Expand+Entry Requirements and Exemptions
If you are aged 23 years or more on 1st January of the year of entry, there are no formal entry requirements onto DCU Connected undergraduate programmes. However, a high degree of motivation and self discipline are ...

Hide-Entry Requirements and Exemptions
If you are aged 23 years or more on 1st January of the year of entry, there are no formal entry requirements onto DCU Connected undergraduate programmes. However, a high degree of motivation and self discipline are required to successfully complete these demanding courses of study.

Applicants below 23 years of age must satisfy the normal degree entry requirements of the University (see page 208 of the DCU UG Prospectus 2017).
General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must include the subjects Mathematics AND either English or Irish.

Applicants holding relevant qualifications may be eligible for exemption from specific modules of a programme.


IT Equipment and Skills required:

You should have regular access to a computer (with Microsoft Office), a broadband Internet connection, a printer and a basic headset and a webcam. Specifically, you will need access to Microsoft Word and Excel.

You should also be familiar with using email, browsing the Web, and using word processing packages.

You can find detailed information on the IT skills and equipment required for this programme under the section 'Technology Requirements'.

Mathematics - Recommendation:
Certain modules (specifically the Management Science 1 and Communications Technology 1 modules) require a competence in mathematics roughly equivalent to pass Leaving Certificate level. While a Leaving Certificate mathematics qualification is not mandatory, students without recent exposure to mathematics should consider updating their skills by enrolling in a Leaving Certificate mathematics course or by studying Leaving Certificate mathematics textbooks. After you have applied, you are given online access to a Preparatory Mathematics textbook specially written for Open Education students.

Because of the way the programme is structured, you do not have to defer commencement of the programme while you develop your competence in mathematics. You could still take a preparatory mathematics course in parallel with other modules not requiring competence in this area specifically the Human Computer Interaction (HS1) and IT and Web Technology Fundamentals (C1) modules. Also, it is not recommended to take the Communications Technology 1 module before completing the Management Science 1 module (unless you have a strong background in mathematics and/or physics/electronics).

Expand+Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In Open Education, Recognition of Prior Learning takes two forms:

1. Exemptions
If you have a Diploma, Certificate or Ordinary Degree (Level 6 or 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications www.nfq.ie) in...

Hide-Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In Open Education, Recognition of Prior Learning takes two forms:

1. Exemptions
If you have a Diploma, Certificate or Ordinary Degree (Level 6 or 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications www.nfq.ie) in an area related to the course, it may be possible for you to receive an exemption from studying some Level 1 and Level 2 modules of the course. Or if you have studied towards a qualification and completed modules but never actually qualified you may also be eligible.

If you get exemptions you still need to pass at least three Level 2 modules to qualify for a Diploma. Please note that, (1) you will not obtain exemptions on the basis of work experience alone, (2) you cannot get exemptions from degree level modules and (3) you cannot use an honours degree (NFQ Level 8) to gain an exemption (only qualifications lower than honours degree level apply).

Exemption Application forms are available to all applicants upon request or you can download them from the Programme Forms section of our website.

2. Direct Entry
Candidates for direct entry to the degree level modules must have an academic qualification in a cognate area - a National Diploma/Ordinary Degree (NFQ Level 7) or equivalent in Computing or Electronics, normally with credit or distinction. Direct Entry is only granted where an award at the same level as the BSc in Information Technology (Level 8 on NFQ) has NOT been conferred on the applicant by another institution on foot of those credits.

Direct Entry Application forms are available to all applicants upon request or you can download them from the Programme Forms section of our website.

RPL applicants should note that each request for Exemption or Direct Entry will be considered on its own merits by the Exemption Board. The granting of an exemption/direct admission will depend on the exact nature and content of any previous award, the date obtained and, in certain circumstances, post-qualification work experience. The date of the previous award is particularly important. Given how quickly knowledge is evolving in the IT area, the Exemption Board will pay particular attention to the content studied in dated awards as they may give rise to questions regarding the currency of the applicant's knowledge.

Expand+This programme aims to equip you with Degree level skills in Information Technology.

Upon its completion you will also be equipped with a critical insight into the application of Information Technology to the processes of administration, manageme...

Hide-This programme aims to equip you with Degree level skills in Information Technology.

Upon its completion you will also be equipped with a critical insight into the application of Information Technology to the processes of administration, management and innovation within a range of businesses and other organisations. The programme should be of particular relevance if you are working or aspiring to work in the IT/IS industry, especially if you have no third-level IT qualification or have an IT qualification lower than an honours degree. The programme is particularly suited to you if you are interested in using IT to promote enterprise or institutional development or wish to pursue industrial training and teaching positions in IT.

This Bachelor of Science (Honours) programme offers you the attractive opportunity to obtain a DCU undergraduate degree through online learning, which is more open and flexible than if you registered for a full-time or part-time, campus-based programme.


How the course is delivered:
For each module you study, you are given access to a specially written module text. On some modules you will also study from selected textbook(s). You also get access to the vast range of online academic journals and other resources provided by the DCU Library. In addition, you will be given access to video lectures on selected topics.

Tutorial support on this programme comes in three forms: (1) Face-to-face tutorials are provided in DCU - nearly always on Saturdays; (2) Online tutorial support through the use of discussion forums in a virtual learning environment called Loop where you can interact with your fellow students and tutors; (3) Live virtual classroom tutorials using live online lecturer software. Students can partake in these virtual classroom tutorials at home, work or anywhere with a broadband internet connection. All that is required is a computer with a webcam and headset. These tutorials are recorded so they can be viewed again later and usually take place on weekday evenings.

Expand+ The programme consists of an integrated series of modular courses covering four main areas of study. They are:
◾Communications Technology (CT)
◾Computing (C) / Software Development (SD)
◾Human Sciences (HS)
◾Management Sc...

Hide- The programme consists of an integrated series of modular courses covering four main areas of study. They are:
◾Communications Technology (CT)
◾Computing (C) / Software Development (SD)
◾Human Sciences (HS)
◾Management Science (MS)

Diploma Level
The Diploma is divided into two levels with each subject area presented at both Level 1 and Level 2 - the combination of the four modules at each level correspond to approximately one year of full-time study on a conventional honours degree programme.

The Modules are as follows:
◾C1: IT and Web Technology Fundamentals.
◾C2: Object Oriented Programming With Java.
◾CT1: Principles of Comms, Devices and Networks.
◾CT2: Communications Device Theory and Design.

◾HS1: Human Computer Interaction.
◾HS2: Information Technology and Organisations.
◾MS001: Mathematical and Statistical Methods.
◾MS002: Management Science and Business Modelling.

Degree Level
The Degree consists of a further seven modules:
◾Database Theory and Practice (CA)
◾The Systems Development Cycle (CB)
◾Modern Data Communications Networks (CTA)
◾Researching People's Interactions with Technology (HSA)
◾Management of eCommerce (MSA)
◾Entrepreneurship and Emerging Technologies (MS00B)
◾Mobile Application Development (SDA)

Most of the module details given below refer to those delivered in the 2015/2016 academic year. As this programme is being constantly updated, module specifications may change for the 2017/2018 academic year (and subsequent years). To obtain more detailed information on each module, click on the module title via the course webpage link below.

Expand+Why DCU:

Open Education provides students with:
◾Open and flexible access to higher education to a wide community of adult students;
◾Opportunities for individuals to enhance their career prospects in the IT industry;
◾Access ...

Hide-Why DCU:

Open Education provides students with:
◾Open and flexible access to higher education to a wide community of adult students;
◾Opportunities for individuals to enhance their career prospects in the IT industry;
◾Access to the knowledge and skills required to promote participation in a wide number of IT/IS positions
◾Enable individuals to proceed to further studies in their chosen area.

As this programme is delivered through online distance education, studying with Open Education is suitable for people living in any part of Ireland and increasingly, anyone living abroad.


Students register for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Information Technology awarded by Dublin City University. To gain this degree, students must successfully complete fourteen modules. However, students may exit the programme with a Diploma in Information Technology, also awarded by Dublin City University, on completion of the eight modules at Levels 1 and 2.

Expand+There is currently a huge demand for skilled IT graduates. For example, it was estimated in 2016 that the Irish economy had between 2,400 to 4,500 job vacancies for graduates with an Honours Bachelor Degree or Masters in computing (Source: Forfás). T...

Hide-There is currently a huge demand for skilled IT graduates. For example, it was estimated in 2016 that the Irish economy had between 2,400 to 4,500 job vacancies for graduates with an Honours Bachelor Degree or Masters in computing (Source: Forfás). This relates to jobs in the ICT sector alone, and does not count additional demand for IT graduates from other sectors of the economy. Indeed, sectors outside of traditional ICT industry are showing strong increased demand for graduates with IT skills such as, for example, the software skills required for financial modelling or database management. You will graduate this programme with a unique mix of skills in computing and business.

In addition to traditional ICT career paths, graduates of this programme will have the skills to peruse innovation and entrepreneurship by starting their own ICT-enabled business.