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Courses
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Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Accessibility & LanguageArtificial Intelligence for Professionals (PgCert)
Course Overview
The PgCert in Artificial Intelligence for Professionals is targeted at learners who would benefit professionally from gaining a high-level understanding of the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This programme is suitable for those who currently work with AI, or for those who plan to work with AI in the future. The PgCert is also suitable for those who would like to explore the possibilities of how AI might be applied within their own organisation or industry sector.
This programme focuses on the strategic and practical aspects of AI applications, rather the low-level details of how particular AI algorithms are implemented. Therefore, learners are not required to have a background in computer science, or to learn programming or advanced mathematics to succeed in this programme. Candidates will learn about the main AI techniques and what they can be used for, data and skills requirements for AI projects, case studies of AI systems, as well as the ethical and legal implications of AI applications for business and society.
This 9-month part-time programme is delivered entirely online, so there is no need for students to attend the University of Galway campus. As the programme is fully remote, applications from candidates based outside the Republic of Ireland are welcome.
The programme fee for EU-based students for is €4,950. A fee subsidy is available for students based within the Republic of Ireland who are members of itag via itag Skillnet, giving a reduced fee of €2,995 for itag members. Students who are not members of itag are welcome to apply to the programme, but will be liable for the full fee without itag Skillnet funding support. Questions regarding eligibility for itag Skillnet funding support should be sent to dtimoney@itag.ie.
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You may also be interested in one of our other School of Computer Science postgraduate programmes.
Applications and Selections
Please email the Programme Director: patrick.mannion@universityofgalway.ie for information on the application process.
Who Teaches this Course
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Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Applicants should hold a Level 8 honours undergraduate degree in any discipline. Applicants with a Level 7 ordinary undergraduate degree and relevant work experience will also be considered. Please email the Programme Director: patrick.mannion@universityofgalway.ie with any queries regarding entry requirements.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants with a Level 7 ordinary undergraduate degree and relevant work experience will also be considered. Please email the Programme Director patrick.mannion@universityofgalway.ie with any queries regarding entry requirements.
Duration
1 year, part-time
Next start date
September 2025
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
20
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
No set closing date. Offers made on a continuous basis
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
30
Award
CAO
Course code
PGC-AIP
Course Outline
The PgCert in Artificial Intelligence for Professionals is delivered 100% via remote learning, so students are not required to attend the University of Galway campus to complete the programme. The PgCert is delivered asynchronously, so students are free to learn at their own pace, at the times and places that best suit them. During each week of the programme, pre-recorded video lectures will be made available for students to watch via the university’s learning management system.
The pre-recorded video lectures will be supplemented by additional carefully curated content and activities, including assigned readings, discussion forums and other exercises. There will also be some optional synchronous live online sessions where students will have a chance to meet the lecturers who deliver the programme. The programme is assessed 100% via continuous assessment, so there is no need for students to attend University of Galway for traditional end-of-semester exams.
The programme is delivered on a part-time basis over 9 months, and is designed so that it can be completed while students are in full-time employment. The PgCert is delivered over two teaching semesters (September – December and January–May), and in each semester students will take 3 modules. Each individual module is worth 5 ECTS, and in total the PgCert consists of 30 ECTS.
Semester 1 modules (September–December):
- CT5181 Introduction to AI (5 ECTS)
- CT5182 Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing (5 ECTS)
- CT5184 Data Analysis and Visualisation (5 ECTS)
Semester 2 modules (January – May):
- CT5212 Societal Impact of AI
- CT5185 Ethics and Law for AI (5 ECTS)
- CT5186 Future of AI (5 ECTS)
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
The field of artificial intelligence continues to grow very quickly, and new roles involving work with artificial intelligence are being created rapidly. This programme will equip professionals who wish to work with AI with the ability to strategise about AI, envision AI projects, and interact with teams that include AI technical experts. This programme is not intended for students aiming to work directly in coding AI systems.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
After completing the PgCert in Artificial Intelligence for Professionals, graduates will:
- Have a broad, practical grounding in the field of artificial intelligence
- Be able to discuss recent examples of commercial applications of AI, including potential benefits and limitations
- Have an awareness of the legal and ethical issues arising in commercial applications of artificial intelligence
- Be able to work with data to achieve insight
- Know how to lead AI transformation in their organisation
- Have the ability to lead strategic decision-making in relation to adoption of new AI technologies
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€2,995 for ITAG members; €5,000 for non-members
Fees: Tuition
€
Fees: Student levy
€
Fees: Non EU
€5,000 p.a. 2025/26
Find out More
Dr Patrick Mannion
Programme Director
E: patrick.mannion@universityofgalway.ie
What Our Graduates Say
Tom Lohan | Graduate
As a Development Manager, with no background in Artificial Intelligence, I struggled to find a course that would give me a good understanding of AI without being too technical and hands on. When I came across the AI for Professionals course at University of Galway I knew it was the right course for me - it's focused at gaining a strong understanding of AI without having to do any coding. The course not only covers what AI and Machine Learning is but also addresses areas, such as AI Strategy, AI Ethics and Law, and Data Visualisation. This gives students the bigger picture of AI and how it impacts on our organisations, society and culture. The course is fully remote and lectures can be done on your schedule. The lecturers are extremely knowledgeable about their domain and are always willing to help and advise the students. There is a good mix of assessments, essays and projects. Overall the course prepares managers for how to understand, build and grow Artificial Intelligence teams and solutions in their companies. I highly recommend this course.
Lisa Molloy | Graduate
I would highly recommend the PgCert (Computer Science—Artificial Intelligence for Professionals) at University of Galway. The course provides an extensive in-depth education on AI within computer science, the current uses, the trends and what the future has in store. The course and assignments are designed to ensure students gain a full understanding of topics covered and have a requirement to delve deeper to further investigate the uses of AI, combined with a firm emphasis on how to relate the above to current industry practice in your employment sector. The online course is well structured with realistic deliverables ensuring that the course is compatible with full-time work. In addition, the teaching staff delivered material via weekly lectures and encouraged student interaction to further enhance understanding of content and deliverables within. This interactive learning environment creates a platform to educate and equip graduates with a broad understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques.
