Employers top EU list for MBA sponsorship

IRISH employers have topped a European ranking for sponsoring students in executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes.

Figures published today by the Financial Times show Irish employers are more likely than those elsewhere in Europe to sponsor employees who pursue an MBA degree. The paper’s survey of business schools ranked UCD’s Smurfit postgraduate business school in 19th place in Europe and 63rd place in the world. It is the only Irish business school in the top 75 in the world, UCD said.

The college also said its MBA graduates earned an average of almost €90,000 three years after graduation, 53% more than when they started their MBA education. Around 200 people study for an MBA with UCD at any one time.

UCD Smurfit School director Dr Damien McLoughlin said: “It is very rewarding to see that Irish companies recognise the immediate and long-term benefits that executive education brings to an organisation. The substantial increase in salaries post graduation is a reflection of the value that graduates of our executive MBA bring to their employers.”

Education and Science Minister Mary Hanafin said: “It is great credit to Irish employers who recognise the value of cutting-edge executive education for the business leaders of tomorrow.”