Statistics

Course Outline
The Higher Diploma in Statistics course is designed for graduates whose degrees have substantial mathematical content, and who want to develop their expertise in the application of statistical methods and broaden their career opportunities. The course may also be taken as a foundation for entry into the MSc Degree in Statistics. The course may be taken over one year (full time) or two years (part-time).

There is a continuing demand by employers for numerate graduates. There are many new opportunities in commerce, government, industry, medicine and research for graduates who have added to their first degree with the training in quantitative and computing skills provided by the Higher Diploma in Statistics.

The Higher Diploma in Statistics consists of coursework divided into nine core modules. These modules are a blend of theoretical and applied statistics.

Why Choose This Course
This course provides you with a thorough theoretical grounding in statistics as well as a giving you practical experience of analysing real data.

Modules (60 credits)
Probability and Mathematical Statistics (10 credits)
Statistical Theory (10 credits)
Introduction to Regression Analysis (5 credits)
Data Analysis I (5 credits)
Generalised Linear Models (5 credits)
Time Series (5 credits)
Survival Analysis (5 credits)
Current Topics in Statistics I (5 credits)
Statistical Consulting (10 credits)

The applied modules also equip you with advanced practical software-oriented skills in popular statistical software packages such as R, SAS and SPSS.

Students taking the part-time option take 25 credits in year 1 and the remaining 35 credits in year 2.

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Requirements
Applicants for this programme should normally have obtained at least Second Class Honours in a primary degree which included a substantial component of Mathematics or mathematically-based material.

Applications will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) from:

(i) BA or BSc (General) graduates who have graduated with commendation and have Mathematics as a degree subject;

(ii) BA or BSc Graduates with Third Class Honours in an appropriate area;

(iii) Other graduates whose degree programme included a substantial component of Mathematics or mathematically-based material, and who have at least two years' experience in the application of Statistical methods.

This programme is not open to graduates who have taken honours Statistics as a degree subject.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please 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.

For more information please contact the International Office.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Note: Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June.

Assessment

Five modules (30 credits) are examined exclusively by continuous assessment. The remaining four modules (30 credits) are examined by both continuous assessment (worth 20% of the module mark) and end-of-year written examinations (worth 80% of the module mark).

The continuous assessments can be written home-work, computer practical assignments, in-class tests, written data analysis reports or computer practical examinations.

1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years

Skills and Careers Information
The course offers you the opportunity for further study at master's degree level or employment in areas such as medical research, the pharmaceutical industry, government departments/agencies, sales and marketing research, finance and banking, the insurance industry and software development and support.