Overview

The Social Data Science programme at University College Dublin is an interdisciplinary degree designed to bridge the gap between social scientific inquiry and computational analysis. Students develop the expertise required to navigate complex datasets and extract meaningful insights into modern social dynamics and human interactions.

This curriculum focuses on the intersection of sociology and technology, preparing graduates to address societal challenges using a data-driven approach. By mastering both qualitative understanding and scalable data science tools, participants learn to interpret the digital traces left by contemporary life in a critical and reflexive manner.

The programme is highly flexible, accommodating students from diverse academic backgrounds including STEM, humanities, and business.

Why Social Data Science at University College Dublin?

University College Dublin is home to the leading centre for sociological research in Ireland, providing an unparalleled environment for graduate study. The School of Sociology is the largest teaching centre of its kind in the country, playing a pivotal role in the development of the discipline.

Students benefit from a curriculum that offers significant practical opportunities, including the choice between a traditional research dissertation or a professional internship. This practical focus, supported by the UCD Careers Network, ensures that learners can apply their computational skills to real-world social issues before graduation.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: EUR 22600 per year
• European fee: EUR 9330 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum provides a robust foundation in both social theory and technical application. Modules may include:

• Social Simulation: Methods and Models
• Research Design
• AI and Society
• Social Networks
• Information Visualisation
• Computational Thinking
• Machine Learning
• Data Programming with R
• Data Science in Python

Careers with Social Data Science

Graduates are well-prepared for the expanding employment market created by the digitalisation of global society. Many alumni have secured roles as data scientists and analysts within prominent international organisations, government bodies, and non-governmental agencies.

Employment destinations for former students include major firms such as Accenture, Deloitte, IBM, and PwC. Additionally, graduates have found success with the Central Statistics Office, the Department of Social Protection, and the Bank of Ireland, while others have progressed to doctoral research at leading universities worldwide.