Law Data & Artificial Intelligence

This master’s degree offers a unique mix of law and computing modules in a highly internationalised learning environment creating experts in data protection, governance, cyber security, law and ethics of AI. Students also benefit from multilingual learning related to English and one other European language (French or Spanish). This combination of skills is highly sought after by international organisations, tech companies, the legal sector and European and global institutions.

Industry and partner support
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) is an international interdisciplinary programme offered by four Partner Universities, supported by three Research Associate Partners, and involving more than 70 public and private organisations in the delivery of work placements, seminars, thematic weeks and summer schools. EMILDAI is funded by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme of the European Union.

This master’s degree has been developed as a response to the legal, technical and ethical challenges of digitisation. It aims to educate the leaders who will achieve the goals of the EU Digital Compass.

Study abroad and work placements
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) comprises a two-year fully integrated study curriculum, including:
• up to three mobility periods
• work placements
• language courses
• summer schools
• networking opportunities

Two study streams
This fully interdisciplinary programme is divided into two study streams, Law and Computing, and offers two areas of specialisation, Data Governance and Cybersecurity.

International student experience
This master’s degree aims to attract excellent students worldwide, thanks to the offer of an internationally recognised joint degree, monthly scholarships, world-class support services, and by paying due attention to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion with regard to all students, in particular those with fewer opportunities. EMILDAI promotes research-led teaching and staff mobility in order to support collaborative research, funding bids, and establish a network of excellence in the field of law, data and AI. The programme offers a vibrant teaching and learning environment, ultimately enhancing the level of internationalisation and competitiveness of the partner universities.

The four partner universities delivering the EMILDAI programme are:
• Dublin City University
• Avignon Université
• Universidad de León
• Università di Pisa

Programme
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) offers a highly integrated, multilingual and interdisciplinary curriculum, which is articulated into two years (120 ECTS). EMILDAI students will receive a joint master’s degree awarded by the partner universities they attend (joint degree ‘per track’). Students are required to know at least two languages: either English and French or English and Spanish.

Students are divided into two Study Streams: Law and Computing, depending on the student’s disciplinary background and professional experience.

Year 1 aims to offer students a comprehensive introduction to the core themes related to law, data and AI. Students of both streams will spend semester 1 and 2 at DCU completing an ‘Introduction to Law, Data and AI’.

Year 2 aims to provide students with a specialisation in the fields of data governance, cybersecurity and AI law and ethics.

Law Stream students will specialise in either:
• data governance at Avignon Université (Study Track A, taught in French)

• or cybersecurity at Universidad de León (Study Track B, taught in Spanish) in semester 3,

• In semester 4 (taught in English), Track A and B, will gain an in-depth understanding of AI Law and Ethics at Università di Pisa.

Computing Stream students will spend both semester 3 and 4 specialising in either:

• data governance at Avignon Université (Study Track A, taught in French)

• or cybersecurity at Universidad de León (Study Track B, taught in Spanish).

Students are divided into two Study Streams: Law and Computing, depending on the student’s disciplinary background and professional experience. EMILDAI’s programme and curriculum design supports the learning outcomes of the programme, which include subject-specific, practical, intellectual, and transferable skills.

In Year 1, students of both streams will spend semester 1 and 2 at DCU completing an ‘Introduction to Law, Data and AI’. In Year 2, Law Stream students will specialise in either data governance at Avignon Université (Study Track A, taught in French) or cybersecurity at Universidad de León (Study Track B, taught in Spanish) in semester 3, and will gain an in-depth understanding of AI Law and Ethics at Università di Pisa in semester 4. In Year 2, Computing Stream students will spend both semester 3 and 4 specialising in either data governance at Avignon Université (Study Track A, taught in French) or cybersecurity at Universidad de León (Study Track B, taught in Spanish).

View additional information on https://emildai.eu/programme/structure/

Requirements
All entry requirements should be met at the time of the application.

All EMILDAI students should possess 1) a relevant degree and 2) an appropriate language proficiency level in English and either French or Spanish. If you have doubt on any of the following please visit the programme website www.emildai.eu or contact us at info-emildai@dcu.ie.

Relevant degree:
• Computing stream students: Applicants must have a H2.2 Undergraduate Honours degree or equivalent qualification in Computer Science, Computing, Computer applications or a related discipline. Candidates with significant experience in the software development sector in addition to an Honours primary degree in some other discipline, may also be considered for entry in accordance with DCU’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

• Law stream students: Applicants must have achieved a H2.1 Undergraduate Honours degree or equivalent qualification in law or other degree which includes law as a significant component. Candidates with significant experience in the legal and policy sector in addition to an Honours primary degree in some other discipline, may also be considered for entry in accordance with DCU’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. In that case, students will have to satisfy the specific entry requirements established by the University of Pisa for students without a law degree.

Data Governance Track (France): Applicants spending part of the second year at Avignon Université, who are non-native speakers of French, should demonstrate that they possess at least a level C1 CEFR French language proficiency certificate or proof of equivalent experience (e.g. a previous degree taught in French).

Cybersecurity Track (Spain): Applicants spending part of the second year at the Universidad de León (Spain), who are non-native speakers of Spanish, should demonstrate that they possess an appropriate level of Spanish language proficiency (e.g. a Spanish language proficiency certificate or a previous degree taught in Spanish).

Language level:
All students: International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Application Key Dates
Applications for the 2024-2026 edition of EMLDAI are now open.

Applications for scholarships and fee waivers will close on 19th January 2024.
Applications for self-funded places will close on 31st May 2024.

All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Note: Applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.

All entry requirements and supplementary documents must be provided at application to be considered for a place on this programme.

Queries
Queries from EU and non-EU applicants should be directed to info-emildai@dcu.ie

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal. Additional information is available on www.emildai.eu.

When starting your application, DCU will email you a single-use voucher to waive the application fee. Please do not submit your application until you receive this voucher code.

Applicants will be required to provide the following information/documents:
• A scanned copy of your passport.

• Electronic copy of the diplomas and academic transcripts of your qualifying undergraduate degree (if the degree is not in English a certified translation in English will be required)

• If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml

• Evidence of language competence in French or Spanish, depending on which Study Track you are applying to (please see below)

• A 500 – 750 word personal statement including: an explanation of why you wish to undertake the EMILDAI programme; an analysis of what in your record and experience makes you suitable for the EMILDAI programme; an illustration of the impact which you expect EMILDAI to have on your future careers

• Email addresses of two referees (referees will be contacted via email and asked to provide a reference letter).

Evidence of language competencies
English:
• If you are a native English speaker, you can tick the relevant box in the application portal and you will not need to submit any proof of language competence.
• If you have completed a degree through the medium of English, you can select this option in the drop-down menu on the application portal, and upload as a supplemental item a copy of your study certificate stating that the language of study was English.
• If you are not a native English speaker and you didn’t complete a degree in English, you must attach as a supplemental item to your application a language certificate awarded within two years prior to the start date of your DCU programme. Please see here the language certificates accepted by DCU.

French:
• If you are a native French speaker, you must upload a Microsoft Word document as a supplemental item to your application stating that your native language is French. This might be checked by academic reviewers through a language interview.
• If you have completed a degree through the medium of French, you must upload as a supplemental item to your application an original copy of your study certificate in French.
• If you are not a native French speaker and you didn’t complete a degree in French, you must attach as a supplemental item to your application a level C1 CEFR French language proficiency certificate including an assessment of writing, listening and speaking skills.

Spanish:
• If you are native Spanish speaker, you must upload a Microsoft Word document as a supplemental item to your application stating that your native language is Spanish. This might be checked by academic reviewers through a language interview.
• If you have completed a degree through the medium of Spanish, you must upload as a supplemental item to your application an original copy of your study certificate in Spanish.
• If you are not a native Spanish speaker and you didn’t complete a degree in Spanish, you must attach as a supplemental item to your application a Spanish language proficiency certificate including an assessment of writing, listening and speaking skills.
• If you are not a native Spanish speaker and you didn’t complete a degree in Spanish, you must attach as a supplemental item to your application including either a Spanish language proficiency certificate (all levels are accepted but it is recommended to have at least a B1 level certificate) or an explanation of how you know Spanish. In both cases the student selection committee reserves the right to interview applicants to verify their level of language proficiency.

2 years Full-time.

The programme commences in September 2024

Careers
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) will attract both recent undergraduates and those already established in their careers. 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 national data protection authorities, health authorities, ministries, military corps and universities. Others may gravitate toward the private sector as many large firms, working across a range of services, continue to expand their privacy, data protection, AI and cybersecurity 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 on GDPR
• Data protection officer
• Privacy engineer
• Professional advisor on data governance and best practice models
• IT consultant
• Researcher
• Compliance professional
• Data Analyst
• AI specialist
• Cybersecurity expert