Data Science & Analytics

Course Outline

Our MSc in Data Science & Analytics, jointly offered by the School of Computer Science and Information Technology and the Department of Statistics, provides an education in the key principles of this rapidly expanding area. The combination of sophisticated computing and statistics modules will develop your skills in database management, programming, summarisation, modelling, data visualisation, and interpretation of data. The programme provides graduates with an opportunity, through the development of a research project, to investigate the more applied elements of the disciplines.



Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

Students who pass each of the taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence.

Students must attain 90 credits through a combination of core modules (30 credits), elective modules (30 credits) and a dissertation (30 credits).



PART I (60 credits)

Core Modules (30 credits)

CS6405 Datamining (5 credits)

CS6421 Deep Learning (5 credits)

ST6030 Foundations of Statistical Data Analytics (10 credits)

ST6033 Generalised Linear Modelling Techniques (5 credits)



Database Modules

Students who have adequate database experience take:

CS6408 Database Technology (5 credits)



Students who have not studied databases take:

CS6503 Introduction to Relational Databases (5 credits)



Elective Modules (30 credits)

Students must take at least 10 credits of CS (Computer Science) modules and at least 10 credits of ST (Statistics) modules from those listed below:



CS6322 Optimisation (5 credits)

CS6409 Information Storage and Retrieval (5 credits)

CS6420 Topics in Artificial Intelligence (5 credits) Semester 1

CS6426 Data Visualization for Analytics Applications (5 credits)

ST6034 Multivariate Methods for Data Analysis (10 credits)

ST6035 Operations Research (5 credits)

ST6036 Stochastic Decision Science (5 credits)

ST6040 Machine Learning and Statistical Analytics I (5 credits)

ST6041 Machine Learning and Statistical Analytics II (5 credits)



Programming Modules

Students who have adequate programming experience take:

CS6422 Complex Systems Development (5 credits)

CS6423 Scalable Computing for Data Analytics (5 credits)



Students who have not studied programming take:

CS6506 Programming in Python (5 credits)

CS6507 Programming in Python with Data Science Applications (5 credits)



All selections are subject to the approval of the programme coordinator.



PART II (30 credits)

CS6500 Dissertation in Data Analytics (30 credits) or

ST6090 Dissertation in Data Analytics (30 credits)

Candidates must have:

1. Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in computer science or mathematical sciences or



2. Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) with a strong numerate content (e.g. engineering, finance, physics, biosciences or economics). In such cases, the programme team must be satisfied that the numerate content is sufficient for entry to the programme and that applicants have an aggregate grade of a Second Class Honours Grade II in appropriate modules.



Applicants who do not meet the above standard entry requirements will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they have an undergraduate degree (NFQ, Level 8) and a minimum of 5 years of verifiable relevant industrial experience.



Applicants who do not have a primary degree will only be considered with a minimum of 10 years of verifiable relevant industrial experience.



Candidates from Grandes Écoles Colleges are also eligible to apply if they are studying a cognate discipline in an ENSEA or EFREI Graduate School and are eligible to enter the final year (M2) of their programme.



Shortlisted applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements will be invited for an interview.



International Applicants

To be considered for an offer, you must provide all the required documents at the time of application:



1. If you are required to present an English language proficiency test, then you must present the certificate that meets the entry requirements at the time of submission for the application to be considered. Applications without a valid English certification will be automatically refused.



2. Check the entry requirements: You must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



3. Only then start the application by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button at the end of the page.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 year Full Time

Start Date 7 September 2026

Our MSc programme aims to prepare students to manage, analyse and interpret large heterogeneous data sources. Our graduates will design, compare and select appropriate data analytic techniques, using software tools for data storage/management and analysis, machine learning, as well as probabilistic and statistical methods. Such abilities are at the core of companies that constantly face the need to deal with large data sets.



Companies currently seeking graduates with data analytics skills include: firms specialising in analytics, financial services and consulting, or governmental agencies.



Companies actively recruiting our graduates:



Accenture, Aer Lingus, Agility M3, Allied Irish Banks, Altada Technology Solutions Ltd, Amazon, Apple, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bank of Ireland, BT, Central Statistics Office, Cisco, CiTi-Technology, Clearstream, Cloudreach, Dell EMC, Deloitte, Deutche Bank, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Ernst & Young, Ervia, Facebook, First Derivatives, Google, Guidewire, Intel, IBM, Janssen, KPMG, Logitech, Microsoft, Open Text, Paddy Power, Pfizer, Pilz, PWC, SAP Galway, Screendragon, Transverse Technologies, Trend Micro, Tyco, Uniwink, Verizon Connect, Snipp Interactive, Version 1 (Software), Virgin One, VMware and more.



Starting Salaries:



Salaries for this sector are in general higher than many other industries. Consult the Brightwater Salary Survey for information on salaries at https://www.brightwater.ie/salary-survey/