sustainability & Lifelong Learning

Benefit from a flexible, blended programme designed to support continuous upskilling throughout your career.

Programme Delivery

Teaching is designed for working professionals, with classes held every Thursday from 2-9 pm and one Saturday morning per month from 9 am-1 pm. 30% of the module is delivered online, providing added flexibility for participants.

Videos

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Programme Information Webinar July 2nd 2026

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Discover Our Accreditations

UPCOMING EVENT

Webinar Procurement

Oct14

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Webinar: Budget 2027: The Procurement Morning After

DCU Collins Ave 2025 Polaris in winter time

Nov13

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Undergraduate Open Day – November 2026

DCU Collins Ave 2025 Polaris in winter time

Nov26

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Postgraduate Open Day – November

Business School Student Set Up Photography 15th March 2026_1297

Jan14

12:00 am - 12:00 am

CAO Information Evening

Career Impact

The Executive MBA at DCU Business School empowers ambitious professionals to accelerate their careers and expand their leadership potential. Designed around real-world impact, the programme equips participants with the strategic insight, management expertise, and ethical perspective needed to lead in today’s dynamic business environment.

Through hands-on learning, applied consultancy projects, and peer-to-peer collaboration, students strengthen their ability to make informed decisions and drive organisational change. The diverse classroom experience fosters powerful professional networks that extend far beyond graduation. Employers value DCU MBA graduates for their capacity to think strategically, communicate effectively, and deliver measurable results.

Many alumni progress to senior leadership and board-level roles across industries, while others leverage the programme to pivot into new sectors or entrepreneurial ventures. The DCU Executive MBA is not just a qualification—it is a catalyst for sustained career growth and professional transformation.

What you’ll leave with

Participants in the DCU Executive MBA at DCU Business School gain a range of transformative professional and personal benefits, including:

A Globally Recognised Standard of Quality: Attain a highly respected, triple-accredited qualification from DCU Business School—one of the elite institutions worldwide to hold the AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS “triple crown,” demonstrating our place among the top 1% of business schools internationally.

Advancing Leadership Capabilities: Experience transformative personal and professional development, with a dedicated focus on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and principled, values-driven decision-making.

Building Strategic Competence: Develop advanced management and innovation capabilities through immersive, applied learning in key areas such as strategic leadership, finance, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Challenge-Based Learning: Engage in strategic consultancy projects that create genuine value for organisations by bridging classroom insight with real-world problem-solving.

International Engagement: Broaden your global perspective and professional connections through international study visits and direct engagement with industry leaders, including participation in DCU’s Executive Speaker Series.

Engaged Alumni Network: Access a vibrant professional community of 110,000 plus peers and alumni, fostering lifelong growth, career progression, and sector-spanning leadership opportunities.

Gaining Career Advancement and Mobility: Position yourself competitively for senior roles, promotions, and international assignments by cultivating strategic thinking and versatile, cross-functional skills.

Career Sustainability and Lifelong Learning Habits: Benefit from a flexible, blended programme structure designed to help professionals continuously upskill and adapt, effectively integrating career growth with work, study, and personal commitments.

DCU Executive MBA Graduate Employers

Benefits to your organisation

Completing the Executive MBA at DCU Business School delivers significant, tangible benefits to any organisation that sponsors or supports participants:

Strategic Impact – Strategic consulting projects led by MBA participants deliver tangible organisational value by addressing pressing business challenges and providing evidence-based, actionable solutions that drive performance and growth.

Leadership Development – Through real-world, action-based assignments and continuous feedback, graduates strengthen their leadership capabilities, developing greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to lead diverse teams effectively.

Applied Learning – Participants apply the latest academic and professional insights across innovation, sustainability, human resources, finance, and strategy, translating theory into practical solutions for workplace challenges.

Organisational Benefit – Organisations benefit from confident, agile, and globally minded leaders whose broadened perspective and critical thinking enhance decision-making, change management, and long-term success.

Global Exposure – Engagement with international best practices through company visits, speaker series, and study trips enables participants and their organisations to benchmark against world-leading businesses and adopt innovative approaches for sustained impact.

Why DCU’s Executive MBA?

The DCU Executive MBA is designed for ambitious leaders who want real impact, not just a credential. Placed among the top 1% of global business schools with triple accreditation and a curriculum built around strategic leadership, innovation and hands-on consultancy projects, DCU focuses on applying learning directly in your organisation from day one. Its structured weekly schedule and blended delivery model make it ideal for busy professionals balancing work, family and study. As Ireland’s University of Enterprise — and the only university in the Republic of Ireland to hold the prestigious Small Business Charter accreditation — DCU has a proven, nationally recognised connection to SMEs and high-growth enterprises. The result is an MBA rooted in practicality, industry engagement and measurable career progression, all while delivering exceptional value without compromising on international standards.

Is this the right next step?

If you’re ready to accelerate your leadership journey—whether you are driving performance in your organisation, shaping strategy, or leading transformation—the Executive MBA at DCU Business School equips you with the insight, confidence, and analytical strength to make a lasting impact.

Through rigorous academic study, real-world projects, and personal leadership development, you’ll refine your strategic thinking, broaden your network, and enhance your ability to lead with purpose. Connect with the Progamme Manager, Nuala Lonergan to discuss your suitability for the Executive MBA via nuala.lonergan@dcu.ie

European Enterprise Engagement

In Year 1, the DCU Executive MBA trip to the prestigious POLIMI Graduate School of Management at the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, will offer students a unique opportunity to engage with one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools, known for its triple accreditation (EQUIS, AMBA, AACSB) and innovative leadership programs. Based in Milan, a major European business hub, students will participate in immersive classroom sessions and undertake company visits to leading European firms in the Milan region. These visits provide first-hand insights into cutting-edge business practices, innovation, and sustainable leadership, enriching their international experience and preparing them to lead with impact in a global context.

International Enterprise Engagement

In Year 2, the DCU Executive MBA international trip offers participants a dynamic blend of academic, corporate, and cultural experiences. Over an intensive week, students engage with global business leaders, visit multinational companies, and explore innovation hubs across the city. The trip strengthens strategic thinking and leadership skills through direct exposure to diverse industries and markets. In 2024, visits to organisations such as CRH, Pfizer, Colgate, Peloton, the New York Stock Exchange and the United Nations provide valuable insights into global operations and sustainability practices. Beyond professional learning, the experience fosters strong peer connections and embodies the global perspective central to the DCU Executive MBA journey.

Module Insights

Complex challenges such as the global pandemic, climate change and geopolitical conflicts have left organisations operating in an uncharted world. The DCU EMBA enables participants to integrate sustainability as integral part of doing business.

The main objectives of this modules are as follows:

1. Equip participants with an in-depth understanding and appreciation of managing sustainable businesses.
2. Provide participants with deep insights into the expectations, opportunities and risks associated with sustainability initiatives.
3. Explore various approaches to initiating, designing, evaluating and communicating sustainability strategies.

Strategic Consultancy Project

You will collaborate with a client organisation/your employer on a sustainability-focused strategic project

Delivered by: Dr Yuhui Gao and Dr John Loonam

Innovation is a key driver of commercial and social progress. However failure is more common than success in innovation projects and this module has been designed to help you lead successful innovation projects, either as entirely new ventures (entrepreneurship) or via corporate innovation programmes (intrapreneurship).

You will learn how to apply tools and frameworks like design thinking, disruptive innovation, open innovation, business model innovation, blue ocean strategy as well as the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. This module includes case studies, simulations, guest speakers, and site visits and will provide you with valuable insights about innovation and entrepreneurship.

Delivered by: Professor Colm O’Gorman and Dr Peter Robbins

This module runs over the full two years of the programme and guides students through an exploration of their personal values, character and skills, with an assessment of the implications for their career and non-work life. This results in demonstrable personal development of the student in terms of self-awareness, leadership and ethical behaviour. Module workshops support this journey as well as addressing important skills including team development, critical thinking, coaching, negotiation and presenting with impact.

Delivered by: Prof Yseult Freeney and Prof. John McMackin

The era of sustainable competitive advantage is over. Understanding of strategy needs to evolve from legacy ideas of plans and positions towards agility, capability and co-opetition. The first strategy MBA module will dedicate time to the neglected process of strategy formation. Grounded by a contemporary appreciation of the meaning of strategy and focused on generating and embedding strategy conversations topics covered include: decision making heuristics, open strategy, failure, and the purpose of purpose. Students of strategy will gain exposure to a range of tools and frameworks with immediate relevance and applicability to their own individual and organisational contexts.

Delivered by: Prof Brian Harney

This module is designed to give students an insight into the tools and techniques used in Business Analytics and Business Intelligence to enable organisations use data to make better decisions. Upon completion, students will understand the value of a Business Intelligence strategy for today’s organisations as well as the challenges that must be overcome to implement such a strategy. They will also be familiar with a range of analytic techniques and the pros and cons of each, as well as the key business analysis software options available to support strategy implementation.

Delivered by: Dr. Mathieu Mercadier

This Leading People for Positive Change module is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills required to effectively lead and manage people and teams. This module introduces students to a range of topics related to leadership, team dynamics, people management and change. The module explores key concepts and issues associated with behaviour in work organisations.

The module also examines the strategic aspects of people management, such as aligning HR strategies, human capital, managing performance, talent development and the future of work. The final section of the module explores the dynamics of organisational change and strategies to develop and implement change management. The impact of behaviour, relationships, organisational culture and change on individual and organisational performance are emphasised throughout the module.

Delivered by: Prof Patrick Flood and Dr Margaret Heffernan

The Economics, Finance, and Accounting for Decision Making module equips you with essential skills to confidently interpret financial and economic data, empowering strategic business decisions. This integrated module bridges accounting, economics, and finance to develop leaders who ask critical questions, analyse complex data, and drive organisational success in competitive environments. Perfect for professionals aspiring to enhance their decision-making prowess through rigorous analytical tools and real-world insights.

Delivered by: Dr Julie Bertz, Prof Edgar Morgenroth and Prof Julie Byrne

Fees & Requirements

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

For admission to the Executive MBA candidates must hold:

• A 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional qualification

AND

• At least 3 years’ relevant managerial experience

• Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree (and meet the experience requirement) may, based on the Programme Chair’s recommendation, still be offered a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in relevant modules on their undergraduate programme.

• Additionally, applicants who do not meet the academic requirements outlined above may be eligible for an offer of a place based on at least 7 years’ relevant managerial/organisational experience based on DCU’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. The process for approving such an offer involves an application and an interview with the Programme Chair and approval by the School’s Teaching & Learning Committee. The number of such places is limited in any given year so it is recommended that applicants considering this option apply early.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.

As part of the application process applicants may be called for interview.

How to Apply

Make an Application

To apply for this programme:

All applicants should apply here. Here’s a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.

• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml

Application Deadlines

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:.

Closing date for EU applicants is 31st August 2026
Closing date for Non-EU applicants is 1st July 2026

Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

Application Queries

For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie

For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

Commencement of Programme

The programme commences in September 2026

Fees & Charges

Fees Description

All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.

EU Status Fee Part Time

€14,000

Declan Wynne
Louise Walsh
Domhnaill Hernon

“The decision to pursue DCU’s Executive MBA bridged my engineering background with leadership development. Early exposure to inspiring leaders highlighted the importance of organisational culture and people, especially in services. The programme’s modules on
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology aligned with my career goals and enhanced my leadership style. Post-graduation, I advanced to directorship and board roles, with the MBA experience, especially peer learning, playing a vital part in my growth. Today, I serve as Managing Director Europe at H&MV Engineering and am the founder of Skanstec Engineering In 2023, I was honoured as a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award.”

Declan Wynne, Managing Director Europe, H&MV Engineering

“Thinking about what’s next in your career? Want to grow personally and professionally?
Consider the Executive MBA at Dublin City University. I did, and I haven’t looked back. At a career crossroads last year, I wanted to build on my business acumen and leadership skills. DCU’s internationally accredited EMBA with its exceptional faculty and talented classmates has exceeded expectations. A highlight was the Organisational Behaviour & Change module, exploring motivation, leadership, and teamwork through real-world case studies. It’s a big commitment, but a transformative investment in your career and growth. If you’re considering an EMBA, think DCU.”

Louise Walsh, Director of Business Development, Legend Biotech

“The DCU Executive MBA helped round out my education, building on my strong technology background with the language and methodology of business. I had always been drawn to the impact side of research, and the EMBA gave me the strategic and financial insight I needed. Learning alongside classmates from diverse industries was invaluable. The experience expanded my thinking, helping me connect technology with business value and engage more confidently with executives across disciplines. Balancing work and study took commitment, but it was absolutely worth it for the growth, network, and opportunities the DCU EMBA made possible.”

Domhnaill Hernon, Global Lead Intelligent Realities Lab, EY