MA in Data Protection and Privacy: Law and Computing
Dublin, Ireland
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,100
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
In an era where personal data fuels the global economy, understanding and navigating data protection laws is more essential than ever. This course will help position you to be at the forefront of data protection, ensuring you are prepared for impactful roles in both the public and private sectors.
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 how 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 program 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.
Explore scholarship opportunities for International Students.
To facilitate both interdisciplinarity and specialisation, the MA will be divided into two streams: law and computing. Entrance on to either the law or computing stream will be dependent upon existing education. All students will complete 4 core modules which will offer a mix of law and computing and will be accessible to all admitted students.
Law Steam
Core Modules
- Legal and Socio-Legal Research Skills
- EU Data Protection Law
- Artificial Intelligence, Information and Information Seeking
- Data Governance
- Dissertation
Optional Modules
- EU Institutional Law
- Contemporary Legal Issues in Commercial Practice
- Law and Politics of Brexit
- European & International Human Rights Law
- Comparative Digital Law: Privacy, Data and AI
Computing Stream
Core Modules
- Professional & Research Practice
- EU Data Protection Law
- Data Management and Visualisation
- Artificial Intelligence, Information and Information Seeking
- Data Governance
- Practicum (Data Protection and Privacy)
Optional Modules
- Law and Politics of Brexit
- European & International Human Rights Law
- Comparative Digital Law Privacy Data and AI
- Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings)
- Ranked among the world's top 350 universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Business and Economics (201-250), Arts and Humanities (201-250), Research Environment (301)
- Ireland’s highest-ranked young university, placed 59th globally (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings).
- Ranked 1st in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate (and 23rd Globally) by QS World University Rankings
- 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or further studies within 6 months of graduation
- Voted no. 1 worldwide for Career Development by Global Student Satisfaction Awards
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


