Cybersecurity

This course is designed to prepare IT professionals for a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity. It will help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cybersecurity 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 course we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners to ensure that the course meets the needs of professional learners.



This course will help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cybersecurity 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 pre-recorded and made available on the VLE Platform (Brightspace). Lectures are complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus (as indicated in the timetable of each module). The combination of mainly distance but with some on-campus days allows flexible learning but with face-to-face interactions. Some module coordinators may deliver live online lectures (e.g., via Zoom) periodically (e.g., bi-weekly).

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of:

Year 1 - Select all 6 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 please select both modules

COMP47870 Incident Response Autumn 5

COMP47880 Network Security Autumn 10



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits

COMP47820 Cybersec. Professional Project 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) 30

COMP47830 Cybersecurity Research Project 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) 30

COMP47810 Malware Analysis Spring 5

COMP47850 Trends in Cybersecurity Spring 5

COMP47860 Ethical Hacking Spring 5

COMP47840 Cybersecurity Case Study Summer 15

Minimum of 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.



Each applicant will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Students are also required to fulfil UCD’s English Language Requirements.



This holistic and well-rounded programme prepares students for a career in cybersecurity. It will be of great interest to executives and professional / technical staff who:



- need to acquire knowledge and skills in cybersecurity;

- want to gain a promotion;

- want to open up new career opportunities for themselves in cyber security related roles;

- are interested in doing some research in this field, perhaps in relation to a current work problem;

- want to gain a qualification to add to their standing and credibility within their professional life.



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: Yes



Please note Part Time courses are not eligible for a Study Visa

2 years part-time.

Delivery: Blended.

T380 Cybersecurity (Master of Science) Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

The course will prepare professionals for a rewarding career in cybersecurity; for example, to take a role as a security manager, security engineer, security analyst, or IT security specialist. Career development possibilities are excellent. Organisations of all sizes in all sectors, including both Irish and foreign owned companies, are looking for people with these skills. Many global companies have a base in Ireland, including security software and cyber security companies with a security operations centre (SOC). There is a growing cyber security market globally as cyber security is recognized as critical for national security and the smooth functioning of society.

This holistic and well-rounded course will be of interest to executives and professional / technical staff who:



- need to acquire knowledge and skills to equip themselves better for their current role.

- want to gain a promotion.

- want to open up new career opportunities for themselves in cyber security related roles.

- are interested in doing some research in this field, perhaps in relation to a current work problem.

- want to gain a qualification to add to their standing and credibility within their professional life.