Dublin City University to offer Master’s degree in blockchain via new collaboration

Dublin City University, in collaboration with Skillnet Ireland’s Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, is launching Ireland’s first ever Master’s in Blockchain (Distributed Ledger Technologies).

Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, a non-profit body co-funded by Skillnet Ireland – a national agency dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of workforce, worked with Blockchain Ireland to identify what skills were needed in the burgeoning blockchain sector. Skillnet Ireland awarded funding to Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet to develop this programme in collaboration with industry.

The announcement was made recently by the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys T.D.

“Our aim is always to be proactive in anticipating and serving the needs of the industry and the people who work within it. This programme directly supports objectives set out in the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland initiative. The first of its kind in Ireland, this Masters programme will help ensure the country has all the skills necessary to become a global hub for this new technology,” Minister Humphreys said.

According to the press release, the course is aimed at IT professionals working in the country. It will be delivered by industry specialists in collaboration with Dublin City University and will be primarily taught online, part time, over a two-year period.

Interested candidates can send their applications until July 23, 2019. To qualify for direct entry, they must have a Level 8 Honours Degree (2.2) or higher in Computer Science, Computing, Computer Applications or a related discipline.

Applicants without these requirements may be considered if they can demonstrate previously obtained competence equivalent to the entry requirements.

“A highly skilled workforce is one of the essential ingredients for Ireland to be a leader in Blockchain technologies. This Master’s programme will help ensure we have the right skills available for companies and IT professionals to enhance their blockchain technology capability and to seize the immense opportunities that are available” Chief Executive of Skillnet Ireland Paul Healy said.

This week, an Ivy League school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania also announced a new online course on blockchain and cryptocurrencies.