What is NFQ Level 8 vs Level 9?

Level 8 is an honours bachelor’s degree or a higher diploma; Level 9 is a master’s or a postgraduate diploma. The difference matters after you graduate: Level 8 gives up to 12 months of Stamp 1G stay-back and Level 9 up to 24. NCI’s Higher Diploma in Science in Computing is Level 8 and closed for January.

Can I apply for Stamp 1G after a Higher Diploma?

Yes. A Higher Diploma is a Level 8 award, so it qualifies for Stamp 1G, but for up to 12 months, not the 24 months a Level 9 master’s gives. NCI’s Higher Diploma in Science in Computing is closed for January, so a January start means a master’s. Weigh the lower fee against the shorter stay-back.

Ireland · Data & AI Ireland · Europe

Data Analytics, AI and Computing Master’s: January 2027 Intake in Ireland

Updated on 30 September 2026Written by Amit SouravReviewed by Ashmita Agarwal

Applications for January 2027 are open. Popular courses can close once full, so apply early. Your AdmitVerse counsellor will confirm the current timeline for your course.

Get my shortlist in 24 hours WhatsApp a counsellor

Can I start a data analytics or AI master’s in Ireland in January 2027?

Yes. 15 data analytics, AI and computing master’s are open for January 2027 at 6 Irish colleges and universities, from €14,000 (about ₹15.4 lakh) for ATU’s MSc in Computing. 3 related programs, including DCU’s MSc Computing majors, start in September only. A Level 9 master’s gives up to 24 months of stay-back.

Open for January (of 18)

Colleges & universities

Dublin

18 of 18 programs · 15 open

January 2027 data, AI and computing programs in Ireland: fee, level, intakes, deposit and status
Program	Institution	NFQ level	Fee	Duration	Intakes	Deposit	App fee	January
MSc in ComputingGalway-Mayo campus	Atlantic Technological University	Level 9	€14,000≈ ₹15.4 lakh	12 months	Jan	€1,500	€30	Open
MSc Computing in Human Centred Artificial Intelligence	TU Dublin	Level 9	€14,500≈ ₹16.0 lakh	12 months	Sep, Jan	50% of fee (€7,250)	€50	Open
MSc Information Systems with Computing	Dublin Business School	Level 9	€14,500≈ ₹16.0 lakh	12 months	Sep, Jan, Apr	€500	Waived	Open
MSc Data Analytics	Dublin Business School	Level 9	€15,575≈ ₹17.1 lakh	12 months	Sep, Jan, Apr	€500	Waived	Open
MSc Artificial Intelligence	Dublin Business School	Level 9	€15,575≈ ₹17.1 lakh	12 months	Sep, Jan	€500	Waived	Open
MSc Business Analytics	Dublin Business School	Level 9	€15,575≈ ₹17.1 lakh	12 months	Sep, Jan, Apr	€500	Waived	Open
MSc Big Data Management & Analytics	Griffith College Dublin	Level 9	€16,000≈ ₹17.6 lakh	Confirm	Sep, Feb	€1,000	Waived	Open
MSc Computing	Griffith College Dublin	Level 9	€16,000≈ ₹17.6 lakh	Confirm	Sep, Feb	€1,000	Waived	Open
MSc Interactive Digital Media	Griffith College Dublin	Level 9	€16,000≈ ₹17.6 lakh	Confirm	Sep, Feb	€1,000	Waived	Open
MSc Artificial Intelligence	National College of Ireland	Level 9	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship (up to €5,000)	12 months	Sep, Jan	€7,500	Waived	Open
MSc Data Analytics	National College of Ireland	Level 9	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship (up to €5,000)	12 months	Sep, Jan	€7,500	Waived	Open
MSc Cloud Computing	National College of Ireland	Level 9	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship (up to €5,000)	12 months	Sep, Jan	€7,500	Waived	Open
MSc Business Analytics for Decision Makers	National College of Ireland	Level 9	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship (up to €5,000)	12 months	Sep, Jan	€7,500	Waived	Open
MSc Artificial Intelligence for Business	National College of Ireland	Level 9	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship (up to €5,000)	12 months	Sep, Jan	€7,500	Waived	Open
MSc Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence	Dublin City University	Level 9	€23,000≈ ₹25.3 lakh	12 months	Jan	€500	Waived	Open
Higher Diploma in Science in Computing	National College of Ireland	Level 8	€12,000≈ ₹13.2 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: €8,000 (≈ ₹8.8 lakh) with the NCI Higher Diploma Scholarship	12 months	Sep	€7,500	Waived	Closed for January
MSc Computing (Major: Artificial Intelligence)	Dublin City University	Level 9	€25,000≈ ₹27.5 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: €20,000 (≈ ₹22.0 lakh) with the DCU Faculty of Engineering & Computing International Scholarship	12 months	Sep	€500	Waived	Closed for January
MSc Computing (Major: Data Analytics)	Dublin City University	Level 9	€25,000≈ ₹27.5 lakhPossible net fee, if eligible: €20,000 (≈ ₹22.0 lakh) with the DCU Faculty of Engineering & Computing International Scholarship	12 months	Sep	€500	Waived	Closed for January

January 2027 data, AI and computing programs in Ireland: fee, level, intakes, deposit and statusLast checked 30 September 2026Source: AdmitVerse partner course data, January 2027 intake. Confirm on the official course page before paying

₹ figures use €1 = ₹110 (September 2026 mid-market rate). Your bank’s rate on the day you pay will differ. Fees are as quoted for the January 2027 intake. Confirm on the official course page before paying.

Cheapest first

Open programs ranked by list fee

The last column is a possible net fee for a named, verified scholarship. It applies only if you are eligible and is never the figure to plan on.

ATU

MSc in Computing

Atlantic Technological University

MSc Computing in Human Centred Artificial Intelligence

TU Dublin

MSc Information Systems with Computing

Dublin Business School

Cheapest data, AI and computing programs open for January 2027, by list fee
#	Program	Institution	Starts	NFQ level · stay-back	List fee	Possible net fee, if eligible
1	MSc in Computing	Atlantic Technological University	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€14,000≈ ₹15.4 lakh	None verified
2	MSc Computing in Human Centred Artificial Intelligence	TU Dublin	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€14,500≈ ₹16.0 lakh	None verified
3	MSc Information Systems with Computing	Dublin Business School	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€14,500≈ ₹16.0 lakh	None verified
4	MSc Data Analytics	Dublin Business School	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€15,575≈ ₹17.1 lakh	None verified
5	MSc Artificial Intelligence	Dublin Business School	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€15,575≈ ₹17.1 lakh	None verified
6	MSc Business Analytics	Dublin Business School	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€15,575≈ ₹17.1 lakh	None verified
7	MSc Big Data Management & Analytics	Griffith College Dublin	February	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€16,000≈ ₹17.6 lakh	None verified
8	MSc Computing	Griffith College Dublin	February	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€16,000≈ ₹17.6 lakh	None verified
9	MSc Interactive Digital Media	Griffith College Dublin	February	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€16,000≈ ₹17.6 lakh	None verified
10	MSc Artificial Intelligence	National College of Ireland	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakh	from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship
11	MSc Data Analytics	National College of Ireland	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakh	from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship
12	MSc Cloud Computing	National College of Ireland	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakh	from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship
13	MSc Business Analytics for Decision Makers	National College of Ireland	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakh	from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship
14	MSc Artificial Intelligence for Business	National College of Ireland	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€17,000≈ ₹18.7 lakh	from €12,000 (≈ ₹13.2 lakh) with the NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship
15	MSc Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence	Dublin City University	January	Level 9 · up to 24 months	€23,000≈ ₹25.3 lakh	None verified

Cheapest data, AI and computing programs open for January 2027, by list feeLast checked 30 September 2026Source: AdmitVerse partner course data, January 2027 intake. Confirm on the official course page before paying

Honest answer

Job-market reality check

Strong demand, with real competition

Data, AI, software and cloud roles are among the most in-demand for international graduates, and many appear on the Critical Skills Occupations List, so check the current list for the role you want.
A Critical Skills permit for a recent graduate needs a salary of at least €36,848 a year.
Entry-level competition in Dublin is real: employers look for projects, internships and strong fundamentals, not just the degree. Graduates of conversion courses from non-computing backgrounds usually find the first job harder.

Full course guide

Master’s in Data Analytics in Ireland: careers, salaries and September intakes. Coming soon.

Starting in January? Every open one of the data, AI and computing programs is on this page.

Alternatives

February and April starts

Starts in February

3 programs at Griffith College Dublin, with the same fees, visa rules and stay-back.

MSc Big Data Management & Analytics · €16,000
MSc Computing · €16,000
MSc Interactive Digital Media · €16,000

Also starts in April

3 programs at Dublin Business School. A fallback if January is too soon.

MSc Data Analytics · €15,575
MSc Business Analytics · €15,575
MSc Information Systems with Computing · €14,500

Before you apply

Deposit, funds and the visa

What to pay, and when, for a January 2027 start.

1Shortlist and apply
2Accept and pay
3Show your funds
4File the visa
5Arrive and register

Not ready for January? Griffith and Independent College start in February, many DBS programs have an April intake, and otherwise there is September 2027.

Funding and work

Scholarships and work rights

Verified scholarships

Possible net fee only if you are eligible; never guaranteed.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

Master’s and PhD applicants; separate annual HEA application, 60 awards

Full tuition + €10,000

NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship

Automatic for NCI master’s applicants, by degree percentage, if eligible

Up to €5,000

DCU Faculty of Engineering & Computing International Scholarship

Eligible DCU engineering and computing master’s, if eligible

€5,000

Work rights

During study

20 hrs a week in term, 40 in the holidays, on Stamp 2

After graduation

Stamp 1G: up to 24 months after a Level 9 master’s, 12 after a Level 8 degree, with no job offer needed

Plan your budget

FAQ

Data, AI & computing in January: FAQs

What students ask us about data, AI and computing programs in Ireland.

Still have questions?

Our counsellors are just a call away — get clear, honest answers.

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Software, cloud, data and AI, cybersecurity, fintech and financial services, pharma and medical devices, engineering, healthcare and accounting are the sectors that hire most international graduates. Many tech roles appear on the Critical Skills Occupations List, where a recent graduate needs a salary of at least €36,848 for a Critical Skills permit.

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Data Analytics, AI and Computing Master’s: January 2027 Intake in Ireland

Can I start a data analytics or AI master’s in Ireland in January 2027?

Every one of the data, AI and computing programs, with fees in ₹

Dublin City University

National College of Ireland

TU Dublin

Atlantic Technological University

Dublin Business School

Griffith College Dublin

Open programs ranked by list fee

MSc in Computing

MSc Computing in Human Centred Artificial Intelligence

MSc Information Systems with Computing

Job-market reality check

Strong demand, with real competition

Full course guide

February and April starts

Starts in February

Also starts in April

From shortlist to arrival

Deposit, funds and the visa

Scholarships and work rights

Verified scholarships

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

NCI Masters Academic Merit Scholarship

DCU Faculty of Engineering & Computing International Scholarship

Work rights

Data, AI & computing in January: FAQs

Still have questions?

Talk to an expert, free

Start your journey