MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning)

The MSc in Computer Science by Negotiated Learning is a uniquely flexible and innovative programme. It offers a customisable learning model for students with an ICT background, allowing you to tailor your educational path to meet your specific needs and career aspirations.

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Duration

1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)

Starting Date

September

Tuition Fee

For information about tuition fees, please contact UCD using the enquiry form.

Location

Dublin, Ireland

About the programme

Students can choose from a wide selection of approximately 80 modules, organised into 5 streams: Foundations of AI, Networks and Distributed Systems, Software Engineering, Machine Learning and Data Science, and Information and Communication Sciences and Languages. You have the option to specialise in a specific stream by selecting modules exclusively from that stream or to combine modules from multiple streams.

Upon acceptance into the programme, each student will participate in personalised faculty-led Student Needs Assessment (SNA) sessions. These sessions are designed to evaluate your prior experience, identify any knowledge gaps, and clarify your career goals.

Students are offered the opportunity to undertake an internship* during the course. The following internships are examples of past placements: Amazon, SAP, Dell, Ericsson, HubSpot, HealthBeacon, Autodesk, Microsoft, Equifax, Spanish Point, Vectra AI, Adaptemy and Deciphex.

*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.

Career opportunities:

Previous graduates are in demand, with recent employers including Google, SAP, Intel, PayPal, Deloitte, Microsoft, Salesforce, Pfizer, Ericsson, and others.

Graduates have secured roles in artificial intelligence, software engineering and QA, data programming and analysis, commercialisation of technology, teaching and training, security and forensics consultancy, and bioinformatics R&D.

Programme Structure

Sample Modules and Topics (Subject to change and are not guaranteed by UCD):

While the course offers some modules that are taught online, these options are limited, and it is not normally possible to complete this degree without substantial regular attendance at daytime lectures and practicals on campus in UCD.

Streams and Modules

Foundations of AI

  • Text Analytics
  • Artificial/Human Intelligence
  • Human-Centred AI
  • (and more)

Machine Learning and Data Science

  • Machine Learning with Python
  • Deep Learning
  • Big Data Programming
  • (and more)

Networks and Distributed Systems

  • Blockchain & Decentralisation
  • Cloud Computing
  • Distributed Systems
  • (and more)

Software Engineering

  • Contemporary Software Development
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Advanced Data Structures in Java
  • (and more)

Information and Communication Sciences, Languages

  • Information Security
  • Information Theory
  • Information Visualisation
  • Enviro-Tech Boot Camp
  • (and more)

Student Testimonial

This course has helped me become more structured and practical in how I work with data.

I am currently still a government officer for the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Thailand, and I took educational leave to further develop my technical skills. In my role, I already work with governance-related data and reporting processes, so I understand its importance in supporting transparency and decision-making.

However, I recognised the need to deepen my knowledge in data governance, data structuring, and system design, especially to improve how data is managed and used more efficiently for both operational work and long-term planning in digital transformation initiatives.

Through this course, I have developed a more systematic approach to working with data. I now focus more on data quality, how datasets are structured, and how information flows from collection to analysis, ensuring that data is reliable and usable for practical purposes beyond reporting.

It has also improved how I approach problem-solving. I now consider how data can be managed within a broader governance framework to support more efficient decision-making and policy planning.

Overall, the course has strengthened both my technical thinking and my ability to apply data governance and analytics in a more practical and impactful way in my current role.

 Dujnapa Tanundet, Government Officer at Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Thailand

Interested? Get started today!

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