European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence
Where there’s digital transformation, there’s data. Right across the globe, companies and organisations in all sectors are battling to stay on top of digital acceleration and managing data associated with technological advancement.
The new European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) is a unique course offering that aims to bridge this gap for businesses and institutions that now require experts to legally, ethically and safely process data, in particular in the context of the use of Artificial Intelligence systems.
This master’s degree offers a unique mix of law and computing modules in a highly internationalised learning environment creating experts in data protection, governance, cyber security, law and ethics of AI. Students also benefit from multilingual learning related to English and one other European language (French or Spanish). This combination of skills is highly sought after by international organisations, tech companies, the legal sector and European and global institutions.
Industry and partner support
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) is an international interdisciplinary programme offered by four Partner Universities, supported by three Research Associate Partners, and involving more than 70 public and private organisations in the delivery of work placements, seminars, thematic weeks and summer schools. EMILDAI is funded by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programme of the European Union.
This master’s degree has been developed as a response to the legal, technical and ethical challenges of digitisation. It aims to educate the leaders who will achieve the goals of the EU Digital Compass.
Study abroad and work placements
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) comprises a two-year fully integrated study curriculum, including:
- up to three mobility periods
- work placements
- language courses
- summer schools
- networking opportunities
Two study streams
This fully interdisciplinary programme is divided into two study streams, Law and Computing, and offers two areas of specialisation, Data Governance and Cybersecurity.
International student experience
This master’s degree aims to attract excellent students worldwide, thanks to the offer of an internationally recognised joint degree, monthly scholarships, world-class support services, and by paying due attention to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion with regard to all students, in particular those with fewer opportunities. EMILDAI promotes research-led teaching and staff mobility in order to support collaborative research, funding bids, and establish a network of excellence in the field of law, data and AI. The programme offers a vibrant teaching and learning environment, ultimately enhancing the level of internationalisation and competitiveness of the partner universities.
The four partner universities delivering the EMILDAI programme are:
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) offers a highly integrated, multilingual and interdisciplinary curriculum, which is articulated into two years (120 ECTS). EMILDAI students will receive a joint master’s degree awarded by the partner universities they attend (joint degree ‘per track’). Students are required to know at least two languages: either English and French or English and Spanish.
Students are divided into two Study Streams: Law and Computing, depending on the student’s disciplinary background and professional experience.
Year 1 aims to offer students a comprehensive introduction to the core themes related to law, data and AI. Students of both streams will spend semester 1 and 2 at DCU completing an ‘Introduction to Law, Data and AI’.
Year 2 aims to provide students with a specialisation in the fields of data governance, cybersecurity and AI law and ethics.
Law Stream students will specialise in either:
- data governance at Avignon Université (Study Track A, taught in French)
- or cybersecurity at Universidad de León (Study Track B, taught in Spanish) in semester 3,
- In semester 4 (taught in English), Track A and B, will gain an in-depth understanding of AI Law and Ethics at Università di Pisa.
Computing Stream students will spend both semester 3 and 4 specialising in either:
- data governance at Avignon Université (Study Track A, taught in French)
- or cybersecurity at Universidad de León (Study Track B, taught in Spanish).
See link to EMILDAI website for explanation of the Law and Computing streams
Life on DCU Campus
DCU has three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses. These include modern learning theatres, research centres, television and radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School. Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
Among the student facilities in DCU are a sports complex with a 25 metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
In 2018, a purpose-built state-of-the-art new student centre - The U - was opened. This centre serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500 and is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
The European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) will attract both recent undergraduates and those already established in their careers. The knowledge and skills you acquire through this programme are highly sought by law firms, tech companies, the compliance sector, research organisations and across multiple government departments.
Graduates seek work in a variety of government departments, including national data protection authorities, health authorities, ministries, military corps and universities. Others may gravitate toward the private sector as many large firms, working across a range of services, continue to expand their privacy, data protection, AI and cybersecurity teams. These include, but are not limited to, financial services companies, law and accountancy firms and consultancy firms.
Potential Careers
- Legal professional offering expertise in privacy and on GDPR
- Data protection officer
- Privacy engineer
- Professional advisor on data governance and best practice models
- IT consultant
- Researcher
- Compliance professional
- Data Analyst
- AI specialist
- Cybersecurity expert
Requirements
All entry requirements should be met at the time of the application.
All EMILDAI students should possess 1) a relevant degree and 2) an appropriate language proficiency level in English and either French or Spanish. If you have doubt on any of the following please visit the programme website https://emildai.eu/ or contact us via email.
Relevant degree:
Computing stream students: Applicants must have a H2.2 Undergraduate Honours degree or equivalent qualification in Computer Science, Computing, Computer applications or a related discipline. Candidates with significant experience in the software development sector in addition to an Honours primary degree in some other discipline, may also be considered for entry in accordance with DCU’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.
Law stream students: Applicants must have achieved a H2.1 Undergraduate Honours degree or equivalent qualification in law or other degree which includes law as a significant component. Candidates with significant experience in the legal and policy sector in addition to an Honours primary degree in some other discipline, may also be considered for entry in accordance with DCU’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. In that case, students will have to satisfy the specific entry requirements established by the University of Pisa for students without a law degree.
Data Governance Track (France): Applicants spending part of the second year at Avignon Université, who are non-native speakers of French, should demonstrate that they possess at least a level C1 CEFR French language proficiency certificate or proof of equivalent experience (e.g. a previous degree taught in French).
Cybersecurity Track (Spain): Applicants spending part of the second year at the Universidad de León (Spain), who are non-native speakers of Spanish, should demonstrate that they possess an appropriate level of Spanish language proficiency (e.g. a Spanish language proficiency certificate or a previous degree taught in Spanish).
Language level:
All students: International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU's English language requirements can be found here.
Scholarship opportunities:
The EMILDAI programme annually offers a series of Full Scholarships (covering Tuition Fees and offering a stipendium of €1400/month) and full and partial Fee Waivers. For more information please visit https://emildai.eu/admissions/scholarships-and-fee-waivers/
Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above