NCI Course Details

This course is offered under Springboard+ meaning you can join this course for free if you are currently unemployed or for a reduced cost of €650 if you are employed.

Visit the Springboard+ website to apply: 

• Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Artificial Intelligence - 1 Year, Blended/Online. Applications for this programme are now closed.

Visit the Springboard+ website for information on eligibility criteria.

Applying as a non-Springboard+ Student

If you are not eligible for a place on this Springboard+ funded programme but still wish to apply, please click here.

The course will be delivered using academic research, industry defined practical problems, and case studies. This approach will naturally provide a deeper knowledge of AI and create skills required in industry such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, teamwork, and research skills.

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate expert knowledge of Engineering Artificial Intelligence systems, Machine Learning, Optimisation Techniques, and the tools, techniques and technologies of Artificial Intelligence utilised in real world contexts.
• Formulate, design, implement, and evaluate novel real-world solutions at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence using the latest industry practices and standards.

According to a recent Graduate Outcomes Survey – Class of 2018 released on June 2020 by the Higher Education Authority, ICT graduates receive the highest earnings nine months after graduating compared to the overall younger graduate average based on the analysis of the destinations of students who graduated in 2018.

A minimum of a level 8 primary degree in Computing or a cognate area with a 2.2 award or higher or equivalent on the National Qualifications Framework in Computing or a Cognate area. Candidates are expected to have programming ability. Cognate area means a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree that also taught programming/ application development related modules. An assessment and/ or interview may be conducted to ascertain suitability if necessary for candidates who do not meet the normal academic requirements

The college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may be considered based on relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed using a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, and an interview. The programming ability of the applicant will also be assessed.

Non-English speaking applicants must demonstrate fluency in the English language as demonstrated by IELTS academic score of at least 6.0 or equivalent.

This programme has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a laptop computer with a substantial hardware configuration. A suitable configuration is 8GB of RAM (16GB are recommended); a modern 64-bit x86 processor (Intel i5 or superior); 250+ GB of available space in hard disk; WiFi card; and a recent version of Ubuntu, macOS or Windows. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their laptop is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights to the machine. NCI IT does not provide support for personal devices.

The course requires internet access you will be required to ensure you have sufficient broadband speed and reliable connectivity from your place of study.

Free Laptop loan for eligible students on this course: Students who are eligible for HEA funding for this course may also be eligible for a free laptop provided on a loan basis for the duration of the programme. This will be a suitable specification machine for completion of the programme but must be returned once you have finished your course. Overall numbers of laptops available are subject to maximum numbers and no other alternatives can be offered.

Check our Student Laptop Loan page for updates on the next opening date for applications.

The programme is assessed by means of continuous, in-semester, assessment and final examination. Please note that in some instances exams may take place in the daytime and at weekends.

Semester 1:

• Data Governance and Ethics
• Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
• Programming for Artificial Intelligence

Semester 2:

• Engineering and Evaluating Artificial Intelligence Systems
• Intelligent Agents and Process Automation
• Data Analytics for Artificial Intelligence
• Career Bridge

Semester 3:

• Emergent Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Sustainability
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence Driven Decision Making

Springboard Careers Advisors will proactively support you to find relevant employment during the course or following completion of the course.

*Note that all modules count towards the final award classification.

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

The Postgraduate Diploma of Science in Artificial Intelligence is awarded by QQI at level 9 on the National Framework for Qualifications. Students who successfully complete this course may top up to the MSc in AI at National College of Ireland (This is not included under Springboard + - an additional fee would apply).

This course runs over 1 year; January to May 2024, May to August 2024 and Sept to December 2024.

Tuesday and Thursday 18.00 - 22.00 and a number of Saturdays 18.00 - 22.00.

Career Bridge classes will be delivered one day per week in Semester 2 from 17.00 to 18.00. Day to be confirmed. 

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

This course is expected to start in the week commencing 22nd January 2024.

This is a blended/online learning course that features Directed E-Learning activities such as live online classroom sessions and tutorials/videos on the College’s e-learning system. This allows for online class time to be interactive, practical, and focused, with theory-based content being covered outside of class time with self-paced tutorials/videos, and practical content being covered in live online classes with support from lecturers and lab assistants. At certain limited and pre-scheduled times there will be opportunities for on-campus sessions. These on-campus sessions will also be dual delivered so students who do not wish to attend campus for these sessions will have the option of attending them online.

Springboard+ Student Fees

A student contribution fee of €650 is applicable if you are in employment. No fees applicable if you are unemployed. The scheme does not cover any allowance for books and materials. See the Springboard+ tab above for further information.

If a student contribution fee is applicable this must be paid in full no later than Friday 8th of March 2024.

Non-Springboard+ Student Fees

The fee for this course is €6,500 (fees revised annually).