Applied Artificial Intelligence (including Professional Practice) MSc

** A limited number of scholarships are available for this programme. Full details are available here **

Artificial Intelligence is at the cutting edge of technology and its potential applications are almost limitless. From developing robots that help people in their own homes to using AI in modelling and managing serious health conditions, it is changing the way we live. 

There is no doubt that this rapidly growing area of computer science will be at the centre of technological advances in the future. 

As you won’t have a computer science background, this conversion course is designed to get you up to speed quickly, covering the foundations of computer science as well as the specialist knowledge needed for a career in AI.

Our Artificial Intelligence masters is taught by a team of active researchers, so you’ll benefit from their ongoing work and be taught the latest techniques on this interactive course. 

This course was developed with support from the Institute of Coding to help break down barriers to digital learning and employment.


What you’ll learn

The course begins with an intensive programming bootcamp to get you up to speed quickly. This bootcamp, which is delivered over the first four weeks of the first teaching period, is taught full-time from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

During your MSc course, we'll teach you the specialist, technical information you need, and you'll develop your ability to create ethical, well-justified and appropriate AI solutions to real-life challenges. 

With an emphasis on practical experience, you’ll have the opportunity to design and plan, implement, test, evaluate and document your solutions, preparing you for future challenges as you develop your career. 

You’ll work on your own and as part of a team on projects and presentations. The different projects will enable you to develop your communication and team working skills alongside your technical expertise, which is important as you enter the workplace.

Core modules

• Foundations of Object-oriented Software Development
• Software Engineering Database Systems
• AI: Vision and Reality
• Research Methods and Professional Practice
• Dissertation

Optional modules (choose three from the following four)

• Techniques for Data Analysis (Data Mining)
• Machine Learning
• Mathematics for AI
• Multi-agent Systems and Strategic Decision Making

The course will be assessed through a combination of exams, coursework and practicals.

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-4pm)

Please click here for guidance on completing the postgraduate application. 

Entry requirements
 

• A Bachelors Degree in a non-Computing subject, with at least grade 2:2 (or equivalent) and GCSE Mathematics Grade B or equivalent. 
   
• Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.
   
• For International Students intending to do a foundation year. Click here to find out more.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

Learning will include lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as practical projects and presentations. 

You will complete all of your modules apart from your Major Dissertation across 2 terms (September until Easter). You will work on your Major Dissertation until the following September. This course also contains a Professional Practice placement which will take place after you've completed the dissertation, and will last for 9 months. International students undertaking this course will be offered a visa for the full duration of the course lasting 22 months.

Professional Practice

The difference between this course and the MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence course is that this one features a professional placement.

Taking the Professional Practice route allows you to extend the duration of your Masters to 22 months and gain valuable working experience to support your career aspirations. The placement commences after completion of your MSc dissertation and can be paid work. study abroad exchanges or unpaid research projects or even a mix of these options. You will return to Aston the following May for an intensive period on campus to draw all your learning together and finalise the assessments.

Although you are responsible for finding your placement, you will have access to the support of our award-winning Careers and Placements Team, who have helped so many of our students to secure placement and work opportunities, including by providing CV and application preparation, and practice interviews. In addition, you will participate in a programme of activities within the School designed to develop your personal and professional skills such as industry seminars and networking activities. Opportunities for one-to-one coaching and mentoring will also support your learning journey and help you become more work-ready.

Take a look at our specific placement information and support.

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

UK postgraduate available 

If you’re starting a masters course on or after 1 August 2022, you can apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. Find out more. 

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our UK student scholarships here. Find out more about our international student scholarships here.

Cost shouldn't limit your career aspirations, which is why we are delighted to offer all Aston University graduates (including exchange students) a 20% loyalty scholarship in standard taught MA, MSc and Full-time MBA course fees. As an Aston University graduate, you will automatically qualify. For more information visit our webpage.

On graduation from this course, your skills will be in high demand across a wide range of sectors and industries. From working in robotics or the development of self-driving cars to using machine learning to manage the movement of people around cities, the opportunities are many and varied. Alternatively, you may choose to continue your studies through further research.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our postgraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new immigration route which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. The new post-study work visa will apply to international students starting undergraduate and postgraduate courses from 2020. Click here for more information on post-work visas.

Why study Artificial Intelligence at Aston?

Artificial Intelligence is an incredibly fast growing and exciting sector with a huge demand for people with specialist skills. This course will give you both the knowledge and skills as well as the practical experience to build an interesting career across a range of industries. 

Whether you’re interested in working in robotics or data mining and machine learning, there are many opportunities for employment

What will I be doing on the Artificial Intelligence course at Aston?

You’ll learn in a range of ways, with a focus on the practical application of your solutions. During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to design, plan, implement, test, evaluate and document your solutions, including the development of your own computer game. These are all important skills for developing your future career and will ensure you’re ready for the workplace challenges you’ll face. 

How does this course differ from the MSc Artificial Intelligence course?

The MSc Artificial Intelligence course is for those who already have an undergraduate degree in computer science, whereas this conversion course in MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence is for those who don’t have a background in computer science.

How does this course differ from the MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence course, without Professional Practice?

This version of this course with professional practice features the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your time studying at Aston, whereas the other doesn’t offer this.