Information technology courses in Ireland, online.
IT from Ireland with a foundation for beginners, five diplomas at QQI Level 6 and a BSc (Hons) Computing top-up: computing, cyber security, networking, web design and e-commerce, awarded by OTHM and Qualifi and regulated by Ofqual. From €220 a month.
The courses, by level.
The foundation is for someone new to IT. At QQI Level 6 there are five diplomas: the general IT and Computing diploma, and specialisms in cyber security, networking, web design and e-commerce; the computing and networking diplomas also come in a 60-credit form. The BSc top-up follows any of them.
- FoundationFoundation Diploma in IT€220 a monthQQI 5 · About 10 months
- DiplomaDiploma in Cyber Security€220 a monthQQI 6 · 10 to 15 months
- DiplomaDiploma in IT and Computing€220 a monthQQI 6 · 10 to 15 monthsAlso as a 60-credit diploma, about 6 months →
- DiplomaDiploma in IT and E-commerce€220 a monthQQI 6 · 10 to 15 months
- DiplomaDiploma in IT and Networking€220 a monthQQI 6 · 10 to 15 monthsAlso as a 60-credit diploma, about 6 months →
- DiplomaDiploma in IT and Web Design€220 a monthQQI 6 · 10 to 15 months
- DegreeBSc (Hons) Computing£458 a monthQQI 7–8 · One year
What you learn.
The foundation, the broad diploma, the cyber security specialism and the degree, module by module. Assessed by assignments, no exams.
FoundationFoundation Diploma in ITQQI 5 · About 10 months6 modules
- Computer Systems
- Coding and Website Development
- Networks
- Mobile Communications
- Cyber Security
- Social Media for Business
DiplomaDiploma in IT and ComputingQQI 6 · 10 to 15 months12 modules
- Cyber Security
- Principles of Computer Programming
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Web and Mobile Applications
- Computer and Network Technology
- Managing Digital Information
- Software Engineering
- Database Systems
- Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
- Management Information Systems
- Network Information Systems
- IT Project Management
DiplomaDiploma in Cyber SecurityQQI 6 · 10 to 15 months12 modules
- Information Technology Security
- Principles of Computer Science
- Algorithms and Data Structures
- Computer Networks
- Mathematics for Computer Science
- Operating Systems
- Security Testing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Databases
- Digital Forensics
- Ethical Hacking
- Malware Analysis
DegreeBSc (Hons) ComputingQQI 7–8 · One year6 modules
- Data Mining (core)
- Distributed & Cloud Computing (core)
- Information Security Management (core)
- Computing Project (core)
- Technology Entrepreneurship (elective)
- Web Application Development (elective)
The networking, web design and e-commerce diplomas share a computing core of systems, programming, relational databases, software engineering and systems analysis, each with its own emphasis. The 60-credit networking diploma adds C#.NET programming, Linux and Windows administration, routing and switching, and network design.
Who this is for.
The IT and Computing diploma is the broad one and the clearest route to the BSc. The others are for people who already know their corner of IT.
- Helpdesk and support staff who want to move up to systems administration
- People who taught themselves to code and need a recognised qualification to show for it
- Anyone moving into cyber security from general IT
- Career changers who start from the foundation because they have never worked in IT
Where it leads in Ireland.
Recruiters’ guides name the roles each level opens. The two figures are Ireland’s, from Eurostat.
Second-line support, then Systems Administrator
Role titles from the Broadwing and Morgan McKinley salary guides.
Eurostat, Structure of Earnings Survey 2022 and Labour Force Survey 2024. Averages for people with any tertiary qualification, not a promise about anyone.
Entry, in plain terms.
The school confirms your place when you apply; we check it with you on the first call, before you pay anything.
A Junior Certificate, a QQI Level 4 award, or the equivalent, or strong professional work experience in place of them. Age 16 or over.
A Leaving Certificate, a QQI Level 5 award, a QQI Level 5 foundation diploma, or the equivalent, or strong professional work experience in place of them. Age 16 or over.
A relevant QQI Level 6 diploma or HND whose modules cover web design, databases, programming, and computer systems and networks, plus a personal statement. English at IELTS 6.0 or evidence that your previous study was in English. Arden University decides.
How QQI levels work in Ireland.
Ireland uses the QQI framework, which numbers levels differently from the EQF. A QQI Level 6 is the same level as an EQF Level 5. Irish NFQ and EQF levels compared →
Information technology in Ireland: the questions we get.
Which IT diploma should I take?
The IT and Computing diploma if you want the broad grounding and the clearest route to the BSc. Cyber security if that is the job you want; networking, web design or e-commerce if you already work in that corner and want the qualification for it.
Does the cyber security diploma cover ethical hacking?
Yes. Ethical hacking, security testing, digital forensics and malware analysis are four of its modules.
Can I go to the BSc from any of the five diplomas?
Arden asks that your diploma’s modules cover web design, databases, programming, and computer systems and networks, and decides case by case. The IT and Computing diploma covers all four; we check the others with Arden before you apply.
Is an online IT diploma recognised in Ireland?
The diplomas are awarded by OTHM and Qualifi, both regulated by Ofqual in the UK. On Ireland’s framework the level is its QQI equivalent, under QQI’s own referencing of the EQF, and the certificate is recognised across the EU.
Other subjects in Ireland.
Studying from Malta? The same courses carry EQF levels there. Information technology courses in Malta →