Program Overview

Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Data Analytics

Course Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Data Analytics is a one-year course designed to produce technically competent, innovative graduates who will become leading practitioners in the field of data analytics. Upon completion, graduates will be able to conduct independent research and analysis, demonstrate expert knowledge of data analysis and statistics, and critically assess and evaluate business and technical strategies for data analytics.

Course Details

• Duration: 1 year
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Brochure: Available for download

Course Description

The course is designed to accommodate those with specific interests in data analytics, whether technically focused or business-focused. All learners will gain exposure to pertinent legal issues and ethical issues associated with the data analytics field. Students will gain exposure to product commercialization issues associated with data analytics and will be delivered by faculty and practitioners using academic research, industry-defined practical problems, and case studies.

Career Prospects

This course is designed to meet the ever-growing need for deep skills in Big Data/Analytics to fill a skills shortage in Ireland. Companies that have hired graduates from this course include DTSQUARED, Valeo, ESB, SectoGMC, TedCastles Oil Products, Fidelity Investments, MetLife Production, Pernod Ricard, DXC Technology, and Deloitte.

Who is the Course For?

This course is for graduates who have substantial technical, especially programming, and mathematical/statistical skills. Graduates from non-STEM disciplines that have not developed these skills will need to demonstrate an aptitude for technical (programming) and mathematical problem-solving.

Award and Progression

Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Data Analytics are awarded an NFQ Level 9 qualification. Students can optionally complete the additional 30 credits required to upgrade their qualification to the MSc in Data Analytics.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are normally required to hold a minimum of a level 8 honors qualification (2.2 or higher) or equivalent on the NFQ in a cognate discipline.
• Candidates will be required to demonstrate technical or mathematical problem-solving in previous learning.
• Graduates from programs without embedded technical or mathematical problem-solving will need to demonstrate these skills in addition to level 8 qualifications.
• All applicants must evidence prior programming experience.

Laptop Requirements

National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. The recommended laptop configuration includes:

• Processor: Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 / i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 / 7, or AMD 5000 Series or newer, Ryzen 3 / 5 / 7
• Random Access Memory (RAM): 16GB or greater
• Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater
• Wireless Card: 802.11 n/ac/ax capability
• Recommended Operating Systems: Windows 11, later versions of MAC OS

Course Content

Semester 1

• Statistics and Optimization
• Analytics Programming and Data Visualization
• Data Governance, Ethics, and Sustainability
• Career Bridge

Semester 2

• Data Mining and Machine Learning
• Business Intelligence and Business Analytics

Semester 3

• Deep Learning and Generative AI
• Modelling and Simulation (Elective Module)
• Data Intensive Scalable Systems (Elective Module)
• Domain Applications (Elective Module)

Course Assessment

The course will be assessed with a blend of project work and exams, typically 50% continuous assessment and 50% exam.

Course Delivery

This is an online learning course featuring Directed E-Learning activities such as live online classroom sessions and tutorials/videos on the College's e-learning system.

Indicative Schedule

• Tuesday and Thursday, 18:00 - 22:00
• Four hours of self-paced learning per week on NCI's Learning Platform

Duration

1 Year, 3 semesters: January to May, May to August, and September to December.

Course Fee

The fee for this course is €6,500 (fees revised annually).