Big20! Win a fully funded Leadership Master's with TU Dublin

8th April 2026

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is awarding four fully funded places on our MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Technology programme delivered by Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). This funding, valued at €20,000 per annum, is being offered in recognition of the programme’s 20-year legacy since its inception.

This year marks 20 years since the MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Technology was launched to transform the trajectory of technical careers in Ireland. To celebrate this milestone, and our enduring partnership with TU Dublin, we are launching the ‘Big 20’ Giveaway.

We are offering four high-potential professionals the opportunity to complete this prestigious Level 9 Master’s programme with all tuition fees fully covered.

Enter the Big20 Giveaway

A Legacy of Resilience and Industry Impact

Launched in 2006, the programme was specifically architected by a steering group of industry giants, including Ericsson, HP, Xilinx, TDK Electronics, and Intel. Their mission was to bridge a critical gap in the Irish tech sector: providing technical and engineering graduates with the strategic, commercial, and interpersonal tools required to move into senior management.

Over the past 20 years, the programme – originally delivered at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – has proven its resilience through economic recessions and a global pandemic. Today, as part of TU Dublin, it remains the gold standard for leadership development for those operating at the intersection of technology, innovation and business change.

Speaking about the Big 20 celebration, Kevin Byrne, Head of School of Business, TU Dublin stated: “Our 20-year partnership with Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet is a flagship example of how academia and industry can collaborate to solve real-world skills gaps. The evolution of this programme, from its early days at DIT to its current home at TU Dublin, reflects our shared commitment to innovative, practice-based learning that delivers immediate impact for the learner and their employer”.

Why Professionals Choose the MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Technology Programme

To date, the partnership has supported over 300 graduates, cementing its status as one of Ireland’s flagship leadership programmes and most impactful executive education programmes. We have spent two decades refining a curriculum that meets the needs of busy, modern professionals.

No Written Exams: Assessment is exclusively linked to work-based project assignments and reflective learning, ensuring your studies deliver immediate value to your organisation.

Flexible Hybrid Delivery: A mix of online classes and in-person workshops on-campus at TU Dublin Aungier Street, designed to suit a professional schedule.

Applied Research: The second year involves an applied research project focused within your organisation, building your personal expertise while solving real-world management issues. Diverse Networking: Join a cohort of experienced peers from a wide range of backgrounds and sectors.

Speaking about the programme Damian Hilliard, Vice President Human Resource International at Hertz and formerly HR Manager at Xilinx, noted: “Having been part of the original industry steering group at Xilinx that architected this programme 20 years ago, it is immensely rewarding to see its enduring success. We designed this programme to provide a clear pathway for technical experts to transition into strategic leadership. Two decades later, its resilience through various economic cycles proves that the industry-led model we built remains the gold standard for developing the leaders Ireland’s tech sector requires”.

Enter the Big20 Giveaway

20 Years of Alumni Success

The heritage of the course is best seen through the success of its graduates. Over the last two decades, our alumni have transitioned from technical roles into the highest levels of leadership across Ireland and beyond. Our graduates aren’t just in “tech” companies, in the traditional sense; graduates of the MSc in Leadership, Innovation and Technology programme are leading digital and operational transformation across different roles and sectors, from Amazon, IBM, and Salesforce to Aer Lingus, Abbott Laboratories and Bank of Ireland.

What some of our graduates have to say

I found the course to be transformative. My career had plateaued and I recognised that I needed to develop in this area if I wanted to get a promotion. The programme gave me exposure to a range of areas and the course work was very practical and industry focused.The cohort comprised highly experienced professionals who fully participated in the communal learning process.

Peter Carragher
Senior Manager at Optum (‘13 Alum)
This journey has strengthened my ability to bridge strategic leadership and emerging technology, which I’m actively applying to simplify business processes, optimise operations, and drive innovation. This is a thoughtfully designed programme that truly supports and enables working professionals. I am excited to build on this and continue driving strategic impact at scale.

Meena Karunanidhi
Lead Solution Architect & People Manager at Bank of Ireland (‘25 Alum)
The programme reframed my thinking. It reaffirmed that my management style was in line with current thinking, which increased my confidence when discussing strategy and the holistic nature of innovation.

Tony Doherty
Technical Manager at Blacknight (‘23 Alum)

How to Enter the ‘Big 20’ Giveaway

The competition is open to applicants for the September 2026 intake who meet our funding and academic eligibility criteria

The Prize: Four scholarships covering full tuition fees for the two-year programme (valued at €5,000 per annum, per student).

The Selection: Eligible candidates will be chosen based on the strength of a personal statement (250-word limit) detailing their motivation and leadership potential.