Applied Cyber Security - Blanchardstown

What is Applied Cyber Security?

The Master of Science in Computing in Applied Cyber Security is designed to produce highly knowledgeable and skilled graduates to counter the cyber security threat. This course focuses on developing hands-on skills backed by theoretical knowledge. An essential part of the master’s degree is the creation of a body of work presented as a thesis which demonstrates ability in research methods, analytics and report writing. The graduates of this course will be independent learners, good problem solvers and experienced researchers.



Students on the Master of Science in Computing in Applied Cyber Security will also have the opportunity to take part in Capture-the Flag competitions and through their course work, engage with real world problems with companies so that graduates from the programme have the necessary skills to make a difference in the work place.



The course is suitable for both entrants to a new discipline that require a broader range of taught modules to familiarize themselves with the skills and knowledge of the discipline and for specialist employees who want to up-skill in their specialist areas and require research skills.



The Master of Science in Computing in Applied Cyber Security is of particular value to holders of a primary degree in computing, IT, or equivalent, working as IT professionals. It is also of value to individuals with a computing degree background who wish to develop their career towards working within a research-oriented environment at a postgraduate level.



Course Content

Pathway 1: One option is to take three more taught modules and a 30-credit research project. This path would suit students who are new to the discipline and require more taught modules and a smaller research project.



Pathway 2: The other path is to take a 60 credit research project module route. This path would suit students who have a background in the discipline and who wish to dedicate more time to the research element of the masters and develop their research capabilities.



The MSc Research Project is a significant amount of work as it comprises from one-third to two-thirds of the credits for the masters. The research project will have at it core an applied component and incorporate the collecting and analysing data for improving decision making purposes.

F/T:

Pathway 1: 60 credits taught with a 30 credit Research project.

Semester 1

Digital Forensics

Secure Communication and Cryptography

Network Security



Semester 2

Research Skills and Ethics



Electives (Choose any two electives)

Biometrics

Secure Programming

Application Security

Business Continuity and Cloud Security

Cyber Crime Malware

Security Intelligence



MSc Research Project

Students must complete 6 modules and a thesis. All Modules are 10 ECTS Credits. The Research project is 30 ECTS Credits.



Pathway 2: 30 credits taught with a 60 credit Research project



Semester 1

Group Elective 1

Digital Forensics

Secure Communication and Cryptography

Network Security



Group Elective 2

Cyber Crime Malware

Secure Programming

Application Security



Group Elective 3

Security Intelligence

Business Continuity and Cloud Security

Biometrics



Semester 2

MSc Research Project: 90 ECTS credits to be comprised of the Research Project (60 ECTS credits) with the balance made up of 30 credits to be taken from one of the group electives (GE1, GE2 or GE3) in semester 1.



A choice of modules across streams will be offered over an academic year. Electives will only be available at the discretion of the institute, subject to availability of lecturing staff and sufficient expression of interest from students.



P/T:

Year 1 Semester 1

Digital Forensics

Secure Communications & Cryptography



Year 1 Semester 2

Network Security

Cyber Crime Malware



Year 2 Semester 3

Business Continuity Management

Research Skills & Ethics



Year 2 Semester 4

MSc Research Project



Note: Students must complete 6 modules and a thesis. All Modules are 10 ECTS Credits. The MSc Research Project is 30 ECTS Credits. The order of Module Delivery may differ from the listing above.



An award of ‘Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Computing’ may be granted if learners leave this course having completed 6 taught modules and attained 60 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Minimum Entry Requirements?

SeSecond Class Honours grade 2 (GPA 2.5 or equivalent) in a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Bachelor of Science in Computing level 8 or Graduate Diploma or equivalent.



If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Applications for full-time and some part-time postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2026 are now open. Applications for the remaining part-time programmes will open in February 2026. Please check individual course pages for application details.

F/T: 1 year full-time, on campus delivery.

Schedule:

Three/Four days per week.



P/T: 2 years part-time, online delivery.

Schedule

Year 1

Online Lectures

Tuesday 6pm-10pm

Thursday 6pm-10pm



Year 2

Online Lectures

Monday 6pm-10pm

Wednesday 6pm-10pm



*All classes are recorded*

Commencement Date: September 2026.

What are my career opportunities?

The Master of Science in Computing in Applied Cyber Security will give the skills and knowledge to secure business and personal data and allow graduates to work as security professionals in any of the business and industry sectors.



Former graduates currently work in Deloitte, Integrity360, Fidelity Investments, Triology, Forcepoint, Rits, Espion, BH-Consulting, Liberty IT, Cobalt Technology, Ward Solutions and larger international companies like Qualcomm, IBM, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Grant Thornton, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Ericsson, Zurich Insurance and many more.