Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Graduates of the BSc Computer Science & Information Technology are highly skilled and are equipped to take on employment as professional engineers, designers and consultants in a range of organisations, specialising in areas such as: 

• Software design and development
• Digital media and games
• IT consultancy
• Telecommunications
• Medical informatics.  

Career prospects for IT/computing graduates are very strong in Ireland and throughout the world. The government’s Expert Group on Future Skill Needs has highlighted a shortfall in the number of IT/computing graduates as the number of students studying IT/computing is not adequate to meet the demands in virtually every sector. 

As part of this four-year course, students will undertake an eight month (January - August) off-campus work placement in an industrial setting following completion of their third year of study. In the event that no external placement is available, students will be given projects on campus.  

This work experience programme gives students an opportunity to work on projects relevant to their study and significantly improves their chances of obtaining employment after graduation. Read more about Engineering work placements

Accrediting Body
All Engineering Degrees at University of Galway are professionally accredited by the statutory professional body, Engineers Ireland. This “Accreditation” means that the degree has been assessed and approved to meet the educational requirements for professional Engineers. 

Graduate Opportunities 
A Chartered Engineer is the highest professional education standard in Engineering. A chartered Engineer is competent (because of their education and training) to assume personal responsibility for the development and  application of engineering in research, design, construction, manufacturing, superintending, managing and in  the education of the engineer. 

International Opportunities
Under an international agreement (Washington Accord), any Degree accredited by the National professional body (Engineers Ireland) is recognized internationally. So having an “Accredited” degree means that employers outside of Ireland can (1) understand the quality/education achieved by a graduate and (2) know that it is equivalent to their own Education system/standards, and (3) can offer appropriate employment on this basis. For example, certain functions (sign off on large civil engineering construction projects) can only be carried out by a chartered engineer. 

Dr Colm O'Riordan – Programme Director
Dr Josephine Griffith – 1st Year Coordinator & CÉIM Academic Lead
Dr Nazre Batool – 2nd Year Coordinator
Dr Karl Mason – 3rd Year & Academic PEP Coordinator
Dr Effirul Ramlan – 4th Year Coordinator
Dr Enda Barrett
Dr Adrian Clear
Dr Des Chambers
Dr Frank Glavin
Dr Finlay Smith
Dr Owen Molloy
Prof Jim Duggan
Prof John Breslin
Dr Sam Redfern
Dr Takfarinas Saber
Dr Michael Schukat
Dr Bharathi Chakravarthi
Ms Karen Young
Dr Waqar Qureshi
Prof Dane Flannery
Dr Koushik Paul
Dr Angela Carnevale
Dr Emil Skoldberg
Dr Nicola Fitz-Simon
Dr Kevin Jennings
Dr Niall Madden
Prof Aisling McCluskey
Dr James Cruickshank
Dr Rachel Quinlan
Dr Michael Martyn
Prof Götz Pfeiffer
Dr Tobias Rossmann

Programme Director(s):  
Dr Colm O’Riordain  
Programme Director, 
School of Computer Science
College of Science & Engineering
E: computerscience@universityofgalway.ie
T: +353 (0)91 493143 

Q: Should I apply for the GY401 BE (Un-denominated) or One of the Denominated programmes?

Engineering:
A: If you already know what kind of engineering you wish to do, you should select the relevant denominated programme as your first preference. This will guarantee you a place in that programme in the 2nd year. If, on the other hand, you know you want to do engineering but are not sure what one is best for you, then you should apply for the BE (Un-denominated), and during First Year you can decide which one is best for you. At the end of First Year, students on the Un-denominated programme transfer to Year 2 of the denominated Engineering programmes (Civil, Mechanical, Biomedical, Electrical & Electronic, Electronic & Computer, Energy Systems, Project & Construction Management) or they can transfer to Year 2 of GY350 BSc Computer Science & IT.

Science:

In the Bachelor of Science programme (GY301), there are different pathways that can be taken. One of the pathways is the Computing pathway. Another related pathway is the Data Science pathway. Every student must study multiple subjects/pathways in First and Second Year and specialise more as they progress to Third and Fourth Year.

Information provided is current as of September 2024 and may not reflect any recent budgetary changes.

GY301 Bachelor of Science 

There is a Computing pathway for students in GY301. The Computing pathway includes many but not all the modules as GY350 BSc CS&IT, because students on GY301 also take modules from other pathways in First, Second and Third Year. Another difference is that GY350 has a work placement in 3rd year, but GY301 does not. 

It is possible for students who have successfully completed the Computing and Maths subjects in Year 1 of GY301 to transfer at the end of Year 1 to Year 2 of GY350 BSc CS&IT. NOTE: To transfer into GY350, you must meet the current points requirement of GY350, and each transfer request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

GY350 BSc Computer Science & Information Technology 

Q: What are the entry requirements for the BSc (CS&IT) - GY350?  

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, and any three other subjects recognised for entry purposes. Students must also obtain a minimum Grade O2 or H6 in Mathematics or alternatively obtain a pass in the Engineering Maths Qualifying Examination (held in the University).  Note: For matriculation purposes LC Engineering is not an eligible subject but LC Technology is recognised.   

Q: What if I don’t obtain the required level in Maths in the Leaving Certificate?  

A: Students must obtain a minimum Grade O2 or H6 in Mathematics or alternatively places available (which may vary in number year to year) may be allocated to those candidates who have achieved the points requirement for the programme that year, who satisfy the general requirements for Matriculation in the College of Engineering and Informatics and who attain a Pass in the Engineering Maths Qualifying Examination. The places available will be allocated in strict order of merit-based points attained in the Leaving Certificate. Due to capacity constraints, not all candidates who achieve a pass in the examination may receive an offer. 
 
For A-Levels a Grade D in A-Level Mathematics or Grade B in O-Level Mathematics is required.  

Q: What’s involved in the course?   

A: Computer Science involves the design and development of the software that is used to solve problems in a variety of business, scientific and social contexts. This course provides in-depth coverage of core computer science and software engineering technologies, and a course structure where you can study a range of next-generation technology areas, including digital media and games, energy informatics, and cloud computing.  

The course is mainly focussed on software development, but you will also get some courses on electronic engineering that include other computer hardware including sensors and wireless technologies.  

We assume that students entering the course have no experience with programming.  We start with the very fundamentals and build up. So prior experience isn't needed. An aptitude for problem solving and logical thinking is much more important.  

The main languages covered are C and Javascript in first year and then Java from second year onwards. You don't have to do anything in advance but any experience with programming or even using systems like scratch will help.  

During first year, students in this course mainly learn about foundations of computer science, which involves mathematical and physical foundations and an introduction to programming. In later years, they deepen their knowledge about programming and software engineering, and then take more advanced modules, such as artificial intelligence, databases, and networking.  

GY350 Maths Content:  

There are Maths modules taken throughout the degree; these include introduction to maths (1st year) discrete mathematics, algebra and statistics (2nd year) mainly with some modelling and numerical analysis (more applied maths really) and some applied material (cryptography).   

The core CS subjects contain some mathematics - mainly logic, some set theory, number theory in security etc.  

Q: Does this course have a work placement?   

A: Students undertake a work placement, called the Professional Experience Programme, in third year for a period of about eight months. The University of Galway industrial placement or work-based training programme gives participating students a practical appreciation of the needs and modus operandi of industry and so improves significantly their prospects of obtaining employment after graduation. This provides an opportunity to work on projects relevant to Computer Science.  

Companies and organisations from the various industry sectors partake in the programme. Many students are placed within Irish companies and enterprises; however, in approved circumstances overseas placement is possible, many of the companies that recruit graduates of this programme are large multinational organisations.  

A lot of larger software companies take graduate students - Microsoft, SAP, Ericssons, Cisco, HP etc. - a few from the financial sector and there are a number of companies who will take 1 or 2 students per year, and these can range from image processing, banking, the automobile industry, etc.  

What does the Professional Experience Programme (PEP) entail?  

A: The BSc (CS&IT) placement normally runs from January to August (approx. 8 months) during the third year of the degree.  Following completion of their Semester One third year examinations, students will undertake an off-campus work-based learning programme.  

If no external placement is available, students will be given projects on campus by their discipline. PEP is an integral part of the third-year programmes of study and all students must complete a PEP module prior to graduation. Following PEP, students return to the University for their final year of study.  

Q: What career opportunities are available?  

A: Computer science graduates work in a wide array of interesting and diverse technology areas. They typically get jobs in technical fields, such as software engineering. This could mean working in technology or internet companies, or in companies outside the industry that use computers as a core part of their job. There is high demand for computer science graduates, and they often have at least one job offer before graduating. Graduates with these skills are needed in virtually every industry sector.  

 

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 Level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, and any three other subjects recognised for entry purposes. Students must also obtain a minimum Grade O2 or H6 in Mathematics or alternatively obtain a pass in the Engineering Maths Qualifying Examination (held in the University).   

Alternative Pathways 

The Access Centre at University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programmes. See below some useful links:  

• QQI/FET/FETAC Places 

• Mature Students 

• Access and Foundation programmes 

• HEAR Scheme 

• DARE Scheme

QQI/FET/FETAC Places

There are 4 places available on GY350 Bachelor of Science (Honours) Computer Science and Information Technology. Holders of recognised QQI (FETAC Level 5/6) qualifications in any of the following awards who achieve a minimum of five distinctions, may be admitted on a competitive basis to Year One:

Eligible Awards: 5M0536, CITXX, 6M0695, 5M0529, 6M0691

*Additional Conditions: Only those applicants with a Distinction (80% or better) in a minimum of five modules in the qualification may be admitted to the above programmes provided they have a distinction in one of the following modules 5N1833/C20139 Mathematics or C20174 Mathematics for Engineering or C20175 Mathematics for Computing or 5N0556 Mathematics for STEM or 5N18396 Mathematics for Information Technology

Other Qualifications 

If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you:  

• A Level students 

• International Baccalaureate students  

• EU students 

For applicants whose first language is not English, it is important to check our English Language Requirements.  

Admissions Office  

Our Admissions Office provides additional detail relevant to CAO applicants including key dates, FAQs and instructions for non-school leavers.  

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants 

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.  

Mature Applicants  

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry. Further information available here.  

QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants  

Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET/FETAC Applicants page for information on places available and entry requirements

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
	All	€4,768	€2,500	€27,500	€140	€2,640	€7,408	€27,640

• Most EU students applying through the CAO will be eligible for the ‘Free Fees Initiative’. You can find out more here.
• If you are eligible for a means tested SUSI grant this may cover 100% of this Student Contribution Charge. If you are 100% eligible SUSI will pay the Student Contribution Charge of €2,500 on your behalf. 
• The Student Levy It is payable by all students and it is not covered by SUSI
• Where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing year fees. This applies to non-EU fees.
• You can find additional detail on the Fees Office webpage including FAQs and how fee status is assessed.

High-achieving undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for a range of prestigious scholarships that recognise academic excellence and support students in reaching their full potential. Click here for further Information.

The School of Computer Science offers: 

Two Excellence Scholarships of €20,000 (5k per year over 4 years) and €8,000 Merit Scholarships (€2k per year over 4 years) for all outside of the EU students in the BSc Computer Science and Information Technology 

Application Process 

Students applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply online via Apply to University of Galway. Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the international application webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.