Cybersecurity

The Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity comprises of the first 8 modules in the MSc in Cybersecurity, preparing students for a managerial and leadership career in cybersecurity. Over a period of 4 semesters (15 months) it offers a grounding in Information Security, Leadership In Security, Risk Assessment & Security Standards, Cybersecurity Law and Regulation, Applied Cryptology, Secure Software Engineering, Incident Response and Network Security. Students may continue on in the programme to MSc awards or exit the programme with a Graduate Diploma.



The Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity will attract managers from industry, semi-state and public bodies who need an overview of cybersecurity risks and roles to ensure they adopt the right strategies and have appropriate resources.



This programme is designed to prepare IT professionals for a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity. It will be of value to people working in project/product/systems management, or as software developers or software engineers, as well as those in incident response, tech support or networking, who are looking to move into cybersecurity.



It is designed to help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cyber security so that they can protect their organisations, their customers and the public.



It facilitates professional learners through flexible blended study options. Lectures are delivered online and complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus, with a remote option for those who cannot attend in person. The combination of mainly distance but with some on-campus days allows flexible learning but with face-to-face interactions.



In developing the programme we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners – in particular the Leadership in Security module – to ensure that the programme meets the needs of professional learners.



Those who continue on to the MSc programme have the option of undertaking a significant piece of research.



The curriculum is aligned with the ACM/IEEE/AIS SIGSEC/IFIP Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines so that it will prepare students to take a variety of cyber security roles, including some modules for professionals seeking a managerial role in security.



This programme is designed to prepare IT professionals for a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity. It will be of value to people working in project/product/systems management, or as software developers or software engineers, as well as those in incident response, tech support or networking, who are looking to move into cybersecurity.



It will help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cyber security so that they can protect their organisations, their customers and the public.



It is designed to facilitate professional learners through flexible blended study options. Lectures are delivered online and complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus, with a remote option for those who cannot attend in person. The combination of mainly distance but with some on-campus days allows flexible learning but with face-to-face interactions.



In developing the programme we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners – in particular the Leadership in Security and the Incident Response modules – to ensure that these modules meet the needs of professional learners.



The curriculum is aligned with the ACM/IEEE/AIS SIGSEC/IFIP Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines so that it will prepare students to take a variety of cyber security roles, including some modules for professionals seeking a managerial role in security.

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of:

Year 1 students choose all modules

COMP47900 Cyber Risk Assessment and Standards Autumn 5

COMP47920 Information Security Autumn 10

COMP47800 Leadership in Security Spring 5

LAW42160 Cybersecurity Law and Regulation Spring 10

COMP47890 Applied Cryptography Summer 5

COMP47910 Secure Software Engineering Summer 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of:

Year 2 students select both modules

COMP47870 Incident Response Autumn 5

COMP47880 Network Security Autumn 10

Minimum a 2.1 honours bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (or a cognate discipline) or

• 2:2 honours bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (or a cognate discipline) and equivalent (>5 years) industrial

experience in software development or software/system security



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://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

2 years part-time.

Delivery: Blended.

F249 Cybersecurity (Graduate Diploma) Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught