NCI Course Details

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.

CAO Open Day

If you are unable to attend our CAO Open Day event taking place on May 10th, we will be running another event in June where you will also have the opportunity to meet current students and lecturers and get a tour of our campus.

Click on the links below for more information:

• Saturday, June 28th 2025 - 10am-1pm - Register Here

Free Leaving Certificate Revision Sessions

Join our free Leaving Cert Revision Sessions in Honours English and Ordinary Maths, taking place during the Easter Mid-term Break, from April 22nd to 24th.

Sign up via the link below:

• Tuesday 22nd April - Thursday 24th April - 9:30am - 1:30pm - Register Here

Year 1

Semester 1

• Computational Thinking
• Discrete Mathematics
• Programming Concepts
• Introduction to Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
• Web Design & Development

Semester 2

• Computer Architecture
• Introduction to Data Modelling and Databases
• The Computing Industry
• Introduction to Programming
• Operating Systems

Year 2

Semester 1

• Advanced Databases
• Data Programming
• Object Oriented Programming
• Web Application Development
• Statistics I

Semester 2

• Innovation and Business Entrepreneurship
• Data Mining and Machine Learning
• Data Visualisation
• Linear Algebra
• Statistics II

For information on the modules taught on this course view our module descriptors.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

According to a Higher Education Outcomes Report released by the CSO, ICT graduates in 2010 had the highest median earnings 10 years after graduation compared to other sectors based on the analysis of the destinations of students who graduated between 2010 and 2019 .

Minimum entry requirements are a grade of O6/H7 or above in five subjects. A minimum of grade O4/H7 must be obtained in Mathematics. A minimum of grade O6/H7 must be obtained in English or Irish. These requirements are subject to QQI validation and will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

For applicants whose first language is not English, please note the English language entry requirements.

Mature applicants, applicants with a disability or those applying through the DARE or HEAR access schemes can find out more information on the application process.

Applicants from a PLC/further education course must have a full level 5/6 award and meet the CAO points requirement. 

Please note that exams can be scheduled during the morning, afternoon or evening Monday to Saturday.

National College of Ireland has implemented a Bring Your Own Device policy for all courses. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a portable computer (laptop/notebook) with a substantial hardware configuration.

The recommended configuration is as follows:

Processor:

• Intel 11th Gen or newer, Core i3 / i5 /i7 or Ultra 3 / 5 /7
  Or
• AMD 5000 Series or newer, Rzyen 3 / 5 /7

Random Access Memory (RAM):
16GB or greater

Storage:
SSD (Solid State Drive) 256GB or greater

Wireless Card:
802.11 n/ac/ax capability

Recommended Operating Systems:
Windows 11
Later Version of MAC OS should also be fine.
Chromebook’s are not recommended.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their computer is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights. NCI cannot provide support for these personal devices.

Student Laptop Loan Scheme

A Laptop Loan Scheme is available for eligible students to assist them in completing their chosen course.

2024 CAO Points Guide :* 200

*For each course we have given a guideline based on our points over the past 3 years. This is a guide only, points vary each year.

The CAO course code is NC105.

Did you know you can apply for a Sports Scholarship at NCI?

Watch this video to hear from our current sports scholars Stephen Achukwu (basketball) and Adam Leonard (football):

This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and the Student Grant Scheme.

The fees for this course for international students is €5,500 per year.

For domestic students applying through the CAO, this course applies under the free fees initiative. For further information, please see Free Fees Initiative.