MSc in Electronic and Computer Technology (MCTY) DC877
The Evolution of Connectivity: From IoT to AIoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) has evolved far beyond simple connectivity. Today, we live in a world of Smart Everything, where everyday physical objects, industrial machinery, and urban infrastructure do not just connect via the Internet; they collaborate, learn, and act autonomously.
Driven by the convergence of 5G/6G mobile communications and Artificial Intelligence, the emergence of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) is redefining global industries. From autonomous transport and self-healing power grids to personalised healthcare and hyper-connected “Smart” cities, these technologies are the backbone of the next industrial revolution.
Ireland is a Global IoT Innovation Hub, standing at the forefront of these groundbreaking advancements, serving as a global nerve centre for IoT research and deployment. As industries transition toward intelligent, decentralised systems, there is an unprecedented demand for high-calibre professionals capable of designing, managing, and securing the complex ecosystems of tomorrow.
To meet the diverse needs of the modern tech landscape, the MCTY programme offers two distinct, industry-aligned majors:
1. Major in IoT Systems
The traditional pathway for those seeking to master the full stack of interconnected environments. This major focuses on the architecture, development, and deployment of large-scale IoT ecosystems. Students gain deep expertise in:
- Scalable IoT system design and integration, from connected embedded systems to cloud integration.
- Data analytics and cloud-to-edge orchestration.
- Collaborative “Smart” infrastructure management.
- The implementation of AIoT at scale for business and industrial transformation.
2. Major in Edge and IoT Security (New in September 2026)
An interdisciplinary and highly specialised major designed to address the critical vulnerabilities of next-generation infrastructure. As the “Edge” becomes the primary frontier for data processing, securing these points is paramount. This pathway covers:
- Secure Embedded Systems: Hardening the hardware and software at the device level.
- Wireless & Mobile Vulnerabilities: Identifying and mitigating risks in 5G and beyond.
- Physical-Layer Considerations: Protecting the tangible components of the network.
- Network Security Mechanisms: Advanced protocols for ensuring data integrity and privacy across decentralised nodes.
Why Choose the MCTY at DCU?
Our curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world application. Whether you are building the intelligent systems of the future or defending them against threats, the MCTY programme provides the technical rigour and innovative environment needed to lead in the age of AIoT.
Quick Info
Enquiry: Applicants can contact: ee.queries@dcu.ie
Course Type: Masters Degree (MSc) (NFQ Level 9). Autumn and Spring entry available.
Course Duration: Autumn Entry is 12 months full time (or 24 months part time). Spring Entry is 20 months full time.
Course Application Codes: MCTY (DC877 For both Spring and Autumn admissions). See: International Admissions for additional information.
Make an Application Here! (Use DC877)
Fees: Postgraduate Student Fees Please note that merit scholarships are available (https://www.dcu.ie/global/international-faculty-scholarshipsbursaries) for this the MSc in Electronic and Computer Technology programme.
Please also note that a programme fee is applied rather than an annual fee. Therefore, the cost is consistent for the Autumn (September) and Spring (January) entries, regardless of whether the programme is 12-months or 20-months in duration.
Two Major Pathways avaiable:
MECE (MEng) or MCTY (MSc)?
MEng: Hardware-led, end-to-end engineering focus. This programme progresses from low-level devices and circuits through embedded systems to state of the art communications and broader electronic and computer engineering. Learn more about the MEng Programme here.
MSc: Software-led, computing-aligned focus. This programme is intended for students who want deeper software capability and expect to work primarily in programming, edge systems, and higher-level computing. This page is focused on the MCTY MSc Programme.
Why do this course?
About the course
Programme Objectives
The main programme objectives are:
What will I study?
Major in IoT Systems
Covers the full IoT ecosystem including hardware, connectivity, and data management.
Major in Edge and IoT Security
Focuses on securing edge infrastructures, wireless vulnerabilities, and network mechanisms.
The Capstone Project
A definitive 30 ECTS research and development project. Students apply advanced engineering principles to solve complex, real-world problems.
Registration
Programme Structure & Registration
Full-time MCTY Autumn Entry Applicants
Autumn (September) applicants must register for the following components:
- The two project modules: EEN1101 Research Training and Project Planning, and the EEN1095 Electronic Engineering Masters Project module.
- Eight taught modules, comprising:
- A minimum of four Level 9 Core modules (from the set EEN1071, EEN1072, EEN1073, EEN1004, EEN1059, EEN1074, EEN1068, EEN1105, CSC1134)
- A maximum of four Level 8 Supporting modules (from the set EEN1097, EEN1054, EEN1083, EEN1043, EEN1037, EEN1040)
If you plan to achieve a major award then you must choose your four core modules carefully. Once these requirements are met, you may choose any modules; however, please be mindful of the workload in each semester. Ideally, you should take four taught modules in Semester 1 (Autumn) and four in Semester 2 (Spring). Note that the Research Training and Project Planning module is also taken in Semester 2. You must register for the summer project at the same time.
In total, you should be registered for 90 credits, with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 9 (30 credits from the project modules + 4 taught modules worth 7.5 credits each). Do not register for more than 90 credits.
Full-time MCTY Spring Entry Applicants
You will be completing the programme over three semesters and you can complete three modules in each semester. It is strongly recommended that you only register for three modules in Spring. You will register for your remaining modules in the following September. Do not register for the project modules (EEN1101 or EEN1095) at this point. You should be registered for 22.5 credits.
Part-time (Flexible) MCTY Autumn/Spring Entry Applicants
Please register for two taught modules in each semester. If you enter in September you should register for four modules in total. Do not register for the project modules (EEN1101 or EEN1095) in your first year.
In your second year, you should register for the remaining modules plus the project modules. Please ensure that you meet the full-time registration requirements outlined above, but spread over two years.
If you have any questions, please contact Derek Molloy by email directly.
Entry Requirements/Fees
- A Primary Honours degree, Level 8 with an award of H2.2 or higher in Electronic/Electrical/Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Sciences or other Engineering/Computing disciplines.
- International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU’s English language requirements can be found here.
- Full-time students can apply directly to the University. Fees information for this programme may be found here.
- Part-time students can apply directly to the University.