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During this programme, you will:  

• Acquire, as a non-computing graduate the core technical skills required for a successful career in software development. 

• Acquire up-to-date expertise across the full software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, human computer interaction, coding in modern programming languages, and rigorous software testing methodologies. 

• Gain specialised knowledge in adapting software for diverse international and cultural markets. 

• Gain an appreciation of the importance of inclusive software development and common practices in this area. 

Key Information: 

• Complete full-time over two years 

• Delivered on campus  

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters  

• Submit a dissertation at the end of year 2  

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, labs and tutorials  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers 

Year 1  

Autumn Semester  

• introduces key AI algorithms and their implementation in a selected programming language. Explore how these algorithms power technologies like game playing and natural language processing. 

• develops understanding of relational databases and database management systems as fundamental aspects of a proper foundation in any domain of software development. 

• develops the skills and insights to evaluate translation technology and implementation strategies to address the technology's limitations. 

• introduces programming through one selected language, focusing on solving simple problems across various domains. The language and environment are chosen by the Department and reviewed regularly to reflect industry standards. 

• provides the skills and insights to internationalise systems appropriately. 

Spring Semester 

• introduces students to concepts and techniques underlying the World Wide Web and to databases and SQL. 

• develops a critical awareness of the inherent challenges and barriers to success in the engineering of requirements. 

• explores user-centred design principles for creating safe, efficient, and user-friendly technologies. Students learn how incorporating HCI into software development improves usability. 

• builds on foundational skills to introduce classical algorithms, data structures, and advanced programming constructs. Students apply modular design, software reuse, and object-oriented principles to solve domain-specific problems. 

• equips students with statistical tools to analyse data relevant to general and business contexts. Topics include descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, and time series analysis. 

Year 2 

Autumn Semester 

• introduces students to software testing and inspection so that students can write tests, run them, and report on the errors found. 

• introduces the philosophical and methodological foundations of research, with a focus on qualitative methods. Students explore how these approaches help explain social and cultural phenomena. 

• provides practical skills in analysing large datasets using text analysis and NLP techniques. 

• prepares students to derive a defensible research position. 

Spring Semester 

• focuses on the tools and environments that help developers create real world applications for wireless and mobile devices. 

• provides a theoretical foundation in core data structures and algorithms used in systems and applications programming. 

• enables students to provide and present evidence in evaluation of the research position they derived in the Dissertation 1 module. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8,) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in any non-computing discipline. Example disciplines include, but are not limited to, linguistics, arts, humanities, social sciences, science, business, health and medicine.  

• The university may shortlist and invite you to an interview. 

International students:  

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of Documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts  

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist.
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €8,200 per annum*

Non-EU - €20,800 per annum*

* Year 2 fees are subject to change 

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).   

 
Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:   

• Junior Software Developer
• Database Developer
• Requirements Engineer
• Software Tester
• Front-end Developer
• Localisation Engineer
• Translation Technology Consultant
• Internationalisation Consultant
• Technical Product Owner 

Ruolin Li, Graduate - MSc Software Development International Systems 

“This 2-year conversion course has been truly empowering, enabling me to progress directly into a PhD in Computer Science after graduation. The program covers a broad range of topics while maintaining a strong balance between software and language engineering, complemented by an engaging research component. What sets the course apart is how it encourages you not only to strengthen your software development skills but also to broaden your perspective with exposure to cutting-edge technologies. It is a challenging journey, but also an immensely rewarding one - as my own experience shows - and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone ready to explore their potential in computer science.” 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions