Digital Innovation

With digital innovation at the heart of transformation across the global business spectrum, the MSc in Digital Innovation champions the vital qualities to lead the strategic development and deployment of new technology and systems. Designed to equip future business and technology leaders with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the digital age, this programme addresses technology-centric transformation in business and society. From research to software design, students will gain the perspectives and skills to initiate and manage change.

This Masters 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.

The MSc in Digital Innovation offers a careful balance of theory and practice to prepare graduates to enter the world of digital innovation and for current professionals to progress further in their career. The programme offers:

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

The capacity to create and critically assess the business case for IT deployment and use.

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

Experience in designing and undertaking industry relevant research projects.

How will I benefit?
Students gain specialist knowledge and skills, boosting career opportunities.
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.
A head-start in the marketplace due to the unique combination of strategic, practical and analytical course elements
Essential interpersonal, communication and leadership skills via group and case study-based learning, presentations and simulation exercises

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
Cultural & Political Perspectives
Outsourcing and Offshoring
Implementing Digital Projects
Optional independent study module, subject to approval
Positioning

Summer Trimester
The Ethereum Ecosystem
Machine Learning for Business
Cybersecurity
Optional independent study module, subject to approval

Execution, analysis, completion

Please be advised that the above reflects the 2023/2024 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.

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

Start Date: September 2024

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 2022)

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
Consultant