MSc in Data Analytics

• Start date: January 2026
• Duration: 2 years, part-time
• Delivery: Online – live lectures, video recordings and reading materials (via Moodle). Bootcamp will only be scheduled in Semester 1 of this programme and will be delivered online.
• Schedule: Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 18:00 to 22:00, and every second Saturday.

Time Commitment

Typically, 1 ECTS = 20  – 25 hours of total student effort.

Example Semester 1: 20 ECTS per semester x 25 hours = 500 hours per semester / 16 weeks = 31.3 hours per week (academic week with 5 contact hours + 5 direct learning + 21.3 hours independent learning)

Semester 1 – 3 = 25 – 31.3 hours per week

Semester 4 = 37.5 – 46.8 hours per week

The part-time element is to help busy professionals to study and work at the same time and as the course is designed from an applied perspective, all learnings in the classroom can immediately be incorporated into the work environment. A unique feature of this course is the strong collaboration between industry and academia in its development.

Assessment

The course will be assessed with a blend of project work and exams. This varies between modules but typically assessment is 50% continuous assessment and 50% exam. Please note that in some instances exams may take place in the daytime, evenings or at weekends.

The online MSc in Data Analytics is a 2-year 90-ECTS course.

Learners are required to complete 20-ECTS during each of the taught semesters and then a final 6-month semester completing the Research Practicum/Internship.

Indicative outline below:

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Statistics & Optimisation
• Analytics Programming & Data Visualisation
• Data Governance, Ethics & Sustainability

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Business Intelligence & Business Analytics
• Data Mining & Machine Learning

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Deep Learning & Generative AI
• Data Intensive Scalable Systems [Elective]
• Modelling & Simulation [Elective]
• Domain Applications [Elective]

Year 2 – Semester 2

Research Elective:

• Research Practicum Part 1 & Part 2, or
• **Internship Part 1 & Part 2

Electives will run based on demand and students must choose 2 of the 3 electives listed.

**Students must notify the college in advance if they want to complete Internship.

Academic Eligibility

Learners must have an honours (level 8) primary degree in Computing or a cognate area with a 2.2 award or higher. Cognate area means a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree. All applicants must evidence prior programming and mathematics experience (e.g., via academic transcripts or recognised certification). Standard applicants for the programme are those holding computing or numerate degrees.

For learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements, the National College of Ireland operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme. This allows applicants who do not meet the normal academic criteria to be considered based on relevant work and professional experience. All applicants for the programme must provide evidence that they have prior programming experience (e.g., via academic transcripts or recognised certification).

Course Fees

The fees for this programme are part-funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet. Part-funded fees are only available to eligible* applicants.

January 2026 Course Fees: To be confirmed. Please enquire to be notified once announced.

January 2025 Course fees for reference:

Full course fee: €3,875 per year
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet grant: €725 per year
Subsidised course fee: €3,150 per year
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.

Enquire to Be Notified About the January 2026 Intake

Complete the enquiry form on this page to receive automatic updates when details for the January 2026 intake are announced and applications open. NCI is expected to confirm when applications for academic assessments will officially begin, which is anticipated in September 2025.

Below, you can review the steps of the application process for your reference.

Application Process

(For Reference Only — Available from September 2025)

1. Funding assessment and eligibility screening 

Click the “Apply Now” button on this page to submit your CV for the initial screening.

We will respond with a confirmation form and provide further course information.

2. Academic Assessment 

We will provide applicants with a link to the NCI portal to formally start your application and academic assessment.

Through the NCI portal, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Transcripts of qualifications
• CV
• English language test results (minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)

Note: Please do not send any documents other than your CV to Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet. Submit the required documents only after you have received the NCI portal link.

Please note: The English Language test is required only where applicable – [NCI details here].

The college may request additional documents to confirm your eligibility to proceed, such as evidence of programming abilities.