Anne D'Arcy, Head of HR, EMEA Tech @ Google

"It was a phenomenal personal transformation journey. The diversity of the professional experience amongst my class in the Diploma in Business & Executive Coaching enabled a remarkable bonding experience for the entire group. The construct of the programme and how one module phases to another is really well architected. When I look back, I wish I had done it sooner. Yes, it does take time in commitment, but it's worthwhile and I really enjoyed it."

Kseniia Aksenova, Manager, Customer Service at The Pokemon Company International

"This programme was an absolutely delightful experience. The flow of the programme was organic in building the coaching expertise. There was flexibility to pursue our interests in particular topics and explore them through learning, whether by reviewing the coaching book, selecting a coaching model, or a specific reflective practice. The programme relies heavily on research and is rooted in current organisational trends, making it relevant and grounded. The tutors created a truly welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, held the space for deep vulnerability and sustained a very safe, productive and fun learning process throughout It has given me a new outlook on my practice and the discovery of a more nuanced and natural approach to coaching and life. Moreover, observing the high-quality coaching process helped me to re-evaluate my standards around coaching, appreciate the value of supervision, be attuned to ethical challenges in our practice, and find ways to navigate them. It was such a well-rounded experience, possibly the best learning programme I’ve ever done, and I cannot wait to come back!"

Aishling Gerrett, Matrescence Coach at Aishling Gerrett Coaching

"The Professional Diploma in Business and Executive Coaching has been such an important part of my journey, both personally and professionally. It taught me that simply being myself was enough.
Without this coaching programme, I wouldn’t be doing what I absolutely love today. And without showing up courageously throughout the programme, I wouldn’t have discovered the version of myself that’s here now - supporting mothers on their matrescence journeys and holding space with presence and compassion.
Not only did it transform how I show up professionally - it reshaped how I listen, how I reflect, and how I connect with both myself and others. It helped me find my voice, and that voice is now at the heart of how I show up in my coaching practice every single day. For anyone considering coaching, I wholeheartedly recommend this programme. It changed my life."

Kevin Totterdell EMCC accreditied Executive Coach and Mentor

"The tutor are fantastic- active coaches who bring real-world relevance tot the learning, making it feel authentic. This programme elevated my listening skills, a key coaching component, allowing me to draw on y extensive business and life experience to support others and facilitate focusing on what's important. The reading, coaching practice and assignments, although challenging, always felt purposeful and added to the enjoyable learning journey. The programme was engaging, fun, and motivating and provided training, EMCC accreditation and confidence I needed to start my own successful coaching business working with business leaders. I highly recommend it as a well- structured professional course that balances academic challenge with practical application.

Catherine Giblin Executive & Leadership Coach & Mentor

Experienced Pharma Executive (Ex Lilly) | IED (NFP) | Mentor Enterprise Ireland Network

“Completing this diploma has supported me in moving career as an Executive leader in Pharma and to set up my own Coaching Practice as an EMCC accredited Executive and Leadership Coach and join the Enterprise Ireland Network as a Mentor. I highly recommend this diploma to leaders who want to incorporate coaching into their leadership style and professionals who want to develop as independent coaches and mentors. was a very enjoyable and a great experience for me both professionally and personally. The diversity of experience within my class group, coupled with the learning environment we created together, supported by the excellent tutors, enriched my learning journey

David Carson, Executive Business Coach, Mentor, Non Executive Director

"The Diploma is a combination of learning and experience. It’s hugely rewarding sitting down with people you’ve never met before and helping them. You’ve got to build up a relationship of trust with people and give them the space to talk. Listening to people and giving them the space to allow them to come up with their own solutions is incredibly powerful. The course tutors are fantastic and the people in the class were all very supportive. I would certainly recommend it to others, I can’t speak highly enough about it. The amount of time and effort that the Smurfit team put into the course to facilitate participants is incredible."

Linda Allen, Senior Manager Talent and Diversity at Bus Éireann

"The quality of the diploma makes it different to any other coaching programme. It is so interactive and the practical skills elements are where the real stuff happens. There is a very strong support network and the peer learning in class is great. You spend a lot of time building relationships and get a lot of learning from the coaching projects. Part of the skill in coaching is finding the real gems, working with people to challenge the perceived obstacles that are holding them back."

Aoife MacGabhann, Services Lead, University College Dublin

"I found the UCD Diploma in Business & Executive Coaching excellent. It was very practical, bringing real-world insights into the learning experience. This programme greatly enhanced my self-awareness, a fundamental coaching skill, thereby enhancing what I can offer to my coachees.
The course was intense with lots of reading, pro bono coaching practice and assignments, equipping me for EMCC accreditation. It gave me the confidence to join the UCD Internal Coaching Panel, where I continue to coach and develop my skills. I would highly recommend this well-structured programme to anyone looking for a balance of academic depth and hands-on coaching practice."

Audrey O'Sullivan, General Counsel Legal Director at SIRO

"I had come from a corporate background which was very driven and focused on getting the job done. The coaching programme taught me to think about more than that. To consider what I was thinking, how I was feeling emotionally, my mood. You learn to become much more patient rather than reacting."

Peter Fox, Business Development Director, Digicom

"This Diploma has had the most impact on me, because of the self-awareness it creates and the tools it gives you around trying to encourage change. The programme was delivered virtually due to COVID and really worked. There were no barriers and it was a very supportive group."

Agnieszka King, GDIC Programme Manager, UCD China Joint Colleges

"I would highly recommend the UCD Diploma in Business & Executive Coaching for anyone considering becoming a professional coach. The programme provides a good mix of theory and practice with peer and pro-bono clients, regular feedback and supervision from the coach practice tutors.
The Diploma exceeded my expectations- it was a phenomenal transformation journey, that helped build my confidence through personal growth and the support of classmates from diverse professional backgrounds."