Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) - Part-time

Eligibility 

People in the following categories are eligible to apply for courses in the 2020/2021 academic year (subject to the applicant meeting all residency and nationality/visa requirements and any academic requirements).

Note: For Stamp 4 holders or Stamp 4 EU FAM, residency will be calculated from the date of receipt of the Stamp 4.  Any period of residency in the state before this date will not be taken into consideration.

For the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development), 2 year part-time programme, the following categories are eligible to apply:

People in Employment

Please note that those in employment, under the Springboard+ 2020/2021 initiative, 90% of the fees are covered by HEA and 10% of the fees are payable to the college for this category of applicants. The applicant must also meet the nationality / visa requirements and residency criteria i.e. they must be able to demonstrate that they have been ordinarily resident  in an EU / EEA / UK / Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme. Either the applicant of their employer can pay these fees. Should your employer be paying your fees, please contact us and we can forward you a company sponsorship form in order to invoice your employer.

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTATION:

• A copy of most recent payslip

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

Returners

Returners are those who are not in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection, have previous history of employment but may require upskilling or reskilling to transition back to the workforce. Applicants must have been a homemaker or on other caring duties or economically dependent on a partner or spouse for a minimum period of 9 of the previous 12 months.

PROOF OF RETURNER DOCUMENTATION:

• Applicants must swear a declaration before a Commissioner for Oaths attesting to their status. A form to complete this process is available here.

   

Fees: The fees for this programme are 100% fully funded under this category.

Self-Employed

Self employed applicants are eligible to apply:

PROOF OF SELF-EMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

• A letter from their accountant or relevant documentation from Revenue showing that they are self-employed in Ireland would suffice.

   

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (Software Development) is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

People signing for Contribution Credits:

Applicants in this category are eligible to apply for this course, provided that they meet the nationality / visa requirement, the residency criteria and the course specific criteria as set out previously.

PROOF OF SIGNING FOR CONTRIBUTION CREDITS:

• A letter from DSP (the Department of Social Protection) confirming your social protection status (signing for credits).

   

Fees: The fees for this programme are 100% fully funded under this category.

PLEASE NOTE:

These two-year part-time conversion courses are NOT open to those in receipt of Jobseekers-related payments or Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

Please visit the Springboard+ website for further information on participant eligibility and funding eligibility requirements.

NOTE: If your eligibility status changes prior to commencing the course, you will need to contact the admissions office to assess are you still eligible to enrol on the programme. Failure to do this may result in you losing your place on the programme.

Application Procedures

All applications must be submitted online via the Springboard+ website. Please note that the documentation supporting the applicants status will be required as part of the application process. Please visit the Springboard+ website for further information on participant eligibility and funding eligibility requirements.


The following documents are required by DBS as part of the application process. When you apply through the Springboard+ website, a member of the DBS Admissions Team will be in touch in relation to requesting the following documents:

• Academic Transcripts of results (this is a breakdown of each year, all the modules studied and all results achieved). If these transcripts are in a language other than English, we will require the originals together with official translated copies.

• Proof of ID - Driver's Licence of Passport.

• Proof of residency for all applicants for three of the last five years. This can be revenue documents, letter from DEASP office or letter from previous or current employer.

• For Non-EU Applicants currently residing in Ireland, a copy of your Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Card or proof of residency is required to demonstrate that you have been residing in the EU for three of the last five years.

• For applicants who do not hold the required qualification and are applying through APEL (Approved Prior Experiential Learning), a recently updated and detailed CV is required with education and work experience to date. In addition, a personal statement is required outlining your reasons for applying for the course and why you would be a suitable candidate. This should be in the format of a word document and have between 500 and 700 words.

• For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language Test such as IELTS, Cambridge, PTE, Duolingo, or DBS English Placement Test. Test certificates must be dated within the last two years.

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner.   More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS (https://www.dbs.ie/terms-and-conditions) and on programme handbooks provided at induction.