Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
Please note this course will not be on offer in 2017/2018
The Graduate Diploma in Information Technology is an in-depth skills conversion programme aimed at those who wish to pursue a career in the information technology field, but whose primary qualification lies in an area outside IT or those who have no qualifications but have gained experience in IT. It attracts graduates from a wide range of disciplines including the arts, business, engineering, education and science, as well as non-graduates who work in various IT roles.
The programme provides students with an excellent grounding in IT and its related disciplines. The Graduate Diploma is offered on a full-time basis and is suitable for recent graduates wishing to broaden their skills portfolio and who are seeking to gain a recognised qualification in the IT area. As well as providing excellent employment prospects, the course offers strong practical focus aimed at developing graduates with the personal and professional skills most sought after in the Information Economy.
Developed in close collaboration with industry, the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology aims not only to develop students' understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of IT, but also to enhance their transferable skills in areas such as research, problem solving, critical thinking and independent learning.
Accordingly, a strong emphasis is placed on practical assessment, with innovative learning methods designed to facilitate integration of the theoretical and practical elements of the programme. This focus on personal and professional development heightens the attractiveness of graduates to prospective employers, as it helps ensure that they are ideally suited to meet practical industry needs.
View the current course structure
- Learning from academic experts with high level industry relevant experience ensuring you graduate with the most up-to-date knowledge of theory and practice.
- Heavy emphasis on applied learning
- Strong exposure and critical analysis of existing, new and emerging technologies
- State of the art facilities located on a modern campus
- Student-centred supportive learning environment.
The blend of skills developed in graduates makes them suitable for jobs wherever computing technology is used, i.e. every sector of the economy. As a result, graduates of the programme have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers in Ireland and abroad in areas such as software engineering, analyst programming, database design and development, IT consultancy, technical training, technical sales, and business analysis.
Among the firms for which they work are AIB, Citibank, Ericsson, ESB, eSpatial Solutions, SAP, Google,eBay, IBM, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan and Lucent Technologies.
Requirements
Entry Requirements
Graduates
Applicants to this programme must have, at a minimum, a second class honours degree in a non-computing discipline, or an equivalent qualification. In exceptional circumstances, candidates who hold a third class honours degree, and who have relevant industry experience, may also be considered for entry.
Professional Entry
With the new Professional Entry option, the Graduate Diploma is now also open to professionals in the IT sector who have no primary degree but have significant industrial experience and have shown a commitment to lifelong learning. This new entry mechanism takes into account the knowledge and skills that individuals have achieved while working in the IT sector. If you have been working in the ICT sector for the past three years and have completed EUCIP or if you have four years or more practical experience in the ICT sector you are eligible to apply for this course. If your application is successful you will be asked to attend an interview.
International Applications
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.
Dates for Submission of Applications September 2017
Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) for the next intake.
Note:
DC818 (Full Time) is the code for graduate applicants
DC846 (Full Time) is the code for non-graduate applicants applying on the basis of professional experience.
There is no intake for September 2017:
Applicants applying through the ICT Professional route must complete a supplementary document (GDF Professional Entry form) detailing their educational and professional qualifications.
Completed forms should be submitted to Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu)
Applications cannot be assessed without this information.
Study Visas:
Applicants requiring a student visa for entry to Ireland are encouraged to enquire with the relevant Irish embassy as to the closing date for application for such visas. This may involve significant processing times. Applicants who do not secure a study visa in time will be unable to take up their offer of a place on any DCU programme.
Queries on Completed Applications
Queries on completed applications can be made by e-mail to registry@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
This programme has one intake in September for all PAC codes in each academic year. There is no intake for September 2017.