- Conduct research into novel forensic and cybercrime investigation problems
- Develop critical thinking in anaylsing and performing cybercrime investigation
- Identify, collect, process, analyse and present digital forensics evidence
- Investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet
- Investigate money laundering and trace illicit funds
- Research and develop custom tools for evidence analysis
- Tackle the forensic analysis of future technologies (both hardware and software) through the development of new applications
- Understand cybercrime business model and how to perform the financial fraud investigation
- Understand methods used to conduct forensic analysis of digital devices including computer systems and mobile devices
- Use common network investigation techniques
- Work in group to resolve computer forensic challenges
This course is available through the following application route(s)
This programme gives law enforcement officers knowledge and skills to investigate cybercrimes and to gather, handle and use digital evidence and intelligence in order to disrupt criminal activity and prevent crime and to secure convictions.
In the past 16 years, over 1500 students from over 70 countries and have started this programme. A wide range of modules is available at beginner and advanced levels. There are two core (foundation) modules and fifteen further modules which students may select depending on their interests. See the module descriptions in the tabs below for descriptions and learning outcomes. Students may graduate with a Graduate Certificate award once they have successfully completed and passed exams for 30 credits taken from modules from the wide range available in the programme. Depending on the modules taken, on completion of the course you will be able to conduct forensic analysis of a computer and use common network investigation techniques, investigate malware-based intrusions, perform mobile device forensics, preserve and analyse volatile evidence contained in the main memory (RAM), use Linux forensics analysis tools and techniques, write custom tools for data analysis and build forensic applications, overcome investigative challenges of VoIP and locating mobile users, investigate money laundering and trace illicit funds and investigate cases of child sexual exploitation on the Internet.
About This Course
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 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP40100 | Computer Forensics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP40110 | Network Investigations | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41430 | Linux for Investigators | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41650 | Malware Investigations | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41660 | Live Data Forensics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47370 | Data & Database Forensics | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47420 | Online Fraud Investigations for Irish Law Enforcement | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47430 | Mobile Devices Investigation | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47440 | Legislation regarding Fraud & Economic Crime | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47450 | Financial Fraud Investigation | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP40120 | Programming for Investigators | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41580 | VoIP and Wireless Investigations | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41590 | Advanced Computer Forensics | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41750 | Advanced Malware Analysis & Threat Intelligence | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41870 | AI Security: Offensive, Defensive, and Operational Best Practices | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP41880 | Artificial Intelligence Forensics and Investigations | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47510 | Financial Investigation Techniques - Following the Money | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47630 | OSINT Collection & Analysis | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP47640 | Online Child Abuse Invest. | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 3 of: Students select 30 credits of modules over 1 year. |
COMP40150 | Case Studies | Summer | 10 |
GradCert Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation (F007) Part Time
EU/NONEU fee per year - € 3960
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. The cost of examination trips is not included in the tuition fee and students are expected to support themselves while attending examinations and other events.
EU/NONEU fee per year - € 3960
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. The cost of examination trips is not included in the tuition fee and students are expected to support themselves while attending examinations and other events.
All Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation programmes/modules are restricted to members of LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) ONLY. Applicants must be working in an investigative role. This includes agents of any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation including but not limited to Local, National, or Federal Police Forces, International Police organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc), Fisheries, Revenue & Customs, Immigration, Border Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Defence Forces / Military.
Applicants to the Graduate Certificate programme should have 5 years experience in LE. If you do not have the required 5 years minimum employment in law enforcement, but you have been working in the field of digital forensic investigations in law enforcement for more than 2 years and you have successfully completed advanced training, then we will consider this in compensation, at the discretion of the course directors. We prefer applicants with a primary degree in computer science but it is not compulsory.
In cases where applicants have less than the required length of employment experience we may ask you to take 3 single modules as CPD (Continual Professional Development) and if you achieve grades of B- or higher you may be allowed to transfer to the Graduate Certificate programme.
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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes
This programme is open to members of LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ONLY. This includes employees of any organisation that has responsibility for the enforcement of national or local legislation including but not limited to: Police Forces, International law enforcement organisations (Europol, Interpol, etc), Fisheries, Border control, Immigration, Tax/Revenue & Customs, Regulatory enforcement, Military (Army, Navy, Air Force etc). The programme is flexible enough to accomodate both experts and beginners in the field of digital forensics and cybercrime investigation.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F007 Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation Graduate Certificate Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page