MSc Computer Science (Conversion)

Ireland’s Global University

MSc Computer Science (Conversion) Why study at UCD?

(16 months Full Time) Tradition
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Ireland is home to the world’s top 10 technology a thorough foundation in the practical aspects of Established 1854, with 160

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companies. It is known as the Internet and Games modern Computer Science. 1854 years of teaching & research
Capital of Europe and is among the world’s On completion of the programme you will be able to: excellence
most technologically developed nations. There • apply the core principles of programming to
are excellent job opportunities, with 5,000 job solve real-world problems and process different Global profile
vacancies in the sector at present. types of information UCD is ranked in the top 1% of
• design, develop and query relational databases higher education institutions
worldwide
UCD offers a skills conversion graduate • demonstrate an awareness of the roles
programme for individuals who hold a and interactions of hardware components,
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Over 6,000 international

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Commerce), and would like to enter into an IT • employ web application development concepts 1854 students from over 120 countries
related career. This conversion MSc introduces and technologies to design and create study at UCD
students to computational thinking and provides feature-rich and versatile websites
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Degrees with high employability;
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Key Fact 1854 dedicated careers support

The UCD School of Computer Science and Informatics has significant experience in
the training of non-Computer Science graduates. The curriculum for this MSc is
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continually updated and the coursework is practically orientated, with an emphasis Modern parkland campus with
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on developing coding skills and competence in emerging technologies. 1854 24 hour security, minutes from
Dublin city centre

Course Content and Structure

120 credits 60 credits 30 credits 30 credits
taught masters taught modules research practicum taught modules
This programme has been specifically designed for graduate students of disciplines other than Computer
Science. No prior knowledge of programming is assumed. During the first year, students take modules with
learning outcomes aimed at providing fundamental skills required by modern technology companies. A
research practicum allows students to apply the skills learned in the taught modules in a more significant
project and to see where these skills can play a role in industry. In the final semester, students choose 30
credits of taught modules from the MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) programme.

The structure of the programme is as follows:

Year 1 (Sept-Dec) Year 1 (Jan-May) Year 1 (May-Aug) Year 2 (Sept-Dec)
• Programming I (Python) • Programming II (Java) • Research Practicum Choose* modules in Note that there may be some
• Computational Thinking • Data Structures & with an opportunity to areas such as limitations on the choice due to
• Relational Databases & Algorithms engage with employers • Data Science
pre-requisites and timetabling.
Information Systems • Data Analytics • Cloud & Distributed
• Computer Architecture • Web Application Computing
• Networks & Internet Development • Software Engineering
Systems • Software Engineering • Forensics & Security
Modules and topics shown are
• Operating Systems • Artificial Intelligence &
Cognitive Science subject to change and are not
guaranteed by UCD.
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Career Opportunities

Some of the roles graduates of this MSc have worked in include the following:
Fees and Scholarships
• Software Engineer • Python Developer
• Computer Programmer • Web Applications Developer Tuition fee information is available on
• IT Project Analyst • Business Analyst www.ucd.ie/fees. Please note that UCD offer a
• Performance Engineer • Technical Analyst number of postgraduate scholarships for fulltime,
• SAP Support Engineer • Technical Consultant self-funding international students, holding an offer
of a place on master’s programmes.
Companies that have employed graduates include IBM, Dell, Accenture, Please see www.ucd.ie/international/scholarships/
SAP, Mastercard, Computershare Ireland, Deloitte Ireland, First Derivatives, for further information.
General Motors, Bearing Point, Logentries, AIB, Eircom and Paddy Power.

Accommodation
Apply Now 
This programme receives significant interest so please apply UCD has accommodation for over 2,500 students
early online at www.ucd.ie/apply across five locations. Places are limited and more
information is available at www.ucd.ie/residences/
For information and advice on living off campus,
Entry Requirements please contact the UCD Residences Off-Campus
Office or the UCD Student Union Accommodation
• This programme is intended for applicants who do not have a Computer Science or ICT background. Services. Please visit
An Upper Second class honours degree, or the international equivalent, in another discipline is www.ucd.ie/residences/accommodation-booking-support/
for further details.
required for entry.
• Computer Science is a mathematical subject involving logical understanding and reasoning
and therefore applicants must be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of mathematics. Related Masters
• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language Programmes of Interest
proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
• MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning)
• MSc Information Systems

Graduate Profiles
Emily Castles,
Anthony McCourt, Ruby on Rails developer at Red Hills Software.
Software Developer at Scream Technologies
“Having studied Civil Engineering, I already had a technical background and
Anthony worked as a pharmacist for 10 years before starting the MSc. He had had completed a couple of Computer Science modules involving Visual Basic
an interest in IT and software and sought a career change into this area. After and C++. I had picked up some basic programming logic from these but I’m not
graduating he went straight into working in a software start-up in the area of sure that it gave me much of an advantage over other students in the Masters. I
speech technologies. knew I wanted to work in the area of web development. Initially, I was exploring
“The biggest challenge was the huge amount of work and the associated time the idea of e-commerce and multimedia courses that included development
pressures, especially considering I had no prior IT training and was still working modules but in the end I decided that I would prefer to get a good base
every weekend as a pharmacist. I would say to anyone thinking of doing the knowledge in programming before specialising into any area.”
course to prepare yourself for a lot of work, but the reward is huge. The amount
you will learn is incredible.”

EU Enquiries : cs_conversion@ucd.ie : +353 (0) 1 716 2953 Non-EU Enquiries : internationaladmissions@ucd.ie

www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies www.ucd.ie/international
UCD School of Computer Science and Informatics University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
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