| Code | CK401 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | BSc (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| CAO Points | 2024: 500 |
| CAO Points Range | 2024: 500-625 |
Course Outline
Graduates of Computer Science at UCC understand how computer-based systems work and how we can harness their potential to develop sophisticated computer applications upon which our modern world depends. The BSc in Computer Science is a full-time four-year degree course that encompasses all aspects of computer systems (both software and hardware) and ICT (information and communication technology), including software development, database technology, computer networks, operating systems, algorithms, security, web technology and applications.
Year 1 Modules
- CS1106 Introduction to Relational Databases (5 credits)
- CS1110 Computer Hardware Organisation (5 credits)
- CS1111 Systems Organisation (5 credits)
- CS1112 Foundations of Computer Science I (5 credits)
- CS1113 Foundations of Computer Science II (5 credits)
- CS1115 Web Development I (5 credits)
- CS1116 Web Development II (5 credits)
- CS1117 Introduction to Programming (15 credits)
Plus 10 credits from the following:
- CS1130 & CS1131 Irish Language for Computer Science I & II (5 credits per module)
- CH1001 Chinese Language (Mandarin) I (10 credits)
- EC1202 Economic Reasoning for Business & EC1203 Macroeconomic Context and Business (5 credits per module)
- FR0105 Introduction to French & FR1005 French for Near Beginners or FR1105 Threshold French & FR1107 French for Reading Purposes I (5 credits per module)
- GE0005 & GE0008 German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1 & A2.2) (5 credits per module)
- HS0028 Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10 credits)
- IT1102 Non-Beginners’ Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits) or IT1109 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
- MA1001 & MA1002 Calculus for Science Parts 1 & 2 or MA1059 Calculus & MA1060 Introduction to Analysis (5 credits per module)
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
- Work placement is mandatory in both routes of this course in Year 3.
- The annual 60-credits workload typically equates to 12 hours of lectures per week and a comparable amount for laboratory work and tutorials.
Why Choose This Course
Computer Science encompasses all aspects of computer systems, software and hardware, as well as information and communications technology. Topics include software development, database technology, computer networks, operating systems, algorithms, security, web technology and applications. Graduates learn to harness the potential of these technologies to develop useful and sophisticated computer applications.
The School of Computer Science and Information Technology aims to ensure you are work-ready, and it has a mandatory work placement module in Year 3.
To complement the work placement module, you will undertake a Year 4 project, supervised by one of our academic staff. This will require you to apply your knowledge to a technological challenge of your choice and will help develop your skills and understanding of computer science.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Work Placement
At the end of third year, you will undertake mandatory work placement which provides real-life experience of the workplace. The placement can be for 6 months (March to September) or 12 months (from March).
Working in a company setting provides you with additional skills that cannot be taught through lectures or in the laboratory. Most students rate this as one of the most valuable and rewarding aspects of their degree course and many return to work with their placement company after graduation. Typically, you will be attached to an existing team within the organisation and involved in the work of that team within the company.
Our students have been placed in SME’s, national and international companies. Companies that repeatedly employ student on placement include DELL EMC, Amazon, Intel, Pilz, Teamwork, Tapadoo, Workday, EMBL, Laya Healthcare, McAfee, CoreHR, Fidelity Investments, JLR, Johnson Controls, KPMG, Accenture, Tyco, IBM, Janssen, Microsoft, Netgear and others.
Study Abroad
Opportunities to study abroad are available under the Erasmus programme. UCC also has a range of links with institutions outside Europe that provide further opportunities for study abroad on a competitive basis.
Skills and Careers Information
Graduate Study Options
The School of Computer Science and Information Technology has a large and active postgraduate research student community. More details on our research activities can be found on the School's research page. Some of the school's research centres offer internships for talented undergraduates during the summer. Once you graduate, you are well placed to pursue postgraduate studies at Masters of PhD level, at home or abroad.
Programmes taken by graduates of the BSc Computer Science include:
- MSc Data Science and Analytics
- MSc Computing Science
- MSc Interactive Media
- PhD programmes in Computer Science
Career Opportunities
IT companies actively seek Computer Science graduates, and we find that the work placement in third year boosts your employability. Our graduates have gone on to work in a variety of jobs including software engineers, software developers, information systems engineers, network engineers, technical analysts, creative designers, app developers and many more.
The technology sector in Ireland directly employs over 105,000 people, with 75% employed in multinational companies and the remainder in the indigenous digital technology sector.
In 2017 92% of graduates from the BSc (Hons) Computer Science surveyed were in employment while a further 6% went on to further study or training. Employers taking people on from this cohort of graduates included Dell EMC, Google, Amazon Web Services, Johnson Controls, McAfee, Teamwork, McKesson, Stryker, and many more.
Ireland is home to:
- The top 5 global software companies
- 9 of the top 10 US technology companies
- Top 3 global Enterprise Software Companies
- 4 of the top 5 IT services companies (Source: idaireland.com)
“Driven by the continued growth of Ireland as a global technology hub, as well as the spread of digitalisation across all sectors of the economy, demand is forecast to grow at 8.5% annually, generating potential job openings of almost 73,000 during the period 2018-2022.”
(Source: Tony Donohoe Chairperson, Expert Group on Future Skills Needs)
“The current trend for digital transformation is steadily driving the demand for ICT skills to new levels. According to studies on monitoring skills demand and supply, by 2020 there will be a demand for almost 6.3 million IT professionals in the EU.”
(Source: Forecasting the Future Demand for High-Level ICT Skills in Ireland, 2017 – 2022, National Skills Council)
Salaries are in general higher than many other industries. Many employment agencies report on typical salaries for different sectors. An example of those reported for careers in computer science are as follows. These figures are indicative only:
- Mid-Level Software Developer: €50,000 – €65,000
- Senior software engineer/developer/programmer: €80,000 – €110,000
- Mid-level python developer: €55,000 – €65,000
Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Maths |
|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O2/H6 |
EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications
EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.
Mature Students
To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Applicants may also be called for interview.
Leaving Certificate Maths (or equivalent) and/or a background in Information Technology is required (e.g. a QQI FET Level 5 or 6 qualification) or comparable professional experience, though well-qualified applicants with a track record of achievement in other areas will be considered.
Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.
QQI FET Entry
Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
QQI/FET Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process and whether there are routes available to this course.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.