MSc admissions Process, criteria and weekly decisions
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Overview Admissions process Key dates Common criteria Programme-specific criteria Direct entry into Year 2 Application fee & partners Next step
Postgraduate applicants

MSc admissions, clear and weekly.

DSTI admissions are open throughout the year. Complete MSc applications are reviewed regularly by the Admissions and Scholarships Committee, with clear criteria, programme-fit guidance, direct-entry review where relevant and scholarship assessment integrated into the process.

01 — Admissions process

A simple sequence from application to decision.

The process is designed to be readable for applicants and families: submit a complete file, confirm academic fit, receive committee review and move quickly to enrolment planning.

01

Choose the MSc route

Start with the programme that matches your technical goals. The Choose your MSc page helps compare Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Data Science and Cyber Security routes.

02

Submit your application

Upload your academic documents, CV, identity document, English evidence where available and a clear explanation of your study project.

03

Confirm the application fee

The €100 application fee validates the submission and is credited towards tuition fees upon matriculation when the applicant enrols at DSTI.

04

Academic review

Admissions reviews academic background, mathematics and IT readiness, English level and programme fit. An online entry exam can support the file when useful.

05

Thursday committee

Complete files are prepared for the next available Admissions and Scholarships Committee, held every Thursday.

06

Friday notification

Decision notifications are sent every Friday for files reviewed by committee, including admission, scholarship information and next steps where applicable.

02 — Key dates

Two MSc entry points, clear deadlines.

MSc applicants can prepare for either the Autumn or Spring entry. Applications are open throughout the year, and the dates below help applicants plan academic documents, visa preparation, travel and enrolment.

03 — Common criteria

Selective admission with evidence-based review.

All MSc routes require serious academic readiness. DSTI looks for a coherent background, clear motivation and the capacity to progress in a demanding English-taught technical environment.

Recognised Bachelor degree

Applicants should hold a recognised Bachelor degree or equivalent, with the appropriate academic background for the selected MSc route.

Mathematics and IT readiness

Each programme has its own technical centre of gravity. Admissions may use DSTI’s online mathematics and IT entry exam to complete the evidence.

English-taught study

Courses are delivered in English. IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 110 or equivalent evidence may be required, depending on the profile.

Motivation and programme fit

The committee reads the academic file together with the applicant’s goals, intended MSc route and ability to benefit from DSTI’s specialist environment.

Grade guideline

Relevant Bachelor subjects should show solid academic strength.

DSTI generally looks for a minimum of 60% in the Bachelor-level subjects that matter for the selected MSc route. In many grading systems, this corresponds to a profile around 20% above the average grade level, with particular attention paid to mathematics, computing, engineering, quantitative or discipline-specific subjects depending on the programme.

60% minimum guideline on relevant Bachelor transcript subjects
+20% around twenty percent above the local average grade level
Local reading trusted local partners help DSTI assess grading systems carefully and fairly
04 — Programme-specific criteria

Each MSc has a clear academic entry logic.

The Bachelor background expected depends on the technical direction of the MSc. Applicants choosing between routes can use the criteria below together with the Choose your MSc page.

MSc Data Analytics with AI

Analytics, automation and decision systems

A recognised 3 or 4-year Bachelor degree or equivalent is expected. Mathematics at high-school level or equivalent supports readiness for the route.

View programme
MSc Data Engineering for AI

Computing disciplines and data infrastructure

Applicants should hold a recognised Bachelor degree or equivalent in Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science or a closely related computing discipline.

View programme
MSc Data Science & AI

Applied mathematics and modelling

Applicants should hold a recognised 3 or 4-year Bachelor degree or equivalent in a field where applied mathematics has been studied, such as mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science or economics.

View programme
MSc in Cyber Security

Systems, networks and security engineering

Applicants should hold a recognised Bachelor degree or equivalent in computer engineering or telecommunications, possibly electronics. Computer Science graduates are invited to confirm suitability with DSTI Admissions.

View programme
05 — Direct entry into Year 2

Advanced entry for applicants with the right prior level.

Direct entry into MSc Year 2 is not a shortcut. It is a selective academic route for applicants whose previous studies already cover the foundations of the first MSc year and who can prove readiness through DSTI examinations.

Eligible profiles

Prior MSc-level study or four-year Bachelor

Applicants must have completed, or be finishing, either a first year of a Master’s-level programme in the same area as the DSTI MSc, or a four-year Bachelor in the same area.

Exam conditions

Online, proctored and time-limited

Applicants take a selection of DSTI Year 1 examinations online on DSTI Learn, the school’s Moodle-based LMS, with computer-vision enabled proctoring and Safe Exam Browser. They have 30 days upon application.

Academic decision

Direction of Studies review

Direction of Studies is sovereign in granting admission. The committee looks at applicants achieving DSTI’s minimum pass grade of 60%. The syllabus for each exam is provided to applicants.

All MSc programmes — Direct entry in Year 2

Common required examinations

A supplemental €50 direct-entry examination fee is required and credited towards tuition fees upon admission. Direct entry is not applicable to Executive MSc or continuing professional education routes.

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Foundations of Statistical Analysis — Part 1
  • Data Wrangling with SQL
MSc in Data Analytics with AI

Additional examination

  • Analysis & Design of Information Systems
MSc in Data Engineering for AI

Additional examinations

  • Analysis & Design of Information Systems
  • Cloud Computing — Amazon AWS — DSTI Internal Exam
  • Software Engineering with C
MSc in Data Science & AI

Additional examinations

  • Continuous Optimisation
  • Artificial Neural Networks
MSc in Cyber Security

Additional examinations

  • Cisco CCNA — DSTI Internal Exam
  • Cloud Computing — Amazon AWS — DSTI Internal Exam
  • Fundamentals of Cyber Security
06 — Fees, partners and scholarships

Application fee, partner exemption and scholarship review.

Financial information is integrated into the admissions journey, so applicants can connect programme choice, study mode, scholarship eligibility and payment planning early.

Application fee €100

The application fee goes towards tuition fees upon matriculation, when the applicant enrols at DSTI.

Partner education advisors

Fee exemption for partner-supported applicants.

Applicants supported by recognised partner study abroad education advisors are exempted from the application fee.

Find DSTI partner guidance
Scholarship review

Merit is reviewed with admission.

For on-campus MSc applicants, academic merit can be reviewed by the same weekly committee and communicated with the admission decision.

View MSc scholarships
07 — Prepare your file

A complete file helps the committee decide quickly.

Admissions may request documents in stages, but the strongest files usually make academic background, language readiness and professional direction easy to understand.

Academic recordsTranscripts, diploma or provisional evidence, grading scale where available.
Identity and CVPassport or identity document, updated CV and academic/professional history.
English evidenceIELTS, Duolingo or equivalent evidence when requested by Admissions.
Study projectMotivation, selected MSc route, professional goals and preferred study mode.
Next step

Choose your MSc route, then start the application.

Compare the MSc programmes, check tuition and scholarship information, or book a meeting with DSTI Admissions to discuss your background and goals.