Expand+4 years

Course Delivery
The course will be delivered on the DkIT campus over 3 years (6 semesters) and is full-time. Learning will be supported using the Institute's online Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).

This course will be delivered t...

Hide-4 years

Course Delivery
The course will be delivered on the DkIT campus over 3 years (6 semesters) and is full-time. Learning will be supported using the Institute's online Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).

This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, lab classes and tutorials.
There is a specific focus on practical and problem-based learning and so much of the programme content is delivered in small 20-student computer labs where students can avail of greater feedback and interaction with their lecturer.
There are numerous support services available within the department to enable and encourage all students to realise their personal and professional potential, in particular the IT Learning Centre.

Expand+Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics

A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level mathematics in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certif...

Hide-Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics

A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level mathematics in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination. This means that the maximum cumulative Leaving Certificate points total is 625. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.

The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the higher level mathematics subject (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for point’s purposes. Consequently, if higher level mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score.

Foundation Level Mathematics
Foundation level mathematics will be accepted as a passing subject for Level 7 courses where Leaving Certificate Mathematics is not a specific subject requirement.

Foundation Level Mathematics does not meet the entry requirements for Level 8 courses.

The minimum Level 7 entry requirement in Mathematics is as follows:

F2 at Foundation Level
Or a O6 at Ordinary Level
Or a H7 at Higher Level

Where a grade of F2 or higher is achieved and Foundation Level Mathematics is acceptable for entry to a specific course, the following points scoring system will be used:

Grade Points
F1 20
F2 12

Expand+Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students

Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the leaving certificate...

Hide-Applications from Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students

Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) apply in the normal way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as per the leaving certificate. The LCVP subject will be considered as a passing subject provided the student achieves at least a pass grade. This will apply to entry for honours degree (NFQ Level 8), and Ordinary Degree (NFQ Level 7).

The following points scoring system will be used Grade Points

Pass 28
Merit 46
Distinction 66

Expand+QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). For further details please visit: www.qqi.ie.

Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Compone...

Hide-QQI-FET level 5 and 6 awards are now made by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). For further details please visit: www.qqi.ie.

Applicants must have obtained a full QQI-FET Level 5/6 major award with a minimum credit value of 120. A Component Award will not suffice.

A full QQI-FET major award normally contains 8 components. A full award may be accumulated over a number of years. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to QQI-FET for a major award prior to release of QQI-FET results.

The minimum entry requirement for graduates of QQI-FET (Level 5 and 6) awards to:

Ab-initio Ordinary Degree (NQAI Level 7) courses (with the exception of Veterinary Nursing) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award, plus one Distinction or two Merits;

Ab-initio Honours Degree (NQAI Level 8) courses (with the exception of nursing & midwifery and Level 8 Engineering courses) is a full QQI-FET (Level 5 or 6) award including a Distinction grade in at least three modules.

In these cases, a general specific requirement for Mathematics or a language will not apply. Notwithstanding the minimum entry requirements listed above, relevant cognate courses and / or specific pre-requisite QQI-FET modules may be required for some courses. Details are available from the Admissions Office or the ‘QQI-FET Information’ section of the CAO website www.cao.ie.

QQI-FET has introduced a new awards system known as the Common Awards System, or CAS. All QQI-FET awards are part of CAS since 2014.

Common Awards System (CAS) Scoring
This scoring scheme only applies where all the requirements for the major award are met, i.e. when the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.

Each component is given a score based on the credit value of the component and the weighting of the grade achieved.

Most component awards have a credit value of 15 (the possible component credit values are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30).

The following weightings will apply to the grades achieved:

Pass 1
Merit 2
Distinction 3

To calculate a component score, multiply the credit value of the component by the weighting for the grade achieved. Add all of the component scores up to a cumulative credit value of 120. When adding up these scores begin with distinctions, then merits, then passes. Finally, multiply the total by 13 and divide by 12 to give the overall score (maximum 390).* Further information and examples of the scoring scheme are available on the ‘QQI-FET Information’ section of the CAO website (www.cao.ie)

Expand+Who is a Mature Applicant?
Any applicant 23 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of entry to first year of a full-time course is considered to be a mature applicant. Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on mat...

Hide-Who is a Mature Applicant?
Any applicant 23 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of entry to first year of a full-time course is considered to be a mature applicant. Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on mature grounds and we reserve a minimum of 20% of places on all courses for applicants who access the programme via the mature entry route. Mature students register on all programmes and contribute positively to academic and campus life.

In recent years, mature students have represented approximately 15% of all first year entrants. The Student Learning and Development Centre provides a range of learning supports designed to assist mature students reach their full potential.

How do I decide on a course?
It is important that you make an informed choice. Our Undergraduate Handbook provides contact details of academic staff in each department. You should make contact with the relevant person – ideally, arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss. It is important to make sure that the course is in line with your career plans and that you are academically prepared for and suited to that particular area of study. Talking with academic staff on the course is also an opportunity for you to find out the level of demand for certain courses (among mature applicants) and to find out what the minimum criteria may be.

When do I have to apply?
To be considered as a mature applicant, you must apply to the CAO by 1st February. If the mature student quota is not filled with 1st February applicants, the decision may be taken to assess late applications to the CAO (i.e. those who apply to the CAO after 1st February). However, there is no guarantee that late applications will be assessed. Demand is high for mature student places on many courses and the quota on each course is usually filled with 1st February applicants.

For futher information go to dkit.ie/mature

Have a question about applying as a mature student?
Contact Eileen Lynch Access Officer
T +353 (0)42 937 0236
E access@dkit.ie
W dkit.ie/maturestudents

Expand+Undergraduate Student
The Student Contribution fee is payable by all students who do not qualify for grants or scholarships. The Student Contribution Fee is €3,000.

DkIT Facilities
DkIT students are also obliged to pay the DkIT Facilities Cont...

Hide-Undergraduate Student
The Student Contribution fee is payable by all students who do not qualify for grants or scholarships. The Student Contribution Fee is €3,000.

DkIT Facilities
DkIT students are also obliged to pay the DkIT Facilities Contribution Fee of €125.

Please contact our Admissions Team for more information by emailing admissions@dkit.ie or calling
+353 (0)429 370230.

Undergraduate Tuition Fees
Tuition Fees on Undergraduate Courses are paid on behalf of the students who are eligible under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI). Visit studentfinance.ie for more information. For more information on Fee Collection please view the the fees section of the DKIT website (www.dkit.ie/fees)

Expand+Entry 2023

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2023 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2023 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2023 CAO Hand...

Hide-Entry 2023

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2023 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2023 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2023 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2023 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2023 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2023 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 31 of the 2023 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2023 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 2023. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2023, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2023 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 6 March 2023 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2023 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 31 of the 2023 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

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 2023 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

Expand+Two great reasons to consider this course

Computing is identified, locally, nationally and internationally, as a key future skill and the demand for Computing graduates with skills in programming and systems continues to grow.

This is a unique ...

Hide-Two great reasons to consider this course

Computing is identified, locally, nationally and internationally, as a key future skill and the demand for Computing graduates with skills in programming and systems continues to grow.

This is a unique course that integrates Software Design & Development skills, with knowledge of the Computing Systems on which applications are deployed, and an understanding of the DevOps tools and processes to manage their delivery.

Course Summary
The Bachelor of Science in Computing Systems and Operations at DkIT is a 3-year full-time degree programme aimed at students who, in addition to having a strong underlying interest in software, enjoy the more technically-focused and Systems-driven aspects of Computing and are looking for a programme that provides a combination of these skills.

Course Description
Today’s IT industry is much more than just Software Development. Teams have to build and maintain reliable, scalable and secure systems that are guaranteed to deliver value directly to businesses and customers, day in and day out.

These challenges require modern IT professionals to combine software development skills with knowledge of the environments their applications run on, including systems, networks and production processes. These skills are integrated through a set of software delivery practices known as DevOps – where development and operations are brought together. This course has been developed in response to the highlighted shortages of skilled ICT graduates locally, nationally and internationally.

If you want a career at the heart of the IT industry, whether it’s designing and building complex systems or coordinating and managing complex processes, then this course is for you. This course takes an integrative approach, focusing on first building strong foundational knowledge and competencies in Programming, Web Development, System Administration, Networking and Databases, alongside an introduction to the tools, processes and mind-set of DevOps.
Students will then develop their skills much further in software design and development, architecture and networking.

Combined with this they will gain in-depth knowledge of software deployment, production management and process automation. Finally, they will learn advanced skills in areas such as micro-services, Cloud Technologies and Software Defined Networks (where modern infrastructure is coded alongside system software).

The course ends with an industry experience in the third year. By the end, you will have a combination of well-integrated skills which are highly sought after by the industry.

Work Placement
Students will undertake a 15-week work placement in year 3, semester 2 (semester 6). Students will have the alternative option to Study abroad in Semester 6.

Expand+Year 1

Semester 1
Introduction to Programming (year-long)
Introduction to System Administration (year-long)
Front-End Development
Computer Hardware
Mathematics for Computing Systems
Dev Ops Lifecycle

Semester 2
Introduction to Programmin...

Hide-Year 1

Semester 1
Introduction to Programming (year-long)
Introduction to System Administration (year-long)
Front-End Development
Computer Hardware
Mathematics for Computing Systems
Dev Ops Lifecycle

Semester 2
Introduction to Programming (year-long)
Introduction to System Administration (year-long)
Databases
Networking
Communication Skills
System Testing and Continuous Integration

Year 2
Semester 3
Object-Oriented Programming (Year-Long)
Solutions Architecture (Year-Long)
Software Testing
Routing and Switching
Operating Systems
Database Systems

Semester 4
Object-Oriented Programming (Year-Long)
Solutions Architecture (Year-Long)
Introduction to Software Engineering
Advanced Routing and Switching
Virtualization
Deployment

Year 3
Semester 5
Algorithms
Data Structures
Network Protocols
Automation
DevOps Group Project
Production Process

Semester 6
Work Placement OR Approved Semester Abroad

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only. The provision of electives each year is subject to numbers enrolling on each elective and available resources.

Expand+Career Options
Graduates will have expertise that cuts across the core disciplines of Development, Systems and Operations, together with an understanding of the processes, tools and mind-set of DevOps. They will have knowledge and competencies in a ...

Hide-Career Options
Graduates will have expertise that cuts across the core disciplines of Development, Systems and Operations, together with an understanding of the processes, tools and mind-set of DevOps. They will have knowledge and competencies in a broad range of subject areas across the domain of Computing, with a DevOps focus on deployment and delivery. They will possess the skillset necessary for modern application delivery, which is increasingly in demand from industry, thus leading to increased employment opportunities and greater occupational mobility.

There are many employment and educational prospects for graduates from the BSc in Computing Systems and Operations. Graduates will have gained knowledge and developed advanced skills and competencies necessary to pursue, and sustain, a career within the ICT sector. Knowledge and competencies gained will allow the graduates to take on different roles in a variety of sectors.

The typical roles/ career paths that a graduate could pursue include Software Developer, DevOps Engineer, Solutions Architect, Cloud Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, Deployment Engineer, Network Engineer, System Administrator.

Progression Options
In addition to its industry focus, this programme also aims to provide a path for students wishing to pursue a 2nd level teaching career in Computer Science, dependent on Teaching Council requirements – graduates would be required to complete a Post-graduate Diploma in Education.