MSc in Computer Science (Conversion Course) - fees & other questions

CeliaS

Hey guys, I'm currently a final year student in UCC who has so far been aiming to apply to the MSc in Computer Science Conversion Course in UCD. I'm an Applied Psych student but have been applying mostly to techie courses as I've been specialising in human-computer interaction in my undergrad and would like to make the move into Comp Sci or Software Development. The UCD course is particularly attractive because a) the fees are (were?) relatively low (€2750) as it's funded by the Government‘s National Development Plan, and b) I'd also like to study at UCD and live in Dublin.

Just saw however on the website that "the course fees are yet to be determined. It is likely they will be at least €2,750, and fees will not be known until June 2012" - I've been checking up on the page but that's either been changed recently or I just haven't noticed it. I know it's a stretch but does anyone know what's going on here? Are the course fees likely to rise? I'm pretty poor and have been gunning for UCD all along partly because of the low fees, so to not know where I stand until June is not too much fun, especially as if they rise by too much I will probably have to begin the loan application process or even choose somewhere else entirely.

Also, just wondering if anyone has any knowledge of the course, what it's like, etc - I've heard it's pretty intensive but I'd welcome that!

Muir

I'm planning on possibly doing it myself after I graduate, you might be interested in:

http://www.bluebrick.ie/ICTSkills/

Free Higher Diploma conversion courses, also to do with the NDP.
I'm not really sure if the UCD ones will change, but I imagine they are aiming to keep them low as part of the plan to get people into Comp Sci.

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CeliaS wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm currently a final year student in UCC who has so far been aiming to apply to the MSc in Computer Science Conversion Course in UCD. I'm an Applied Psych student but have been applying mostly to techie courses as I've been specialising in human-computer interaction in my undergrad and would like to make the move into Comp Sci or Software Development. The UCD course is particularly attractive because a) the fees are (were?) relatively low (€2750) as it's funded by the Government‘s National Development Plan, and b) I'd also like to study at UCD and live in Dublin.

Just saw however on the website that "the course fees are yet to be determined. It is likely they will be at least €2,750, and fees will not be known until June 2012" - I've been checking up on the page but that's either been changed recently or I just haven't noticed it. I know it's a stretch but does anyone know what's going on here? Are the course fees likely to rise? I'm pretty poor and have been gunning for UCD all along partly because of the low fees, so to not know where I stand until June is not too much fun, especially as if they rise by too much I will probably have to begin the loan application process or even choose somewhere else entirely.

Also, just wondering if anyone has any knowledge of the course, what it's like, etc - I've heard it's pretty intensive but I'd welcome that!

A lot of postgraduate funding was cut in the budget, I'm not sure if that includes the funding here. Email the school and ask, that's all you can do really.

ucdperson

This fee is set by the HEA not UCD.
Have a look here http://www.hea.ie/skills+funding
in recent years the new fee has appeared there (in Feb) before details reached the course directors.

I imagine these programmes will remain subsidised though as they do fill a skills gap in Ireland.

CeliaS

Thanks so much for your replies - particularly Muir & ucdperson for those links. Massively helpful & interesting! Thanks again!