UCC Postgraduate courses

Computer Science - Applied Computing Technology

About This Course

Fact File

  • Title

    Computer Science - Applied Computing Technology

  • Code

    HDACT

  • College

    Science, Engineering and Food Science

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Teaching Mode

    Full-time, Part-Time

  • Qualifications

    HDip

  • EU Fees

    €6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time); €3,130 (Year 2 part-time)
    See Fees and Costs for full details.

  • Non-EU Fees

    €18,900

  • Entry Requirements

    See Requirements for full details.

  • Closing Date

    Open for EU applications, check rounds closing under How To Apply

  • Non-EU Closing Date

    30 June 2023

  • Start Date

    11 September 2023

Course Outline

Our Higher Diploma in Applied Computing Technology is a conversion course open to graduates from non-computing disciplines. The course will provide you with an understanding of the principles of internet-based computer systems and equip you with a range of core IT skills, including web design, web server configuration, managing and manipulating multimedia content, interfacing with databases and working with common office software.

The Higher Diploma is offered as a one-year full-time course (over 9 months) or a two-year part-time course (over 18 months).

Full-Time

Students take a total of 60 credits: 30 credits in Semester 1 and 30 credits in Semester 2.

  • CS5002 Web Development 1 (5 credits)
  • CS5007 Computer Applications Programming (5 credits)
  • CS5008 Internet Computing (5 credits)
  • CS5009 Multimedia (5 credits)
  • CS5018 Web Development 2 (5 credits)
  • CS5019 Systems Organization I (5 credits)
  • CS5020 Systems Organization II (5 credits)
  • CS5021 Introduction to Relational Databases (5 credits)
  • CS5222 Introduction to Programming & Problem Solving (15 credits)
  • CS5523 Multimedia 2 (5 credits)

Part-Time
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years. Part-time students take 30 credits in each of the two academic years as follows:

Part-Time: Year 1

  • CS5002 Web Development 1 (5 credits)
  • CS5018 Web Development 2 (5 credits)
  • CS5021 Introduction to Relational Databases (5 credits)
  • CS5222 Introduction to Programming & Problem Solving (15 credits)

Part-Time: Year 2

  • CS5007 Computer Application with Visual Basic (5 credits)
  • CS5008 Internet Computing (5 credits)
  • CS5009 Multimedia (5 credits)
  • CS5019 Systems Organization I (5 credits)
  • CS5020 Systems Organization II (5 credits)
  • CS5523 Multimedia 2 (5 credits)

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search 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

A typical 5-credit module includes:

  • two lecture hours per week
  • one to two hours of practicals per week
  • outside these regular hours, you are required to study independently

Assessment

The Higher Diploma in Applied Computing Technology is examined through a combination of end-of-year exams and module assignments.

Why Choose This Course

  • Conversion Course

This is a conversion course and is intended for graduates who do not have a Computer Science degree and would like to attain skills in demand by the IT sector.  

Companies actively recruiting our Applied Computing Science graduates include the following:

Abtran, Accenture, AIS, Amazon, Apple, Bank of Ireland, BrickSave, CoreHR, Cork Airport, Cork College of Commerce, Daon, Dell EMC, Digisoft.tv, Enterprise System Partners, First Data, Health Service Executive, IRI America, Johnson Controls, Nirto Cell, Permanent TSB, PWC, Scott Brown Ri, Spearline Labs, Tintri, Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, University College Dublin, Virtustream, Voxpro, Zyte, and more.

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this Higher Diploma can:

  • Continue to MSc Computing Science having achieved a 1H diploma or
  • Exit and take up employment in one of the following areas:
    • Development - with experience leading to Senior Developer, Designer, Architect, Management;
    • Test/QA - with experience leading to Test Automation, Business/Systems Analysis, Management;
    • Desktop/Helpdesk Support - with experience leading to Network/Systems Admin, Cloud/Virtualization Engineer.

    The IT sector is booming and the demand for graduates outstrips demand. The Technology Skills 2022: Ireland’s Third ICT Action Plan outlines the current status of the ICT sector in Ireland and the growing demand for skilled IT graduates.

    Requirements

    • Note: This Higher Diploma conversion course is open to graduates of any discipline other than Computer Science or a similar discipline.

    For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

    Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

    International/Non-EU Applicants

    For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

    • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
    • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
    English Language Requirements

    Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

    Fees and Costs

    The EU fee for this course is €6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time); €3,130 (Year 2 part-time).

    The Non-EU fee for this course is €18,900.

    Deposits 

    If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

    EU student fee payment 

    Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration in August and the second in January.

    International student fee payment 

    International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

    How can I pay? 

    You can pay by Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.

    Questions? 

    If you have any questions on fee payment please contact the Fees Office.

    How Do I Apply

    1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

    • For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
    • Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

    2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

    • Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
    • Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

    3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

    Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

    • You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

    • Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

    • Please upload your CV. 

    The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

    Apply Now

    For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

    Top