Data science is a fast-growing field. As organizations collect and use more complex data, they need professionals who can manage, analyze, visualize, and interpret data responsibly. Ireland is home to a strong technology and research ecosystem, and several Irish universities offer master’s programs connected to data science, analytics, artificial intelligence, statistics, and computational science.
For international students, pursuing a master’s degree in Ireland can be a strong academic choice. A data science program in Ireland can help students build technical skills used across sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, government, and research.
This article lists universities and institutions that offer master’s-level programs in data science or closely related fields in Ireland.
Top Schools Offering Data Science Master’s Programs in Ireland
1. Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is one of Ireland’s leading universities. Its 47-acre campus is located in the heart of Dublin city center, giving students access to the city’s academic, cultural, and professional life. Trinity has a long history of scholarship and notable alumni across literature, philosophy, politics, and science, including Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Edmund Burke.
Trinity College Dublin offers an MSc in Computer Science – Data Science. The program combines statistics, cloud and security technologies, and data management. Students study topics such as machine learning, data analytics, data visualization, scalable computing, security and privacy, and applied statistical modeling. The MSc also includes a 30-credit dissertation in the third semester, allowing students to complete an individual research project in computer science.
2. University College Dublin
The second university in Ireland that offers master’s-level programs related to data science is University College Dublin (UCD). Established in 1854, UCD is Ireland’s largest university, with more than 39,000 students, including more than 11,500 international students from 152 countries. It is one of Ireland’s major research-intensive universities and offers a wide range of programs recognized by academic institutions and employers worldwide.
UCD offers an online MSc in Data Science and an on-campus MSc in Data & Computational Science. The online MSc in Data Science is designed to provide essential skills for modern data scientists, including data handling, programming, statistical analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The MSc in Data & Computational Science is aimed at students who want a strong graduate-level foundation in applied mathematics, statistics, and computational science. It is especially suitable for students from highly quantitative backgrounds such as mathematics, physics, statistics, or engineering. The program includes project work, with options connected to areas such as cryptography, numerical weather prediction, and financial mathematics, and prepares graduates for careers in industry or academia.
3. University College Cork
Located in Cork, University College Cork was founded in 1845. UCC is a comprehensive, research-based, globally oriented university with more than 24,000 students, 3,200 staff members, and more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. The university’s campus includes the Glucksman Gallery, the Student Hub, and a broad range of academic, cultural, sports, and student society facilities.
UCC offers a one-year, full-time MSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The program is jointly offered by the School of Computer Science and Information Technology and the School of Mathematical Sciences. For 2026 entry, UCC lists the fees as €8,000 for EU students and €28,000 for non-EU students. Students must complete 90 credits, made up of 30 credits of core modules, 30 credits of elective modules, and a 30-credit dissertation. Core and elective topics include datamining, deep learning, statistical data analytics, data visualization, database technology, machine learning, and programming in Python. Graduates can pursue opportunities in sectors that need technical skills in computing, statistics, artificial intelligence, and large-scale data analysis.
4. Maynooth University
Maynooth University is located about 25 kilometers outside Dublin. The university was formally established as an autonomous university in 1997, while tracing its origins to the Royal College of St. Patrick, founded in 1795. Today, Maynooth University has more than 17,000 students from over 100 countries and offers programs at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels across the humanities, science and engineering, social sciences, business, law, and education.
Maynooth offers an MSc in Data Science and Analytics. It is a 12-month conversion course that began in 2017 and is delivered through collaboration between the Departments of Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Science, and the National Centre for Geocomputation. Students gain skills in programming, statistics, and databases, followed by an advanced module in statistical machine learning. The course also covers the social and ethical consequences of data use and includes case studies from different industry sectors. Students complete a project module and a 30-credit thesis before graduation. Maynooth notes that data analytics jobs are available across sectors that collect data, including IT, healthcare, finance, food science, and travel.
5. Munster Technological University (MTU
On January 1, 2021, Cork Institute of Technology and IT Tralee merged to form Munster Technological University (MTU). MTU now offers the MSc in Data Science & Analytics at its Bishopstown Campus in Cork.
The full-time MSc in Data Science & Analytics at MTU runs over three semesters, or 12 to 15 months. Each semester is worth 30 credits. The first semester builds a foundation in statistics and computer science through modules such as Data Science Principles, Introduction to R for Data Science, Scientific Programming in Python, Practical Data Management Systems, Statistics & Probability, and Time Series Analysis. The second semester includes topics such as regression analysis, data analytics and visualization, applied machine learning, multivariate modeling, data mining, statistical modeling, and research methods. In the third semester, students complete a 30-credit capstone research project in data science.
For a typical student beginning in September 2026, MTU lists the expected full-time fees as €7,500 for EU students and €15,000 for non-EU students. The program is designed to develop practical skills in programming, database management, statistical modeling, time series analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. It prepares students to apply data science methods to real-world problems across public and private sector organizations.
A master’s degree in data science or a closely related field can help students build advanced technical and analytical skills. As organizations rely more heavily on data, graduates with training in programming, statistics, machine learning, data visualization, and responsible data use can find opportunities across many sectors.
We hope that this article on universities in Ireland with master’s programs in data science was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Data Science Programs for International Students page for more informative articles.
