Dublin double for managers wanting MBAs

University College Dublin (UCD) Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business has introduced two MBA programmes designed for professionals in the country's expanding financial services sector. The MBA in Financial Services and the MBA in Regulation and Compliance will both kick off in September. The part-time courses will be taught over two years in Dublin's International Financial Services Centre.

"We see the education of skilled professionals not only as key to ensuring both a vibrant industry with well-run firms but towards ensuring customers are well served with suitable products and informed financial advice," says Patrick Neary, chief executive of Ireland's financial regulator.

The executive MBA programmes are a joint initiative between UCD Smurfit, the Institute of Bankers' School of Professional Finance and the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland. UCD believes the programmes are best suited to managers already working in financial services, compliance and the professional services sector.

The introduction of the two advanced degrees comes less than a year after the School of Professional Finance was set up by the Institute of Bankers as UCD's first external school.

"The new school provides the financial services industry with academic qualifications at all levels and will also serve the growing demand for applied and commercial research in financial services," says Anthony Walsh, chief executive of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.

UCD Smurfit was ranked 20th in the Financial Times European Business Schools Rankings earlier this year. A two-year executive MBA programme at UCD Smurfit typically costs €27.5k, according to the school's website.