Program Overview

Overview of the Computer Science - Future Networked Systems Program

The Computer Science - Future Networked Systems program is a one-year, full-time course that explores the design, building, and securing of large-scale, smart systems that power our connected world. This includes mobile networks, IoT, and city resource management. The program equips students with the skills and knowledge to tackle challenges in timeliness, safety, privacy, and scale, and prepares them for careers in Computer Networking, Software Engineering, and related fields.

Course Details

• Awards: NFQ Level 9
• Number of Places: 30 Places
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Course Coordinator: Prof Vinny Cahill
• Course Director: Professor Doug Leith (Course Director) / Dr. John Dingliana (Co-Director for Admissions)
• Closing Date: 3rd July 2025

Admission Requirements

Applicants must provide the following:

• An upper second-class (2.1) Honours degree grade or higher from a reputable university, in Computing or related discipline.
• All applicants whose first language is not English or who have not been educated through the English language will need to present evidence of competency.
• Proven programming competence. All candidates will have to complete a programming test in C, C++ or Java before being offered a place on the course. Some modules may also require programming in Python and other languages.
• A strong work ethic and the resolve to engage with a demanding but rewarding programme.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Structure

The full M.Sc. programme, comprising 90 ECTS credits, takes one full calendar year to complete and leads to the qualification of M.Sc. in Computer Science – Future Networked Systems, a Level 9 award under the Irish National Framework for Qualifications (NFQ).

• Between September and April, students attend two 12-week teaching semesters, each followed by an assessment period, where they take a range of taught modules.
• Then, from April to August, students work full-time on their individual research dissertations.

Course Content

The following core modules are taken by all M.Sc. students on the course:

• Internet of Things
• Scalable Computing
• Security & Privacy
• Distributed Systems
• Urban Computing
• Machine Learning
• Advanced Software Engineering
• Research and Innovation

Additionally, students take a number of individually chosen elective modules from a pool of options.

Finally, all students complete a substantial Research Dissertation which comprises a third of the entire course.

Career Opportunities

We expect graduates to be in high demand for high-end research and development positions within leading multinational companies and startups alike. Previous graduates have gone on to work in Software Engineering, Financial Technology, and other computing-related companies including Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Jaguar Land Rover, Citi, and Genesys. In some cases, our graduates have gone on to further postgraduate research, taking up funded Ph.D. positions at Trinity or other universities in Ireland and abroad.

Is This Course For Me?

This course is designed for graduates from a computing or closely related undergraduate background. Candidates with a good undergraduate Honours degree in disciplines such as engineering, mathematics, or statistics are also encouraged to apply, if they have acquired good programming skills. Candidates will be required to provide evidence of their computing skills and experience.