Rankings and Accreditations
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at University of Galway is recognised globally for excellence in business education. In May 2026, the School achieved EQUIS accreditation, marking a significant milestone in our international journey and strengthening our position among leading business schools worldwide. Our programmes hold prestigious global accreditations that reflect the highest standards in teaching, research, innovation and career relevance, underscoring our impact and commitment to responsible leadership.
Triple Crown Accredited
We are proud to hold Triple Crown accreditation through AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, an achievement attained by only the top 1% of business schools worldwide. Widely regarded as the gold standard in international business education, Triple Crown status recognises excellence across teaching, research, industry engagement, internationalisation and student experience, reinforcing our position among the world’s leading business schools.
EQUIS Accredited
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics is proud to share it has been accredited by EQUIS. The EFMD Quality Improvement System, one of the world’s leading international accreditation systems for business schools. EQUIS recognises excellence across teaching, research, internationalisation, industry engagement, ethics and sustainability. Together with AACSB and AMBA accreditation, this achievement gives the School prestigious Triple Crown status, placing us among the top 1% of business schools worldwide.
AACSB Accredited
University of Galway J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics is globally accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide. Only the top 5% of business schools globally have attained AACSB accreditation.
AMBA Accredited
Our Executive MBA is accredited by AMBA, the Association of MBAs — the global authority on postgraduate business education. AMBA accredits only the top 2% of business schools worldwide, recognising programmes that meet rigorous standards for leadership development, teaching excellence, and real-world relevance. This accreditation signals to students and employers that our MBA delivers internationally benchmarked quality.
EFMD Accredited - BSc BIS
Our BSc Business Information Systems holds EFMD Programme Accreditation, awarded by EFMD, one of the world’s leading organisations for management education quality assurance.
EFMD accreditation confirms that the programme delivers strong academic standards, practical relevance, and excellent career outcomes in the business and technology fields.
Athena Swan Silver Award
J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics is only the second School of Business in the Republic of Ireland to achieve such a standard.
Thisaward recognises the commitment to advancing gender equality for both staff and students, and in creating evidenced cultural change, and the internationally recognised accolade was awarded for the School’s gender equality achievements, advancing from its Bronze in 2020.
THE Awards 2025: Shortlisted in Top Six best Business Schools
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics was been shortlisted for the Best Business School Award at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2025. We are proud to be the only Irish institution shortlisted and to rank among the top six business schools across Ireland and the UK. This recognition reflects our commitment to impactful research, inclusive teaching, and meaningful engagement with industry and society. With more than 2,700 students, a global faculty, and strong partnerships across sectors, we remain focused on developing future leaders and addressing key challenges in areas such as digital innovation, sustainability, social inclusion, and well-being. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our faculty, staff, students, and partners.
QS Business Master's 2026
We are proud to be one of only two business schools in Ireland ranked across all four categories in the QS Business Master’s Rankings 2026. Four of our programmes including Marketing, Finance, Management, and Business Analytics are placed among the global top 200, with Marketing in the top 150. This recognition highlights the growing international reputation and excellence of our postgraduate portfolio.
Times Higher Education Awards 2025
At this year’s THE Awards, our School was honoured to be named one of just six finalists for Business School of the Year out of more than 150 institutions in Ireland and the UK. This shortlisting highlights the dedication and excellence of our staff and students as we work to deliver education, research, and engagement for the Public Good.
THE Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
At University of Galway, we recognise the critical role that universities must play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The University of Galway was ranked 64th in the world (no. 1 in Ireland) in the 7th annual THE IMPACT Rankings, published June 2025, out of 2,526 institutions from 130 countries across the world. We also achieved a top 50 rank in three of the individual SDGs and a global rank in a further nine individual SDGs.
Our 2024 SIP report and 2023 SDG mapping project further evidence our progress in ethics, responsibility, and sustainability
PRME Signatory
A UN PRME signatory since 2021, our School is committed to leading in responsible management education. Beyond meeting the principles, we have helped shape PRME’s global reporting system, reinforcing our international role.
University Rankings
#284
We now rank 284 in the world in the QS World University Rankings
47th
We rank 47th in the World in the latest THE Impact rankings 2022
#165
We now rank 165 for internationalisation in the QS Rankings
#1
No. 1 university in Ireland for sustainable development for the fourth year in a row. And ranked No. 3 in the EU.