About Data Science And Analytics (msc) in University College Cork

The MSc in Data Science & Analytics, jointly offered by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Statistics, provides an education in the key principles of this rapidly expanding area. The combination of sophisticated computing and statistics modules will develop skills in database management, programming, summarisation, modelling and interpretation of data. The programme provides graduates with an opportunity, through development of a research project, to investigate the more applied elements of the disciplines.

Students must attain 90 credits through a combination of core modules (30 credits), elective modules (30 credits) and a dissertation (30 credits). 

The MSc in Data Science and Analytics is a significant collaboration between the Departments of Computer Science and Statistics; designed to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge required to help companies and public bodies deal with ever increasing and complex data.  The programme emphasises the application of Computer Science and Statistics methodologies helping transform data into useful information that can support decision making.  Check out our blog to find out what our graduates have to say about the course at: http://csblog.ucc.ie

Skills and Careers Information

This programme aims to prepare students to manage, analyse and interpret large heterogeneous data sources.  Graduates will design, compare and select appropriate data analytic techniques, using software tools for data storage/management and analysis, machine learning, as well as probabilistic and statistical methods. Such abilities are at the core of companies that constantly face the need to deal with large data sets.

Companies currently seeking graduates with data analytics skills include: firms specialising in analytics, financial services and consulting, or governmental agencies.

Companies actively recruiting Computer Science graduates in 2017-18 include: 

Accenture, Aer Lingus, Amazon, Apple, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bank of Ireland, BT, Cisco, CiTi-Technology, Cloudreach, Dell, Digital Turbine Asia Pacific, Dell EMC, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, First Derivatives, Guidewire, IBM, Intel, Open Text, Paddy Power, Pilz, PWC, SAP Galway Transverse Technologies, Trend Micro, Uniwink, Version 1 (Software), VMware.

Starting Salaries

There is an increasing demand for graduates that can collate, interpret, manage and store large volumes of data.  Graduates can be employed as analysts, database administrators, data warehouse consultants, business intelligent consultants to name but a few.  Employment agencies report typical salaries ranging from €50,000-80,000 depending on industry and experience.

Salaries are in general higher than many other industries.  The following link provides details of the  Brightwater Salary Survey 2018.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
  • PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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