This year saw the first running of its inaugural postgraduate qualification - the HETAC approved Master of Business Studies in International Business. Featuring small classes and quality lecturers, the primary focus of the programme is on international business, which is broken into a number of different subjects, including management, the regulatory environment and research modules, as well as elective courses including an innovative International Entrepreneurship in Ireland module.

"It encompasses new aspects that other MBs courses don't have, " said Stephen Chandler, head of the Department of International Business at American College Dublin.

This year's student intake included Russian, Chinese, Indian and, naturally, US students, although because of a relatively short time to market the course for its first year, it is expected to have significantly greater numbers of students for next year - probably including some Irish graduate students looking to add international business to their portfolio of skills.

"In the Business Department, we want our undergraduates to go on to do MBAs and other postgraduate qualifications, " said Chandler. "Since 2000, about 40% of our graduates have gone on to do just that, which is above the national average. We feel that good staff will bring in quality students, which is why we have invested in bringing in what we feel are among the best staff available."

Following the success of the initial offering of the MBS, American College Dublin is planning on creating other postgraduate qualifications and masters courses, although details of these are not yet available.