Distance Education University Courses in Ireland

Oscail - National Distance Education Centre, DCU:
Oscail was established in 1982 by Dublin City University. Our mission is to provide adults with access to third level education through Distance Education regardless of location, employment, domestic or personal circumstances, or prior qualifications.

Under Graduate Courses

Diploma in Arts & Bachelor of Arts (BA.) (Humanities):
This programme offers you the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Humanities regardless of your place of residence, employment, domestic or personal circumstances, or prior qualifications. Students may elect to exit with a Diploma in Arts on completion of eight modules.

The programme is designed to:
- Open access to higher education to a wider community of adult students
- Provide access to the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to promote full participation in the economic, social, cultural and political spheres of society
- Open access to the wealth of cultures and traditions in Irish and global society
- Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their prospects in the world of work
- Enable individuals to proceed to further studies in their chosen area

Diploma in Information Technology & Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Information Technology:
The primary aim of this programme is to equip students with Diploma/Degree level competence in Information Technology. It also aims to equip students with a critical appreciation of the potential application of Information Technology to the processes of administration, management and innovation. The programme should be of particular relevance to those working in management, administration, enterprise or institutional development, and industrial training and teaching, and to those aspiring to positions in these areas. The programme has been designed by a Course Team which draws its membership from a range of universities, other third-level institutions, public service bodies and industry. The Course Team has overall responsibility for the academic content and standing of the programme.


Post Graduate Courses

MSc in Operations Management: 
The aim of this programme is to develop the knowledge and skills to enable you to function as business analysts and managers of operations in dynamic, technology-intensive manufacturing or services environments.

MSc in Internet Systems:
The overall aim of the programme is to develop your knowledge and skills so that you can manage and apply key Internet Systems strategies to your organisation. Specifically the programme will combine a comprehensive overview of the strategic applications and management of Internet Systems with an investigation of the underpinning technological principles, and how selected societal and commercial issues relate to the use of Internet Systems.

MSc in Information Systems Strategy:
Managers and business professionals to an increasing degree, require a range of competencies in Information Systems and Technologies (IS/IT). The aim of this programme is to provide you with these competencies, which include the knowledge and skills to enable you to manage more confidently in an environment where information systems both drive and serve business, to align Information Strategy with the overall business strategy and to contribute meaningfully to ongoing Information Strategy development.

MSc in Management for Sustainable Development:
The overarching aim of the programme is to provide a Masters programme for graduates who wish to develop their professional skills from a sustainable management perspective through part time study and at a distance. This programme is a Level 9 programme on the NFQ framework. The programme's main philosophy is that for business to be sustainable in the long-term, a successful manager must effectively manage the whole of the business' resources, including environmental, economic and social resources, from a sustainable, global perspective.