GradDip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 60)

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.

Careers & Employability

For law enforcement officers, having this qualification has the advantage of adding credibility to their testimony as expert witnesses. Career development possibilities are excellent. Graduates include senior staff at Europol and INTERPOL, members of national and regional police forces and police training colleges, government ministries and agencies with LE powers, defence forces, specialist cybercrime agencies, revenue, customs and border protection. Our graduate community is one of the benefits of the course. Contact us if you'd like to speak to a graduate about their experience.

Curricular information is subject to change

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Who should apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. 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.

Vision and Values Statement

This is a distance learning degree programme for law enforcement. This programme aims to provide high quality forensic computing and cybercrime investigation training and formal education. It is also designed to delivery cutting-edge, up-to-dates cybercrime investigation techniques, strategies and tactics that allow students to understand and tackle emerging trends in cybercrime. (Purposes). Over the past 10 years we brought in specialists from around the world to review and advise on the content considering the need of digital forensic investigators and computer crime specialists. The UCD School of Computer Science (CS) and UCD Centre for Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation (CCI) have been working closely with law enforcement agencies and industry practitioners in seeking solutions to technologies-related crime. CS and CCI staff also collaborate with the scientists from European Cybercrime Training and Educational Group at Europol (ECTEG) to work on applied research and developing forensic tools and then transfer both high impact research achievement and efficient, free forensic tools to the students. This programme is delivered by not only the experienced academic staff from CS and CCI but also the experts who are the leader, manager, head of forensic department in law enforcement agencies and industries. Besides, with a modular structure and part-time options, students can combine study with full-time work and family commitments.

The programme structure fosters and encourages close liaison between students, so graduates leave with not only having the required skills for all cybercrime investigating services but also an excellent international network of contacts for the future.

All lectures are pre-recorded and provided online via a virtual online learning environment, allowing students to participate from their home or office. Students are required to attend in-person examinations each year at UCD exam centres located in Dublin, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA. Each module is 10 credits (ECTS). Students will graduate with a UCD MSc when they have achieved 90 credits. Students will graduate with a UCD Graduate Diploma when they has achieved 60 credits.

Programme Outcomes

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

What modules can I take?

View All Modules Here

Course content and the flexible mode of delivery are designed to suit busy working professionals located all over the world. There are fifteen modules available, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and experience. Lectures are pre-recorded and provided online via a virtual online learning environment. Exercises, reading and assignments and projects are conducted online and in our virtual labs. Students are required attend a UCD exam centre to complete examinations and workshops. All modules are examined in May each year in Dublin, Netherlands, Canada and the USA. We also hold optional exams in Dublin and the Netherlands in December for our semester one modules.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

GradDip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation (T007) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 3864
nonEU fee per year - € 3864

GradDip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation (T235) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 7686
nonEU fee per year - € 7686

***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.

Entry Requirements

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 they have less than 5 years experience in LE, applicants should have a degree in computing / policing studies / related discipline or 2 years LE experience in Digital Forensics / Cybercrime Investigation role. Each applicant will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Related Programmes

How to apply?

The following entry routes are available:

Grad Dip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation FT (T235)

Duration

1 Years

Attend

Full Time

Deadline

Rolling*

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Grad Dip Forensic Computing and Cyber Crime Investigation PT (T007)