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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Higher Diploma
5. Statistics

Course Fact File

Code	HDST
Duration	1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	HDip
NFQ Level	Level 8
EU Fees	€6,130 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Non-EU Fees	€18,490
Closing Date	Not open to applications
Non-EU Closing Date	N/A
Start Date	N/A

Course Outline

The Higher Diploma in Statistics course is designed for graduates whose degrees have substantial mathematical content, and who want to develop their expertise in the application of statistical methods and broaden their career opportunities. The course may also be taken as a foundation for entry into the MSc Degree in Statistics. The course may be taken over one year (full time) or two years (part-time).

There is a continuing demand by employers for numerate graduates. There are many new opportunities in commerce, government, industry, medicine and research for graduates who have added to their first degree with the training in quantitative and computing skills provided by the Higher Diploma in Statistics.

The Higher Diploma in Statistics consists of coursework divided into nine core modules. These modules are a blend of theoretical and applied statistics.

Modules (60 credits)

• Probability and Mathematical Statistics (10 credits)
• Statistical Theory (10 credits)
• Introduction to Regression Analysis (5 credits)
• Data Analysis I (5 credits)
• Generalised Linear Models (5 credits)
• Time Series (5 credits)
• Survival Analysis (5 credits)
• Current Topics in Statistics I (5 credits)
• Statistical Consulting (10 credits)

The applied modules also equip you with advanced practical software-oriented skills in popular statistical software packages such as R, SAS and SPSS.

Students taking the part-time option take 25 credits in year 1 and the remaining 35 credits in year 2.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Course Practicalities

Students attend an average of 12 lectures, three tutorials and three computer practicals per week over the 24-week academic year. All modules have elements of continuous assessment which you submit throughout the course.

Lectures, tutorials and computer practicals take place between 9 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday.

Assessment

Five modules (30 credits) are examined exclusively by continuous assessment. The remaining four modules (30 credits) are examined by both continuous assessment (worth 20% of the module mark) and end-of-year written examinations (worth 80% of the module mark).

The continuous assessments can be written home-work, computer practical assignments, in-class tests, written data analysis reports or computer practical examinations.

Who teaches this course

Staff of the Department of Statistics, School of Mathematical Sciences provide all teaching in this course. Biographical details, teaching and research interests of staff members current teaching on the course can be found using the following links:

• Dr Michael Cronin  
• Professor Finbarr O’Sullivan  
• Dr Supratik Roy
• Dr Eric Wolsztynski  
• Damian Conway  
• Kathleen O’Sullivan  

Why Choose This Course

This course provides you with a thorough theoretical grounding in statistics as well as a giving you practical experience of analysing real data.

Skills and Careers Information

The course offers you the opportunity for further study at master’s degree level or employment in areas such as medical research, the pharmaceutical industry, government departments/agencies, sales and marketing research,  finance and banking, the insurance industry and software development and support.

Requirements

Applicants for this programme should normally have obtained at least Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) which included a substantial component of Mathematics or mathematically-based material.

Applications will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) from:

(i) BA or BSc (General) graduates who have graduated with commendation and have Mathematics as a degree subject;
(ii) BA or BSc Graduates with Third Class Honours in an appropriate area;
(iii) Other graduates whose degree programme included a substantial component of Mathematics or mathematically-based material, and who have at least two years' experience in the application of Statistical methods.

This programme is not open to graduates who have taken honours Statistics as a degree subject.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €6,130.

The Non-EU fee for this course is €18,490.

How To Apply

The closing date for non-EU applications is N/A

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