Explore UCD

UCD Home >

MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning)

MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Internships Opportunity
Scholarships Available

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

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Science
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Science
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

The MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) is a uniquely flexible and innovative programme. It offers a negotiated learning model for students with an ICT background that allows you to customise your learning path and to tailor what you learn to your own specific needs and career aspirations. Module choices include several programming languages, cloud computing, bioinformatics, data mining, machine learning and information visualisation.
Once you are accepted onto the programme we will guide you through a student needs assessment to establish your prior experience, personal knowledge gaps and your career plans. You have the option to select modules with a very specific thematic focus or you may select modules from one of the pre-defined themes covered by the programme.

Course Highlights
Currently, there are approximately 80 module options offered in conjunction with other UCD Schools and Units including Business, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Psychology, Law and NovaUCD.

Negotiated Learning: student and academic discuss goals, and tailor a suitable programme for the student.

  • The student has the opportunity to select modules, from a suite of diverse module offerings, that best align with their own individual needs and career goals. 
  • Over 80 Modules to choose from - more information on Negotiated Learning modules listed

About This Course

1 - Work effectively within a small team of specialists to achieve specific practical goals in solving problems within the IT domain and in cooperation with other stakeholders
2 - Effectively marshall a variety of expert skills towards focussed goals within the student's chosen IT domain
3 - Develop an awareness of the current state of the art within their specific domain of expertise, including future prospects and opportunities
4 - Communicate technical work effectively to both a specialised and a general audience in word and in text, through writing and in public presentations
5 - Achieve competence across a broad range of foundational subject matter within the IT domain, while developing advanced expertise in one or two selected areas
6 - Develop the ability to assess and critique state-of-the-art developments within their chosen field.
7 - Recognise and manage the theoretical diversity found within the many specialties within information technology.

Previous graduates are in demand and among their recent career destinations are employers like Google, SAP, Intel, PayPal, Deloitte, Microsoft, Symantec, HMH, Vilicom, Murex, NYSE Technologies, Realex Payments, Version 1, Salesforce, Pfizer, Ericsson, and Intune Networks.
Recent graduates have secured roles in areas including: Artificial intelligence, software engineering & QA, data programming and analysis, commercialisation of technology, teaching and training, security and forensics consultancy, and bioinformatics R&D.

All students are offered the opportunity to undertake an internship* during the programme. The following internships are examples of past placements: Amazon, SAP, Dell, Ericsson, HubSpot, Geowox, FoodMarble, HealthBeacon, Autodesk, Microsoft, Equifax, Groupon, Workday, Honeywell, Intel, Shutterstock

*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.


Ahmed Yawer, Equifax Technology
The programme was a huge step forward in my career. After the completion of the programme, I secured a full-time job as a programmer at Equifax Technology. The MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) course gave me the freedom to pick the modules I wanted to study, so I was able to study what I loved and what I needed. 

MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) (T150) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9720
nonEU    fee per year - € 31780

Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) (T151) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5245

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.

  • This programme is intended for applicants with a Computer Science or ICT background. An upper second class honours degree, or the international equivalent in computer science or a related area or a minimum of three years’ relevant industrial work experience is required.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
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.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

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


The programme is attractive to industrial workers coming from related computer science and IT disciplines, and/or national and international students with relevant computer science undergraduate degree qualifications, who have specific workplace needs or requirements for continuing professional development.



Once an applicant has accepted his/her place on the programme there is a student needs assessment for each individual student and the establishment of a negotiated learning contract between the UCD School of Computer Science (represented by the Programme Director) with the student.


Print this page

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning):

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T150
MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning)
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T151
Computer Science (Negotiated Learning)
Master of Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
Contact UsEventsDownload BrochureDownload Brochure
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.