This course is available through the following application route(s)
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The Graduate Diploma in Cybersecurity comprises of the first 8 modules in the MSc in Cybersecurity, preparing students for a managerial and leadership career in cybersecurity. Over a period of 4 semesters (15 months) it offers a grounding in Information Security, Leadership In Security, Risk Assessment & Security Standards, Cybersecurity Law and Regulation, Applied Cryptology, Secure Software Engineering, Incident Response and Network Security. Students may continue on in the programme to MSc awards or exit the programme with a Graduate Diploma.
The Graduate DIploma in Cybersecurity will attract managers from industry, semi-state and public bodies who need an overview of cybersecurity risks and roles to ensure they adopt the right strategies and have appropriate resources.
This programme is designed to prepare IT professionals for a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity. It will be of value to people working in project/product/systems management, or as software developers or software engineers, as well as those in incident response, tech support or networking, who are looking to move into cybersecurity.
It is designed to help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cyber security so that they can protect their organisations, their customers and the public.
It facilitates professional learners through flexible blended study options. Lectures are delivered online and complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus, with a remote option for those who cannot attend in person. The combination of mainly distance but with some on-campus days allows flexible learning but with face-to-face interactions.
In developing the programme we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners – in particular the Leadership in Security module – to ensure that the programme meets the needs of professional learners.
Those who continue on to the MSc programme have the option of undertaking a significant piece of research.
The curriculum is aligned with the ACM/IEEE/AIS SIGSEC/IFIP Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines so that it will prepare students to take a variety of cyber security roles, including some modules for professionals seeking a managerial role in security.
Meet the teaching team, hear about the course, entry criteria, research options and answers to common questions. Listen to the recording (45 mins)
Assistant Professor Liliana Pasquale spoke to Christa Miller from Forensic Focus on why we launched our new MSc Cybersecurity and how it differs from other courses. How does blended delivery work? Who is teaching on it: what is the practitioner/academic balance? Listen here (15 mins)
This programme is designed to prepare IT professionals for a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity. It will be of value to people working in project/product/systems management, or as software developers or software engineers, as well as those in incident response, tech support or networking, who are looking to move into cybersecurity.
It will help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cyber security so that they can protect their organisations, their customers and the public.
It is designed to facilitate professional learners through flexible blended study options. Lectures are delivered online and complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus, with a remote option for those who cannot attend in person. The combination of mainly distance but with some on-campus days allows flexible learning but with face-to-face interactions.
In developing the programme we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners – in particular the Leadership in Security and the Incident Response modules – to ensure that these modules meet the needs of professional learners.
The curriculum is aligned with the ACM/IEEE/AIS SIGSEC/IFIP Cybersecurity Curricular Guidelines so that it will prepare students to take a variety of cyber security roles, including some modules for professionals seeking a managerial role in security.
Learning outcomes on successful completion of the programme will depend on the modules taken but will include some or all of the following.
Demonstrate deep knowledge of network security, secure software systems development, and cryptography
Understand strengths and limitations of important public key and symmetric/asymmetric cryptographic protocols
Communicate security risks and mitigation strategies to executives
Work and engage in discussions in security teams, share work fairly to meet the obligations set by the group
Explain advantages and disadvantages of cryptographic protocols
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 students choose all modules |
COMP47900 | Cyber Risk Assessment and Standards | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 students choose all modules |
COMP47920 | Information Security | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 students choose all modules |
COMP47800 | Leadership in Security | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 students choose all modules |
LAW42160 | Cybersecurity Law and Regulation | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 students choose all modules |
COMP47890 | Applied Cryptography | Summer | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 students choose all modules |
COMP47910 | Secure Software Engineering | Summer | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of: Year 2 students select both modules |
COMP47870 | Incident Response | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of: Year 2 students select both modules |
COMP47880 | Network Security | Autumn | 10 |
Minimum a 2.1 honours bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (or a cognate discipline) or
• 2:2 honours bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (or a cognate discipline) and equivalent (>5 years) industrial
experience in software development or software/system security
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Cybersecurity:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F249 Cybersecurity Graduate Diploma Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |