Tag: #masters

EMEA Masters Returns for 2024

EMEA Masters returns in 2024 with exciting competitive updates, so mark your calendars!

The changes we’re making to the overall format of EMEA Masters aren’t just to shake the competitive scene up, they’re designed to usher in more competitiveness and bring more excitement to fans and players alike!

In 2023, we introduced two new EMEA Regional Leagues (ERLs) to the ecosystem, to better represent the EMEA region. We’ve seen some amazing players use our ERL and EMEA Masters infrastructure to move up to the LEC, with a few even making it to the recent 2024 LEC Winter Split Finals! This year, we’re looking to ensure that every team and player fighting for the spotlight has an opportunity to shine. We also brought the EMEA Masters Summer Finals to the main stage during our 2023 LEC Season Finals roadshow, and we’re happy to reveal that this year, our two EMEA Masters finalists will compete at the 2024 LEC Season Finals in Munich!

Spring Split

Looking towards the Spring Split for 2024, it will be held in a very similar competitive format. Unfortunately, we only have a two-week window in the competitive calendar for the EMEA Masters Spring Split due to overall calendar restrictions, which isn’t suitable to properly accommodate the tournament as we did in 2023. To remedy this, the number of parallel matches will be increased, but the overall amount of matches has remained the same.

For 2024, we’ll continue with the three-stage approach, which sees 28 teams competing over two weeks – starting on April 15 and concluding on April 28. As a friendly reminder, here’s the format for the Spring Split:

 

  • Play-in: 16 teams, split into four groups of four. Best-of-one, double round-robin format. The top two teams in each group progress to Knock-outs.

  • Play-in (Knock-outs): 8 teams will compete in a best-of-three series. The top four teams progress to the Group Stage.

  • Group Stage: 16 teams, split into four groups of four. Best-of-one, double round-robin format. The top two teams from each group progress to the Playoffs.

  • Playoffs: 8 teams will compete in a best-of-five, single elimination bracket.

Summer Split

We have, however, made changes to the 2024 EMEA Masters Summer Split. Firstly, it will now be held in three stages: Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ), Group Stage and Playoffs. You’ll also see a total of 38 different teams compete throughout the tournament – so you better strap in for the ride!

 

 

Last Chance Qualifiers

The LCQ will be the stage for 24 teams to compete for a ticket to the Group Stage – with one to three teams competing per region. We’ll be sharing more information on the format of our opening stage for the 2024 EMEA Masters Summer Split in the coming months so stay tuned!

Group Stage

The Group Stage will consist of 16 teams, with 13 of the teams having automatically qualified – being the winners of each respective ERL Summer Final. The remaining three teams will qualify through our LCQ. Four groups of four teams will fight for victory in a best-of-three, GSL format. The teams will be assigned to their respective groups through a draw show. For a quick-fire explanation of GSL, if you win twice, you move on to the next stage – so the pressure is on! Teams will have a total of three chances to rise from their group. The top two teams from each of the four groups will then advance to the Playoffs.

Playoffs

Playoffs will see the best eight teams of the tournament fighting tooth and nail for the crown. The format will be a double-elimination bracket, with the first seeds from the Group Stage being placed in the upper bracket, and the second seeds progressing to the lower bracket. All matches will be best-of-threes apart from our Lower Bracket Finals and Grand Finals, which are both best-of-five – allowing teams to grapple with each other for the trophy!

Just like the 2023 EMEA Masters, this year’s Summer Finals will be taking place on the big stage, during the 2024 LEC Roadshow. The two finalists will compete in front of the crowd for the championship title. We’ll be announcing more information on the finals weekend later this year so make sure to stay tuned!

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR New Gameplay Trailer Ahead of Launch + Road to the Masters Invitational from Augusta

EA released a brand new gameplay video for the upcoming EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, launching Friday, April 7 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC.

Featuring sports gaming content creator TheApexHound, the video showcases many of the incredible gameplay features that players will get their hands on when EA SPORTS PGA TOUR launches globally next week. Players will get a sneak peek at the famous Pebble Beach and Bay Hill courses, while witnessing an online multiplayer match also featuring producer Ben Ramsour. The playthrough showcases the upcoming game’s stunning, realistic visuals and state-of-the-art course mapping technology.

And, in case you missed it, Augusta National Golf Club announced last week that it will host the Road to the Masters Invitational, an invite-only live streamed event on Sunday, April 2 at 3:00pm PT / 6:00pm ET. Tune in to check out the first ever gameplay of the prestigious Augusta National and watch as celebrity participants compete in EA SPORTS PGA TOUR. You can find out more at the link here.

The Best Colleges to Earn a Master of Data Science Degree in Ireland

In organizations that leverage big data and the use of data analytics tools is an everyday occurrence, qualifications in data science can open doors to lucrative job positions. If you are considering taking a master’s degree in Ireland, it is important to note that most colleges accept students with technical backgrounds such as engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

Also, some colleges may offer a Master of Data Science degree with Data Analytics or Computing Science to allow students to explore data scientist and data analyst roles. Whether you are a local or international student, finding the best college for your postgraduate education is key to securing the foundation of your career. Below are the best colleges to consider if you are looking for an institution to earn your Master of Data Science degree in Ireland.

1. Trinity College

Founded in 1592, Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland. It offers a Master of Computer Science program, and allows students to specialize in Data Science. The specialization focuses on three main areas: storage data management, data analysis, and computation.

You can expect to complete the program in 3 semesters that takes 12 months. During your study, you have the option of taking optional courses like text analytics and urban computing in the first two semesters, in addition to the mandatory courses like data visualization and machine learning. The tuition cost for Trinity College is €22,575. To qualify for the program, you need to have ELTS/TOEFL/PTE, Bachelors with 75% or 7.5 CGPA

2. University College Cork

Situated in Ireland’s second-biggest city, University College Cork (UCC) positions itself as a research-oriented institution. Founded in 1845, it has a Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics program that runs for one year offered by the Science, Engineering, and Food Science College.

The master’s program is divided into Part 1, consisting of 60 credits, and Part 2, consisting of 30 credits. The program equips you with crucial skills in data programming, data management, and modeling and interpretation of data. The tuition fee for EU citizens is €7000, while non-EU citizens can expect to pay €18000. You also need to have a CGPA of 6.5 to qualify for the program in addition to ELTS/TOEFL/PTE.

3. University College Dublin

University College Dublin is a public university established in 1854. It is among the best colleges in Ireland, given its ranking among the 1% of best universities globally. The college offers an MSC in Data and Computational Science and an MSC in Data Analysis.

The master’s program is ideal for students with quantitative discipline backgrounds in statistics, physics, math, and engineering. It will take you one year to complete the program on a full-time basis, and two years on a part-time basis. You can expect to pay a tuition cost of €19200.  To qualify for the program, you need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree with a second class honors upper division and ELTS/ TOEFL/PTE.

4. Maynooth University

Maynooth University is among the newest colleges in Ireland. It was established in 1997 and is located in the town of Maynooth. The college introduced the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics degree program in 2017, making the institution one of the best places to earn a Master of Data Science degree in Ireland. The college offers the program in the Nation Center of Geocomputation under the university’s departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Computer Science.

The master’s program takes one year to complete if you study full-time and two years when studying part-time. Under the program, you will learn the fundamentals of data science as well as statistical machine learning. You will also need to submit a thesis before graduating. To qualify for the program, you need Bachelors with 65% or a CGPA of 6.5 in addition to ELTS/TOEFL/PTE exams. The tuition cost for the Masters of Science in Data Science and Analytics is €17,500.

5. Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Established in 1972, Letterkenny Institute of Technology is located in Letterkenny and offers a Master of Science in Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. The duration of the program is one year for full-time students and two years for part-time students. During the study, students learn the processes of examining and interpreting large data sets to uncover insights. You also learn to enable computer systems to come up with independent decisions.

The tuition cost for the program is €10,000. Additionally, you need ELTS/TOEFL/PTE, as well as a 6.0 CGPA to qualify for the program. A Higher Diploma in Computing also makes you eligible to apply. If you wish to pursue the program without an honors degree but have relevant experience in the field, you can apply through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). One-week bridging courses are also available.

A Masters of Data Science degree in Ireland gives you a competitive advantage in the job market and propels you towards career excellence in data science and related fields. With the above information, you can choose the best college for your postgraduate education and begin your journey towards career advancement.