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 andSPSS.

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

Applicants for this programme should normally have obtained at least Second Class Honours in a primary degree which included a substantial component of Mathematics or mathematically-based material.

Applications will also be considered 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.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests. 

Application for this programme is on-line at www.pac.ie/ucc. Places on this programme are offered in rounds. The closing dates for each round can be found here. For full details of the application procedure click How to apply.

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 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

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.

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   http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D019/mcronin

Professor Finbarr O’Sullivan  http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D019/fosullivan

Dr Supratik Roy  http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D019/sroy

Dr Eric Wolsztynski  http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D019/ewolsztynski

Damian Conway  http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D019/dconway

Kathleen O’Sullivan  http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D019/kathleenosullivan