The digital economy has experienced immense growth, transforming personal data processing into a lucrative global industry. To address this, the European Union introduced the General Data Protection Regulation in May 2018, aiming to harmonise data protection laws and protect the privacy rights of EU citizens . The GDPR introduces significant changes to the ways in which personal data must be collected, stored, and processed, making data privacy an essential concern for businesses, internet users, lawyers, and public bodies alike .
In recognition of the growing importance of data protection and privacy, the School of Law and Government and the School of Computing at DCU have joined forces to offer an interdisciplinary MA in Data Protection and Privacy Law. This innovative programme combines the University's expertise in law and computing to provide students with advanced knowledge of the technological and legal aspects of data protection and privacy law, preparing them to navigate the complexities of this rapidly evolving field.
Shaping Experts in the Age of Data and Privacy
The MA programme is designed to foster both interdisciplinary knowledge and specialised expertise. It features two distinct tracks: one focused on law, and another on computing. Applicants will be admitted to the track that aligns with their existing academic background.
All students will complete a set of four core modules, combining elements of both law and computing, accessible to all enrollees. For instance, the law-focused core courses will be open to students without a legal background, while the computing-focused core courses will accommodate those without prior experience in that field.
Students on the law track will undertake a law-oriented research module and dissertation, alongside the shared core courses and two elective modules. Those on the computing track will similarly complete a computing-centred research module and practicum, the common core courses, and two electives. This structured approach ensures comprehensive grounding in both domains, while also allowing students to develop advanced proficiency in either law or computing through their research, dissertation/practicum, and optional coursework.
| Course Location | Glasnevin, Dublin |
| Location Postcode | Dublin 9 |
| Course Type | Classroom Based |
| Course Qualification | Masters Degree |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| Course Duration | 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time |
| Career Path | This MA programme is designed to foster both interdisciplinary knowledge and specialised expertise, preparing graduates for diverse career paths. Graduates of this course can go on to pursue a wide range of professional opportunities. The knowledge and skills you acquire through this programme are highly sought by law firms, tech companies, the compliance sector, research organisations and across multiple government departments. Graduates seek work in a variety of government departments, including the Data Protection Commission, the Department of Health, and Universities. Others may gravitate toward the private sector as many large firms, working across a range of services, continue to expand their privacy and data protection teams. These include, but are not limited to, financial services companies, law and accountancy firms and consultancy firms. Potential Careers Legal professional offering expertise in privacy and the GDPR Data protection officer Privacy engineer Professional advisor on data governance and best practice models IT consultant Researcher Compliance professional Data Analyst |
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