MSc in Data Analytics

Orientation: January 2025

Start Date: January 2025

• Fully Online
• Duration: 2 years, part-time
• Schedule: Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 18:00 to 22:00, and every second Saturday*.
• *Online Bootcamps sessions are organised during the first semester of the programme on Friday evening and full Saturday, during the first 3 weeks of the Semester. Bootcamp sessions are not mandatory, but highly encouraged.

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 and 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

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 residing in the Republic of Ireland and employed in a private or commercial semi-state organisation registered in the Republic of Ireland (e.g., business, consultant, or freelancer) to avail of the grant-aided fees. As a government-funded training network, we can only support those meeting these criteria.

Applicants who do not meet the funding criteria may, in some cases, be able to apply and pay the full fee to NCI. This includes public sector employees, the unemployed, and those working in charitable organisations. For more information, please enquire, providing details of your current employment status and confirmation of meeting the academic requirements. You must reside in Ireland.

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.

Update/Notice (18 December 2024):
Applications have been extended to fill the last remaining places. Any applications submitted between 20 December and 6 January will be reviewed after our return on 6 January 2025.

Important: Please ensure all your documents are ready for the second stage of the process. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.

Application Process:

1. Initial Submission
   • Click the “Apply Now” button on this page and submit a copy of your CV for the first stage of funding screening.
   • Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet will respond with a form to confirm your details and provide additional course information.
2. Next Steps
   • At the next stage, you will receive the NCI portal link from ICT Skillnet to formally apply through the college.
   • You will then need to submit the following documents via the NCI portal:
     • 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.