Data Science
NCI’s Higher Certificate in Data Science uses a blend of computer science and data science to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out data modelling, data management and data analysis activities, and to interpret and communicate that data to a variety of audiences.
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
Two Years Full-Time
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Minimum entry requirements are a grade of O6/H7 or above in five subjects.
A minimum of grade H5 must be obtained in Mathematics.
A minimum of grade O6 must be obtained in English.
Please note: NCI offers a mathematics qualifying exam for students who would like to pursue the Higher Certificate in Data Science. This provides prospective students with a second chance or an alternative way to meet the required mathematics standard of H5 in Leaving Certificate Maths. To find out more and register for the exam see www.ncirl.ie/datascience.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
NCI operates the bonus scheme for Higher level Leaving Certificate Mathematics. 25 points will be added to an applicant’s points score for Higher level Mathematics for grades H6 and above.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
NCI recognises the LCVP for admission purposes, and results in the Link Modules element of the programme will be considered as follows:
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
This is automatically computed by CAO. The Link Modules may be used as one of the six subjects for overall points calculation but will not be considered as a subject for the purposes of minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
NCI welcomes applications from students who are presenting QQI (formerly FET/FETAC) Level 5 and Level 6 awards.
For information on how to apply and minimum entry requirements go to the QQI Students link below.
Careers / Further progression
Career Prospects
This course will equip you with the technical computer science and data science skills to build a successful career as a technician in the areas of computing, data management and data analysis.
Further Study Options
Upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Data Science, graduates can gain entry directly into year three of the BSc (Hons) in Data Science at NCI. Graduates can also progress to other programmes at level 7 or level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications such as the BSc (Hons) in Computing at NCI.
Further information
National College of Ireland is committed to providing equal access to education and equal opportunities for mature students. Students who are 23 years of age or older on 1st January can apply directly to NCI for entry to full-time education the following autumn. Applications will be accepted until 31st July. However, this closing date is subject to demand and therefore may change. For this reason and to avoid disappointment, it is advised that applications are submitted as early as possible. Further details can be obtained from the Admissions Office at admissions@ncirl.ie.
NCI also welcomes applicants for advanced entry into the second or third year of our full-time programmes. To be eligible for advanced entry, applicants must have undertaken specific courses and obtained certain results. Applicants should check with their individual institution or College of Further Education to find out to which courses this option is available. To find out more information regarding our advanced entry links, please contact Admissions at admissions@ncirl.ie. You can also contact Karen Campbell, School Liaison Officer at karen.campbell@ncirl.ie.
This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and Student Grant Scheme.
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
About the Course
NCI’s Higher Certificate in Data Science uses a blend of computer science and data science to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out data modelling, data management and data analysis activities, and to interpret and communicate that data to a variety of audiences.
The programme gives you the mathematics, programming and problem-solving skills required to exploit data in addressing real-world problems. You will also develop your problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking and communication skills. Graduates of this course can identify, clean, integrate, select, transform, and mine different types of datasets with consideration of ethical, privacy and data protection issues, in order to summarise and present new knowledge; design, implement and document algorithmic solutions that demonstrate use of processes, methodologies, tools and techniques that solve known problems; and utilise statistical analysis, modelling, data mining and machine learning tools and techniques to analyse datasets.
Who is the course for?
This course will be particularly appealing to students who are unsure about enrolling in a degree programme initially and see the Higher Certificate as a progression route to a degree at a later stage. The course is for school leavers, mature students and graduates of QQI level 5/6 programmes.
Course Structure and Award
This two-year Higher Certificate course is run over four semesters with continuous assessment held throughout the course and examinations at the end of each semester. On completion, you will receive a QQI Higher Certificate in Data Science at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Year 1
Semester 1
• Computational Thinking
• The Computing Industry
• Problem Solving and Programming Concepts
• Discrete Mathematics
• Introduction to Data Science
Semester 2
• Introduction to Data Modelling & Databases
• Computing Systems
• Programming I
• Statistics I
Year 2
Semester 1
• Programming II
• Advanced Databases
• Data Visualisation
• Statistics II
Semester 2
• Linear Algebra
• Data Mining & Machine Learning
• IT Project Management
• Data Analysis Project (elective)*
• Programming III (elective)*
National College of Ireland
Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1
Tel: Reception (01) 4498500
Course/College Info: 1800 221 721
Email: info@ncirl.ie
Web: www.ncirl.ie