Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics | Full-time

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Structure
  • Career Opportunities
  • Eligibility
  • Next Steps
  • Apply
SB HCI Funder Logos 2024
Financial Analytics 

Overview

This programme has been designed to meet the ongoing need for Data Analysts throughout the workforce which can directly create added value and wealth to the Irish businesses and the society. Technological innovation applied to computing has created a wave of disruptive activity that will change the shape of the global information system over the next decade. The purpose of this programme is to provide students with advanced knowledge, critical thinking and computing skills to be able to meet the industry demands.

Aims of the Programme  

  • Develop learner’s ability to enhance their employment opportunities in Data Science sector.

  • Enable learners to progress their ability to demonstrate advanced skills in Data Analytics. 

  • Develop abilities of an advanced nature in an array of Data Science disciplines.

  • Contextualise newly gained practical skills in a real-world environment through placement and project work.

Objectives of the Programme 

  • Develop learner’s criticality in order to analyse industry trends in Big Data.

  • Develop learners who are capable of performing robust, significant reports on the
    future orientation of the field of data analytics with specific emphasis on the
    problem domain.

  • Provide learners with a platform to develop the requisite technical and design skills
    required by industry and to deepen knowledge of statistical analysis and analytical
    models.

  • Enable learners to implement scalable Big Data applications.

  • Prepare learners to work effectively and collaboratively in the execution of common goals.

  • Provide work opportunities where learners can apply knowledge to a real-world
    situation.

Assessment will reflect the applied nature of the programme and will include a combination of ‘take-home’ assignments; skills-based assessments, practical lab tasks, projects, demonstrations and presentations in addition to conventional summative examinations. Assessments will be designed to assess the achievement of learning outcomes and to measure and enhance the skill levels of the learners, in addition to consolidating the material covered. Timely and detailed assessment feedback will be provided to each learner.

Delivery

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics are:

  •  A Level 8 primary undergraduate honours degree with a minimum Pass classification from a recognised third level institution in a non-cognate area and ideally be able to demonstrate mathematical problem solving skills as part of previous programme
    learning. i.e. math's at Leaving Cert level would suffice.

    Or
  • A minimum Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor’s degree in a cognate area such as computer science, technology, networking, information systems, engineering, general science, mathematics, statistics, data science.

       Or

  • Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification and who have at least 3 years’
    work experience may also be considered through the college’s normal RPL
    procedures. Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and
    individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures (see below).

  • For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously
    undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of
    proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

 

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners may also access this course on the basis of recognition of prior learning or by assessment of prior experiential learning/informal learning. For this particular programme applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis based upon their educational record, work experience, their ability to demonstrate technical or mathematical problem solving skills and a capacity to successfully participate in the programme




SB HCI Funder Logos 2024   

 *Eligibility and entry requirements apply.


Course Content

The Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics has the following content:

  • Advanced Analytics and Web Application  

  • Applied Data Analytics

  • Big Data Managing and Processing

  • Data and Network Mining

  • Data Visualisation & Communications

  • Databases for Business Applications 

  • Platforms for Data Analytics

  • Programming for Data Analytics

  • Project

  • Statistics for Data Analytics



Assessment Methods


This variety of learning approaches noted above can be offered including face-to-face, live online, recorded online and directed e-learning. The experiential and practical nature of the programme is reflected in the most common learning approach in the programme being lab-based lecturers and tutorials, together with classroom-based lecturers and tutorials.

Assessment will reflect the applied nature of the programme and will include a combination of ‘take-home’ assignments, skills-based assessments, practical lab tasks, projects, demonstrations and presentations in addition to conventional examinations.



 





SB HCI Funder Logos 2024

Structure

Full-time: 1 year (2 semesters of 12 weeks each)

The Full Time Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics will run over one academic year from Monday to Friday. Calendars will be available in due course. Please note day time attendance is required on this programme.






SB HCI Funder Logos 2024

Career Opportunities

As the ICT sector continues to grow so too does the demand for skilled personnel in this area. A target of delivering more than 47,000 graduates with high level ICT skills by 2022 has been set by the Government to meet Irelands need for graduates in computing, electronic and electrical engineering. Technology Skills 2022, Ireland's third ICT Skills Action Plan was launched in February 2020 by Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys.


Roles types that may be suitable for graduates include:

  • Senior Data Analyst
  • Data Engineering and Analytics

  • Financial Analyst

  • Power BI Data Analyst

  • Consulting: Date Analyst

  • Lead Business Analyst 







SB HCI Funder Logos 2024

HCI Eligibility

People in the following categories are eligible to apply for courses in the HCI Pillar 1 (subject to the applicant meeting all residency and nationality/visa requirements and any academic requirements):

For the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics, 1-year full-time programme, the following categories are eligible to apply:

(1) People in Employment

Please note that those in employment, under the HCI Pillar 2024/25 initiative, 90% of the fees are covered by HEA and 10% of the fees are payable to the college for this category of applicants.  The applicant must also meet the nationality/visa requirements and residency criteria, i.e. they must be able to demonstrate that they have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme. Either the applicant or their employer can pay these fees. Should your employer be paying your fees, please contact us and we can forward you a company sponsorship form in order to invoice to your employer.

PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTATION:

A copy of a most recent payslip or a recently dated letter from your employer on company headed paper.

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

(2) Self-Employed

Self-employed applicants are eligible to apply.

PROOF OF SELF-EMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

A letter from their accountant or relevant documentation from Revenue showing that they are self-employed in Ireland would suffice

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

 

(3) Returners

Returners are those who are not in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection, have previous history of employment but may require upskilling or reskilling to transition back to the workforce.  Applicants must have been a homemaker or on other caring duties or economically dependent on a partner or spouse for a minimum period of 9 of the previous 12 months.

PROOF OF RETURNER DOCUMENTATION:

Applicants must swear a declaration before a Commissioner for Oaths attesting to their status. A form to complete this process is available here.

Fees: The fees for this programme under this category are fully funded at 100%.

 

(4) Recent Graduates

Under the HCI 2024/2025 Initiative, recent graduates are eligible to apply for this programme, i.e. Level 8 Graduates Since January 2022.

PROOF OF RECENT GRADUATES:

A copy of your transcript of results of the level 8 degree or a copy of the parchment confirming the award.

Fees: The fee for the Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics is €7,250 of which you pay 10% = €725

 

(5) The Unemployed

To be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 course, a person must be in receipt of an eligible DEASP payment or be signing for social insurance contribution credits, have a previous history of employment or self-employment and be actively seeking work.

Note: Applicants must be in receipt of any of the following social welfare payment for 9 of the previous 12 months and hold at least a Level 8 qualification.

  • Jobseekers Benefit 

  • Jobseekers Allowance 

  • One Parent Family 

  • Disability Allowance 

  • Qualified Adults of Working Age 

  • Carers Allowance 

  • Farm Assist/Fish Assist 

  • Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory or Non-contributory Pension 

  • Blind Pension  

  • Deserted Wives Allowance 

PROOF OF UNEMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

Most recent copy receipt of payment of any of the above categories.

OR

A copy of a bank statement showing receipt of payments will suffice.  If this is provided, please ensure you redact your account number, BIC and IBAN but your name should remain visible, AND

A Letter from the DEASP confirming you are in receipt of any of the above social welfare payment for 9 of the previous 12 months

Fees: The fees for this programme under this category are fully funded at 100%.

  

PROOF OF PREVIOUSLY SELF-EMPLOYED DOCUMENTATION:

A letter/statement from Revenue confirming that the applicant is no longer trading or a similar letter from the applicant's (former) accountant.

Fees: The fees for this programme under this category are fully funded at 100%. 


Application Procedures

All applications must be submitted online via the Springboard+ website.  Please note that documentation supporting the applicants status will be required as part of the application process.  Please visit the Springboard+ website for further information on participant eligibility and funding eligibility requirements.

The following documents are required by DBS as part of the application process.  When you apply through the Springboard website, a member of the admissions team will be in touch in relation to requesting the following documents:

  • Academic Transcripts of Results (this is a breakdown of each year, all the modules studied and all results achieved).If these transcripts are in a language other than English, we will require the originals together with official translated copies;

  • Proof of ID (Driver’s Licence or Passport);

  • Proof of Residency for all applicants for 3 of the last 5 years.This can be revenue documents, letter from DEASP office or letter from previous or current employer;

  • For Non-EU applicants currently residing in Ireland, a copy of your Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Card or proof of residency is required to demonstrate that you have been residing in the EU for 3 of the last 5 years;

  • For applicants who do not hold the required qualification and are applying through APEL (Approved Prior Experiential Learning), a recently updated and detailed CV is required with education and work experience to date.In addition, a personal statement is required outlining your reasons for applying for the course and why you would be a suitable candidate.This should be in the format of a word document and have between 500 and 700 words.

  • For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language Test such as IETLS, Cambridge, PTE, Duolingo, or DBS English Placement Test.Test certificates must be dated within the last 2 years.

 

SB HCI Funder Logos 2024 

 For further information please visit: ESF Information and Communication guidelines. 

 

 

 *Eligibility and entry requirements apply.

Next Steps


Application Procedure

Please apply online via the Springboard portal here.


Corporate Services

Did you know?  DBS now can meet with you and your company to discuss the Springboard+ Government funded programmes, to see if it could work as a learning & development solution for your organisation.  This is ideal for any size organisation in any industry based in Dublin and the surrounding counties that may want to invest in employees' professional development.

For more information on this new service or to arrange a meeting, please contact our Corporate Services Team on [email protected] or by telephone 01 417 7500.









SB HCI Funder Logos 2024
 
Categories:
  • 8
  • Information Technology
  • FREE* HCI Pillar 1 Programmes
  • Full-Time

Course overview

Awarding Body:
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)

QQI_Logo

Duration: 1 Academic Year 
Study Mode:
Full-Time
Award Level:
Level 8 NFQ
ECTS Credits:
60
10% Contribution (if applicable):
€725
Next Intake: September 2024

 

  • Download brochure
  • Contact

    We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2025. Contact our admissions team for more information

    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: 01 417 7500
    Opening times:
    Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 5:15pm