NCI Course Details

Open Evening Events

Join us at our upcoming information events, where you will have the opportunity to chat to our lecturers and Admissions Team about the range of Business, Computing, Psychology and Education courses starting at NCI in September 2025.

• Thursday 17th July, 5-7pm, Online
• Saturday 23rd August, 11am-1pm, On-Campus
• Wednesday 3rd September, 5-7pm, On-Campus

The course is underpinned by a strong foundation in enterprise and leadership and emphasises the development of effective business and management skills to solve management problems through structured analysis, problem solving techniques, effective decision-making, and effective communications.

The knowledge and skills acquired through our MBA will allow you to progress your own management career as well as encourage you to consider creating a business of your own. It will allow you to develop a creative, innovative and entrepreneurial perspective.

Block teaching is used to provide the opportunity for more in-depth development of knowledge within modules. An applied approach to teaching is used within the programme with lectures interspersed with exercises, use of case study analysis, group activities in class, debate on contemporary issues, as well as independent learning.

The MBA is aimed at candidates with at least three years of work experience, seeking to start or develop a career in management.

In both year 1 and year 2 of the programme, students are required to undertake two core modules per semester plus one elective in semester 2. In addition, in year 2 of the programme, students are required to complete a ten-credit research methods module, which runs across semester 1 and 2.

Core Modules

• Entrepreneurial Dynamics
• Macroeconomics in a Global Context
• The Science of Decision Making
• Managing Financial Resources
• Strategic Management of Human Capital
• Effective Leadership in the Organisation
• Sustainable Business Leadership
• Enterprise Simulation Game
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

Elective Modules

• Corporate Governance, Business Ethics and CSR
• Business Intelligence
• Marketing in the Global Environment
• Commercial Law
• Employment Law
• Contemporary Issues in Global Finance
• Doing Business on the Cloud
• Strategic Project Management
• Management in Postmodern Markets
• International Field Trip*

Elective Choices

Availability of elective choices is subject to student numbers. The course content as shown above is for indicative purposes. The college reserves the right to re-order the schedule of modules offered.

*The international field trip incurs an additional fee and is subject to student numbers. Visa restrictions may apply.

For more information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

The Master of Business Administration is awarded by QQI at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications. This award will allow transfer to level 9 research degrees and in some cases progression to doctoral study at level 10 on the NFQ.

Applicants are required to hold a minimum of a 2.2 honours degree in either a cognate or non-cognate area at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications and a minimum of three years’ postgraduate work experience, ideally but not necessarily, in management.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.

The College operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme meaning non-graduates with extensive professional experience and other prior qualifications may also be considered for the course.

National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration.

The recommended configuration is as follows:

Processor:

• Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 /i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 /7
  Or
• AMD 5000 Series or newer, Rzyen 3 / 5 /7

Random Access Memory (RAM):
16GB or greater

Storage:
SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater

Wireless Card:
802.11 n/ac/ax capability

Recommended Operating Systems:
Windows 11
Later Version of MAC OS should also be fine.
Chromebook’s are not recommended.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI cannot provide support for these personal devices.

Student Laptop Loan Scheme

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Monday and Wednesday 18.00 - 21.00 plus some Saturday workshops (on campus).

Please note that exams can be scheduled during the morning, afternoon or evening Monday to Saturday.

Blended - Livestream (online) classes with some campus classes and some in-person exams, scheduled in advance.

See the MBA course brochure for an explanation of the learning methods.

This course runs over 2 full calendar years: 5 semesters; 4 taught semesters and a final dissertation to be submitted in the final year.

€6,825 per annum
(€13,650 total fee)
(Fees revised annually)

You can spread the cost of this course with a direct debit plan.

Scholarships and Discounts

We offer a range of scholarship opportunities and discount offers available to both NCI and non-NCI graduates that will help you access this course.

Watch this video to hear from MBA graduate Andy Byrne:

"An MBA is an internationally recognised qualification – a ‘passport’ to greater things both personally and professionally. My teaching approach is all about providing the real-life tools and examples that help students identify and achieve these greater things." - David Hurley, Lecturer in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the faculty on the MBA course at NCI, and their approach to teaching.