Course Summary
This is a highly technical programme that is aimed at those who already are mathematically strong, and clearly able to demonstrate a strong technical proficiency with respect to advanced programming techniques.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Prior Qualification: This MSc is targeted at high-performing graduates of Level 8 computer science programmes, or Level 8 science/engineering programmes that offer sufficient training in computing. The minimum academic requirement for entry to the programme is a First Class Honours (or equivalent) from a recognised university or third-level college. However, a good Second Class Honours (or equivalent) can be deemed sufficient on the recommendation of the programme director.
English Language Proficiency: Overall, entry to the MSc requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6.5 in the writing ability category and no less than 6.0 in the other categories.
Application Details
WHEN TO APPLY: University of Galway does not set a deadline for receipt of applications (with some exceptions). Offers will be issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Next start date September 2024
Fees
€8,640 full-time; €4,355 part-time (including levy) p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€8,500 full-time; €4,250 part-time p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 full-time; €105 part-time p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 p.a. including levy) 2024/25
SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
Data analytics skills are required in every industry. Graduates will be excellently qualified to pursue exciting careers in national and multinational industries in a wide range of areas. Our graduates currently work for companies as diverse as IBM, SAP, Cisco, Avaya, Google, Fujitsu, Accenture, Paddypower.com, Merck Pharmaceuticals as well as many specialised companies and start-ups.
Opportunities include:
The development of innovative new services and products based on data analytics
The development of new types of data analysis services and solutions
The creation of leading-edge start-ups that provide analytics solutions and products.
PhD-level research in University of Galway, elsewhere in Ireland, or abroad
A career in Data Analytics?
Accenture, Gartner and McKinsey have all identified Data Analytics as one of the fastest growing employment areas in computing and one most likely to make an impact in the future.
The Irish Government’s policy is for Ireland to become a leading country in Europe for big data and analytics, which would result in 21,000 potential new employment opportunities in Ireland alone.
CNN has listed jobs in this area in their Top 10 best new jobs in America.
Further Education
This is a distinctive programme that is closely aligned to the research and teaching expertise of the School of Computer Science and the Digital Science Institute in University of Galway.
Graduates of this programme are waived a year from their studies on the University of Galway Structured PhD Programme in Computer Science to reflect their completion of advanced computing modules through the MSc Data Analytics.
Demand for graduates from this programme in industry is very strong both locally, nationally and internationally.
Due to the nature of this programme, it is seen as the almost perfect preparation and route into a PhD in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence or Data Analytics/Science. Graduates from this programme have been hugely successful in pursuing highly prestigious and competitive PhD Scholarships as a result of their MSc Data Analytics qualifications. Many of these graduates can then pursue careers in research and development, academia and a host of consulting and leading industry roles.