Computer Systems - Cork
Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of computer systems, embedded systems, systems programming and real time systems, along with knowledge and understanding of modern computer architectures.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 03/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Popular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths, this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of the minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined on the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
You will have career opportunities with large multinationals such as IBM, EMC, Intel, Johnson Controls, Google, Cisco, and also with smaller Irish companies. You will be qualified to work in a wide variety of industries, such as networking, telecoms, data storage, and finance. Some graduates have progressed into project and people management roles. Graduates have commented that the dual nature of the course and the variety between the modules, opened more doors to employment than a single-focused course could have. Areas of employment include software developer; network engineering; network specialist; internet of things (IoT) specialist; embedded systems programmer; systems engineer.
Further Studies
Suitably qualified graduates may apply for postgraduate research degrees at master (MSc) or doctoral (PhD) level where further specialisation in your preferred area of computer science is possible. Suitably qualified graduates may also apply for these taught programmes:
• MSc in Software Architecture & Design
• MSc in Cybersecurity
• MSc in Information Design & Development
• MSc in Cloud Computing
• MSc in Artificial Intelligence
Further information
September 2026
30
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Overview
The first year curriculum is common for all degrees in the Department of Computer Science, MTU Bishopstown Campus.
All first year students study the same modules and this means that students can transfer to another programme within the Department in year two if they meet the CAO entry requirements for that programme when they enter MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork. This offers great flexibility for qualifying students who may wish to change programmes after year one. This flexibility allows a student to make a more informed decision one year into their studies.
A computer systems engineer combines knowledge of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to develop, test, and evaluate software for personal computers and more. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of computer systems, embedded systems, systems programming and real time systems, along with knowledge and understanding of modern computer architectures. You will become a software developer who has the programming, analysis and design skills combined with the hardware knowledge to create network/ Internet/cloud-based applications. You will understand how devices (such as smart devices, desktop computers and tablets) communicate with each other and the world around them. You will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of computer systems, embedded systems, systems programming and real time systems, along with knowledge and understanding of modern computer architectures. You will be encouraged to use initiative and confidence in approaching problems, investigating solutions using a blend of analytical and practical skills and be able to plan and design the infrastructure and systems that will allow this to happen.
In year 3, placements for students are organised on a countrywide basis with a particular focus on Cork and Dublin. Students have also obtained placement in other countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, and the USA.
What will I study
First Year at a glance:
Year 1 is a common curriculum for all students and focuses on the fundaments of Computer Science. Modules include:
• Programming Fundamentals
• Web Development Fundamentals
• Computer Architecture
• Computer Security Principles
• Maths for Computer Science
• Modular Programming
• Introduction to Databases
• Operating Systems in Practice
• Networking Fundamentals
• Physical Computing
Dr David Stynes
T: +353 (0)21 433 5160
E: david.stynes@mtu.ie