Articles / Leadership Course UL: University of Limerick Executive Education
Development, Training & CoachingExplore leadership courses at University of Limerick. Discover Kemmy Business School programmes, Springboard+ funding, and executive MBA options in Ireland.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Fri 27th August 2027
Leadership courses at the University of Limerick (UL) combine world-class business education with exceptional accessibility through Irish government funding programmes. The Kemmy Business School holds triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS—placing it in the top one per cent of business schools globally. For Irish professionals seeking leadership development, UL offers a rare combination: internationally recognised credentials, flexible delivery, and potential 100% funding through Springboard+ for qualifying programmes.
This convergence of quality, flexibility, and affordability positions UL as a compelling choice for Irish executives and professionals across Europe.
The University of Limerick structures leadership development across multiple offerings:
Core programme portfolio:
| Programme | Level | Duration | Delivery | Funding Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership | NFQ Level 9 | 1 year | Fully online | Up to 100% Springboard+ |
| Executive MBA | NFQ Level 9 | Part-time | Flexible | Various options |
| Wisdom in Action Leadership Experience | Short programme | 3 days | Intensive | Standard fees |
| Masters in School Leadership | NFQ Level 9 | 1 year | Predominantly online | Teaching Council funding |
| PhD in Educational Leadership | NFQ Level 10 | 3-4 years | Research-based | Research funding |
Institutional strengths: The Kemmy Business School's triple accreditation validates programme quality, whilst the Graduate and Professional Studies division ensures working professionals can access development without career interruption.
Several factors differentiate UL leadership development:
Triple accreditation: AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS recognition places Kemmy Business School in the top one per cent of business schools globally. This accreditation provides international credential recognition rarely available at comparable price points.
Springboard+ eligibility: Qualifying programmes may receive up to 100% government funding, eliminating or dramatically reducing participant costs for eligible Irish residents.
Flexible delivery: Online and part-time formats enable working professionals to develop without leaving employment.
UL's Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership represents their flagship leadership offering:
Programme specifications: - Delivery: Fully online - Duration: One year - Format: Part-time, designed for working professionals - Level: NFQ Level 9 (postgraduate) - Funding: Up to 100% through Springboard+
Programme purpose: The programme "equips you with tools and frameworks to define your leadership purpose, steer strategic change, especially amid digital transformation, and hone the skills essential for leaders to thrive in today's rapidly changing business environment."
Entry requirements:
Ideal candidates: - Experienced professionals seeking elevation to strategic roles - Mid-career managers preparing for senior leadership - Specialists transitioning to general management - Entrepreneurs building leadership capability
Programme focus areas:
Eligibility and process:
This funding mechanism makes postgraduate leadership education accessible to professionals who might otherwise face prohibitive costs.
The University of Limerick's MBA programme brings exceptional credentials:
Accreditation achievements:
"The University of Limerick's MBA programme is triple accredited by AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS, ranking it in the top 1% of business schools globally."
Additional recognition: The Kemmy Business School is accredited by the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programmes (GAC), indicating academic rigour and real-world applicability of curriculum.
Programme characteristics: - Part-time delivery for working executives - Future-focused business education - Strategic thinking development - Leadership skills enhancement - International business perspective - Project management integration
The MBA develops leadership through:
Integrated approach:
This intensive short programme provides focused leadership development:
Programme specifications: - Format: Three-day intensive - Delivery: In-person experience - Focus: Applied leadership wisdom - Scheduling: Periodic offerings
Target participants: - Senior leaders seeking renewal - Experienced managers exploring deeper purpose - Executives preparing for major transitions - Leaders integrating wisdom with action
| Factor | Wisdom in Action | Academic Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days | Months to years |
| Format | Intensive retreat | Ongoing study |
| Credential | Participation | Degree/Diploma |
| Focus | Wisdom integration | Knowledge/Skills |
| Assessment | Experiential | Academic |
This programme complements rather than replaces academic offerings, providing different development value.
The Human Resources Division provides staff development:
Programme portfolio:
Programme purpose: "Designed for colleagues who are considering career progression into a management role, offering a comprehensive insight into the role of a manager, responsibilities, and essential skills required to be an effective manager."
Target participants: - Individual contributors seeking management roles - Specialists considering people management - Staff preparing for supervisor positions - Those exploring management as career path
The School of Education provides sector-specific development:
Master's in School Leadership: - Duration: One year - Delivery: Predominantly online for distance learning - Focus: School leadership preparation - Accreditation: Teaching Council recognised
PhD in Educational Leadership: - Structure: Research thesis plus taught modules - Content: Educational Leadership specific modules - Duration: Typically three to four years - Focus: Research-based leadership contribution
Target audiences: - Current school principals - Aspiring school leaders - Educational administrators - Policy professionals in education - Academic leaders in higher education
Institutional breadth: "The University of Limerick Professional Education offers courses across four faculties, including Micro-credentials, Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Professional Diploma and Master programmes, delivered flexibly, online and part-time to suit working professionals."
Qualification levels: - Micro-credentials: Short, focused learning - Certificates: Foundation professional development - Diplomas: Substantial skill development - Degrees: Comprehensive qualification - Professional Diplomas: Applied professional preparation - Master's: Advanced postgraduate study
Flexibility mechanisms:
| Institution | Accreditation | Location | MBA Option | Springboard+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Limerick | Triple (AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS) | Limerick | Part-time | Yes |
| Trinity College Dublin | AACSB | Dublin | Full/Part-time | Limited |
| UCD Smurfit | Triple | Dublin | Full/Part-time | Limited |
| DCU | AACSB | Dublin | Part-time | Some |
UL advantages: - Triple accreditation at regional pricing - Strong Springboard+ eligibility - Online delivery options - Part-time flexibility
Selection considerations:
Application process:
Funding mechanisms:
Programme expectations:
| Programme | Weekly Hours | Total Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Leadership Diploma | 15-20 | 12 months |
| Executive MBA | 15-25 | 24 months |
| Wisdom in Action | Full-time | 3 days |
| Masters in School Leadership | 15-20 | 12 months |
Part-time formats assume ongoing professional employment alongside study.
Credential value:
Employer perspectives:
UL offers the Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership (fully online, one year, up to 100% Springboard+ funded), Executive MBA (triple accredited, part-time), Wisdom in Action Leadership Experience (three-day intensive), and educational leadership programmes including the Master's in School Leadership. Kemmy Business School holds triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS.
The Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership qualifies for up to 100% funding through Springboard+ for eligible Irish residents. Eligibility depends on employment status and other criteria. The programme is fully online and runs for one year, requiring a bachelor's degree with 2:2 classification and five years of relevant work experience.
Kemmy Business School holds triple accreditation from AMBA (Association of MBAs), AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System). This places it in the top one per cent of business schools globally. The school also holds GAC accreditation for project management education.
The UL Executive MBA is a part-time programme designed for working professionals. The programme provides future-focused business education with strategic thinking and leadership development. Exact duration depends on study pace, but part-time MBA programmes typically span two to three years whilst accommodating professional employment.
Wisdom in Action is a three-day intensive leadership experience offered by UL. The programme focuses on integrating wisdom with leadership action, providing concentrated development for senior leaders and experienced managers. It complements rather than replaces longer academic programmes, offering different development value through intensive retreat format.
Yes, UL offers several online leadership programmes. The Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership is fully online. The Master's in School Leadership is predominantly online to facilitate distance learning. UL Professional Education delivers courses flexibly, online, and part-time to suit working professionals across multiple qualification levels.
Requirements vary by programme. The Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership requires a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) with at least 2:2 classification in a relevant subject plus five years of relevant work experience. Executive MBA requirements include undergraduate degree plus professional experience. Educational leadership programmes have specific requirements aligned with teaching profession expectations.
The University of Limerick offers a compelling leadership development pathway combining world-class accreditation with exceptional accessibility. The Kemmy Business School's triple accreditation validates programme quality at levels typically associated with higher-cost institutions, whilst Springboard+ funding eliminates or dramatically reduces costs for qualifying Irish professionals.
The Professional Diploma in Strategic Leadership represents particular value—fully online delivery, one-year duration, postgraduate credential, and potential full government funding create an accessible pathway to leadership qualification. For Irish professionals seeking leadership development without career interruption, this programme merits serious consideration.
The Executive MBA provides the comprehensive business education and networking typically associated with top-tier programmes, whilst maintaining the part-time flexibility essential for working executives. Triple accreditation ensures international recognition of the credential.
For Irish professionals evaluating leadership development options, UL deserves prominent consideration. The combination of quality, accessibility, and funding availability creates opportunity often unavailable elsewhere. Whether seeking foundational leadership development or advanced executive education, UL's portfolio likely includes appropriate options worth exploring.