Ireland is one of the top European countries for pursuing data science courses. The competition for studying data science in Ireland is quite high. This makes it all the more important for applicants to prepare well.
The demand for talented data science graduates has soared in recent years, making data science one of the most prominent study options in Ireland. The education system offers a robust and promising field for pursuing data science courses in Ireland with world-class facilities, research, and faculties. The popularity of masters in data science in Ireland is immense among students with STEM backgrounds from all over the world.
Below is a comprehensive guide to top universities, cost of studying, eligibility, admission requirements, and application processes for studying data science in Ireland.
Over the past few years, Ireland has emerged in the field of data science and analytics. According to the Times Higher Education 2024 rankings, seven universities in Ireland are ranked amongst the top 20 for masters in data science.
If you are contemplating pursuing MSc in data science in Ireland and looking for crisp information about MS in Data Science, then mentioned below is a table that gives a brief overview of the course:
Course
MS in Data Science in Ireland
Duration
Offered as a full-time course as a 1, 1.5 and 2-year program
Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in streams like engineering, science or commerce with a percentage, not less than 60%;
Tuition fees
8,000 USD- 25,000 USD per year
Exam
Cycle
Semester
Admission process
IELTS: 6.5 overall with no sectional score less than 6;
Top Universities in Ireland for MS in data science courses
Eight Irish universities have found their place in QS World University Rankings 2024. Both public and private universities offer masters in data science in Ireland. The Irish universities in the latest QS World University Rankings are:
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
University College Dublin (UCD)
The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
University College Cork (UCC)
Dublin City University (DCU)
University of Limerick (UL)
Maynooth University
The Technological University of Dublin.
The universities are ranked globally and offer degrees that are accepted worldwide. Some Irish universities have also partnered with some of the top global brands and IT tech giants for the best-salaried employment opportunities.
Find below a list of all the top-ranked Universities for data science in Ireland along with course duration, fees, and programs.
Ireland has 8 universities placed in QS World University Rankings 2024 and all of them offer data science courses.
After completion of the data science program, international students are offered 2 years of work permits.
The job market for data science graduates in Ireland is very lucrative. As per a recent report, there will be more than 21,000 jobs in data science in Ireland by 2022.
The average course duration is just 1 to 1.5 years. It is an industry-oriented degree, therefore, the chances of employment are high.
Ireland hosts some of the top employers like Google, Meta, Pfizer, Apple, to name a few. Data science students have the opportunity to take advantage of such a vibrant business environment.
Ireland is an English-speaking country that makes it easy for international students to settle down.
Ireland has a huge scope for academic funding. Students can opt for loans, scholarships, grants, and bursaries. The country offers a postgraduate scholarship program of 1,500,000 Euros (INR 12,62,05,711) for meritorious Indian students.
Irish universities allow students to research innovative ideas by teaming up with faculty members, attending live projects, internships, and research assistant opportunities.
Ireland also has a flexible education system. International students are trained as per the course curriculum and industry standards.
Education for international students in Ireland is affordable as compared to other European countries. This makes it a popular study abroad destination for international students opting for MS in data science programs.
The below-listed data science programs are also offered apart from MS in data science in Ireland:
Business Analytics
Big Data
Data Analytics
Computer Science
Cyber Security
Cloud Computing
Digital Marketing
Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Cost of Data Science Courses in Ireland for Indian Students
Ireland is a dream study destination for Indian students. The average tuition cost for data science courses in Ireland ranges between INR 5,95,417 and INR 18,60,680. The annual cost of studying data science in Ireland is cheaper in comparison to most other European countries.
Ireland universities offer world-class and value-based data science programs. However, the admission requirements are high for the top universities in Ireland for MS in data science. The eligibility criteria and requirements vary, but some common criteria need to be fulfilled to get admission to Irish universities.
English language proficiency test scores of IELTS or TOEFL. Ireland is an English-speaking country where the medium of studying and communication is English. Non-native English-speaking students must take an English language proficiency test and do well in it. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 6 or 6.5.
Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an important admission requirement. International students need to submit a statement of purpose document stating their goals, purpose of studying in Ireland, reasons for choosing a particular university, career goals, etc.
Students have to submit at least 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from past employers or faculty members.
Test scores of standardized examinations like GRE and GMAT. Some universities waive the GRE requirement for students with work experience.
Documentation for academic history, extra-curricular activities, and employment.
16 years of education without any study gaps is important. There should not be any study gaps in 10+2+4 years of continuous study.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, and engineering with a score of 60% and above is important for data science courses.
Step 1: International students need to choose a particular course or discipline that they want to study. They then need to check the universities that offer the specialization.
Step 2: Every university has a deadline. Check the official website for the deadlines. International students need to apply online before the last date of application. Applications can also be submitted via the postgraduate application centre (PAC).
Step 3: Students need to arrange all the important documents like SOP, LOR, transcripts, language test scores, and scores on GMAT and GRE. These need to be scanned and uploaded to the postgraduate application centre, and PAC website along with the filled application form.
Some of the popular scholarships offered to international students by various universities in Ireland are listed below:
Name of the Scholarship
University
Scholarship Award
Max Arthur Macauliffe Special Merit Scholarship
National University of Ireland
Full Tuition fee waiver
Maynooth University Scholarships
Maynooth University
1,200-3,440 USD per year
UCD Scholarships
University College Dublin
50% Tuition
Fee Waiver
Centenary Scholarship Program
Dublin Institute of Technology
50% Tuition
Fee Waiver
Data Science Scope in Ireland
The scope of a data science degree from an Irish university is abundant. On average, a data science student earns around INR 30 lakh initially. International data science graduates in Ireland get the opportunity to work in the country with a PGWP for 2 years after completing the course. Some of the top recruiters in Ireland for data science graduates are:
IT giants like Apple, Cisco, Dell, Intel, OpenText
Financial firms like Bank of Ireland, Bank of America
Manufacturing companies such as IBM, Enterprise Ireland
Consulting agencies such as First Derivatives, Accenture
There are abundant opportunities for data science graduates who have completed their data science courses in Ireland. The world leaders like Google, Meta, and Apple offer high-salaried packages to data science students passing out from globally ranked Irish universities. According to Glassdoor reviews, the average data scientist salary in Ireland is around INR 43 lakh. Junior data analysts make around INR 30 lakh, and a senior data scientist earns around INR 63 lakh yearly. The average salary for data engineers is just over INR 50 lakh. Some of the most popular jobs in the field are:
In a nutshell, the scope and employment opportunities for data science in Ireland is the winning factor that invites students from all over the world. By 2022, Ireland’s job market is going to produce a wide range of data science jobs and the salary packages are lucrative. Simply put, a data science degree from an Irish university makes international students eligible to work with global leaders. To know more about data science in Ireland, get in touch with the study abroad experts of upGrad Abroad.
Which universities are best for data science in Ireland?
The best Irish universities that offer data science courses are Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Athlone University of Technology, National University of Ireland, Trinity University Dublin, Maynooth University, Institute of Technology Carlow, and Cork Institute of Technology.
Where can you study data science in Ireland?
Both private and public universities in Ireland offer data science courses and programs. You can choose between either of these types of universities. Some of them are recognized worldwide for the best facilities and research opportunities.
Is GRE required for MS in data science?
University College Dublin, Cork Institute of Technology, and Trinity College Dublin require GMAT or GRE test scores for MS in data science programs. The rest of the universities waive off the GRE score requirement if students have a high GPA or work experience.
Is data science a good career in Ireland?
The scope for data science in Ireland is high with good job opportunities. As per Glassdoor, data science jobs are the highest paying jobs. By 2022, Ireland will have approximately 21,000 jobs in data science.
How much does a data scientist earn in Ireland?
The average salary for a data scientist in Ireland is just over INR 50 lakh. A senior data scientist with experience of around 1-3 years, earns around INR 63 lakh yearly.
Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.