Cloud Computing and Software Development - Online

Course Overview

This recently developed programme has been carefully designed in conjunction with our industry partners and in consultation with regional skills fora. It is designed to meet the demand for software developers with a knowledge of Cloud infrastructures. With online, part-time delivery, this programme is designed to meet the challenges of a modern economy where many applicants are working full-time and require flexible delivery options.



The highly intensive programme is designed for those with little or no knowledge of software development, but we are particularly keen to receive applications from those who have had some exposure to coding and feel that this is something they potentially have a flair for. People with technical or strong numerical backgrounds often perform best in these types of programmes and we strongly encourage applicants who have strong logical reasoning or maths skills. This could be a strong maths result from their leaving cert or from certain modules in their undergraduate degree. This isn’t essential, but often indicates a strong problem solving and logical skill set.



As a conversion course it is open to applicants from non-computing backgrounds, facilitating individuals wishing to change career, or re-skill to improve their employment prospects. While the standard minimum requirement is that students have a level 8 undergraduate degree, level 7 entrants can also apply but will need to demonstrate at least two years relevant industry experience. Delivery is fully online and part-time, meaning that applicants can maintain their existing full-time or part-time employment whilst taking the course, with end-of-semester exams held on campus.



Course Description



The Postgraduate Diploma in Cloud Computing and Software Development has been designed to meet the challenges of re-skilling and up-skilling in a modern economy, in response to industry demand for graduates with cloud computing and software development skills. This course provides flexible delivery options to meet this need. It has been designed in consultation with start-up enterprises, SMEs and large multinationals to give you the expertise and knowledge required to progress your career.



This course provides:

• A solid foundation in key computing knowledge, including extensive experience with programming languages such as, Java, Java Enterprise, JavaScript (NodeJS) all at the level expected by industry.

• A specialisation in cloud computing, enabling you to build critical knowledge of cloud application development, as well as cloud infrastructures and platforms such as Google’s Firebase and Amazon Web Services.

• An 8-month industry placement or capstone group project.

Year 1:

Semester 1: 15 ECTS

• Cloud Web Application Development

• Algorithms and Data Structures

• OO Programming 1



Semester 2: 15 ECTS

• Enterprise Java Programming

• Fundamentals of Cloud Computing



Year 2:

Semester 1: 15 ECTS

• Cloud DevOps

• Database Systems

• Architecture, Operating Systems & Networks



Semester 2: 15 ECTS

• In semester 2 of year 2, students will either have secured an industry placement or will undertake a capstone group project. The placement process (CV preparation, interview skills, events, internship opportunities, applications and interviews) is fully supported by dedicated staff within the University’s Career Development Centre. Where students wish to remain with their current employer, they will undertake the group project.

This programme is open to applicants from all backgrounds who hold a NQAI Level 8 qualification or equivalent.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Persons who hold formal qualifications at Level 7 may also apply, subject to provision of satisfactory evidence of having attained Level 8 competencies through prior experiential learning (minimum of 2 years working in an IT role).

Closing Date: Check Springboard for details.



Please apply through the Springboard website. Significant demand is expected and early application is advisable as we will process applications on a rolling basis.

2 years, part-time (online)

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

The career prospects for our graduates are extremely strong and demand is dramatically outstripping supply. Our programmes within the School of Computing Science in University of Galway are highly respected among many of Irelands leading software companies. In the past our graduates have often received numerous job offers before they even completed the programme.



A selection of roles that graduates will be eligible to apply for:

• Cloud Application Developer/Engineer

• Cloud Data Engineer

• Cloud Operations Engineer

• Software Developer/Engineer (Java, C#, Frontend JS)

• Backend Developer

• Database Analyst

• Software Analyst

• IT Manager

• Software Tester

• Automated Test Engineer

• DevOps Engineer



The career pathways are taken from an analysis of past graduates and the new Cloud Computing roles are sampled from those available from our partner companies.