Cyber Crime & IT Security - Carlow
The course structure incorporates three knowledge pillars: software development, networking and cybersecurity. Initially the learners obtain the skills in the design and build of computer networks and software applications. The security modules enable the learners to assess the security risk and posture of digital environments and perform remediation on identified security vulnerabilities.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
Career opportunities
Cybersecurity offers a vast array of career opportunities across various industries and sectors. Many companies, ranging from technology firms to financial institutions, have dedicated cybersecurity teams to protect their networks, systems, and data, offering roles such as security analysts, penetration testers, and incident responders. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of cloud computing has created demand for cybersecurity specialists who can address the unique security challenges posed by these technologies.
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is expected to continue growing, offering abundant career prospects for those interested in this field.
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Graduates with relevant Bachelor of Science Degree are eligible to enter at Year 4.
Non-standard application
A non-standard application is one that does not meet the definition of a standard application.
The special categories are:
• GCE/GCSE
• Other school leaving exams
• NCVA Level 2/3
• FETAC Level 5/6
• Further Education (other than QQI)
• Mature
• Higher/Third Level Education
Applicants wishing to make a non-standard application must select the relevant category when applying to the CAO.
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
This program aims to produce graduates who are well-versed in a multitude of cybersecurity disciplines. Students will evaluate the security posture of IT infrastructure and software applications in a lab-based environment. By fostering proficiency in Cybersecurity fields of study, students will be empowered to develop secure and scalable solutions tailored to industry needs
Year 1 Modules
Semester 1
Applications and Interpersonal Communications (M)
Computer Hardware 1 (M)
Mathematics 1 (M)
Networking 1 (M)
Programming 1 (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Semester 2
Computer Hardware 2 (M)
Mathematics 2 (M)
Networking 2 (M)
Programming 2 (M)
Operating Systems (M)
Year 2
Semester 3
Scripting for Cybersecurity (M)
Ethics 2 (M)
Networking: Switching and VLAN Concepts (M)
Web Programming and Databases 1 (M)
Systems Administration (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Semester 4
Assembly and C (M)
Networking: Wireless and Routing Concepts (M)
Web Programming and Databases 2 (M)
Project Incident Handling and Risk Analysis (M)
Systems Infrastructure and Security (M)
Year 3
Semester 5
Cryptography (M)
Cybercrime Legislation and Compliance (M)
Networking III (M)
Automating Security Practice (M)
Penetration Testing (M)
Semester 6
Work Placement (Cybercrime) (E)
Project (Cybercrime) (E)
Semester Abroad (E)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 4
Semester 7
Basic Malware Analysis (M)
Digital Forensics (M)
Enterprise Network Security (M)
Data Visualisation (E)
Semester 8
Secure Application Development (M)
Reverse Engineering (M)
Project (Cybercrime) (M)
Data Visualisation (E)
Case Studies in Data Science (E)
Cloud Data Centres (E)
Linux Infrastructure Engineering (E)
Data Engineering (E)
Artificial Intelligence in the Wild (E)
Blockchain Technology (E)
UI/UX Design and Development (E)
Entrepreneurship (E)
Bias in Computational Systems (E)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR
Richard Butler MSc
E: richard.butler@setu.ie