Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)
at National College of Ireland, Dublin

3.9 /5

(128 Reviews)

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#20 in Ireland

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Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)
at
NCI
Overview

Offered at the UG level of study by the National College of Ireland, Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) is one of the top choices among international students around the globe. Students can do this course over a period of 1 year. Plus, candidates must meet the minimum score requirements for aptitude test and English proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo for admissions to the university for Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development). Also, they must submit all the required documents. When it comes to the expenses of studying this program, the cost is divided into two parts, annual tuition cost and the cost of living. Note that this amount does not include:

Housing
Transportation
Food
Books and supplies
Other miscellaneous expenses

Duration	1 year
International Students Admission Website	Go to Website
Official Career Service Website	Go to Website
Course Level	UG Diploma
Mode of Course	Full Time

Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)

Table of contents

Overview
Fees
Entry Requirements
Rankings
Highlights
Scholarships

Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)
at
NCI
Fees

For attending the National College of Ireland for Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development), students have to pay the tuition fee as well as the living expenses. The National College of Ireland Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) fee structure varies for domestic and international students.

Refer to the table below for the breakdown of expenses for the National College of Ireland Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) cost of attendance:

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Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)
at
NCI
Entry Requirements

Requirements for 12th grade Lock Icon

60%
Applicants must have a level 8 degree or its equivalent in a non-cognate discipline. Non-standard applications will be also considered on an individual basis.

TOEFL

Marks - 60/120
60 overall, with no less than 12 in each skill

3.5 overall, with no less than 3.5 in each skill

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PTE

Marks - 50/90
with no less than 40 in each skill

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IELTS

Marks - 6/9
with no less than 5.5 in each skill

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Duolingo

Marks - 105/160
with no less than 95 in each skill

Other eligibility criteria Lock Icon

The college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme - meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic entry requirements may be considered based on extensive relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed through a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, interview and assessment.
Laptop requirement
- National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration.
  
  The recommended configuration is as follows:
  
  Processor:
  - Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 /i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 /7
    Or
  - AMD 5000 Series or newer, Rzyen 3 / 5 /7
  Random Access Memory (RAM):
  16GB or greater
  
  Storage:
  SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater
  
  Wireless Card:
  802.11 n/ac/ax capability
  
  Recommended Operating Systems:
  Windows 11
  Later Version of MAC OS should also be fine.
  Chromebook's are not recommended.

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Which exams out of the above do I need to give?

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Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)
at
NCI
Rankings

University Ranking

Rank	Rank Publisher
#701	Europe QS, 2026

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National College of Ireland
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.9/5

118 Verified Reviews Info Icon

Student Views (Based on Reviews)

74% students never faced discrimination in this university

Vibe of Campus

Academically oriented

Friendly

Easy going

Multi-dimensional

Internships3.1

Part time work3.7

Post study jobs3.5

Quality of faculty4

Student Life4.1

Value for money4

Public transportation4.4

Safety4

Indian Food3.9

Permanent Immigration3.8

Anonymous

MSc in Data Analytics - Batch of 2023

4.5

If you’re priority is good salary and less fees rather than good college life choose NCI

Tips: NCI is not for freshers, if you have 2+ years of experience, then you'll get the best ROI possible. Be practical about choosing your course and be prepared for a very tough year, but things get better after that. There are better colleges in Ireland, but NCI provides the same opportunities in very less feels.

Likes (Part time work): You can easily get part time and the minimum wage here is enough to survive and save. The government allows 20 hours a week, which gives you enough time and money to study and live comfortably. Mostly, students opt for part-time work and can navigate through multiple options.

Dislikes (Internships): The internships in Ireland are time-consuming and do not compensate you for the time you put in. Part-time work is a better option in Ireland. If money is not a problem, then internships are good here. You will get good options, and they help in scoring a job later on.

Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1275

Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryEuro 50500

Reviewed on 24 Sep 2026Read more

Ayush Tiwari Verified Icon

MSc in Cybersecurity - Batch of 2026

4.3

A Good Cyber Security Experience in Dublin

Tips: Studying at NCI has been a positive experience, but students need to prepare themselves for the transition to entering a new country with a new academic lifestyle. The city of Dublin is very multicultural and welcoming, but the cost of living in this city is very high, and particularly housing costs are quite high, hence, it is necessary for students to have adequate money and a budget plan. The M.Sc. Cyber Security program is an independent study program and requires the student to have continuous learning and submit assignments outside classroom hours. Students need to keep realistic expectations for part-time employment and post-study job opportunities, as they will take some time to find.

Likes (Indian Food): All sorts of places to eat and different foods can be found. But the problem is that they cost a lot, and it seems to me that not everything about their quality and taste is worth such prices. I advise you to cook for yourself if you have the opportunity.

Dislikes (Post study jobs): The current situation is very tough when it comes to finding part-time jobs in Ireland. For most students, it can take around 6-7 months to land a part-time job. For full-time opportunities, until you receive Stamp 1G (post-study visa), job applications can keep getting rejected because of work permission requirements. Even after getting Stamp 1G, finding a full-time job is not easy. It can take another 6-12 months or more, depending on various factors such as the job market, experience, skills, and the role. This situation applies to both experienced students and fresh graduates. Regarding job roles, there are graduates/entry level opportunities available across companies for freshers, while experienced students generally need to identify and apply for opportunities that match their existing experience and skills. Ultimately, the post-study job search depends heavily on Stamp 1G, your profile, experience, skills, the job market, and other individual factors.

Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 2000

Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryEuro 38000

Reviewed on 18 Sep 2026Read more

Anonymous

MSc in Business Analytics for Decision Makers - Batch of 2026

3.6

Life at NUIG & Ireland, Galway

Tips: Keep your legal documents handy, do not take a lot of clothes from India just carry lots of masala and indian food (Lodoo, quick meal). Research everything about transport and euro conversion. Smoking is Expensive (18 $ a packet). Take all your loans in Account, sometimes it takes a month to transfer INR to Euro.

Likes (Safety): It's safe in Ireland. People don't bother you until they are drunk or have bad intentions. Also, Garda is helpful here. If you have indulged in anything on the road. Quickly report that to the Garda, they will help you. Also, you SEE a lot of scams in Europe, like 45 $/H deals. Stay away from them. QUICK MONEY IS A SCAM IN EUROPE!

Dislikes (Internships): You are on your own when it comes to searching for a job. Campus can only review your resume and ask you to apply for some mostly irrelevant jobs. Which can chatGPT or Claude can do in 10 min. After graduation, you are on your own with the job hunt. You need to focus on building connections to take a job.

Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1200

Prepping time for classes19 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryEuro 45000

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2026Read more

Priya Shanmugam Verified Icon

MSc in Cloud Computing - Batch of 2025

4.0

A Good Learning Experience with Great Exposure

Tips: Before joining, students should be prepared for a more independent learningn style and should make use of the resources and support available from the college. Moving to ireland was a big change for me, especially adjusting to a new culture, weather and way of learning, but I gradually became comfortable and adapted to the lifestyle. I received a scholarship towards my tuition fees, which helped reduce the overall financial burden. Overall, I am satisfied with my university and course, especially because it gave me good exposure to cloud computing and helped me develop skills relevant to my career. I also enjoyed living in Ireland and experiencing a different culture.

Likes (Indian Food): Since there are many Indian cuisine choices that range from South Indian, North Indian, vegetarian, or non-vegetarian eateries. The prices depend on what type of eatery, which ranges from 15-25 Euros per individual. In my case, I mostly like to prepare my meals at home since it is cheaper, healthy, and gives me the chance of eating what I am familiar with. At other times, I also like to eat out when I want to try different types of cuisine.

Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): I have awarded this question 3 marks because, although there are chances to settle permanently in Ireland, permanent migration is surely not an easy task. I believe that there are good chances that I will be able to settle down permanently in this country because I am building my career in this country after studying and working here. If I get such a chance, I would prefer to settle permanently in Ireland.

Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000

Prepping time for classes22 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryEuro 42800

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2026Read more

Anonymous

MSc in Data Analytics - Batch of 2025

3.1

Diverse place, mixed quality.

Tips: Try to be experienced and well skilled in the subjects before starting a master's, as students have managed a lot of things once they arrive in Dublin. Be a quick learner and be aware of the skills that are crucial for the Irish job market. Do not try to outsource your assignments.

Likes (Public transportation): I gave transport 5/5 because NCI's location in the IFSC is unbeatable for commuting. The Red Line LUAS drops you off literally right at the doorstep at Mayor Square, so getting to lectures from anywhere in Dublin is completely stress-free. On top of that, Connolly Station is just a short 10-minute walk away if you're taking the DART or regional Irish Rail trains, and tapping with a student Leap Card keeps your daily fare capped and cheap.

Dislikes (Quality of faculty): The curriculum is well structured, but students have to rely more on self-preparation. Concepts are often introduced well, but regular practice is required to become skilled and job-ready. NCI’s career team is really helpful in providing mentorship regarding the job hunt even after finishing a master's.

Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000

Prepping time for classes29 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryEuro 40475

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2026Read more

View All 128 Reviews

Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development)
at
NCI
Highlights

The course teaches students computing fundamentals, complemented with detailed knowledge, problem-solving and specialised technical skills required for analysing, designing and developing technical software solutions.