Study Data Science in Ireland

Data Science is a field of study that clubs the fields of mathematics, computer science, and statistics into the gathering and storing of data which has become a basic need of all industries. Understanding the importance of recognizing, reading, interpreting, and converting data has become essential knowledge that can impact industries at various levels. Candidates who learn this course will be able to find high-paying jobs within a lot of industries like banking, finance, health, etc.

Ireland is one of the best countries in the world for candidates to learn Data Science from owing to the growing need for Data Analysts and Data Scientists in the country. The job demand for these professions is supposed to increase exponentially especially considering how the job is one of the top 5 skills in the world with a scarcity of employees. The universities in Ireland that offer Data Science programs have adopted an industry-oriented approach to the course which makes the students perfect candidates in the job market especially due to the number of lab hours they spent during the course. Candidates will also be able to benefit from the job opportunities they will receive from within the country allowing them to stay rather than move to other countries seeking the perfect job.

Benefits of Studying Data Science in Ireland

Candidates who learn Data Science in Ireland will find that the country has the best opportunities with respect to careers in this field. The programs that are offered are tailor-made for the job requirements candidates will have to fulfill upon completion of the course. The extensive lab work that they are supposed to put in as part of the course will also become beneficial to them. A few of the benefits of studying Data Science in Ireland are-

• The programs that are offered under Data Science often club Data Analytics along with it which broadens the scope of employment for the candidate and also makes them acquainted with a closely related field.
• Though it is recommended that candidates take up master’s or doctoral programs in the field, taking this additional qualification ensures that the candidates will be paid the highest in the job market when compared to other professions of the same kind.
• While most countries offer an MSc program in Data Science with a duration of 2 years, Ireland offers candidates with postgraduation programs that have a duration of only 1 year thereby letting candidates get the degree without compromising on the content or quality of education.
• Ireland provides candidates with an additional 2 years of stay within the country if candidates take the post-study work permit thereby allowing them to find their dream job and continue their stay in the country without returning to their home country.
• The Data Science programs in Ireland are industry-oriented rather than theory-oriented making candidates understand and learn about work environments and their job descriptions before entering the job market. With this learning, they will be able to thrive within the corporate world without putting in the extra effort.
• Candidates who get into the top universities in Ireland for the Data Science program will be able to receive university-specific scholarships like the Maynooth University Scholarship and the UCD Scholarships which are available to even international students.

Eligibility Requirements for Data Science in Ireland

The eligibility requirements for Data Science programs vary from institution to institution and also according to the program the candidate is applying for. Candidates will also have to fulfill certain requirements if they are not from EU countries. Most often, universities require candidates to have a basic understanding of the subjects like mathematics, statistics, and computer science before applying for the course. A few of the general requirements that most institutions have for Data Science programs are-

• Educational Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• TOEFL/IELTS to prove language proficiency
• Proof of Irish Language Proficiency, if required
• A GPA above 6
• Minimum knowledge in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science

Duration of Data Science Programs in Ireland

The duration of Data Science programs is dependent on the level at which the candidate is doing the course. Candidates who are doing an undergraduate program will find that the BSc program has a duration of 4 years in all. The duration for an MSc program in Data Science ranges between 1 to 1.5 years depending on the university the candidate is enrolled in.

Cost of Data Science Programs in Ireland

The cost of a Data Science program in Ireland varies from university to university and according to the nationality of the candidate. Like most programs that are offered in the country, local and EU candidates will have a particular fee to pay which is relatively lower while non-EU candidates have to pay a higher amount as the tuition fee. The fee for postgraduate programs starts from €4,000 for EU candidates whereas it starts from €10,000 for non-EU candidates. Top universities have a tuition fee that starts from €15,000 for non-EU candidates. The fee range for the top universities is estimated to be within the range of €15,000 to €25,000 per year.

BSc in Data Science

An undergraduate program in Data Science has a duration of 4 years in Ireland and deals with the fields of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Candidates will have to learn about the basics of programming, cloud technologies, data mining, machine learning, etc. Most programs that are offered within the country expect candidates to have a basic understanding of the sciences, and mathematics along with a high proficiency level in Irish or English depending on the university. The learning is not restricted to lectures and seminars but demands a certain number of lab hours the candidates will have to commit to.

MSc in Data Science

A postgraduate program in Data Science provides an advanced level of learning that delves deeper into the fields of computer science and mathematics, requiring candidates to understand data and its nuances better. The common subjects that candidates will have to learn during this program include data analytics, research methods, security and privacy, statistical modeling, mathematical modeling, data mining, deep learning, machine learning, etc. Most programs will offer elective courses that candidates can choose from. MSc programs will also include intensive lab work and candidates will also have to submit a dissertation as part of the course. The duration of the course ranges between 1 to 1.5 years.

Top Universities for Data Science in Ireland

A few of the top institutions offering Data Science programs are-

• University of Cork
• Dublin City University
• Maynooth University
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin
• National University of Ireland Galway
• Cork Institute of Technology

Top Data Science Programs in Ireland

A few of the top Data Science programs offered in Ireland are-

MSc in Data Science and Analytics- University of Cork

This program is offered by the College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science and is a 1-year full-time program that is provided for both domestic and international students. The program is offered together by the School of Computer Science and Information Technology along with the Department of Statistics since it combines subjects from these different fields of study. Candidates will be learning about subjects like data mining, deep learning, the foundation of statistical data analytics, database technology, and relational databases. Candidates will also have the option of taking elective modules like optimization, artificial intelligence, operations research, stochastic decision science, etc.

The fee for EU candidates is €7,130 per year and the fee for non-EU candidates is €18,130.

BSc in Data Science- Dublin City University

This program is offered at an undergraduate level and has a duration of 4 years in all if candidates choose a full-time mode of study. Candidates are required to have a basic background in subjects like mathematics and statistics in order to apply for the program. They will be learning mathematics, programming, cloud technologies, and machine learning as part of the course. The subjects that candidates will learn as part of the course include computing programming, databases, linear mathematics, probability, calculus, and its application, application domains, advanced machine learning, etc.

The fee for EU candidates is around €6,679 per year and the fee for non-EU is €15,000 per year.

MSc in Data Science and Analytics- Maynooth University

This program has a duration of 1 year and is provided by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics along with the Department of Computer Science and the National Centre for Geo-computation. Candidates will be learning about programming, statistics, and databases along with subjects like machine learning. The program also contains sections like the Case Study and Project module where candidates will be able to learn about the practical side of the course. Candidates will be made familiar with report writing, presentations, and teamwork which will all be essential skills for them when they enter the work field.

The fee for EU candidates is €6,750 per year and the fee for non-EU candidates is €15,000 per year.

MSc in Computer Science-Data Science Specialization- Trinity College Dublin

This program is offered as a postgraduate program in computer science but the specialization of Data Science that is offered is well-acclaimed along with the other specializations like Intelligent Systems, Augmented & Virtual Reality, and Future Networked Systems offer. The duration of the courses is 1 year. Candidates will be dealing with subjects like machine learning, data mining, optimization algorithms, security, and privacy, etc. during the first term after which they will be able to take up the specialization in Data Science. Here, they will be focusing on subjects like advanced statistics, cloud computing, IoT, etc. Candidates are also required to complete a dissertation as part of the course.

The fee for EU candidates is €8,217 and the fee for non-EU students is €24,669.

MSc Data and Computational Science- University College Dublin

This program is offered with a duration of 1 year and is a combination of the fields of mathematics and statistics along with computational science. Candidates will be learning about mathematical modeling, data analytics, scientific computing, C and Fortran programming, parallel computing, linear models, data programming, multivariate analysis, Bayesian analysis, etc. Candidates will also have the option of taking electives like cryptography, coding theory, advanced fluid mechanics, weather and climate, and financial mathematics.

The fee for EU students is €8,045 and the fee for non-EU students is €19,825.

MSc in Computer Science (Data Analytics)-NUI, Galway

This program is offered by the College of Science and Engineering under the School of Computer Science and has a duration of 1 year. It is a full-time course with an average intake of 50 students in all. Candidates will be learning core modules like data analytics, natural language processing, machine learning, deep learning, data mining, data visualization, information retrieval, and the like. They will also have optional modules like statistics, probability, advanced natural language processing, system modeling, embedded image processing, etc.

The fee for EU candidates is €7,466 per year and the fee for non-EU candidates is €23,666 per year.

MSc in Data Science and Analytics- Cork Institute of Technology

This program has a duration of 1.5 years with 3 semesters in all. It is a full-time program that deals with the fields of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. The subjects that candidates will learn during the course include mathematical methods and modeling, data science and analytics, data management systems, unstructured data and visualization, analytical and scientific programming, and applied statistics and probability. Candidates will also be able to learn statistical data analysis, data visualization and analytics, distributed data management, applied machine learning, etc.

The fee for EU candidates is €6,500.

Career Options for Data Science Graduates in Ireland

Ireland is one of the countries that offer the best Data Science programs for both domestic and international candidates. The programs cater to the building job demand in the field due to the necessity of managing data in every firm. It is preferred that candidates have a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in the field in order to fulfill the job requirements that top companies hold. Candidates will be able to work in sectors like banking, finance, education, online business, etc., and will generally require a background in mathematics.

A few of the career options candidates will have after completing the program are-

• Data Science Expert
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Technical Product Manager
• Big Data Architect
• IT Operations Manager
• Data Analytics Consultant