Digital Innovation

This degree is suitable for graduates of any discipline but particularly those with a business and/or IT background seeking a career managing digital innovation in all sectors.

What will I learn?
The MSc in Digital Innovation addresses technology-centric transformation in business and society. The careful balance of theory and practice within the course prepares graduates to enter the world of digital innovation and for current professionals to progress further in their career. The programme offers:

1. Leadership skills regarding strategic IT application for digital innovation and business skills such as process redesign, change management, global sourcing and process modelling.

2. The capacity to create and critically assess the business case for ICT deployment.

3. In-depth knowledge and managerial insight into systems development methodologies and processes.

How will I benefit?
Our students are taught by internationally-recognised researchers and engage directly with the technology companies that have made Dublin the "Digital Hub of Europe". Our graduates emerge as insightful, reflective and critically-minded individuals with a unique understanding of the discovery, development, diffusion, and impact of digital product, process, and business model innovations.

1. Direct contact with the companies that have made Dublin the "Digital Hub of Europe"

2. A head-start in the marketplace due to the unique combination of strategic, practical and analytical course elements

3. Essential interpersonal, communication and leadership skills via group and case study-based learning, presentations and simulation exercises.

Vision/Values Statement
Digital innovation is the key to understanding how IT transforms business and society and the MSc in Digital Innovation was designed to equip future business and technology leaders with the knowledge and skills to drive technology-based innovation in a digital society. Our aim is that graduates emerge from the programme as insightful, reflective and critically minded individuals with a unique understanding of the discovery, development, diffusion, and impact of digital product, process, and business model innovations (Purpose).

Our ultimate ambition is that our graduates will help create a better world with ICT, that they will be ambitious and courageous in contributing to business and society, and that they will act with integrity at all times. In order to achieve this, we equip students with conceptual and practical skills around ICT and its relationship with organizational innovation. In particular, our curriculum offers a critical slant on mainstream conceptions of ICT, organisation, and innovation (education and subject/discipline/professional values).

The programme is built on a strong research foundation in the thematic area of digital business. Our students are taught by internationally recognised researchers and also engage directly with the technology companies that have made Dublin the Digital Hub of Europe. We provide transformational and varied learning opportunities for our students. The learning environment is designed to be both nurturing and challenging and to provide students with richly varied learning experiences. In this way, we seek to cultivate informed, insightful, agile and critical thinkers and doers. The programme is unique in the sense that it is targeted at both young graduates and experienced managers or professionals. This means that students experience a diverse environment (age, gender, nationality, background) both within their class and between the full-time and part-time classes (the nature of the learning environment for students).

The programme combines lecture, seminar, group and individual work. Case-based teaching and problem-based learning are used extensively across modules. Students may also apply to complete an optional minor thesis should they so wish. Continuous assessment includes both individual and group work, and both formative and summative assessment. Learning outcomes are assessed in a variety of ways across modules (examination, term papers, reports, group work, presentation) and assessment strategies are weighted accordingly. Learning outcomes are broadly classified as being knowledge-oriented, skill-oriented and/or attitudinal in nature (key approaches to teaching, learning and assessment).

Programme Outcomes
Programme Goals:
Programme Goal 1:
Core Business Knowledge: our graduates will be informed thinker knowledgeable in terms of digital business and innovation in a global context, supported by a strong research foundation, thought leadership, and richly varied learning experiences.

Curriculum
The one-year full-time and two-year part-time formats comprise core modules and option modules. Students complete 9 modules, or 6 modules plus a 30-credit minor thesis prepared over two semesters, subject to approval by a research supervisor. Modules listed below are indicative and are offered subject to faculty availability.

Autumn Trimester
Design, Development, Creativity
Implementing Digital Projects
Skills for Business Enquiry

Spring Trimester
The Ethereum Ecosystem
Outsourcing and Offshoring
Implementing Digital Projects

Summer Trimester
Machine Learning for Business
Knowledge, ICT and Organisation
Cybersecurity

Please be advised that the above reflects the 2022/2023 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change.

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.

A minimum second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
Or
A primary degree with a minimum of three years' relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Visa Requirements
Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

How To Apply
Step 1: Collating Documentation
The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application*. These can include but are not limited to:
Transcripts
CV
English Language Test
References
Additional Documentation

Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

Apply Online
You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

Application Fee
You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €50 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.

Application Review
Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.

Deposit
Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Career Opportunities
The MSc in Digital Innovation has been designed to equip future business and technology leaders with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the digital age. Our students are taught by internationally-recognised researchers and engage directly with the technology companies that have made Dublin the "Digital Hub of Europe". Our graduates emerge as insightful, reflective and critically-minded individuals with a unique understanding of the discovery, development, diffusion, and impact of digital product, process, and business model innovations.

The ICT sector is very strong in Ireland, with the significant presence of a 'who's who' of major companies including Intel, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP, Symantec, McAfee, HP, Fujitsu, Accenture, Electronic Arts, Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

View our dedicated Alumni LinkedIn Group to learn more about the range of industries and companies employing our graduates.

82% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in November 2021)

Potential careers for our graduates include:

Analyst (Data/ICT/Business)
Software Engineer
Project Manager
Product Manager
Software Development
IT Support
Webmaster
IT Internal Auditor
Corporate Security Analyst