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The HDip in Computer Science is now open - course begins January 2018
The ICTSkills graduate conversion course is:
* A computing conversion course for non-computing graduates
* Open to all honours graduates – NO FEES apply
* Jobseeker applicants may keep benefits while studying full time
* Strong foundation in Java programming - strong job prospects
* 6-month work placement
< Click on the image above to enter a sample course environment >
This intensive 18-month computing conversion course is designed to allow honours graduates from non-computing disciplines, who have the capacity and aptitude (for example numeracy skills) to complete an intensive computer science programme and work placement, to acquire the industry-relevant ICT and software development skills, expertise and practical experience required to become suitable candidates for employment in the ICT domain in general and in software development in particular.
The course will comprise an intensive taught course of core programming and computer science modules the course followed by a 6-month work placement. It includes a combination of fundamental concepts and practical exposure to problem-solving, programming, and the broader software development ecosystem (DevOps), including system administration and security.
Nationally Funded Course - NO FEES apply
The course is funded by the Higher Education Authority in order to produce skills needed in the economy - no fees apply to anyone who is accepted onto the course. People who are unemployed for 9 out of the last 12 months may be able to keep benefits while doing the course but applications are not confined to unemployed people. See more information at www.wit.ie/ictskills
Semester 1
In semester 1 participants will undertake a broad immersive set of modules in the fundamentals of computing including programming, networks, systems, databases and web development.
Semester 2
Students will study network management in semester 2 and deepen their knowledge in their choice of specialist options from amongst mobile app development, enterprise software development and security & forensics. They will also take a module in Developer Operations.
Placement
The programme is offered in close collaboration with partners from the ICT and Software Development employers. In semester 3 all students will then have the opportunity to apply these skills and gain invaluable experience through a six-month work placement. The work placement element is designed to maximise industry – relevance and employability of the graduates. The ICT Skills studio module takes place in advance of the Placement and includes an industry seminar series where the students get to interact with ICT employers and begin to develop their Placement Project proposals in conjunction with their supervisors. A dedicated Placement Coordinator supports all student in their preparation for placement.
Job Readiness
All students also take part in a mandatory Job Readiness Workshop Series. The Workshop Series is designed to facilitate students in developing their employability, and making the transition to the workplace, within a framework of personal and career development planning. It covers self-awareness including reflection workshops and exercises to identify personal skills, abilities, interests and motivations and relate these to career opportunities; career development, CV and applications preparation, preparing for interviews, networking and collaboration, social media and online reputation and mock interviews.
Please see more information on courses and eligibility below. If you want further information or to discuss your options please contact springboard@wit.ie
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Programming (10 credits) | Project/Summer School (5 credits) |
| Web Development (5 credits) | Developer Operations (5 credits) |
| Database (5 credits) | Specialisms (select 2) |
| Computer Networks (5 credits) | Mobile App Development (10 credits) |
| Computer Systems (5 credits) | Security and Forensics (10 credits) |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Project/Placement (30 credits) |
Funding Eligibility
ICTSkills is open to both employed people and jobseekers. Applicants registered as unemployed for at least nine of the previous twelve months may qualify to retain their income support while participating in the course. Please see further information on eligibility for Springboard courses at: www.springboardcourses.ie/eligibility.
Academic Eligibility
Applicants should be graduates with a minimum of a Level 8 qualification. The course includes a significant amount of Java programming. Successful applicants for this course will be existing honours graduates with the capacity and aptitude (for example numeracy skills) to complete an intensive computer science programme and work placement.
Some applicants who do not immediately meet these requirements may wish to consider using WIT's Recognition of Prior Learning mechanism in order to make application that can be considered for entry to this course.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT’s English Language Requirements for details. http://www.wit.ie/about_wit/documents_and_policies/english_language_requirements
Course Graduate Maeve Carey from Wexford now working with DoneDeal
Maeve left her position as Pensions Manager for a well-known financial company, where she had worked for five years, to travel and explore other challenges. Upon her return to Ireland, she went searching for new employment, but remained unemployed for several months. Maeve had a primary BSc degree in Physics with Theoretical Physics and was interested in IT, but lacked an IT qualification required for industry consideration. Maeve was beginning to grow despondent with her options, when a friend told her about the ICT Skills Conversion Programme at WIT. The programme offered Maeve a fast-track into the IT sector with the Department of Social Protection’s ‘Back to Education Allowance’ available to those taking the course. Maeve started the programme at WIT in March 2013 and hasn’t looked back since. Maeve found the subject matter absorbing and very current, and was delighted to be learning about the most up-to-date technologies, such as Android and Cloud Computing. Meave did her six month work placement with DoneDeal, Ireland’s largest online classifieds site. Following the placement Meave was offered a full-time job with Donedeal as a Software Developer.
“ICT is a growing, multi-faceted, exciting area. I really like the timeline of the programme, short and sweet, yet super-condensed, so I can enter the job market swiftly after graduating. The lecturers are extremely knowledgeable, thorough and approachable. The whole experience was extremely rewarding. I’m now working as a software developer with DoneDeal it’s a fantastic experience working in a very dynamic team environment.”
Declan Lawlor, Chief Technical Officer at DoneDeal said “The ICT Conversion in WIT has been a great innovation. With the current demand for Software Engineers in Ireland and the South East, WIT has succeeded in developing a programme that equips graduates from other disciplines to transfer directly into IT. The fact that graduates are already equipped with excellent problem-solving, team work and communication skills from their previous disciplines makes them very attractive to employers.”
The ICTSkills course is tailored to produce the programmers and software developers that are in very high demand across multiple sectors:
- Software Development
- Financial Services
- Online retailers / publishers / services providers / customer support services
- Manufacturing / Logistics / Industrial Control and Automation
- Advertising & Media
- Enterprise Software Services
Specific skills areas:
- Programming
- Developer Operations
- IT Administration & Management
- Web Development
- Systems Administration
- Technical Support
Sample job title:
- Software Developer
- DevOps Administrator
- System Administrator
- Support Engineer
- Web Designer / Developer
- Business Systems Analyst
The dedicated ICTSkills/Springboard Work Placement Coordinator, Martina Mullally, works with ICTSkills students and employers from the outset of the course in order to match all students with productive and fulfilling work placement experience. In the ICT industry work placements frequently lead to job offers and that has very much been our experience.
Placement Coordinator: Martina Mullally
Tel: +353 51 302 849
Email: mmmullally@wit.ie
Postal Address:
Work Placement Coordinator (A03)
School of Education & Lifelong Learning
Waterford Institute of Technology
Cork Road, Waterford.
Please see more information on ICTSkills Work Placement here.
Ask a Course Question
If you need to contact the course leader directly, please use the email address listed above.
If you are considering applying for this course and have particular questions about it or the application process, please use the form below to ask your question. To ensure your question is answered more speedily, please try to choose the relevant contact point in the drop down menu. If you are unsure of your contact point, please choose "General".