What Makes Ireland a Top Choice for Canadian Students Interested in Business and Management?

Ireland’s top universities—such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin (UCD), and University College Cork (UCC)—are regularly featured in QS World University Rankings for business education. Schools like UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Trinity Business School are triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), which is a mark of prestige held by less than 1% of business schools globally. It indicates that the institution in question meets high standards in areas that include program quality, academic excellence, and international recognition.

Programs at these institutions blend academic rigour with real-world application, ensuring that graduates are job-ready and globally competitive. If you want to find out more about what makes these programs popular, book a free counselling session with a trained education counsellor at IDP Canada.

Here are some of the reasons why domestic and international students in Canada consider Ireland when it comes to studying business and management.

Ireland’s top universities—such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin (UCD), and University College Cork (UCC)—are regularly featured in QS World University Rankings for business education. Schools like UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Trinity Business School are triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), which is a mark of prestige held by less than 1% of business schools globally. It indicates that the institution in question meets high standards in areas that include program quality, academic excellence, and international recognition.

Programs at these institutions blend academic rigour with real-world application, ensuring that graduates are job-ready and globally competitive. If you want to find out more about what makes these programs popular, book a free counselling session with a trained education counsellor at IDP Canada.

Here are some of the reasons why domestic and international students in Canada consider Ireland when it comes to studying business and management.

Ireland is the European headquarters for global tech and finance giants. What this means is students in the country get access to great internship, networking, and career opportunities. Business schools in Ireland also emphasize practical learning through company consulting projects, guest lectures by industry leaders, and internship opportunities that are built into the curriculum. A strong link between academia and industry ensures that business and management education stays current and relevant, while making these graduates highly employable.

Business and management schools in Ireland are also recognised for being at the forefront of innovative teaching. They offer interdisciplinary learning which, for example, brings together business and AI, or entrepreneurship and sustainability. There is also an emphasis on leadership, critical thinking, and ethics, along with digital learning tools and access to entrepreneurship incubators. These factors have helped Ireland solidify its reputation as a destination for quality business and management education.

Another thing that makes Ireland popular with domestic and international students from Canada is its inclusive and student-friendly environment. From bustling cities like Cork and Dublin to charming towns like Limerick and Galway, the country offers students a high quality of life. According to Education in Ireland, more than 35,000 international students from over 160 countries choose Ireland each year for their education. It allows them to study in English while gaining access to the broader EU job market through post-study work visas.

Ireland also offers an attractive post-study work visa that allows international students to stay and work after completing their degree, depending on their program and qualifications. With the country's booming economy—particularly in finance, tech, and consulting—graduates often find strong career opportunities locally or use Ireland as a springboard into other European markets.

Here are some of the most sought-after institutions and programs chosen by domestic and international students in Canada. There are other options to suit individual academic or career goals, which is why it is recommended that students speak to expert education counsellors to find out about these opportunities, along with information about application requirements, scholarships, and more.

University College Dublin (UCD): Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

Ireland's leading institution for business education, it offers an extensive range of programmes for business and non-business graduates in areas including Banking and Finance, Accounting, Management, Marketing and Management Information Systems, and Human Resource Management, among others. Its full-time MBA program has been ranked #73 globally in the prestigious Financial Times Rankings 2025 and is the only MBA in Ireland to be ranked. The school is triple-accredited —AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), AMBA (Association of MBAs), EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System)—reflecting its commitment to excellence in business education.

Trinity College Dublin: Trinity Business School

Another business school to hold the prestigious ‘triple crown’ of accreditations, its full-time MBA is ranked #1 in Ireland by QS Rankings (Global MBA Ranking 2025). It offers undergraduate and master’s programs designed for business and non-business graduates, as well as three bespoke MBA programs. The school is renowned for its innovative programs and research excellence.

University College Cork (UCC): Cork University Business School (CUBS)

CUBS at UCC offers dynamic programs like the BSc in Business Information Systems and MSc in Management and Marketing. The school emphasizes research and industry connections, preparing students for leadership roles in the business world. Its programs cover areas from Accounting and Business Economics to Business Analytics, Finance, Information Systems for Business Performance, Marketing, and Sustainable Development.

University of Limerick (UL): Kemmy Business School

Kemmy Business School is known for its innovative approach to management education. It offers programs such as a Bachelor of Business Studies and MSc in International Management and Global Business. Also a holder of three coveted international business school accreditations — AACSB, EQUIS & AMBA — the school offers a wide range of business and management education programs both on campus and at external locations throughout Ireland.

Dublin City University (DCU): DCU Business School

Highly regarded for its industry-relevant programs and research excellence, DCU Business School offers degrees like the BSc in Business Studies and MSc in International Business. Its programs such as Learning Innovation for Enterprise (LIFE) and New Enterprise Development are unique in their innovative approach to business education, with the former awarded an ‘Innovation that Inspires’ accolade by the AACSB in 2020, making it one of only 25 institutions in the world to receive this honour.

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG): J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

A range of management programs are offered here, from the Bachelor of Commerce to the MSc in International Management. NUIG's J.E. Cairnes School has over 2,600 undergraduate and postgraduate students spread across areas such Accountancy and Finance, Economics, Marketing, Management, and Business Information Systems. It offers a wide range of programmes, from undergraduate degrees to MBA executive education and PhDs.

Maynooth University School of Business

Known for its supportive campus environment and welcoming academic community, Maynooth University School of Business offers programs that integrate academic rigor with practical experience. The school emphasizes critical thinking and ethical decision-making in its curriculum.

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin): Faculty of Business

The Faculty of Business at TU Dublin is home to more than 6,000 students and 300 academics. Its programs span all levels and lengths from short Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to undergraduate degrees, apprenticeships, masters, and PhD research. Its faculty and six schools provide a broad variety of career-focused education.

Ireland's top universities offer a diverse range of programs for domestic and international students from Canada who are interested in business and management. These programs combine academic excellence with practical experience.

Whether you are aiming to break into international finance, launch a startup, or climb the corporate ladder, studying business and management in Ireland can give you the tools, networks, and environment to thrive. If you are interested in business or management programs in Ireland, or have any questions about universities, programs, scholarships, or application requirements, an IDP counsellor can help you create a personalized study abroad plan. This covers everything including:

• Applying and getting accepted

• Securing your Visa

• Arranging accommodations, banking, and health insurance

• Lining up any other service you may need to succeed.

Best of all, because of our partnerships, these services are offered by IDP at no cost to you!

Book your appointment with IDP Canada now!