NCI Course Details

This course is offered under Springboard+ meaning you can join this course for free if you are currently unemployed or for a reduced cost of €540 if you are employed.

Visit the Springboard+ website to apply: 

• Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) – 1 Year, Blended/Online. 

Visit the Springboard+ website for information on eligibility criteria.

Applying as a non-Springboard+ Student

If you are not eligible for a place on this Springboard+ funded programme but still wish to apply, please click here.

Online Open Evening

Join us at our Online Open Evening where you will have the opportunity to chat to our lecturers and Admissions Team about the range of Business, Computing and Education courses starting at National College of Ireland in early 2025. We'll help find the right option for you!

• Register Here - 5-7pm, Thursday 5th December

This course will typically appeal to graduates with a level 8 degree from different backgrounds who would wish to change their non-ICT qualification into the computer science field through a level 8 award in computing. Nonetheless, it is noted that the course is technical in nature and will entail a significant amount of independent study. Given the content and the timescale you will need to have a strong commitment to the course and a willingness to fully engage with the technical content.

The Software Development stream provides learners detailed knowledge, problem-solving and technical skills in the area of software development using a modern programming language, such as Java, and application development framework(s).

Depending on your delivery choice you will take Career Bridge as either classroom or blended online. It will help you to enhance your employability skills and improve your overall career prospects. Students will be assisted in identifying relevant employment or a placement during or within three months of completing their course.

Graduates may avail of many entry-level lCT related jobs, such as software developer, web development engineer and software engineer.

Note: The prospective students are required to specify the specialisation they would like to follow when they apply for a place within the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing programme. It is not possible to transfer course streams post registration.

For all streams regardless of specialisation your final award will be a Higher Diploma in Science in Computing as awarded by QQI at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Students who successfully complete this course may be eligible to progress to a major award at level 9 on the NFQ.

A level 8 degree or its equivalent in a non-cognate discipline. Non-standard applications will be also considered on an individual basis.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements. Non-English-speaking applicants must demonstrate fluency in English evidenced by an IELTS academic score of at least 6.0 or equivalent.

The college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme - meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic entry requirements may be considered based on extensive relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed through a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, interview and assessment.

This course is designed to meet the needs of the IT sector and secure future employment for graduates. Companies who hired 2022 students include: Coinmaster (Customer Support Engineer), Deloitte (.net developer), Deloitte (Software Developer), Workday (Network Engineer), Workday (Quality Assurance Engineer), Datalex (Full Stack Software Engineer), Digitsoft (Software Engineer), Docusign (TS Engineer), AIB (Technology analyst), Amazon (Cloud Support Associate), Revenue (Data Analyst).

This programme has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a laptop computer with a substantial hardware configuration. A suitable configuration is 8GB of RAM (16GB are recommended); a modern 64-bit x86 processor (Intel i5 or superior); 250+ GB of available space in hard disk; WiFi card; and a recent version of Ubuntu, macOS or Windows. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their laptop is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights to the machine. NCI IT does not provide support for personal devices.

The course requires internet access you will be required to ensure you have sufficient broadband speed and reliable connectivity from your place of study.

Free Laptop loan for eligible students on this course: Students who are eligible for HEA funding for this course may also be eligible for a free laptop provided on a loan basis for the duration of the programme. This will be a suitable specification machine for completion of the programme but must be returned once you have finished your course. Overall numbers of laptops available are subject to maximum numbers and no other alternatives can be offered.

Check our Student Laptop Loan page for updates on the next opening date for applications.

Semester 1

• Software Development
• Object Oriented Software Engineering
• Introduction to Databases
• Web Design and Client Side Scripting

Semester 2

• Computer Architecture Operating Systems and Networks
• Data Structures
• Algorithms and Advanced Programming
• Distributed Systems
• Career Bridge

Semester 3

• Project

Springboard Careers Advisors will proactively support you to find relevant employment during the course or following completion of the course.

Note: Prospective students are required to specify the specialisation they would like to follow when they apply for a place within the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing programme.

For information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

This is an online learning course that features Directed E-Learning activities such as live online classroom sessions and tutorials/videos on the College’s e-learning system. This allows for online class time to be interactive, practical, and focused, with theory-based content being covered outside of class time with self-paced tutorials/videos, and practical content being covered in live online classes with support from lecturers and lab assistants.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 18.00 - 22.00 and a number of Saturdays 09.00 – 18.00.

Career Bridge classes will be delivered one day per week in Semester 2 from 17.00 to 18.00. Day to be confirmed.

Please note that in some instances exams may take place in the daytime, evenings and at weekends.

The course will be assessed with a blend of continuous assessment and/or project work and exams. Please note that in some instances the exams may take place in the daytime, evenings and at weekends.

3 semesters delivered over 1 calendar year -  January to May 2025, May to August 2025 and September to December 2025.

Springboard+ Student Fees

A student contribution fee of €540 is applicable if you are in employment. No fees applicable if you are unemployed. The scheme does not cover any allowance for books and materials. See the Springboard+ tab above for further information.

If a student contribution fee is applicable this must be paid in full no later than 14th March 2025.

Non-Springboard+ Student Fees

€4,725

(Fees revised annually)

You can spread the cost of this course with a direct debit plan.

International students can apply for the full-time Higher Diploma in Science in Computing here.