Overview
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.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
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.
Entry 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.
Programme Structure
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.
Fees and Funding
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.