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Waterford Institute of Technology

Computer Science - ICT Skills Conversion Course

The ICTSkills graduate conversion course is:

* A computing conversion course for non-computing graduates with 6-month work placement

* Open to all honours graduates NO FEES apply

* Jobseeker applicants may keep benefits while studying fulltime

* Strong foundation in Java programming - stong job prospects

This intensive 18-month computing conversion course is designed to allow honours graduates from non-computing disciplines, who have the capacity and aptitude (for example numeracy skills) to complete an intensive computer science programme and work placement, to acquire the industry-relevant ICT and software development skills, expertise and practical experience required to become suitable candidates for employment in the ICT domain in general and in software development in particular.

The course will comprise an intensive taught course of core programming and computer science modules the course followed by a 6-month work placement. It includes a combination of fundamental concepts and practical exposure to problem solving, programming, and the broader software development ecosystem (DevOps), including system administration and security.

The dedicated ICTSkills/Springboard Work Placement Coordinator, Martina Mullally, works with ICTSkills students and emplyers from the outset of the course in order to match all students with productive and fulfilling work placement experience. In the ICT industry work placements frequently lead to job offers and that has very much been our experience.

Placement Coordinator: Martina Mullally
Tel: +353 51 302 849
Email: MMMULLALLY@wit.ie

Postal Address:

Work Placement Coordinator (A03)
School of Education & Lifelong Learning
Waterford Institute of Technology
Cork Road, Waterford.

Entry requirements

Graduates with a minimum of a Level 8 qualification.

The course includes a significant amount of Java programming. Successful applicants for this course will be existing honours graduates with the capacity and aptitude (for example numeracy skills) to complete an intensive computer science programme and work placement.

Some applicants who do not immediately meet these requirements may wish to consider using WIT's Recognition of Prior Learning mechanism in order to make application that can be considered for entry to this course.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WITs English Language Requirements for details. http://www.wit.ie/about_wit/documents_and_policies/english_language_requ...

Duration

18 months full-time

Careers or further progression

The ICTSkills course is tailored to produce the programmers and software developers that are in very high demand across multiple sectors:

Software Development
Financial Services
Online retailers / publishers / services providers / customer support services
Manufacturing / Logistics / Industrial Control and Automation
Advertising & Media
Enterprise Software Services

Specific skills areas:
Programming
Developer Operations
IT Administration & Management
Web Development
Systems Administration
Technical Support

Sample job title:
Software Developer
DevOps Administrator
System Administrator
Support Engineer
Web Designer / Developer
Business Systems Analyst

Subjects taught

Semester 1

In semester 1 participants will undertake a broad immersive set of modules in the fundamentals of computing including programming, networks, systems, databases and web development.

Semester 2
Students will study network management in semester 2 and deepen their knowledge in their choice of specialist options from amongst mobile app development, enterprise software development and security & forensics. They will also take a
module in Developer Operations.

Placement
The programme is offered in close collaboration with partners from the ICT and Software Development employers. In semester 3 all students will then have the opportunity to apply these skills and gain invaluable experience through a six-month work placement. The work placement element is designed to maximise industry relevance and employability of the graduates. The ICT Skills studio module takes place in advance of the Placement and includes an industry seminar series where the students get to interact with ICT employers and begin to develop their Placement Project proposals in conjunction with their supervisors. A dedicated Placement Coordinator supports all student in their preparation for placement.

Job Readiness
All students also take part in a mandatory Job Readiness Workshop Series. The Workshop Series is designed to facilitate students in developing their employability, and making the transition to the workplace, within a framework of personal and career development planning. It covers self-awareness including reflection workshops and exercises to identify personal skills, abilities, interests and motivations and relate these to career opportunities; career development, CV and applications preparation, preparing for interviews, networking and collaboration, social media and online reputation and mock interviews.

Please see more information on courses and eligibility below. If you want further information or to discuss your options please contact Ken McCarthy at 051 302875 / kmmccarthy@wit.ie

Enrolment and start dates

ICTSkills 2016 is now closed for applications. Subject to Funding WIT will offer the course again starting January 2017

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