Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation

This is a programme for law enforcement. It aims to provide high quality forensic computing and cybercrime investigation training and formal education. It is also designed to deliver cutting-edge, up-to-date cybercrime investigation techniques, strategies and tactics that allow students to understand and tackle emerging trends in cybercrime. Over the past 17 years, we have brought in specialists from around the world to review and advise on the content considering the needs of digital forensic investigators and computer crime specialists. The UCD School of Computer Science (CS) and UCD Centre for Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation (CCI) are working closely with law enforcement agencies and industry practitioners in seeking solutions to technologies-related crime. CS and CCI staff also collaborate with the scientists from European Cybercrime Training and Educational Group at Europol (ECTEG).



A wide range of modules is available at beginner and advanced levels. On successful completion of the programme, depending on the module taken, students will be able to:

- Understand methods used to conduct forensic analysis of digital devices including computer systems and mobile devices

- Identify, collect, process, analyse and present digital forensics evidence

- Use common network investigation techniques

- Develop critical thinking in analysing and performing cybercrime investigation

- Research and develop custom tools for evidence analysis

- Work in groups to resolve computer forensic challenges

- Understand the cybercrime business model and how to perform the financial fraud investigations

- Conduct research into novel forensic and cybercrime investigation problems

- Investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet

- Tackle the forensic analysis of future technologies (both hardware and software) through the development of new applications.

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 7 of:

Select from the following: Students select 90 credits of modules over 1 year.

COMP40100 Computer Forensics Autumn 10

COMP40110 Network Investigations Autumn 10

COMP41430 Linux for Investigators Autumn 10

COMP41650 Malware Investigations Autumn 10

COMP41660 Live Data Forensics Autumn 10

COMP47370 Data & Database Forensics Autumn 10

COMP47420 Online Fraud Investigations for Irish Law Enforcement Autumn 5

COMP47430 Mobile Devices Investigation Autumn 10

COMP47440 Legislation regarding Fraud & Economic Crime Autumn 5

COMP47450 Financial Fraud Investigation Autumn 10

COMP40120 Programming for Investigators Spring 10

COMP41580 VoIP and Wireless Investigations Spring 10

COMP41590 Advanced Computer Forensics Spring 10

COMP41750 Advanced Malware Analysis & Threat Intelligence Spring 10

COMP47510 Financial Investigation Techniques - Following the Money Spring 10

COMP47630 OSINT Collection & Analysis Spring 10

COMP47640 Online Child Abuse Invest. Spring 10

COMP40150 Case Studies Summer 10

COMP40160 Research Project in Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation Summer 30

All applicants must be current employees of a law enforcement organisation (LE) working in an investigative role. You do not have to be a sworn officer. LE includes any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation such as:



- Local, National, or Federal Police Forces

- Government law enforcement agencies

- Immigration & Border Control, Revenue & Customs

- Defence forces including military police

- International Police organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc)

- Regulatory Enforcement agencies etc

- Public prosecutors / Attorney General's office



We prefer applicants with a primary degree in computer science. However if you do not have this, but you have been working in the field of digital forensic investigations in law enforcement for more than 2 years and you have successfully completed advanced training, then we will consider this in compensation, at the discretion of the course directors. In such cases we may ask you to take 3 single modules as CPD (Continual Professional Development) and if you achieve grades of B- or higher you may be allowed to transfer to the MSc programme.



Please note that in some countries, a Masters degree is not recognised unless you also have an undergraduate degree and do a major piece of research as part of your Masters.



Each applicant will be assessed on a case by case basis.



Students are also required to fulfil UCD’s English Language Requirements (see http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-global/ucdenglishlanguagerequirements/)



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

1 year full-time (T146) or 2 years part-time (T025). Delivery: Online.



Course delivery

Lectures are pre-recorded and provided online via a virtual online learning environment. Exercises, reading, assignments and projects are conducted online and in our virtual labs. Students are required to come to Dublin or another UCD exam centre each year to complete in-person examinations. All modules are examined in May each year in Dublin, Netherlands, Canada and the USA. We also hold optional exams in Dublin and the Netherlands in December for our semester one modules.

MSc Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation (T025) Part Time

EU/NONEU fee per year - € 4835


MSc Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation (T146) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 9670

nonEU fee per year - € 9670


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. The cost of examination trips is not included in the tuition fee and students are expected to support themselves while attending examinations and other events. Tuition fees are the same for EU and non-EU students.

Next Intake: September 2025.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

For law enforcement officers, having this qualification has the additional advantage of adding credibility to their testimony as expert witnesses. Career development possibilities in this field are excellent. Graduates include senior staff at Europol and INTERPOL, members of national and regional police forces and police training colleges, government ministries and agencies with Law Enforcement (LE) powers, defence forces, specialist cybercrime agencies, revenue, customs and border protection.