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MSc Urban Data Analytics

MSc (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The urban environments in Ireland and beyond are increasingly experiencing issues with housing, traffic, pollution, and reaching climate neutrality. Cities are currently struggling to develop coherent plans on how to address many of these challenges in-part because of the lack of relevant inter- and trans- disciplinary skills with urban researchers.

The MSc in Urban Data Analytics aims to provide you with this inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge to become part of the new generation of skilled workforce to work with urban communities facing diverse issues.

Students will take modules in the School of Geography that will focus on algorithms and data analysis approaches and modules in the School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy that are dedicated to training you to work with communities. This multidisciplinary education will provide you with the toolkit to help urban communities tackle their diverse issues.

About This Course

This program will provide you with practical and applied data analytic abilities as well as a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers.

Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral study or to careers in:

•Environmental and planning consultancies

•Governmental departments and local authorities (e.g. Dublin City Council)

•State and semi-state agencies (e.g. Central Statistics Office, Environmental Protection Agency)

•Industry (e.g. ESRI, Google)

•Think tanks, research bodies and consultancies (e.g. KPMG)

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOG41090 Urban Data Analytics Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN40670 Smart climate neutral cities Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOG41060 Geostatistics and Programming for GIS Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students who choose GEOG41140 must also register to GEOG40390 from the option list below.
 GEOG41140 Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  35
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students who choose GEOG41140 must also register to GEOG40390 from the option list below.
 GEOG41080 Research Project Summer  20
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 ARCT41260 Climate Carbon Cities Change Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 COMP40370 Data Mining Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 COMP40730 High Performance Computing Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG40390 Research Design Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG40860 Practical Environmental Assessment Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG41160 Python for GIS Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 PLAN4007W Smart Cities & Transportation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 COMP47470 Big Data Programming Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 ARCT41240 Urban Resilience and Ethics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 COMP40725 Introduction to Relational Databases and SQL Programming Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG40870 Advanced GIS Applications Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG40890 Remote Sensing Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG41150 GIS for Environmental Health Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG41170 Citizen Science Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG41210 GIS for Decision-Making Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 PLAN40650 Healthy and Sust. Communities Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG41130 Critical Reviews of GIS Summer  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 25CR:
Choose 25 or 40 credits
 GEOG41220 Critical Reviews of GIS Summer  5

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

SDG3 SDG6 SDG8 SDG9 SDG10 SDG 11 SDG 13 SDG 15

MSc Urban Data Analytics (W601) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9330
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MSc Urban Data Analytics (W602) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5600
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Applicants should have a minimum of an upper second class honours (2:1) degree or international equivalent at bachelors level.

•Relevant professional or voluntary experience may be considered as part of the application process.

•Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

•Applicants should have basic computer skills.

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Urban Data Analytics:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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W601
MSc Urban Data Analytics
Master of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W602
Urban Data Analytics
Master of Science

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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