Key Info
Bachelor/Master of Science in Immersive Software Engineering
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
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) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS4437 | Scaling for Reliability and Performance | CS4448 | Residency 4A:Immersive Software Project | CS6513 | Research Methods (Beginning of MSc programme) |
| CS4447 | Computational Thinking | CS4459 | Residency 4B: Immersive Software Project |
| 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 profile worth 200 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. Subjects must include also Irish or another language, and English. |
| 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. |
| 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
-
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
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
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 both the citizenship and 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 |
|---|---|---|
| BD Bursaries for Women in STEM | €5,000 for one year | 4 |
| BD Science and Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship | €2,000 for one year | 6 |
| ISE Intercom Scholarship | €10,000 | 1 |
| ISE Transact Scholarship | €10,000 | |
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme | ||
| Provizio Scholarship | €10,000 | 1 |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
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.
