21/07/2017

04/09/2017

The Higher Diploma in Science in Applied Science (Software Design and Development Industry Stream) was established through HEA funding in January 2012, and builds on: (1) the existing strengths of collaborative Academic/Industry interaction in the Galway region, and (2) the significant experience gained, since 1996, through the current Higher Diploma in Applied Science - Software Design & Development which is also offered by NUI Galway through www.pac.ie. The programme has three required elements (immersion in computing knowledge, deepening and specialisation, and industry experience and professional development), and provides:

> A solid foundation in key computing knowledge, at the level expected by industry;
> A choice of specialisation which will enable participants to focus specific software development architectures, in
particular, .NET and Java Enterprise;
> A structure for industry collaboration, which allows industry to influence the development and training of participants;
> A significant placement/internship allowing participants to gain relevant experience and also provide Industry Partners
with an opportunity to assess potential recruits.

This programme is run in conjunction with 19 industry partners which include Cisco, Storm Technologies, Avaya, Schneider Electric, Aspect Sofware and Sogeti Ireland. Students who are enrolled on the programme are trained specifically in preparation for a guaranteed paid internship lasting 12 weeks from June to August 2018 with one of these companies. This is an award winning programme which has achieved over 90% longterm employment outcomes from all its previous graduates. The content of the programme is specifically designed for each student to maximise their capacity to learn during their industry internship and therefore companies are actively involved in the training of each student throughout the year of study. Students are paired with companies during the interview process which is led by our industry partners prior to offers being made.

On completion of the programme, graduates can transition into the 2nd year of our highly successful MSc in Software Design & Development Programme. This involves completing a year long dissertation and this can be taken full-time on campus or through the external stream while working in a company. Transition to this programme is contingent on spaces and achieving a 60% average in the Higher Diploma. This Higher Diploma Programme was awarded Postgraduate Programme of the Year Award by Grad Ireland in 2015 based on its levels of industry engagement, employment outcomes and feedback from those who were involved in the programme both at students and industry level participants.

You can view a short testimonial video from one of our previous graduates here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ei0QxAnjeM

The objectives of the programme are to train and reskill stuitable candidates for employment in roles throughout the software development industry in Ireland. Typical roles which our graduates have successfully been hired into are (This is not an exaustive list):

> Programmer
> Software Developer
> Software Engineer
> Software Architect
> Software Consultant
> Database Administrator
> Project Manager
> Scrum Master
> Quality Assurance Engineer

A level 8 Degree, or Level 7 with relevant practical industry experience in the area of computing and information technology. The application process will include competitive interviews which include participants from our industry partners who will offer internships to all those who are enrolled on the programme.

RPL applications are also welcome and can be completed by contacting the Programme Director. These are handled on a case by case basis with a final determination on RPL applications being made in line with the NUI Galway RPL policy.

The Higher Diploma in Science in Applied Science (Software Design and Development Industry Stream) was established through HEA funding in January 2012, and builds on: (1) the existing strengths of collaborative Academic/Industry interaction in the Galway region, and (2) the significant experience gained, since 1996, through the current Higher Diploma in Applied Science. The programme has three required elements (immersion in computing
knowledge, deepening and specialisation, and industry experience and professional development), and provides:

> A solid foundation in key computing knowledge, at the level expected by industry;
> A choice of specialisation which will enable participants to focus specific software development architectures, in
particular, .NET and Java Enterprise;
> A structure for industry collaboration, which allows industry to influence the development and training of participants;
> A significant placement/internship allowing participants to gain relevant experience and also provide Industry Partners
with an opportunity to assess potential recruits.

This programme is run in conjunction with 19 industry partners which include Cisco, Storm Technologies, Avaya, Schneider Electric, Aspect Sofware and Sogeti Ireland. Students who are enrolled on the programme are trained specifically in preparation for a guaranteed paid internship lasting 12 weeks from June to August 2018 with one of these companies. This is an award winning programme which has achieved over 90% longterm employment outcomes from all its previous graduates. The content of the programme is specifically designed for each student to maximise their capacity to learn during their industry internship and therefore companies are actively involved in the training of each student throughout the year of study. Students are paired with companies during the interview process which is led by our industry partners prior to offers being made.

On completion of the programme, graduates can transition into the 2nd year of our highly successful MSc in Software Design & Development Programme. This involves completing a year long dissertation and this can be taken full-time on campus or through the external stream while working in a company. Transition to this programme is contingent on spaces and achieving a 60% average in the Higher Diploma. This Higher Diploma Programme was awarded Postgraduate Programme of the Year Award by Grad Ireland in 2015 based on its levels of industry engagement, employment outcomes and feedback from those who were involved in the programme both at students and industry level participants.

You can view a short testimonial video from one of our previous graduates here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ei0QxAnjeM

This programme is run in conjunction with 19 industry partners which include Cisco, Storm Technologies, Avaya, Schneider Electric, Aspect Sofware and Sogeti Ireland. Students who are enrolled on the programme are trained specifically in preparation for a guaranteed paid internship lasting 12 weeks from June to August 2018 with one of these companies. This is an award winning programme which has achieved over 90% longterm employment outcomes from all its previous graduates. The content of the programme is specifically designed for each student to maximise their capacity to learn during their industry internship and therefore companies are actively involved in the training of each student throughout the year of study. Students are paired with companies during the interview process which is led by our industry partners prior to offers being made.

You can view a short testimonial video from one of our previous graduates here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ei0QxAnjeM

There is currently an acute skills shortage in this area and graduates of this programme are in significnat demand. Typical job titles from our previous graduates include but are not limited to:



> Programmer
> Software Developer
> Software Engineer
> Software Architect
> Software Consultant
> Database Administrator
> Project Manager
> Scrum Master
> Quality Assurance Engineer

Timetables are determined at the end of August. This programme will run 5 days a week with lectures, labs, tutorials and project work requiring attendance at NUI Galway from 9am-5pm 5 days a week.

Campus/Classroom

Campus/Classroom

Discipline of Information Technology, College of Engineering & Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway

Discipline of Information Technology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

+353 (0)91 493836

mary.hardiman@nuigalway.ie

Applicants interested in processing an RPL application should contact us about their particular situation and we will advice how to proceed accordingly

Stage 1. Complete all elements of the Springboard Application Portal for the Programme
- 1a: Upload Scanned Copy of your Birth Certificate if you are a non-NUI Galway graduate.
- 1b: Upload Verified & Scanned Copy of your Exam Transcrips if you are a non-NUI Galway graduate.
- 1c: Upload a PDF document which includes a cover letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for this programme and your CV.
Stage 2. Shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews in July with our industry partners.
Stage 3. Successful candidates will be made offers into the programme based on the scoring from the interviews.
Stage 4: Enrollment and registration of successful candidates by NUI Galway, Admissions Office.

A video from one of our former students