Cybersecurity and Software Development (PDip)

Course Overview

The School of Computer Science, University of Galway, offers a unique Level 9 Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity and Software Development. This programme is designed to prepare students for the demands of the digital age by reskilling and upskilling them in Cybersecurity while simultaneously training them for software development. Most computing courses aim to deliver high-quality software focused on functionality. In accordance with demand, this course is exclusively designed to augment learners' skills by teaching them the essentials and advances of Cybersecurity for modern software development.

This Level 9, two-year, part-time programme has been developed in tandem with the industry on the advice of the regional skills fora and informed by discussions within the ITAG Cyber Forum. It has been designed in consultation with start-up enterprises, SMEs, and large multinationals to give you the expertise and knowledge required to progress your career.

Considering the growing skills shortage of software developers with a knowledge of Cybersecurity, graduates of this programme will be able to bridge the gap between software development and security teams.

Eligibility Criteria:

As a conversion course, it is open to applicants from non-computing backgrounds to facilitate individuals wishing to change careers, reskill or potentially upskill to improve their employment prospects. The minimum requirement is that students have an L8 undergraduate degree; L7 entrants can also apply but must demonstrate at least two years of industry experience within the computing sector to be considered.

While not mandatory, applicants who have had some exposure to coding and feel they have a knack for it are encouraged to apply.

Course Delivery and Assessment:

We welcome applicants from across Ireland to apply for this 2-year, part-time, online course. Course delivery is asynchronous, meaning applicants can maintain their existing full-time or part-time employment while taking the course. The course will be evaluated via continuous online assessments and on-campus written exams at the end of semesters 1 and 2 in year 1 and the end of semester 1 in year 2 on weekdays.

Industry Placement Opportunity:

In semester 2 of year 2, students will have the opportunity to secure an 8-month industry internship/placement or will undertake a capstone group project with academic supervisors. The placement process (CV preparation, interview skills, events, internship opportunities, interviews) is fully supported by dedicated staff within the University Career Development Centre (CDC). Students can also source their own placement in consultation with the CDC. Where students wish to remain with their current employer, we work with them to define suitable project work to underpin their coursework.

Fees:

The full course fees for AY24/25 are €3,860.00 per student per academic year. This amounts to €7,720.00 in total per student for both academic years, i.e. the full duration of the course. Under Springboard+ in AY23/24, students who are in employment pay 10% of the fee i.e. €386.00 per academic year, with the remaining 90% of their course fees covered by Springboard+. This amounts to €772.00 in total per student for the full 2-year course duration.

Unemployed students have their fees covered in full by Springboard+.

Contact: Ms. Gail Cassidy

    Email: ICTskills@universityofgalway.ie

Applications and Selections

Please apply through the Springboard website. Significant demand is expected and early application is advisable as we will process applications on a rolling basis.

Who Teaches this Course

 Dr. Mamoona Asghar (Programme Director)

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/computer-science/mamoonaasghar/

 

Dr. Enda Howley

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/computer-science/ehowley/

 

Dr. Malika Bendechache

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/staff-profiles/malikabendechache/

 

Dr. Effirul Ramlan

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/computer-science/effirulramlan/

 

Dr. Attracta Brennan

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/computer-science/attractabrennan/

 

Dr. Jamal Nasir

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/computer-science/jamalnasir/

Mr Enda Barrett

BSc

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Dr. Attracta Brennan

M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D

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Dr Jamal Nasir

M.Sc., PhD

Lecturer Above The Bar
E: JNASIR@nuigalway.ie
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Dr Effirul Ramlan

PhD

Lecturer Above The Bar
E: Effirul.Ramlan@universityofgalway.ie
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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment

Individual modules will include a mixture of continuous assessments usually in the form of lab based assignments, as well as end of semester exams.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Course Outline

Course Description

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity and Software Development has been designed to meet the challenges of re-skilling and up-skilling in a modern economy in response to industry demand for graduates with cloud computing and software development skills. This course provides flexible delivery options to meet this need. It has been designed in consultation with start-up enterprises, SMEs, and large multinationals to give you the expertise and knowledge required to progress in your career.

Course Content

This is a two-year part-time Springboard+ online programme with a weighting of 60 ECTS in total.

This course provides:

• A solid foundation in key computing knowledge at the industry level;
• A specialisation in Cybersecurity making participants aware of cyber threats, vulnerabilities and attacks, threat models, secure software development (DevSecOps), Crypto API, including programming languages such as Java, Java Enterprise, JavaScript (NodeJS) and Python;
• An 8-month industry placement or capstone group project.

Year 1:

Semester 1: 15 ECTS

• Cybersecurity Essentials
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• OO Programming 1

Semester 2: 15 ECTS

• Enterprise Java Programming
• Secure Web Programming

Year 2:

Semester 3: 15 ECTS

• Applied Cybersecurity
• Database Systems
• Architecture, Operating Systems & Networks

Semester 2: 15 ECTS

In semester 2 of year 2, students will have the opportunity to secure an 8-month industry internship/placement or will undertake a capstone group project with academic supervisors. The placement process (CV preparation, interview skills, events, internship opportunities, interviews) is fully supported by dedicated staff within the University Career Development Centre (CDC). Students can also source their own placement in consultation with the CDC. Where students wish to remain with their current employer, they will undertake the group project.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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