Higher Diploma in IT

bookworm192398

Hi, I'm considering doing the Higher Diploma in Maynooth and I was wondering if anyone here has done it and if so what did they think of it? Thanks.

LeixlipRed

Considered doing it myself. It's so fecking expensive though. A friend of mine done it in Maynooth and he enjoyed it. Went on to do a Phd in that area.

castie

Did it last year and enjoyed it alot. Theyve some small changes to certain modules for this year. Expensive? Last year it was 1600 euro for EU citizens. This year 1750 i think. Ill be doing the Msc in Soft Eng this year so ill prob see ya around if you do.

LeixlipRed

Hmmm, I must have read the price wrong on the website so. EDIT: Just checked and part of the course is subsidised by the HEA now. Explains my confusion.

abitlonely

And it's not called the Dip.S.H.I.T anymore

I did cs in Arts in 1st year and the java was quite tough. I still passed and
probably would have done better if i attended more often and wasnt distracted with non cs subjects

bookworm192398

Ok, so far I'm liking what I hear. Thanks for the help!:)

Royale with Cheese

Hey, although it's not really got anything to do with Maynooth, I have some questions about this.

I'm doing this course in DCU this year, obviously I'm hoping to do as well as possible, it's what happens after that I'm not sure about. I'm guessing it's not much use for getting a job if I'm competing against people with 4 year degrees. How well do you have to do to get accepted to Masters in the IT area? DCU have a 1 year research masters for people who get distinctions in the Grad Dip but I'm really not sure how useful that'd be.

I didn't know if I'd be able to go into a masters but seeing as castle is doing an Msc in Software Engineering I'm guessing it's a possiblity.

r3nu4l

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Hey, although it's not really got anything to do with Maynooth, I have some questions about this.

I'm doing this course in DCU this year, obviously I'm hoping to do as well as possible, it's what happens after that I'm not sure about. I'm guessing it's not much use for getting a job if I'm competing against people with 4 year degrees. How well do you have to do to get accepted to Masters in the IT area? DCU have a 1 year research masters for people who get distinctions in the Grad Dip but I'm really not sure how useful that'd be.

I didn't know if I'd be able to go into a masters but seeing as castle is doing an Msc in Software Engineering I'm guessing it's a possiblity.

The idea behind H.Dips is that they bring you to a 'degree standard' in one year through intensive training. It's not always the case in reality but with the HDip IT in NUIM it seems to be close to the mark. Yup, a MSc should be possble (most likely a taught MSc rather than research). A research MSc is possible from it too in some circumstances.

A lot of people in my year in NUIM (graduated in Biology in 1997) did the HDip IT and got great jobs from it. Mind you, that was 11 years ago.

Castie, o/ BAPS.

Royale with Cheese

Hmmm well looking at the modules in DCU i've only about 20 hours a week, and most of the courses are 'an introduction to...' Didn't get the impression from looking at the course list I'd be anywhere near degree standard by the end of the year.

But... I haven't started yet and don't know 100% what I'll be studying so can't be totally sure.

castie

I was offered a tech support job with AIB, tbh thats the highest it would probably go. Maybe desktop support or a junior web developer position if you put alot of work towards the area.

bookworm192398

Hi, just one more thing. For my online application it says the personal statement should be at least 600 words. Is there any possibility this should be less than 600 words? *looks hopeful*

Spider_Baby

bookworm192398 wrote: »

Hi, just one more thing. For my online application it says the personal statement should be at least 600 words. Is there any possibility this should be less than 600 words? *looks hopeful*

Is it still possible to apply for this years course???
I am really interested in this course too. I regret not picking Computer Science in my CAO years ago. Bloody Business Degree...grrr :mad:

Any feedback on this course would be very greatly appreciated!

If anyone can answer any of the following I'd be really grateful:

How many hours of classes are there a week?
Is it possible to work a job midweek too in the evenings, or is there too much of a workload?
Is there much maths involved? (I likes Maths I do )
What are career prospects and salary scales for graduates like?

Thanks a million!

castie

Try to make a PAC app ASAP.

The JAVA workshop is running this week for Hdip IT and next week for Hdip IT and Msc Soft Eng. so get onto pac and then email the course co-ordinator and beg a little.

Knifey_Spoony

Sorry for dragging up such an old thread.

I am interested in doing the H Dip in IT in NUI Maynooth this year.

I'm just wondering, how many hours a week is it?
I'm currently trying to figure out if I will be entitled to a grant at all. It is looking unlikely though...so I am wondering if it would be possible to hold down a part-time job while doing this course?

Any other thoughts or views on this course would be greatly appreciated!

Anyone currently doing this course?

Thanks

castie

Would depend on your programming ability.
It was quite intense for a few people in the class.
Looking at around 20 odd hours a week.

Knifey_Spoony

castie wrote: »

Would depend on your programming ability.
It was quite intense for a few people in the class.
Looking at around 20 odd hours a week.

I have never done any programming before...so I've no idea what my programming ability is like...

20 hours a week isn't too bad though.
Is there a huge amount of asignments to be completed throughout the year, or is it just exams at the end of the year?

Did you do this course Castie? And if so, was it possible for you and your classmates to easily hold down a part time job while doing it?

Thanks!

(sorry for all the questions!)

castie

I picked up programming really easily and am now doing the Msc in Maynooth.

I had a weekend job all the way through it too.
Theres mainly lab work not alot of assignments.

kallstrom86

i'm thinking of doing this next year. Just about the PAC application. How do you complete it if you havent gotten you're degree yet?