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Cybersecurity

GradCert (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Applications for 2024/2025 now open

The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity comprises of the first 4 modules in the MSc in Cybersecurity, preparing students for a managerial and leadership career in cybersecurity. Over a period of 2 semesters (9 months) it offers a grounding in Information Security, Leadership In Security, Risk Assessment & Security Standards and Cybersecurity Law and Regulation. Students may continue on in the programme to Graduate Diploma or MSc awards or exit the programme with a Graduate Certificate.

The Graduate Certificate 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 taking 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.

Information webinar

In June 2022 we held a webinar, when the the teaching team talked about the course, entry criteria, research options and answered questions. Listen to the recording (45 mins)

Podcast with the course director

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)

About This Course

Cybersecurity Law and Regulation

  • Describe the international and domestic legal framework relevant to cybersecurity
  • Describe and critically assess the application of the criminal law to cybercrime
  • Outline and discuss the legal issues which may arise at each step of responding to a cybersecurity incident
  • Consider a hypothetical cybersecurity incident, identify the key legal issues which arise from it, and describe what steps need to be taken on foot of these issues

Risk Assessment and Security Standards

  • Understand the concepts of risk, risk response and mitigation
  • Identify and protect an organization from unacceptable losses
  • Apply the NIST/ISO risk management processes
  • Outline the system security boundary
  • Identify security risk components
  • Estimate the impact of compromises to confidentiality, integrity and availability
  • Adopt the appropriate model for categorizing system risk
  • Set the stage for successful risk management
  • Document risk assessment and management decisions

Information Security

  • Understand Information Security
  • Identify Security concerns in the design and implementation of secure systems
  • Understand and apply Security models and design principles
  • Understand: 
    • Role of cryptography and security protocols
    • Privilege management access control
    • Common software and network vulnerabilities
    • Usable security and the human factor
  • Discuss the concepts of Privacy VS Surveillance
  • Undertake real world case studies in information security

Leadership in Security

A student successfully completing this module will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to improve security. For those already working in security, they will be better prepared to lead parts of a security programme, or to take on more responsibility. For those moving towards security, this module will help link their prior experience with current security challenges, and assist in positioning for a lateral move into security.

  • Take stock and set direction as a security leader; measure security and identify critical gaps; assess risk and weigh priorities; track strategic threats and maintain situational awareness
  • Manage Upwards and Outwards: learn how to be an effective advocate for security inside an organisation; influencing leadership and organisational culture; communicating security to executives; gaining and increasing security investment, balancing security and compliance (and other key alliances)
  • Managing Security Talent: building and retaining a strong team: attracting and assessing security talent; maximising retention; leading security professionals
  • Executing on a Security Programme: gain insights from established security leaders on how they operate and what they have learned.

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.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
COMP47900 Cyber Risk Assessment and Standards Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
COMP47920 Information Security Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
COMP47800 Leadership in Security Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
LAW42160 Cybersecurity Law and Regulation Spring  10

GradCert Cybersecurity (T379) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5110
nonEU    fee per year - € 7481

***Fees are subject to change

Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity

(30 credits, part-time over 9 months)

EU          fee per year - € 5110
nonEU    fee per year - € 7481

  • Minimum of 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.

Each applicant will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Students are also required to fulfil UCD’s English Language Requirements.

This holistic and well-rounded programme prepares students for a career in cybersecurity. It will be of great interest to executives and professional / technical staff who:

  • need to acquire knowledge and skills in cybersecurity;
  • want to gain a promotion;
  • want to open up new career opportunities for themselves in cyber security related roles;
  • are interested in doing some research in this field, perhaps in relation to a current work problem;
  • want to gain a qualification to add to their standing and credibility within their professional life.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


This holistic and well-rounded programme prepares students for a variety of cyber careers. It will be of great interest to executives and professional / technical staff who:




  • need to acquire knowledge and skills to equip themselves better for their current role or;

  • want to gain a promotion;

  • want to open up new career opportunities for themselves in cyber security related roles;

  • are interested in doing some research in this field, perhaps in relation to a current work problem;

  • want to gain a qualification to add to their standing and credibility within their professional life.

    Please note Part Time courses are not eligible for a Study Visa


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Cybersecurity:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt T379
Cybersecurity
Graduate Certificate
Part-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsClosed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt T379
Cybersecurity
Graduate Certificate
Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page