1 - At the end of the programme students will be prepared to take up a managerial or a technical career in cybersecurity.
2 - Demonstrate deep knowledge of information security principles and protection mechanisms, approaches to assess and mitigate risks, security standards, data protection and cybersecurity regulations.
3 - Demonstrate deep knowledge of network security, secure software systems development, and cryptography.
4 - Understand strengths and limitations of important public key and symmetric/asymmetric cryptographic protocols.
5 - Demonstrate advanced knowledge of security trends and technologies.
6 - Perform risk assessment, management and mitigations of secure infrastructures and operations.
7 - Track strategic threats and maintain situation awareness.
8 - Identify cybersecurity laws that apply to complex organisations and apply protection measures to comply with these laws.
9 - Apply network security and secure software development concepts to the design, configuration and implementation of networked, software and distributed systems technologies.
10 - Perform vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.
11 - Develop patches to fix vulnerabilities in software projects
12 - Apply cryptographic techniques to secure software, systems and computer networks
13 - Apply incident response principles and methodologies to secure infrastructures and operations
14 - Apply advanced security knowledge to address industry and research problems
15 - Evaluate trade-offs involving security, regulations, business, economic and management principles
16 - Apply appropriate (quantitative/qualitative) risk assessment techniques to measure security risks
17 - Appraise intrusion detection system and security of modern internet protocols (e.g., IPv6)
18 - Identify effective penetration testing strategies
19 - Apply appropriate incident response principles and methodologies to secure infrastructures and operations
20 - Apply appropriate cryptographic protocols to secure networks, software and systems
21 - Assess strengths and limitations of modern security trends and technologies
22 - Communicate security risks and mitigation strategies to executives
23 - Work and engage in discussions in security teams, share work fairly to meet the obligations set by the group
24 - Explain advantages and disadvantages of cryptographic protocols
25 - Communicate security research challenges and methodologies adopted to tackle the problem and the results obtained
26 - Attract and assess security talent
27 - Lead security teams and influence organisational culture
28 - Be curious about the latest security vulnerabilities and technologies
29 - Actively promote security practices within the organisation
30 - Identify novel security research directions
This course is available through the following application route(s)
This course is designed to prepare IT professionals for a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity. It will help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cybersecurity 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 course we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners to ensure that the course meets the needs of professional learners.
This course will help companies, government and state institutions, defence forces and others to upskill their staff to fill new roles in cybersecurity so that they can protect their organisations, their customers and the public.
It is designed to facilitate professional learners through flexible blended study options. Lectures are pre-recorded and made available on the VLE Platform (Brightspace). Lectures are complemented by occasional full-day workshops on campus (as indicated in the timetable of each module). The combination of mainly distance but with some on-campus days allows flexible learning but with face-to-face interactions. Some module coordinators may deliver live online lectures (e.g., via Zoom) periodically (e.g., bi-weekly).
In developing the programme we have collaborated with industry and law enforcement practitioners – in particular the Leadership in Security and the Incident Response modules – to ensure that these modules meet the needs of professional learners.
The programme offers 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.
Dr Liliana Pasquale gives a short overview of the Secure Software Engineering module
Course Director Associate Professor Liliana Pasquale talks about the Secure Software Engineering module in a YouTube video. This is a 10 credit Level 9 course and part of the MSc programme, although it can also be taken as a stand-alone module. The next run of this module starts May 2025 and lasts 12 weeks. It is taught mainly online with three in-person on-campus workshop days. In this video Associate Professor Liliana Pasquale talks about the module, who it is designed for, its aims and how it is taught, plus how it fits into the MSc Cybersecurity.
Dr Rob Brennan gives an overview of two modules from the MSc Cybersecurity: Risk Assessment and Standards and Incident Response
These modules can be taken as standalone modules or as part MSc Cybersecurity.
- 00:00 Introduction from Dr Rob Brennan
- 00:02:30 Risk Assessment and Standards- overview of the module
- 00:04:40 Impact of Standards and Security and AI Act
- 00:05:24 Incident Response - overview of the module
- 00:08:02 What's coming up in the field of Incident Responses
Video: Dr Rob Brennan_UCD Risk Assessment and Standards
Dr Anca Delia Jurcut gives an overview of the Malware Analysis module
Listen to Dr Anca Jurcut, Assistant Professor in University College Dublin School of Computer Science, discussing Malware Analysis module which she teaches as part of the MSc Cybersecurity. This module is designed for cybersecurity enthusiasts, IT professionals, and anyone interested in defending against cyber threats. Whether you're new to the field or looking to expand your expertise, this module offers valuable insights into malware analysis, will give you the cutting edge knowledge and skills that you need and put you at the forefront of innovations in this rapidly changing security landscape.
Video: Dr Anca Jurcut_ Malware Analysis_UCD
Professor Joe Carthy speaks about the Information Security module
This is a practical course aimed at professionals to work in a real world of cybersecurity. The main objective of this module is to introduce learners to the world of information security addressing the major issues that security specialists encounter in the "real world". This course will also equip learners with knowledge and and allow them to develop skills necessary for IT professionals to take up a managerial or technical career in cybersecurity.
Video: Joe Carthy_ UCD Information Security_Cybersecurity
Information webinar (recorded June 2022)
Meet some of the MSc teaching team, hear about the course, entry criteria, research options and answers to common questions. Listen to the recording (45 mins)
Podcast with the course director (recorded August 2022)
Associate 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? Podcast with Liliana Pasquale (15 mins)
About This Course
The course will prepare professionals for a rewarding career in cybersecurity; for example, to take a role as a security manager, security engineer, security analyst, or IT security specialist. Career development possibilities are excellent. Organisations of all sizes in all sectors, including both Irish and foreign owned companies, are looking for people with these skills. Many global companies have a base in Ireland, including security software and cyber security companies with a security operations centre (SOC). There is a growing cyber security market globally as cyber security is recognized as critical for national security and the smooth functioning of society.
This holistic and well-rounded course will be of interest to executives and professional/technical staff who:
- need to acquire knowledge and skills to equip themselves better for their current role.
- 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.
Academic rigour and a focus on the needs of practitioners
When developing the programme we met with industry practitioners to understand which cybersecurity skills are most needed. We have recruited law enforcement and industry practitioners as Adjunct Faculty. To link the academic curriculum to professional practice, we are working with industry to formulate 30-credit Professional Cybersecurity Projects that students can tackle at the end of the programme. These projects will be co-supervised by a practitioner from industry and a member of the academic staff at the UCD School of Computer Science. Projects will be classified depending on application areas (e.g., management, secure software development, IT security operations, research, enterprise architecture). Depending on the student’s chosen career path, they can identify a project in their area of interest. Instead of the Professional Project, students can take additional taught modules and a Case Study. We also offer the option of an academic research project under the supervision of a UCD academic.
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 6 of: Year 1 - Select all 6 Modules |
COMP47900 | Cyber Risk Assessment and Standards | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 - Select all 6 Modules |
COMP47920 | Information Security | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 - Select all 6 Modules |
COMP47800 | Leadership in Security | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 - Select all 6 Modules |
LAW42160 | Cybersecurity Law and Regulation | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 - Select all 6 Modules |
COMP47890 | Applied Cryptography | Summer | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 6 of: Year 1 - Select all 6 Modules |
COMP47910 | Secure Software Engineering | Summer | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of: Year 2 students please select both modules |
COMP47870 | Incident Response | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 2 of: Year 2 students please select both modules |
COMP47880 | Network Security | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits |
COMP47820 | Cybersec. Professional Project | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits |
COMP47830 | Cybersecurity Research Project | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits |
COMP47810 | Malware Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits |
COMP47850 | Trends in Cybersecurity | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits |
COMP47860 | Ethical Hacking | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: ONLY year 2 students - Choose 30 credits |
COMP47840 | Cybersecurity Case Study | Summer | 15 |
Eoin Reid
Cybersecurity Analyst
The programme is practical and hands on and provided me with multiple projects and coursework that I could speak about in interviews which ultimately helped me get my first cybersecurity role as a Cybersecurity Analyst. The course's multiple discipline approach to modules and guest lecturers from industry in areas ranging from incident response, cyber law, cyber risk and secure programming allowed me to get experience and skills in a broad range of different cybersecurity areas which I could apply immediately to my day-to-day work.
Testimonial videos
In the videos students talk about how they navigated their academic journey while working full time, the core skills they learned, the importance of lifelong learning and the benefits of studying the MSc in Cybersecurity. Why did they decide to go back to university to study for the MSc Cybersecurity? What was the study routine like? Which modules have been of greatest value? What would they say to someone who was thinking of doing the MSc?
EU Year 1 - € 7210
nonEU Year 1 - € 10610
EU Year 2 - € 7030
nonEU Year 2 - € 10610
***Fees are subject to change
Cybersecurity (T380) Part Time
EU Year 1 - € 7210
EU Year 2 - € 7210
nonEU Year 1 - € 10610
nonEU Year 2 - € 10610
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.
- Minimum of a 2.1 honours bachelor’s degree (level 8 NFQ or international equivalent) 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.
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes
Please note Part Time courses are not eligible for a Study Visa
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Cybersecurity:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T380 Cybersecurity Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |