Social Data Science

MSc Social Data Science

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

The MSc in Social Data Science is a one year taught programme with strong interdisciplinary features and components across social and computational sciences. It equips students with a range of social scientific, computational, informational, statistical, and visualisation skills, for curation and analysis of large or complex data that arise from human activities and interactions in the digital world. Students will receive training in sociological analysis, as well as core coding and programming skills, allowing them to avail of emergent computational methods and technologies to tackle real-world societal challenges, and inform decision making processes. Students may opt to complete an internship as part of their studies. The MSc in Social Data Science is suitable for graduates of social science or computer science programmes.

Core modules include:

AI and Society

Social Simulation

Research Design

Data Programming with R

Sociological Thinking in the Digital Age



Students must also choose one of the following options:

A. Masters Dissertation

B. Internship and capstone research project



Optional Modules Include:

Introduction to Programming I

Algorithmic Problem Solving

Databases and Info. Systems I

Computational Thinking (Conv)

Machine Learning (Blended Del)

GIS for Env. Assessment

Introduction to Statistics

Policing & Social Conflict

Health Illness and Society

Organised Violence and Society

Crit Race & Decolonial Theory

Comparing Healthcare Systems

Monte Carlo Inference

Data Science in Python (MD)

Machine Learning with Python

Creativity & Innovation

Introduction to Programming II

Spatial Information Systems

Information Visualisation

Rec Sys & CI

Adv Comp Social Sc

Quantitative Text Analysis

Programming for Soc Scientists

Social Dynamics and Networks

Qualitative Research

Nationalism and Social Change

Population and Society

Sciences, Technologies & Societies

Religion in Comparative Perspective



Following consultation with MSc in Social Data Science Programme Director, a student may be able to substitute more advanced modules for specific core modules where the student can demonstrate sufficient prior learning in those areas.

Applicants will be required to hold a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent in a computational science discipline, and to show evidence for strong interest in social science research; Or to hold a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent in a social science disciplines and to show evidence for strong interest in obtaining, or existing computational skills. Additionally, excellent academic references are required.



This degree programme includes modules from Computer Science, which involves logical understanding and reasoning and therefore applicants must be able to demonstrate good evidence of algorithmic thinking.



All applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and relevant work experience will be taken into account, so that in certain cases an award at a 2.2 classification may be considered.



Students whose first language is not English will need a recognised English language qualification. On the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) students will need to achieve an average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. More details are available through the UCD International Office at http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-global/ucdenglishlanguagerequirements/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

How to Apply?

The following entry routes are available:

MSc Social Data Science FT (W559)

Duration 1 Years

Attend Full Time

Deadline Rolling*



MSc Social Data Science PT (W560)

Duration 2 Years

Attend Part Time

Deadline Rolling*



* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time. Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability

A wide range of different organizations including government departments, semi-state bodies, private companies in IT, finance and consultancy, as well as sectors such as education, health and social welfare are now exploring the benefits of combining large and complex data resources, including administrative data, for decision making and resource use. The MSc in Social Data Science at the UCD is ideal for graduates who want to upskill and avail of these excellent employment opportunities. It is designed to enable individuals to combine their social science and/or cognate training with strong technical and analytical skills, and to exploit the wide range of digitised and digital data now accessible by public and private sector organisations.