For Students

Cyber Skills' courses take place online in the evening via Zoom to facilitate the working professional.

There are no exams. There are two assignments per micro-credential each semester, one in week 6 and the other at the end of the semester. 

Pathways are accredited, part-time, online programmes designed with industry experts to develop job-ready cybersecurity skills. Running for two semesters (starting in January or September), each pathway awards digital badges for completed micro-credentials and a final certificate upon graduation.
Micro-credentials are a short, certified course focused on a specific skill or area in cybersecurity, designed to quickly boost your expertise.

Ireland is experiencing a crucial shortage of Cyber Security professionals, which is reflected by an impressive employment rate of 100%. On average, Cybersecurity professionals earn +19% higher than the average Irish salary. The industry is estimated to support up to €2.5bn in annual GVA and the employment of over 17,000 cyber security professionals in the sector by 2030.

Cyber Skills pathways and micro credentials are designed for working professionals looking to upskill in Cybersecurity. When looking at a course that interests you, make sure to check the entry requirements, or contact us to discuss possible options.

We offer a Higher Diploma in Cyber Security Operations. Applications need to be submitted via Springboard+. For applicants that meet the requirements of a level 8 honours degree in any discipline and are returners, formerly self-employed, or unemployed and in receipt of a qualifying DSP, then fees will be covered. Eligible working people wishing to reskill will also be considered with 90% of their fees covered.

There are two intakes, one in September and another in January. Applications are accepted in early September and early January respectively. Once a semester has commenced, applications will open for the next intake.

All Cyber Skills courses are part-time, fully online and take place in the evening.

You will be registered as a student of Munster Technological University (MTU), with full student rights and responsibilities. All programmes are supported by the three partner universities.

As with all MTU programmes, there is a recognition of prior certifications and relevant workplace experience process, further details can be found here.

All awards are accredited by QQI and earn ECTS credits.  

An online Cyber Range will be used by all programmes to provide a secure, sandboxed environment for students to try out the skills being taught in a controlled environment. The Cyber Range offers a wide range of opportunities to generate the real-world feel of responding to a cybersecurity crisis. The options include penetration testing, cyber forensics, secure network setup, incident response, secure system setup and vulnerability scanning. The Cyber Range supports individual and team-based activities. The platform is available anytime, anywhere for online cybersecurity activities. The Cyber Range will be used to reinforce the concepts delivered in the lectures through both labs and assignments and enables learners to get hands-on experience of real-world attacks and defenses.

Yes, you will have full access to all main MTU campus facilities, including the library, and will receive an MTU student card.

The Micro-Credential Course Learner Subsidy under the HCI Pillar 3, provides an 80% subsidy rate for courses targeting skills in critical areas such as cyber security. Funding will be available from March 2024 to October 2025.

More detailed information on funding, eligibility and application procedures can be found on the HEA.ie site; a PDF file is available to download including everything you need to know.

Applicable only to the Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity, for more information see the Springboard website. The Springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers free and subsidised courses at certificate, degree and master's level. Springboard+ courses are designed to help you gain new skills or to upskill in your current job.

To check your eligibility visit the Springboard website.

ReSHAPE offers fully funded places for learners who are living or working in the Midlands region, specifically in Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath. This funding is available until 31 March 2026, providing an excellent opportunity to upskill with no personal expense. If the course qualifies for the HCI Micro-credentials Learner Fee Subsidy, ReSHAPE will cover any remaining balance not funded by HCI; if the course is not eligible, ReSHAPE will cover the full cost in its entirety. Details can be found here

To claim relief on a postgraduate course, you must already have an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.

Further information is available on Revenue's website.