The Cork University Business School (CUBS) Executive MBA at UCC is designed to prepare our participants to become organisational managers, innovators, and leaders.
Our aim is to not only provide a strong understanding of core organisational functions and disciplines but to move beyond that to facilitate an integrative, critical understanding of the foundations and practice of management and leadership.
Accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) our MBA provides you with an internationally recognised qualification on graduation.
Our MBA participants develop an understanding of the core disciplines by exploring:
On this programme you will develop an appreciation of how all aspects of a complex organisation interconnect, and an appreciation of the role each function must play in delivering on organisational goals; this often requires an understanding of functions and disciplines outside of your existing professional competence and our MBA will help you formalise this learning.
Central to the development of this understanding of the complexity of organisations is our careful approach to class composition, intended to ensure that class participants are exposed to a variety of professional expertise and career backgrounds. To this end, we place considerable emphasis on creating an environment that is conducive to the peer-to-peer learning that we believe is vital to the UCC CUBS Executive MBA experience.
We deliver the programme via a Leadership Development Framework across all four parts of the MBA.
In Part 1, Year 1 students attend a Leadership Development Framework (Introduction) workshop.
In Part 2, Year 1 students attend a Leadership Development Framework (Business Research Methods & Consultancy Skills) workshop.
Leadership Development Framework learning in Year 1 is captured through a 50-mark, individual Reflective Learning Log assessment in the 10-credit module BU6511 Managing Change in an International Context.
In Part 3, Year 2 students attend a Leadership Development Framework (Sustainable Leadership) workshop. Thematics from the workshop will also be covered in the Part 4, Year 2, 10-credit module BU6504 Leadership Project.
Leadership Development Framework learning in Year 2 is captured through a 50-mark, individual Reflective Learning Log assessment in the 10-credit module BU6504 Leadership Project.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this programme starting September 2025, please contact us at s.[email protected].
The UCC CUBS Executive MBA will be delivered on a part-time basis over four parts, across two academic years.
The delivery model is a series of three-day, block lectures delivered within each part.
Each three-day lecture block comprises lectures as follows:
Please contact [email protected] for lecture dates.
The programme is taught during weekday and weekend working hours over two years. Our lectures take place in the heart of Cork's business district at the UCC Centre for Executive Education on Lapp's Quay in Cork.
Modules
And choose one elective module from the following:
See the College Calendar (MBA) for full details.
Our programme utilises a mix of learning methods including case studies and simulations as a means of introducing new theoretical frameworks; they develop your application, situation analysis, and decision making skills.
By honing these skills through in-class work, you achieve a high degree of confidence in applying these new frameworks to your own professional and practical needs.
You will progress to analysing “live-case” situations through the Study Visit, working with senior management from companies and organisations on exciting change management and strategic planning scenarios.
By working with the Leadership Development Framework you also have the opportunity to explore your own approaches to leadership and strategic thinking, through the “personal case”.
Specialist, guest lecturers and industry practitioners from the business world are utilised throughout the programme to complement your learning.
International Study Visits are an important element in the UCC CUBS Executive MBA experience - a chance for the class to travel and work together over the space of a week.
They provide an opportunity for students to put into practice their programme learning; critically analysing management issues within an international context, and formulating solutions to these issues.
Working on change management challenges with leading national and regional companies and interacting with senior management personnel on a Team Consulting Project;
To exploring the nature and challenges of strategic organisational growth, set against a backdrop of regional and national economic development; differing cultural frameworks; and a constantly evolving global business environment.
We have visited many different cities and regions throughout Europe, including, Bologna, Brussels, Barcelona, Helsinki and Lisbon.
Personal Learning and Leadership Development is an important element of the UCC CUBS Executive MBA experience.
Through the Leadership Development Framework, the UCC CUBS Executive MBA challenges you to consider your personal and professional development.
Over the two years you work on your Personal Learning and Leadership Development Goals through a series of workshops and reflective reporting to form the developmental leadership element of your programme experience.
You will explore the scope and nature of your strategic thinking; define learning patterns that you will utilise throughout your career; and become an innovative leader, adaptive to change.
Over the two years of the programme, through analysing leadership case studies with the teaching team, through to analysing live case studies with your peers, to the mapping of your own personal case study, you will experience a learning journey deliberately designed to promote a different way of seeing yourself, your role and values, change possibilities and leadership abilities.
The UCC Executive MBA at CUBS prepares you to become an organisational manager, innovator and leader. It focuses on core organisational functions and disciplines, providing an integrative, critical understanding of the foundations and practice of management and leadership.
You will understand how all aspects of a complex organisation interconnect, while also developing your strategic thinking, decision-making, self-leadership and your ability to lead others in organizational change and transformation settings.
You will develop by exploring:
Organisational decision-making and strategy; Operations management; Human resource management; Financial analysis and performance; Business innovation and transformation; Sustainability and governance; Leadership development
FACULTY & INDUSTRY PARTNERS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Take a look back at the UCC Executive MBA at CUBS Online Open Evening 2023. Hear from Programme Directors and lecturers about the content and delivery structure of the Executive MBA, it's benefits and learning outcomes. You'll also get insight from individuals who have completed the programme.
You will explore your own personal leadership preferences in the key areas of analysis, decision-making and relationship building, leading to an increased capacity for critical thinking and mind-set change. The Executive MBA not only benefits your career, by identifying you as an individual with a high level of leadership ability, but also your organisation, through the transformation in your personal effectiveness, decision-making and judgement.
Programme StructureOn the Executive MBA you will work on Personal Learning and Leadership Development goals through a series of workshops and reflective reporting. You will work to improve your personal leadership capability and effectiveness. You will explore the scope and nature of your strategic thinking; define learning patterns that you will utilise throughout your career; and become an innovative leader, adaptive to change.
Explore our curriculumThe UCC Executive MBA at Cork University Business School is accredited by the Association of MBA’s (AMBA), which is a global accrediting body that reviews MBA programmes worldwide. You will graduate with an internationally recognised and accredited qualification. Cork University Business School is one of the two largest business schools in Ireland and generates the largest business research income of any Irish University. Our leading faculty and alumni network are driving business regionally, nationally and internationally.
