Perfect ten for NWRC's first Cyber Security graduates

Former Thornhill College student Niamh McAuley (21) praises NWRC's local Open University pathway after securing her full honours degree Sign up to our Ireland Live newsletter Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Ireland Live within your account. A group of ten students from North West Regional College (NWRC) have made history as the inaugural cohort to successfully complete the Level 6 Top Up Degree - BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies validated by The Open University. The group all achieved outstanding results, with every student awarded either a First or 2:1 classification. The students will officially graduate at the NWRC Higher Education and Access Graduation ceremony on October 30th at the Millennium Forum. One of the graduates is 21 years-old Niamh McAuley who completed the course after first enrolling on NWRC's Level 5 Foundation Degree in Cyber Security in 2023. 'I had just finished my A Levels in Politics, Physics and Computing at Thornhill College and I wanted to complete a computing qualification,' she said. 'I decided I wanted to do Cyber Security and NWRC was the only local college within the North West area that offered Higher Education qualifications in it. Read More 'It was a bit daunting entering the world of Cyber Security, but I really enjoyed it. After I completed my Level 5, I decided it was only another year to get my full honours degree, so I stayed on for the Level 6 Top Up year. For me it was amazing that I was able to stay at home and study at my local college. I hope now to secure a graduate job and continue my career in Cyber.' NWRC offers a wide range of Higher Education courses, in partnership with the Open University, and other Higher Education Institutions creating new opportunities for students while supporting industry demand in areas experiencing significant skills gaps. Applications are now open for all Higher Education courses beginning at NWRC in September 2026, including the OU Foundation Degree in Cyber Security (full and part-time), and the Level 6 Top up Degree BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies. Students can apply for Foundation Degrees, Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas, Higher Level Apprenticeships, and Honours Degrees, that have a proven record of taking the student directly from the classroom into employment. The college will be hosting a 'Last Chance to Enrol' session on Tuesday, September 15 at its campuses in Strand Road, Strabane and Limavady aimed at anyone who is still considering applying for a full or part-time course for the 2026/27 Academic year. Find out more here: www.nwrc.ac.uk/courses