Computer Science - Common Entry
LM121 Computer Science Common Entry is designed to provide you with a gateway to better choice if you’re unsure which area you’d like to study. You can avail of a broad common first year which will introduce you to various topics in Computing. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise for the remainder of your degree programme.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | University of Limerick |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | University of Limerick | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Min requirements: 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7
English: O6/H7
2nd language: O6/H7
Maths: O2/H6
Note: A Special Mathematics (Higher Level) Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.
For more information go to https://www.ul.ie/scieng/special-entrance-mathematics-examination
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
Degree
At the time of an offer, an applicant is required to hold the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), with a minimum of six subjects. Results must include:
• Grade H5 (Higher Level) or better in at least two subjects and
• Grade O6 (Ordinary Level)/H7 (Higher Level) or better in at least four subjects
Notwithstanding the above, an applicant must have a minimum of an F6 in Mathematics, an O6/H7 in English, and an O6/H7 in another recognised language. Applicants must also ensure that they meet course-specific entry requirements.
For the purpose of satisfying minimum entry requirements
• An F6 (Foundation Level) grade in Mathematics can be used as an alternate to an O6 (Ordinary Level) grade and can be used to satisfy the Mathematics subject requirement.
• Foundation Irish and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) are not recognised.
Special Mathematics Entrance Examination
The University holds a Higher Level Special Mathematics Entrance Examination in August each year for students who achieve sufficient CAO entry points and satisfy all other entrance requirements, but who do not achieve the requisite grade in Higher Level Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate for Faculty of Science and Engineering undergraduate degrees. Candidates who pass this special examination are deemed to have satisfied the Higher Level Mathematics entry requirement for all courses run by the Faculty of Science & Engineering. Further information and an application form is available from www.scieng.ul.ie
Specific Subject Requirements for Individual Courses
Specific subject requirements for individual courses are detailed above. It should be noted that candidates may continue to fulfill minimum and specific subject requirements from more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
Competitive Entry
Due to the number and calibre of applicants, qualified candidates to all undergraduate degree courses who satisfy the minimum and specific entry requirements outlined above, are placed in order of merit based on a points system. The system operates as follows:
• Points are awarded for all Leaving Certificate Higher and Ordinary Level Subjects based on the grades achieved in each subject with the exception of the following subjects
• Foundation Mathematics
• Foundation Irish
• Points are awarded for the best six subjects.
• Where applicable the LCVP can be considered for points purposes provided the minimum entry requirements and specific subject requirements are satisfied.
• The six subjects must be taken at any one sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
• An additional score of 25 points is awarded for grades H1 to H6 in the Higher Leaving Mathematics. The additional scores apply only where it is included as one of the applicant’s best 6 subjects.
The following rules apply to combinations of subjects when computing an applicant’s point score. These rules also apply in fulfilling minimum entry requirements:
• Physics, Physics & Chemistry count as one subject.
• Chemistry, Physics & Chemistry count as one subject.
• Physics, Chemistry & Physics, and Chemistry count as two subjects.
• Home Economics (Scientific and Social), Home Economics (General) and Home Economics (Single course), any combination counts as one subject.
• English, English Composition count as one subject.
• Music, Music and Musicianship, Music and Musicianship A, Music and Musicianship B, any combination counts as one subject.
• Agricultural Economics, History, Economics, Economic History count as three subjects.
• Any two or three subject combination of: History, Economics, Economic History, Agricultural Economics, counts as two subjects except when Agricultural Economics and Economics are combined in which case they count as one subject.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
The career opportunities will depend primarily on the BSc programme chosen by you. One specific career path open to a graduate from all three programmes is that of Software Developer / Software Engineer. These roles now sometimes specify additional specialities such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, and cloud computing; all of which are covered in depth across the three Denominated Programmes (options). In addition, there are attractive follow on postgraduate options, both nationally and internationally, leading to Masters and PhD awards.
Computer Systems:
IT Consultant, Web Developer, Dev Ops, System Administrator, Software Testing, Software Project Manager, Application Specialist, Business Analyst, Technical Sales Consultant.
Computer Games Development:
Games Programmer, Graphics Programming, High Performance Computing. These roles lead to senior positions in the longer run such as technical lead, enterprise architect, solutions architect, software architect, security architect, information architect, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and software product manager.
Cyber Security & IT Forensics:
IT/Networking Project Manager, Network Designer/Administrator, IT Administrator/Manager, Network Security Analyst/Consultant, Computer Crime Consultant.
Further information
Mature Pathways. Please refer to the course web page link below.
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
About You
Are you the kind of person who:
• Likes problem solving, even if it takes time?
• Appreciates creativity, and gets a buzz from making “things”?
• Enjoys using the computer, but you’re curious about how it works?
• Would like to enrol in a degree program that leads to a wide variety of career paths and opportunities?
• Explores topics ranging from artificial intelligence and big data to cybersecurity.
Why study Computer Science Common Entry at UL?
LM121 Computer Science Common Entry is designed to provide you with a gateway to better choice if you’re unsure which area you’d like to study. You can avail of a broad common first year which will introduce you to various topics in Computing. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise for the remainder of your degree programme. At UL, you get to try before you decide.
LM121 Computer Science is a gateway from Year 2 to a degree in either:
• BSc Computer Systems Or
• BSc Computer Games Development Or
• BSc Cyber Security & IT Forensics
There are no restrictions on the number of places available in each option. Students select their preferred option in the spring allowing you to take a variety of subjects centred on Computer Science (Common Entry) before selecting a specific option that is an optimal fit with your interests and competencies.
The Computer Systems degree is a blend of typical computer science and software engineering degree programmes; with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and data science.
Cyber Security & IT Forensics focuses on the construction of safe and secure networks and systems of the future.
Computer Games Development concentrates on approaches and technologies for the design and implementation of intelligent games.
In all of the programmes you will learn to develop mobile applications and web/cloud systems applicable to a broad set of areas such as connected health, smart cities, smart homes, entertainment, communication, and automation. Each degree pathway requires three years of study in addition to the one introductory year for LM121.
What you will study
Computer Science (Common Entry) offers exposure to a variety of subjects relating to different areas of computing such as general programming, knowledge of computer LM121 Computer Science Common Entry (BSc Computer Systems or BSc Computer Games Development or BSc Cyber Security & IT Forensics) NFQ Level 8 Major Award Honours Bachelor Degree Baitsiléir Eolaíochta sa Ríomheolaíocht Comhiontráil architecture, games modelling, and an understanding of the mathematical basis that underpins computing. Our well-equipped and modern laboratories will enable you to acquire practical experience and skills with confidence. You will follow a common first year programme of study and then select one of the three BSc programmes during the second semester. During the first year you will become well-versed in a range of computing subjects, and therefore, can make better choices that suit your particular needs and interests.
Course Directors:
Dr Emil Vassev
Dr Chris Exton Computer Systems
Dr. Simon Colreavy Computer Games Development
Dr. Jacqueline Walker Cyber Security & IT Forensics
Enquiries
Email: admissions@ul.ie
Tel: 00 353 61 202015
www.ul.ie/admissions-askus