Advanced Systems Dependability - Erasmus DEPEND

As software systems become an ever more important part of everyday life, the dependability of these systems is becoming ever more critical.

The unique, two-year Joint Master programme, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Msc in Advanced Systems Dependability (DEPEND) is offered by Maynooth University in Ireland, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland (UK), and the Université de Lorraine in Nancy (France). Up to 20 full, 2-year grants worth up to EUR 49,000 each (fees, travel, & subsistence) are available per year, funded by the European Erasmus+ EMJMD Programme: full details will be published soon on this website.

The course provides students with the knowledge, skill, and in-depth technical understanding of the key topics of safety, reliability, availability, and security of software-based systems. This is achieved by bringing together the theory and practice of software development through research projects and work experience in both industrial and research settings.

Students attend two of the three universities during the course, spending one year at each. Annual summer schools are an important element of the course, and these take place at a different university each year. The 120 ECTS course consists of taught modules, projects & dissertations, experiential learning activities (work placements), and opportunities to explore the culture of each country.

On successful completion of the course, students are awarded a Joint M.Sc. degree by a consortium of the three universities; the course is accredited in all three countries.

Courses are taught in English and are structured according to the ECTS. Students will be integrated into the culture of the country where they study through language and cultural courses provided by the Universities which they attend

The course entry requirements are as follows:

An honours degree in Computer Science or a very closely related discipline with an average grade of 60% (equivalent to a B, II.1, or assez bien) or above. Extensive industrial experience may be considered as equivalent to academic qualification although such applicants will normally be subject to interview by the consortium.
English-Language certificate (for non-native speakers of English only). Since the language of instruction is primarily English, students whose first language is not English must provide proof of a minimum knowledge of English.

Minimum English language requirements:

IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
TOEFL (Paper based test): 585
TOEFL (Internet based test): 95
PTE (Pearson): 62

Maynooth University 's TOEFL code is 8850

Your application must be complete before the deadline to be considered.

All applications should be made through the PAC system.

Closing Date: 30 June 2021

2 years full-time.

Graduates will be qualified to work in a wide range of jobs in the software industry, especially where dependability is important. They will be trained to apply logical reasoning and rigor in their software development activities, and on how to transfer knowledge between industry and academia. Graduates are ideally placed for development of safety critical software using software engineering practices which guarantee the dependability of industrial strength software.

Recent graduates on other MSc courses at Maynooth have secured both industrial positions (in companies such as Google, SAP, Accenture, J.P. Morgan, Cigna and Active Mind Technology) and positions on funded PhD programmes (in universities such as the University of St Andrews, TU Delft, Technical University of Munich and Bournemouth University)