Key Info

Bachelor/Master of Science in Immersive Software Engineering

Level 8 and Level 9
CAO points history
676 (includes a portfolio worth 300 points)
Course code
LM173
Duration
4 years
Subject area
Engineering
Science
Course Director
Dr Chris Exton
Email
Chris.Exton@ul.ie
Tel
00 353 61 213 108
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

Immersive Software Engineering is a new computer science degree where you learn by doing. You get an integrated Bachelors/Masters qualification (level 9) in four years.  

You spend half your time learning on campus in a research-driven paradigm, in studios, working on projects, in teams, undergoing continuous assessment instead of end of term exams. 

You spend the other half of your time in paid residencies, where you solve some of society’s toughest problems in excellent companies.   

Visit the ISE website for more details.

Why study Immersive Software Engineering?

We are offering you a new way to learn computer science through ISE. 

The goal of Immersive Software Engineering is to turn curious, creative people like you into top notch problem solvers and software engineers, familiar with concepts, methods and tools, and with about 2 years of experience gained in the field in up to 5 companies.  

Software engineers enjoy incredible careers. They work all over the world, in every sector of economy and society, shaping the solutions to the important problems the world faces, at the local and at the global level. They are well rewarded for it, both economically and in prestige.  

This could be you. 

Learn more about our courses and upcoming events

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What you will study

A new era of computer science education 

You will: 

Get a Master of Science degree in four years, spend over 40 weeks every year learning in a personalized, highly interactive environment, in small groups, with your peers and mentors. 

You will spend half of your time in paid placements we call residencies in leading companies who shape the future of their sector. The other half you will spend with brilliant researchers and lecturers at UL. 

You learn software engineering by doing it 

In your four years at ISE you will complete five paid residencies. Each residency teaches you a suite of concrete skills and gives you the opportunities to practice them. Inside these companies you will be a part of real, professional teams working in their teams, solving real problems as a developer and problem solver. Throughout the degree you will alternate your time between on-campus learning blocks and residencies in partner companies. We think you will learn best on the job, with mentoring from both industry and academia. 

  Semester 1   Semester 2   Semester 3 (Summer)
CS4421 Problem Solving with Computers CS4422 Data Centric Computing CS5453 Residency 1: Software/Systems Dev 1
CS4431 Effectively Building Software with Others CS4442 Computation and Architecture 1    
    CS4443 Computation and Architecture 2    

 

  Semester 4   Semester 5   Semester 6 (Summer)
CS4444 Residency 2: Software/Systems Dev 2 CS4445 Human Centric Computing CS4446 Residency 3: User Interaction in Practice
    CS4455 Ethical Hacking and Security 1    
    CS4456 Ethical Hacking and Security 2    
  Semester 7   Semester 8   Semester 9 (Summer)
CS4457 Scaling for Reliability and Performance CS4448 Residency 4A: Software Design & Architecture 1 CS6513 Research Methods (Beginning of MSc programme)
CS4447 Computational Thinking CS4459 Residency 4B: Software Design & Architecture 2    

 

  Semester 10   Semester 11
CS6514 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning CS6515 Residency 5A: ISE Research Project Part 1
CS6524 Software Meets World CS6525 Residency 5A: ISE Research Project Part 2

 

Entry requirements

CAO points history
676 (includes a portfolio worth 300 points)
Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades.  

Subject requirements

Applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics. 

Additional considerations

Applicants will be required to submit either information on a Technology Project that they have completed OR a Personal Profile. Full information on these additional entry requirements can be found on the Immersive Software site.

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results if you did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. 

Mature Students

Applications from mature students are welcome. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

LM173 Mature Applicant Information

Application information for mature students (PDF)

Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

Title Award Scholarships Available
ISE Intercom Scholarship €10,000 1
ISE Transact Scholarship €10,000
Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

What will I be able to do once I finish the course? 

You could join any company as a software engineer, with the competitive advantage of having already 2 years of working experience in high-calibre organizations like theirs. 

You could start your own company. We have partnered with Frontline Ventures and Enterprise Ireland, who provide capital to high potential start-ups and help you access state funds. 

You could join the community or government sectors, changing the world as part of a non-governmental organisation, using your knowledge and expertise for societal change.  

You could join the research community by doing a doctorate. ISE will prepare you to work and learn in the best research centres and R&D departments. Your MSc year will be an excellent qualification to begin your research journey.