Why University College Dublin is a good place to study Digital Marketing- an Indian student's review
Are you wondering if it is worth studying at the University College Dublin's Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Ireland? This article provides a first-hand insight of an Indian student which offers the many reasons why you should take up a Master's Course in Digital Marketing at the University College Dublin (UCD), with a review of the campus, curriculum, and faculty.
With Ireland as one of the top emerging study-abroad destinations for Indian students, you may have selected the University College Dublin (UCD) as your desired goal to study a postgraduate program. Let me share the experience of an Indian student who completed the MSc in Digital Marketing course at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Perhaps it will convince you that it is indeed worth studying at this prestigious university!University Campus Highlights
Location and infrastructure
The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is where you study all business-related programs and the campus of this B-school is located in the picturesque seaside town of Blackrock, a few kms. from the main campus of the University College Dublin.
A jaw-dropping place within the campus is the magnificent library which is located in a chapel, with its lovely stained-glass windows and reading spaces. Other infrastructure includes lecture halls, co-working spaces with screens and individual study booths, seminar rooms, an exhibit area, lounges to relax between lectures, a canteen, a café where you can get your caffeine fix with some yummy mini bites, sports facilities, etc.
An excellent facility is the UCD Career Network office where you are provided with complimentary 1:1 session with a professional from the Career Network to help build your C.V. It is here too, that you can make introductions to previous students and get access to UCD online portals where you can find an ex-student to be your mentor.
UCD Campus Accommodation
My student contact did not opt for campus accommodation at the University College Dublin, but some classmates did and they found it satisfactory though highly priced. The biggest benefit is that the accommodation is nearby, within about 5 minutes walking distance from the campus classrooms. The ensuite apartments for students have all the requisite facilities, including a contemporary kitchen, space for studying, and an on-site launderette.
As for off-campus accommodation, the overall rent prices in Dublin are generally on the higher side, but depending on the location and the type of shared living preferences, there are a lot more options outside of campus. Keep in mind, though, that it is a 'You snooze, you lose market' when it comes to securing a house in Dublin! Hence, to avoid all the stress and hassle, students generally opt for campus accommodation.
Fun on Campus
Several well-organized clubs have been set up by the students of the University College Dublin. These include ones for fitness, swimming, hiking, poetry, dramatics, reading, music, boxing, badminton, robotics, etc. You are free to join these clubs and participate in their activities. Membership to the clubs may or may not come with a nominal fee depending on the nature of the club. Travelling off-campus
The University provides a shuttle service from the UCD Smurfit campus to the UCD Belfield campus. Students can get a special travel card which allows them to travel to various destinations off-campus at 50% of the normal rates. UCD M.Sc. Digital Marketing Course Review
The MSc in Digital Marketing at UCD is a one-year residential full-time Master's program.
Course curriculum review: The UCD MSC in Digital Marketing course curriculum consist of a good mix of academic modules from conceptual learning to practical application. The first semester focused on conceptual understanding and the analytical training needed for the field. The second semester focused on optional modules which help to practically apply principles on the go. For example, as part of the social media marketing modules, you will be creating a blog, setting up/working on a website, and running ads on social platforms with a tiny budget. This gives you an experience on what factors to focus on in an active campaign. The last semester focused on an overall Digital Marketing project for an actual client, using all channels.
Internship and Assessment: The course did not include a compulsory internship. You will be thrilled to know that there are no exams in this particular course! Naturally, though, an evaluation system is there. The course is graded completely on marketing assignments, projects (both group and individual), online quizzes, Excel analytical exercises, and presentations.
Faculty review: The faculty at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School includes experienced professors or industry professionals and experts in the field of Digital Marketing. There are visiting faculty, as well as guest lecturers, from the industry. They are helpful and provide a good deal of encouragement for classwork and homework. Since learning does not focus on spoon-feeding, you will be doing a lot of reading - books, papers, reports, case studies and research publications. Overall the faculty are approachable and very helpful in answering queries. They also encourage active class participation of all students.
Here's more information about the MSc Digital Marketing course, as sourced from the official website-
Eligibility criteria: You need to have a minimum second-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline or a primary degree with a minimum of two years of work experience in a marketing role. Check the official website to learn about other entry requirements, such as English language skills, Visa requirements, etc.
Course Fee: You may find that the full-time course fee of €24,260 for the MSc in Digital Marketing program (this is for the academic year 2024-25 as mentioned on the university's website) is a bit on the higher side for a Non-EU student. However, this is understandable due to the high ranking of the university in the Irish and European markets. For an EU full-time student, the fee is mentioned as €15,760 (academic year 2023/2024).Contact information
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
Carysfort Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co. Dublin,
Ireland.
Email: smurfitschool@ucd.ie
Ph: +353 1 716 8934
Website: https://www.ucd.ie/
You can fill in this online inquiry form for queries related to any of the Master's programs- https://studentdesk.wufoo.com/forms/q1doi4vy0qxe1h0End note
Overall the M.Sc. Digital Marketing course is value for money. The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is one of the highly reputed graduate business schools where, in addition to academic learning, your professional and personal skills are honed. Thus, with this study in Ireland opportunity, there is a strong possibility of getting a quick job offer from a prestigious company. My student contact was thrilled to get a job within two months of completing the course.
Best wishes for your academic life at UCD... and a great career later!
You could also check out the M.Sc. Strategic Marketing program at Cranfield University and Explore Digital Marketing and Social Media Courses in India
Follow
Doing a professional course from a reputed university has the great advantage of getting a job in some good company. There are many institutions offering courses on digital marketing in our country as well as abroad but doing it from a prestigious institution makes a difference.
As per the information given in this article, University College Dublin's Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Ireland seems to be a good destination for students who can afford this kind of fees and want to make a career in digital marketing arena.