There are 2239 postgraduate programmes in the Republic, the vast majority accredited by QQI. Universities offer 1,574 courses, with 370 at ITs. There are 313 postgrad programmes offered by Northern Ireland universities and 345 postgrad courses at private colleges, with degrees often accredited by bodies other than QQI. Aside from students continuing research in their discipline, many programmes facilitate graduates converting to a different area.
Here is a small selection of some innovative postgraduate programmes on offer across all colleges and disciplines.
BUSINESS
UCD
Business: Master's in science in digital marketing: offers new graduates the strateg ic knowledge and practical skills to join online and social media companies in Dublin, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and PayPal. For mid-career professionals, this full- or part-time master's gives strategic expertise and competence to move up within an organisation, take on management of a team or shift into digital marketing.
Finance: The MSc in energy and environmental finance paves the way for a career in financing green energy for graduates with a background in a number of different fields, including economics, finance, engineering, mathematics, environmental science and physics.
iBusiness: An MSc in iBusiness for a career managing the delivery of ICT-enabled innovation to business and other organisations, from a wide variety of backgrounds including the arts, business, economics, finance, accounting, law and sociology, or from the sciences, computing, informatics, architecture and engineering.
NUI Maynooth
MSc in business management: Key business skills for non-business graduates and a business research project in which students are given the opportunity to meet senior management and to work on a "real-world" business problem. Companies include An Post, Bord Bia, Coca Cola and the Irish Red Cross.
UCC
MSc in asset management: Designed to prepare students for careers in international asset management. Focus on analytical and professional skills, culminating in an applied quantitative research project. Opportunity to study for the CFA level I and/or CAIA level I exams at the same time as the MSc. Designed with industry to meet the skills needs of employers. There are good career prospects with investment management, insurance, proprietary trading, pension funds and brokerage firms.
COMPUTING
There are over 4,000 unfilled IT posts in Ireland and projections of more than 44,000 new posts over the next six years. Those who did not choose undergraduate computer science but have aptitude or a related degree such as science, maths or engineering can choose from a wide range of postgraduate computing degrees on offer across the third-level sector.
UCD
Master's of science in computer sciences: A 15-month intensive programme for non-computer science graduates, with a thorough foundation in the practical development and management of modern information systems, as well as a range of optional modules, allowing students to tailor their knowledge to a career in areas such as app development, cloud computing or data analytics.
Dublin Business School
Higher diploma in science in computing: In conjunction with the ICT multinational and indigenous sector under the joint Government ICT Skills programme, Dublin Business School, a private-sector fee- paying college, offers an opportunity to reskill or cross-skill, free, under an accredited Level 8 postgraduate conversion award for a higher diploma in science in computing from April. Specialised ICT training in software development and web and cloud technologies, offering a realistic prospect of full-time employment in the ICT sector. ictskills.ie
NUI Maynooth
MSc in computer science software engineering: The central focus is the development of quality software, coupled with the transfer of this knowledge to industry.The programme entails significant involvement of industry, including a six-month work placement and the opportunity of completing an industrial based project where the student will obtain experience of the software industry.
Graduates have successfully gained employment in local software companies and in international companies such as Microsoft, Sentenial, Ericsson, Accenture and Intel.
SCIENCE
NUI Maynooth
MSc in geographic information science and remote sensing: Producing highly employable graduates, including some working in local government ordnance survey and the European Space Agency. Geographical information science is transforming how society stores, analyses and uses a range of data in fields as diverse as health, crime, environmental management, geology and urban development.
MSc in immunology and global health: Targeted at biological and health science graduates interested in the challenges in health and development who wish to broaden their understanding of immunology, its importance in global health and the factors that affect immunological intervention strategies in health and disease.
UCC
MSc in molecular cell biology with bioinnovation: Aimed at students with an interest in biomedical research in the areas of cancer biology, infection/immunity or molecular neuroscience and entrepreneurial thinking. An interdisciplinary educational experience by combining advanced discipline-specific training with core scientific research, technical expertise and business skills.
MEDICINE/HEALTH SCIENCE
Trinity
Master's in medicine: Equips students to work at an advanced level in clinical practice and develop and sustain evidence-based practice. Trainees are equipped with research skills and an ethos of inquiry led practice to maximise their potential research output. Also incorporates specialist modules and training in two molecular and translational medicine or population health and health implementation.
RCSI
MSc in Healthcare Ethics and Law: A two year part time master's in ethical and legal issues in healthcare, legal liability and the legal and social context of healthcare. For medical and allied professionals and administrators including medical and nursing teachers, nurses, GPs, consultants, ethics committee members, hospital administrators and Government officials, as well as legal and pharmaceutical professionals and hospital chaplains.
ARTS/HUMANITIES
UCD
MA in diaspora studies: The UCD Clinton Institute for American Studies' MA in diaspora studies aims to create fresh understanding of the dynamics in creating and maintaining diasporic cultures and networks and their relations with hosts and homelands. The multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach involves core modules in areas such as diaspora communication and policy and a range of optional modules from disciplines including sociology, history, American studies and European studies.
NUI Maynooth
MA in European history: A range of museum visits, field trips, battlefield tours etc in Ireland and overseas, to promote engagement and to offer a more varied learning experience. Includes a module focusing on fortifications that blends classroom activity in Maynooth with a field trip to Maastricht to explore medieval, 19th-century and second World War fortifications in the region and for lectures at Maastricht university.
MA in community education, equality and social activism (CEESA): With austerity politics and the decline of social partnership, there has been a crisis for community groups, NGOs, voluntary organisations and social movements. CEESA provides a space for movement organisers, community educators and professionals in the voluntary and community sector to reflect on the future for their organisations and for advancing social justice, equality and participation. Programme develops politically active, campaign-ready graduates who are accessing work in emerging rights, social justice and equality organisations.
Trinity
Master's in creative and cultural entrepreneurship: Interdisciplinary programme offers courses in entrepreneurship, creative technologies, drama, film, music, art theory, animation, creative practice and curation and games design and development. For those in the creative and cultural industries to benefit from the integration of entrepreneurial skills for sustainable enterprises and careers.
M.phil in public history and cultural heritage: Designed to provide a rigorous grounding in public history and to prepare high-calibre graduates for management of cultural heritage. Includes a three-month internship (Dublin City Gallery; Dublin City Library and Archive; Glasnevin Trust; Hugh Lane Gallery; the Little Museum of Dublin; Marsh’s Library; the National Gallery; the National Library; the National Museum; and St Patrick’s Cathedral). One-year full time or two-year part time.
Master's in development practice (MDP): The first joint TCD- UCD degree is a world-leading and innovative programme blending theory and practice, science and social science for international development solutions. The MDP is part of a global association of 35 universities internationally. Some graduates work with various UN agencies, the Social Science Research Council, New York, and a host of Irish NGOs and government agencies.
NUI Galway
The drama and theatre postgraduate courses in Galway benefit from their partnership with the Druid (Theatre) Academy (nuigalway.ie). NUI Galway also has the unique Huston School of Film on campus with a range of postgraduate courses. filmschool.ie.
UCC
MA in creative writing: This encourages students to be curious about literature, pursue creative excellence and develop their writing in a university atmosphere. It is embedded in Cork's creative milieu, rooted in expert practice and taught by accomplished professionals. Modules include fiction, poetry and life writing. Creative non- fiction options include innovative courses in food writing and writing for radio.
Higher diploma in arts (various subjects): This gives students the opportunity to study a new arts subjects and is recognised by the Teaching Council for teachers who wish to undertake an additional subject for teaching.
MA in coaching practice: Primarily targets non-psychologists, who wish to develop a practice based on psychological principles and research. A foundation for students looking for a professional career in coaching. The master's covers coaching skills and competencies including relationship skills, solution focused coaching, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral coaching, business and executive coaching and health and wellness coaching.
MSc in youth work with community arts and sports studies: A broad and inclusive approach to working with young people that embraces traditional youth work and the role of cultural and sporting organisations. Incorporating the professionally accredited postgrad diploma in youth work, it is an interdisciplinary programme for careers in youth work in community-based organisations.
ENGINEERING
UCD
Materials science and engineering: In the "advanced materials age" with rapid advances with materials such as polymers, composites and ceramic compounds in the biomedical, aeronautical, automotive and technology industries, employers look for skilled professionals to manage and optimise these materials. This professional course is for those progressing from a bachelor's in engineering and a conversion course (ME) for graduates of science, chemistry physics and even geology. Employment prospects include organisations like DuPuy and Stryker (medical devices), Intel (technological production) and the motor and aeromotive industries.
LAW
NUI Maynooth
MSc professional legal science: A two-year programme accredited by King's Inns, for graduate entry for non-law graduates into law and legal careers.
