Certificate in Emerging Digital Technologies

Emerging technologies will disrupt entire industries while creating new opportunities for people with the right skills.

Many business owners, managers, and decision-makers struggle to identify the right technologies to positively impact their business and drive the bottom line. Those who aim to stay ahead of the curve and capitalise on market opportunities must be able to comprehend emerging technologies and their true business and societal impact.

With our online Certificate in Digital Emerging Technologies [Level 7 / 20 ECTS], delivered in partnership with National College of Ireland, you will gain a deep understanding of technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IoT, blockchain, fintech, robotics, and virtual/augmented/mixed reality, and how they can be utilised to create opportunities within your industry.

Now is the time to prepare for the future. Equip yourself with the skills to make better informed business decisions, while also strengthening your career prospects.

This Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet programme is cofunded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Click here to learn more about how the EU provides funding for a broad range of projects and programmes in Ireland.

Fully online and runs for 1 semester / 12 weeks
Live online lectures scheduled 2 evenings per week, with 2 hours per lecture.
Online classes: Tuesdays and Thursday 18.00 – 20.00
Additional 2 hours minimum of nonscheduled self-paced directed e-learning before classes.

Classes are anticipated to commence on September 23rd; however, this will be confirmed once NCI finalises the semester timetables. All applicants will be informed promptly if any changes are expected.

This course is targeted at non-computing professionals who wish to understand the latest emerging digital technologies and how to integrate them into their workplace. Applicants may be from IT or non-computing backgrounds.

The course is taught over one semester and is delivered completely online through both synchronous and asynchronous directed activities using state-of-the-art technologies and teaching techniques to support the virtual classroom.

The course is fully online and runs for a 12- week semester. The programme is delivered via synchronous and asynchronous directed activities, using state-of-the-art technologies and teaching techniques to support the virtual classroom.

Live online lectures will be scheduled 2 evenings per week, with 2 hours per lecture. The classes are recorded and made available, but attendance is strongly advised as class engagement and group work is a key aspect of this course.

There will be an additional 2 hours of nonscheduled self-paced directed e-Learning, consisting of short videos, recommended reading, and tutorial exercises. Students are encouraged to engage with this content each week before their live class to build an understanding and to prompt questions.

The course consists of two modules, Emerging Digital Technologies and Digital Business Transformation.

Module 1: Emerging Digital Technologies

Content & Assessment (indicative content)


Introduction to Emerging Digital Technologies • Introduction to all Emerging Digital Technologies (EDTs) • EDT showcase (industry application examples)
Cloud Computing and Data Analytics for Business • Machine learning cloud-based solutions • Business application of data analytics
Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Key AI definitions and concepts • Artificial Narrow Intelligence • Artificial General Intelligence
AI for Business • Business benefits of AI • Process automation • Cognitive insight and automation • Application case studies
Blockchain • Defining blockchain and key concepts • Distributed ledgers • Smart contracts • Case studies
FinTech and Payments • Introduction to FinTech and FinTech categories • Cryptocurrencies • Applications and case studies
Robotics and EDT integration • Introduction to Kinematics, Autonomous systems and Computer vision • Industry and commercial applications (e.g. drones in logistics)
Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust • Security Fundamentals • Principles of Penetration Testing • IT Law and Ethics • Cryptography
Internet of Things (IoT) • IoT concepts and standards • IoT hardware • Hardware/software integration
Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality • Key distinctions between VR, AR and MR • Design principles • Use cases
Impact Assessment of Digital Emerging Technologies • Emerging technologies and the impact of technology on society
Integration of Emerging Digital Technologies in Business • Innovation and emerging digital technologies • Brief overview of Digital Business Transformation

Assessment: Emerging Digital Technologies module assessment is based on a 100% group project, consisting of two submission parts during the semester and will cover the complete module curriculum

Module 2: Digital Business Transformation

Content & Assessment (indicative content)


• Fundamentals of Transformation • Overview of approaches utilised by leading management consulting companies (e.g. McKinsey, Bain, BCG) • Introduction to the analysis of opportunities in global trends and in industry-specific challenges • Review of Emerging Digital Technologies
• Six guiding principles of DBT: transformation, holistic, response, innovation, value, enterprise • Elements of the business case for DBT • Benchmarking tools, e.g. strategy canvas • Porter’s Five Forces Analysis framework
• 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework • Governance, business strategy, business models • Leadership mindset, workforce culture
• Defining value • Value- vs. cost-driven models • Value creation and measurement • Innovation methodologies • Role of culture and mindset • Creative potential within the organisation
• Key stages of the DBT continuum: • Discover, define, ideate, prioritise, plan, execute, evaluate • Key project management principles
• Key stakeholders to involve in the DBT process • Alignment of key resources • Management support • Milestone and expectation management
• Identification of user requirements • Concept and customer experience (UX) design, e.g. customer journey • Prototyping with emerging technologies
• Low vs high fidelity prototypes • Testing the success of DBT prototypes • Beta testing and user validation
• Key metrics for assessment of DBT success • Mapping the value added by emerging technologies • Incremental change as an enabler of transformation: risk tolerance and iteration • Transformation vs change
• Cultivating a culture of reflection • Connecting all the dots: DBT do’s and don’ts • Key lessons learned
• Expanding the scope of the DBT roadmap • Building on what works
• Ongoing opportunities to address societal challenges • Staying nimble to innovate with emerging digital technologies

Assessment: Digital Business Transformation module assessment is based on 100% continuous individual assessment, consisting of two assignment submissions and covering the complete module curriculum.

Explore the modules in greater detail by visiting the official NCI course descriptors HERE.

We highly recommend all students watch the info webinar below to learn more about the course and hear from a past student about their experience.

Chapter timestamps:

00:01 Intro Gillian O’Grady & Victor del Rosal

01:36 Course content & topic overview

07:43 Course Objectives – 10:10 Learning Outcomes

11:01 Learning approach (How you will learn)

16:20 Who is the course for?

17:51 Assignments/Assessment

20:22 Benefits & Expectations

22:52 Housekeeping/Student Requirements

23:54 Victor closeout (Future benefits)

27:30 Students Experience (John O’Shanahan, Lean BPI)

32:50 How to apply & part funding

33:47 Q&A Student questions answered

Academic Eligibility

A minimum of a Level 6 qualification on the NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) is required for standard entry.

For candidates who do not meet this minimum entry requirement, the college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme whereby applicants may be considered based on relevant work or other experiences.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.

Fees

Full course fee: €1,700
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet grant: €401
Subsidised course fee: €1,299*

Subsidised fees are only available to eligible* applicants.

*Funding Eligibility

Applicants must be working in a private or commercial semi-state organisation registered in the Republic of Ireland (Business, Consultant, Freelancer) to avail of the grant-aided fees. As a government-funded training network, we can only support those meeting these criteria with funding towards courses.

Public sector employees, non-profits, or charitable organisations that do not meet our funding criteria may apply privately for the full course fee once places are available.

Unemployed: Unfortunately, due to our funding parameters, we are unable to accept unemployed applicants for either funded or private places. However, we encourage you to explore Future in Tech, which offers upskilling opportunities specifically designed for job seekers. You can find more details here: https://futureintech.ie/ or some of our fully funded offerings https://ictskillnet.ie/fully-funded-courses/

Once you have received your offer of a place on the course, please be aware that we have a limited number of subsidised places available. Due to high demand, we cannot hold places without payment. To ensure fairness, priority for these places will be granted to those who have both completed full payment of the subsidised fee and are deemed eligible by the college or training provider.

Please review the eligibility and fees information above, and proceed with an enquiry or application via buttons on this page. The Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet team will follow up with you to confirm your eligibility.

Once your application has been screened by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, you will be directed to NCI to complete your official college application. At this stage, you will be required to submit your CV, transcripts, and English language test results (if applicable) for academic assessment.

Please note: NCI is the final decision-maker regarding acceptance onto the course, while Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet acts solely as the funding provider. Successful applicants will become official NCI students and will be required to adhere to NCI’s policies and procedures.

Important: Due to high demand each year, the course will close once capacity is reached. We strongly recommend taking prompt action once you receive notification from us.