Artificial Intelligence with Business Strategy (including Professional Practice) MSc

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing area of computer science at the forefront of many of the technological advances of our age. 
 
Our Artificial Intelligence with Business Strategy masters course, taught jointly by the triple-accredited Aston Business School and the team of active researchers at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, will give you technical knowledge and skills together with highly valued understanding of business strategy, enabling you to apply your knowledge in industry.  
 
To join this course, you’ll have an undergraduate degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths) subject and some experience of programming. 
 
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 
 
We'll teach you specialist, technical information together with a deep understanding of how businesses work, to enable you to create ethical, well-justified and appropriate AI solutions. 
 
Our focus on this course is the application of your AI technical information and knowledge in a business setting, with a focus on machine learning and data mining to improve business processes. You’ll have the opportunity to design and plan, implement, test, evaluate and document your solutions with this focus in mind. 
 
As well as the development of your technical and business knowledge, you’ll also grow your communication and team working skills as you work on your own and with others on projects and presentations. One of these projects gives you the opportunity to develop a computer game, working as part of a team, and present your solution to the rest of your class.

• Entry requirements for each individual student will be stated in their offer letter.  A minimum of BSc 2:2 or international equivalent in a STEM subject (such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Economics, Computer Science) or Business is expected. Programming experience is desirable. Students with no or little previous programming experience are strongly encouraged to contact the programme director preferably by 1 August 2023 so they can be advised on a suitable self-study programme.
• 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.  

Core Modules

•    AI: Vision and Reality 
•    Machine Learning 
•    Mathematics for AI 
•    Strategic Management
•    Research Methods and Professional Practice 
•    MSc Major Dissertation 

Choose 3 out of the following options:

•    Deep Learning 
•    Leadership and Decision Making
•    International Business Strategy
•    International Entrepreneurship
•    Big Data for Decision Making
•    Management Consulting

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

You will complete all of these 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 Artificial Intelligence with Business Strategy 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.

Having completed this masters course you’ll be ready to develop your career in a wide range of businesses, from specialist AI consultancies to multinational companies. Your role could be technical in nature, developing machine learning models to improve business process, or a broader role using your business strategy knowledge and skills.  

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.

International students undertaking this course will be offered a visa for the full duration of the course lasting 22 months.

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 with Business Strategy at Aston? 

AI is an area that is experiencing rapid growth in this information age.  
We need more people with the necessary skills to develop exciting solutions that change peoples’ lives through the use of technology.

This course is designed to give you a broad understanding of the key strategic business tools and techniques alongside specialist AI knowledge and experience, giving you an even wider range of potential opportunities as you build your career.  

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

During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to design and plan, implement, test, evaluate and document your solutions, all important skills to develop for your future career. You’ll undertake a range of projects with a focus on applying your solutions in practice.
 
The particular combination of AI and business strategy means that you will learn about how AI solutions are implemented in real world settings, with due consideration for the wide range of competing demands on any large business.  

How does this course differ from the MSc Artificial Intelligence course without Business Strategy?

The MSc Artificial Intelligence with Business Strategy course is delivered jointly with Aston Business School, and features modules specific to developing your business acumen, such as International Business Strategy and Strategic Management. The MSc Artificial Intelligence course does not feature these modules specific to business, and instead has a deeper focus on AI, featuring modules such as Computational Intelligence and Data Mining.

How does this course differ from the MSc Artificial Intelligence with Business Strategy course without the Professional Practice element?

This version of this course with professional practice features the opportunity to undertake a work placement during your time studying at Aston, however the MSc Artificial Intelligence course that doesn’t include a professional practice does not include a work placement opportunity as part of the course.