Jump to Content

Business and International Management

Academic Director: Dr. Murray Scott

Course Overview

Expand your global perspective and enhance your understanding of today's dynamic business environment through this exciting Business Summer School. Designed for students seeking an international learning experience, the programme offers specialist courses in E-Business Technologies, with a focus on Design Thinking and Digital Entrepreneurship, International Cross-Cultural Management, and Economic Policy in Ireland.

Students select two of the three specialist courses enabling them to tailor their learning experience while gaining a multidisciplinary understanding of business. Through a combination of academic study, practical application, company visits and international perspectives, participants will develop the knowledge, skills, and cultural awareness needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Course Modules

Each course is worth 6 ECTS Credits. Students take two courses on offer in that year:

Course I: Economic Policy in Ireland (SS1153)

This course is designed to provide students with the analytical and historical foundation for studying contemporary public policy issues in Ireland. It begins with a brief overview of how the Irish economy has evolved in the past 25 years and identifies and outlines a series of key public policy issues in areas such as health, housing, the environment, and social protection. It proceeds to develop an economics framework for analysing these issues which covers the concepts of efficiency, equity, market failure, welfare state, and cost benefit analysis. This framework is then applied to the various public policy issues identified earlier in the course. The course will include a field trip to Dublin to meet key policy advisors and analysts.

Prerequisite: students will be required to have completed a course or related course in the Principles of Micro-economics.

Course 2: International & Cross Cultural Management (SS1155)

This module examines how national culture impacts the conduct of business, organisations and people management in a comparative global context, by increasing awareness and understanding of the skills required by managers seeking to work abroad as international executives. Are the pressures of globalisation resulting in the convergence of management practice across cultures or is there evidence to suggest that cultural divergence shapes management practice? This module will be of great interest to students wishing to understand the impact of national culture on managerial practice within and across cultural divides; and managing and working in cross-cultural teams.

Each course consists of lectures, tutorials, short case studies and industry visits. Assessment will be in the form of essays and a written examination. The course will be delivered by staff at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Public Policy at University of Galway.

Course 3: E-business Technologies: Digital Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking (MS3108)

This course offers students an immersive introduction to the principles and practices of e-business technologies and digital entrepreneurship, using design thinking as a core framework. Students will engage with industry professionals and academic experts across key digital innovation areas including FinTech, MedTech and EcoTech and will gain first-hand exposure to the challenges and opportunities of building digital ventures in Galway’s thriving technology-driven hub.

Drawing on the design thinking methodology, this programme develops students' capacity for structured problem solving - from the identification and analysis of real-world challenges through the iterative design and evaluation of digital solutions. Students will develop a working digital venture concept, supported by a validated business model and delivered as a formal presentation to a panel of industry experts and entrepreneurs.

Entry Requirements

The programme is aimed at students who have completed a minimum of one full year at University or College level before being admitted to the programme. Students should also have attained a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Students must also satisfy the pre-requisite.

Prerequisite: students will be required to have completed a course or related course in the Principles of Micro-economics.

Dates

Arrival: Sunday 13 June 2027
Orientation, introductory classes and campus tours: Monday 14 June 2027
Closing of summer school: Friday 09 July 2027
Departure: Saturday 10 July 2027

Tuition and Accommodation Fees

Fees: €2,445.00 (in AY25/26 due to increase in 2027)
Accommodation: €1,350.00 for a single ensuite room in a shared apartment in Student Residence | Goldcrest Village (campusaccommodation.ie) for the duration of the 27 nights. (in AY25/26 price to increase in 2027)

Apply

Apply Online

Please refer to our step-by-step guide & tips for applications on our dedicated How to Apply page. If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the course administrator at: summerschool@universityofgalway.ie. Application deadline 30 March 2027. No late applications will be considered after this date.

Required documentation