Program Overview

BSc (Honours) in Data Science

Course Overview

• Description: BSc (Honours) in Data Science
• Duration: 4 years
• NFQ Level: Level 8
• CAO Course Code: NC025
• Location: IFSC Campus
• Start Date: 14/09/2026

NCI's BSc (Honours) in Data Science is designed to provide students with practical knowledge of how data science can address real problems and facilitate business decisions based on evidence. The program aims to tackle the shortage of qualified data science professionals both in Ireland and internationally, thus promising exceptional job prospects for its graduates.

Course Structure and Content

Year 1

• Semester 1
  • Computational Thinking
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Programming Concepts
  • Introduction to Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
  • Web Design & Development
• Semester 2
  • Computer Architecture
  • Introduction to Data Modelling & Databases
  • The Computing Industry
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Operating Systems

Year 2

• Semester 1
  • Advanced Databases
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Data Programming
  • Web Application Development
  • Statistics I
• Semester 2
  • Innovation & Business Entrepreneurship
  • Data Mining & Machine Learning
  • Data Visualisation
  • Linear Algebra
  • Statistics II

Year 3

• Semester 1
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Advanced Machine Learning
  • Data Architecture
  • Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence
  • Scalable Data Analytics
• Semester 2 (choose one option)
  • Work Placement
  • Academic Internship
  • Service Learning
  • International Exchange

Year 4

• Semester 1
  • Final Year Project
  • Governance, Ethics, Security & Sustainability
  • Neural Networks & Prescriptive Analytics
  • Text Analytics & Natural Language Processing
• Semester 2
  • Final Year Project
  • Applied Deep Learning
  • IoT Real Time Analytics
  • Time Series & Financial Analytics

Electives may include prerequisites and are subject to change based on availability and class sizes.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the BSc (Honours) in Data Science are well-prepared to assume roles such as:

• Data Scientist
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Customer Insight Lead
• Risk Analyst
• Knowledge Engineer
• Data Programmer

The program's strong industry connections allow students to undertake work placements in renowned companies, enhancing their employability and practical experience.

Further Study Options

Successful graduates may pursue a variety of postgraduate opportunities at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications, including:

• MSc in Data Analytics
• MSc in Cybersecurity
• MSc in Cloud Computing
• MSc in Fintech
• MSc in Artificial Intelligence

Minimum Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a grade H5 or above in two higher-level subjects.
• A minimum of O6/H7 in four other subjects.
• A minimum grade of O4/H7 in Mathematics.
• A minimum grade of O6/H7 in English or Irish.
• Applicants holding QQI Level 6 Software Development awards may be eligible for advanced entry to year 2 of this programme.

Laptop Requirements

Students are expected to participate in courses using a portable computer with recommended specifications, including:

• Processor: Intel 11th Gen or newer (Core i3/i5/i7) or AMD 5000 Series or newer
• RAM: 16GB or greater
• Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive) of 256GB or greater
• Wireless Card: Capability of 802.11 n/ac/ax
• Recommended Operating Systems: Windows 11 or a later version of MAC OS

Additional Information

This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and the Student Grant Scheme. Information regarding international students, fees, and funding can be obtained separately but will align with the overarching aspirations of this course and institution.

Conclusion

The BSc (Honours) in Data Science at National College of Ireland cultivates a blend of academic knowledge and real-world experience, placing its graduates in a position of strength in the burgeoning field of data science.