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Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation

GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

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

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
Blended
NFQ Level:
9 (60 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Graduate Diploma
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 (60 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Graduate Diploma
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
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 three core (foundation) modules and twelve further modules which students may select depending on their interests. See module descriptions for learning outcomes. Most students on the programme are studying for a MSc, but students may leave the programme with a Graduate Diploma award once they have successfully completed and passed exams for 60 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

  • 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
  • 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

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 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP40100 Computer Forensics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP40110 Network Investigations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP41430 Linux for Investigators Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP41650 Malware Investigations Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP41660 Live Data Forensics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47370 Data & Database Forensics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47420 Online Fraud Investigations for Irish Law Enforcement Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47430 Mobile Devices Investigation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47440 Legislation regarding Fraud & Economic Crime Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47450 Financial Fraud Investigation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP40120 Programming for Investigators Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP41580 VoIP and Wireless Investigations Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP41590 Advanced Computer Forensics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP41750 Advanced Malware Analysis & Threat Intelligence Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47510 Financial Investigation Techniques - Following the Money Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47630 OSINT Collection & Analysis Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP47640 Online Child Abuse Invest. Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select 60 credits of modules over 1 year.
COMP40150 Case Studies Summer  10

GradDip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation (T007) Part Time
EU/NONEU    fee per year - € 4040

GradDip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation (T235) Full Time
EU/NONEU    fee per year - € 8040

***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 Diploma 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 Diploma 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.

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


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.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T235
Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation
Graduate Diploma

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T007
Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation
Graduate Diploma

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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