Course Summary
Cybersecurity is an essential need for a modern society in which information technology and services pervade every aspect of our lives. Cybersecurity has the fastest growth rate among all areas of IT, with the labour market encountering a severe workforce shortage in this field.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
An honours (level 8) primary degree in computing or a cognate area with a 2.2 award or higher. Cognate area means a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree that also has taught programming/application development related modules. Candidates are expected to have programming ability, which can be demonstrated through transcripts, recognised certifications, and/ or relevant work experience. An assessment and/or interview may be conducted to ascertain suitability, if necessary, for candidates who do not meet the normal academic requirements.
The College operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may be considered based on relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed using a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, and an interview. The programming ability of the applicant will also be assessed. Non-English-speaking applicants must demonstrate fluency in the English language as demonstrated by an IELTS academic score of at least 6.0 or equivalent.
Laptop Requirement
This programme has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration. The minimal suitable configuration is 8GB of RAM (16GB are recommended); a modern 64-bit x86 multi-core processor (Intel i5 or superior); 250+ GB of available space in hard disk; WiFi card; and a recent version of Ubuntu, macOS, or Windows.
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI IT cannot provide support for these personal devices.
Some students may be able to avail of the Student Laptop Loan Scheme, subject to eligibility.
Application Details
Application: Apply online at www.ncirl.ie
Part-time
Start Date Sept 2025
Full-time
Start Date Sept 2025 and Jan 2026
Fees
Part-time:
€4,800 per annum. €9,600 total fee. (Fees revised annually).
Full-Time:
EU Fee: €7,000 total fee. (EU/Ireland applicants). (Fees revised annually).
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is awarded by QQI at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Students who successfully complete this course may progress to a major award at level 10 on the NFQ. Students may also elect to exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Cybersecurity at level 9.
Career Prospects
Several reports indicate shortage of skills and strong demand for cybersecurity professionals. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs identified cybersecurity as a high-growth area that requires significant support for skills development. The State of the Cybersecurity Sector in Ireland 2022 Report indicates that there are almost 500 companies offering cybersecurity services or have employees in internal cybersecurity roles, and 83% of companies expect to grow their cybersecurity team over the next 12 months. This field has the fastest growth rate following roles: information security analyst, secure application developer, cybersecurity tester, risk analyst / consultant, cyber incident responder, cloud security analyst, security researcher, etc.
Duration
2 years; 4 semesters with a practicum or internship.
Delivery: Blended - Livestream with some on-campus stream classes , scheduled in advance.
Indicative Timetable: Two evenings per week, 18.00 - 22.00 and every second Saturday.
Full-time Schedule
1 year; 3 semesters with a practicum or internship.
Delivery: Campus – Classes will take place face-to-face on campus.
Indicative Timetable: Students need to be available 09.00-18.00 Mon – Fri. Class days and times vary.