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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Cybersecurity

Course Fact File

Code	MSCCYB
Duration	1 Year Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	xxx
Course Delivery Method	Online
Start Date	07 September 2026

Course Outline

The MSc in Cybersecurity will provide students with an in-depth understanding of practical and theoretical aspects of cybersecurity.
The modern world depends on digital systems that we rely upon to operate safely, securely and reliably 24x7. With ever-increasing
complexity both of these systems themselves and the evolving threat environment that confronts them, organisations need to ensure
their digital assets are protected from cyber-attacks. Organisations such as commercial companies, governmental agencies, need
specialist expertise to design, implement and operate adequate protection mechanisms for their digital assets and services.

The objective of the programme is to equip graduates with a broad and comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of
cybersecurity and to equip them provide this expertise to organisations. The programme includes coverage of cryptography, system
security, network security, AI security, hardware security, privacy and ethics. This MSc will incorporate a substantial individual
research/development project in the area of cybersecurity.

Modules

Students take 90 credits as follows - modules to the value of 60 credits in Part 1 and a Dissertation (30 credits) in Part 2:

Part 1

Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits of elective modules:

Core Modules

• CS6452 Cryptography (5 Credits)
• CS6457 Network Security (5 Credits)
• CS6453 System Security (5 Credits)
• CS6454 Hardware Security (5 Credits)
• CS6455 AI and Security (5 Credits)
• CS6456 Data Privacy and and Ethics (5 Credits)
• CS6403 Case Studies in Computing Entrepreneurship (5 Credits)
• CS6410 Project Development Skills (5 Credits)

Elective Modules

Students take modules to the value of 20 credits from the following - 10 credits from Group 1 and 10 credits from Group 2:

Group 1

• CS6311 Mobile and Wireless Networks (5 Credits)
• CS6314 Mobile Applications Design (5 Credits)
• CS6322 Optimisation (5 Credits)
• CS6327 Internet of Things: Technology and Application (5 Credits)
• CS6420 Topics in Artificial Intelligence (5 Credits)
• CS6409 Information Storage and Retrieval (5 Credits)
• CS6422 Complex Systems Development (5 Credits)

Group 2

• CS6317 Multimedia Technology in Mobile Networks (5 Credits)
• CS6319 Applied Machine Learning (5 Credits)
• CS6405 Datamining (5 Credits)
• CS6421 Deep Learning (5 Credits)
• CS6408 Database Technology (5 Credits)
• CS6423 Scalable Computing for Data Analytics (5 Credits)

Part 2

Students take 30 credits as follows:

Core Modules

• CS6450 Dissertation in Cybersecurity (30 credits)

Course Practicalities

Students take taught modules in Semesters 1 and 2, followed by a research/development project over the summer. Eligibility to
proceed to the project will be subject to meeting a certain standard in the taught modules; students who pass the taught modules but
are not deemed eligible will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity.

The MSc programme consists of 90 credits: taught modules to the value of 60 credits and a research/development project to
the value of 30 credits. Semesters 1 and 2 will comprise 40 credits of core modules and a further 20 credits of electives. The core
modules will cover fundamental cybersecurity concepts and technologies in the following areas: cryptography, network security,
systems security, hardware security, artificial intelligence and security as well as data privacy and ethics.

In addition, modules on project development skills and case studies for entrepreneurship round out the core. Elective modules will offer a selection of mainstream Computer Science topics to complement the core with topics such as mobile systems and networks, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics among others. The project will involve substantial independent research or development on a topic in the area of cybersecurity.

Why Choose This Course

Our graduates will have skills which are in demand by industry and public bodies including:

• Cryptography,
• Network Security,
• System Security,
• Hardware Security,
• AI and Security,
• Data Privacy & Ethics,
• Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Applied Machine Learning.

Companies employing Cyber Security professionals include:

• Accenture,
• Bank of America,
• Deutsche Börse,
• Eli Lilly and Company,
• Eolas Recruitment ,
• ESB,
• EY,
• Fidelity Investment,
• Google,
• Irish Distillers,
• J.P Morgan,
• Johnson Controls,
• Microsoft,
• Morgan McKinley,
• Oracle,
• PFH Technology,
• PM Group,
• PWC,
• Qualcomm,
• Red Hat,
• Stryker,
• TikTok,
• Workday. 

Ireland’s median cyber security salary for 2022 (€75K) was almost twice the official median salary range for Ireland.
The State of the Cyber Security Sector in Ireland 2022 report identified 7,351 private sector professionals working in cyber security
sector, with the potential for 17,000 private sector jobs by 2030. (Cyber Ireland) 

Requirements

Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Computer Science or a closely
related degree in which at least 50% of the credits must be in the area of Computer Science with a strong emphasis on programming
skills and must include the following subjects: system architecture, operating systems,  computer networks. 
Applicants from Grandes Écoles Colleges will be considered if they are studying a cognate discipline in an ENSEA or EFREI Graduate
School and are eligible to enter the final year (M2) of their programme.
Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum academic
entry requirements as stated above but who can demonstrate five years relevant professional experience in the form of a detailed
job(s) specification and an interview may also be required

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

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