About Data Science & Analytics (msc) in Cork Institute of Technology

The need for both data scientists and “data savvy” practitioners has been well-articulated in government policy documents, going back at least as far as the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012. Following on its very successful Higher Diploma Science in Data Science & Analytics, CIT now offers a conversion MSc programme in this area. This full-time MSc programme has been designed in collaboration with industry experts to address pressing skills shortage in the field of Data Science and Analytics.

The full-time MSc in Data Science & Analytics will run over three semesters, i.e. fifteen months.

In Semester 1, the learner acquires the necessary foundation in Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. From Semester 2, the specialisation into the “Big Data” space takes effect, and the learning experience is geared specifically for the realisation of Level 9 programme outcomes.

In Semester 3, the learner undertakes a 30 credit capstone project module, in which they apply the knowledge, skills and competences acquired in the taught modules to the research and development of a Data Science problem, and successfully complete the project in accordance with a project plan. 

The graduate of this MSc programme will be of high academic and practical standards, in order to match the needs of the Irish and international IT industry, especially in the “Big Data” space. 

Career

This course has been designed to address the skills shortage in Data Science and Analytics, by equipping graduates with the scientific, technological, business and interpersonal skills necessary to operate professionally in this rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field.

The graduate of this programme will be of high academic and practical standards, in order to match the needs of the Irish and international IT industry, especially in the “Big Data” space. He/she will be able to ally the transferable skills obtained in his/her Level 8 degree to newly acquired knowledge, skills and competences in Statistics & Mathematics, Computer Science and Data Science, and their application to solving real-life problems. Potential job opportunities not only include that of data scientist/analyst, but also skilled staff who will be required to extract actionable insight from large amounts of raw data in order to enable better decision making within an organisation.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Bachelor's degree (Honours) holders with a minimal overall first division result
• First Class BSc Science/Arts/Commerce three year degree (for MA Global Business Practice/MSc International Business course)

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS 6.5 overall (6.0 for Business programmes)
• IELTS 5.5 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)
• PTE 60 (63 for integrated programmes)
• PTE 55 in all four components (listening, reading, speaking and writing)