Master Programme
MSc Computer Science (Software Engineering) - MHG50
This one-year MSc is aimed at computer science graduates who want to design and lead serious software projects. It focuses on good scientific software engineering practice: requirements engineering and system design, rigorous software process, software testing, advanced object-oriented programming, AI-augmented software construction, practical cryptography, and the mathematics and theory of computer science, with options in interaction design and internet solutions engineering. Modules are taught as intensive lecture blocks with practical work, and the year ends with a 30-credit capstone project on a software engineering topic. Maynooth says most graduates go into Ireland's software industry or work abroad, and some continue to a PhD.
University
Maynooth University
Country
Ireland
Level
Master
Field
Computer Science
Duration
1 year full-time (90 credits)
Language
English
Campus
Maynooth (North and South Campus, Co. Kildare)
Degree
Master of Science in Computer Science (Software Engineering) (NFQ Level 9)
Intake
September (full-time, on campus in Maynooth)
Application Deadline
27 August 2027 for September 2027 entry, per the course page. Maynooth warns that programmes can close earlier once places are filled, so non-EU students needing a visa should apply early. Apply online through MU Apply (€50 application fee)
Tuition Information
2026-27: the full-time non-EU fee is €18,000 for the year, per Maynooth's 2026/27 Postgraduate EU & International Fees List (18.09.26). EU fees on the same list add a €150 student levy; the list does not say whether the non-EU figure already includes it. Fees rise each year and 2027-28 rates had not been published. Offers are secured with a €1,000 non-refundable deposit within 14 days. Non-EU students on full-time taught master's programmes can apply for Maynooth's international scholarships, such as the International Excellence Scholarship (€5,000 off tuition for one student from each of six world regions, 80% minimum in the primary degree) and the International Merit Award (€1,500 for 25 students); for the 2026 cycle these required the offer to be accepted and the deposit paid by 31 March or 30 June respectively
Admission Requirements
- A four-year bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) with at least a 2:1 in computer science, or the same volume of computer science within a related degree
- At least 60% in required areas: programming, advanced computer science, object-oriented software engineering, structured programming (including at least two Python modules and Java), databases, data structures and algorithms, discrete structures and a final-year project or internship, plus 50% in four of: maths, networks, computer architecture, operating systems, software development and software engineering. Fails or repeats in computer science modules are reviewed case by case
- Country equivalents (Maynooth postgraduate entry requirements for Asia): a 2:2 is treated as 60% overall in a four-year Indian bachelor's degree (55% from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune or Calcutta), a 2:1 as 65% (60%), and a first as 75% (70%). Three-year Indian degrees are considered where the final year includes a project, thesis or internship, and there is a limit on the number of backlogs accepted
- English language (if English is not your first language; certificates must be issued within 2 years of the start date): IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 21 in writing and 19 in the other sections (or 5 overall with 4.5 in each section on the 0-6 scale); PTE Academic 63 with no communicative skill below 59; Duolingo 120 with 110 in each subscore; LanguageCert Academic 70 with 65 in each skill; Cambridge C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced 176 with 169 in each skill; Oxford Test of English 140 with 125 in each skill; or Trinity ISE III with merit in each skill. Graduates of a full English-taught bachelor's in Ireland, the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Ghana or Canada may be exempt, although Irish immigration may still ask for a test
- Application: apply online through the MU Apply portal with full transcripts for every semester completed, your graduation certificate (if graduated), a copy of your passport and an up-to-date CV; documents may be requested in two stages