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Artificial Intelligence, MSc

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Artificial Intelligence, MSc

Introduction

This programme engages with all aspects of AI, from its fundamentals to the cutting-edge techniques revolutionising how we live, learn, work and socialise, to open up career opportunities in this dynamic, fast-moving field.

Start in January or September
This programme is available to start in either January or September.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MSc
Duration
12 months or 16 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
January or September
Location of Study
Aberdeen

The MSc Artificial Intelligence covers the theoretical underpinning of a wide variety of AI-related techniques including data and text mining, machine learning, reasoning, natural language generation, knowledge representation, and distributed AI systems as well as the technology, techniques, tools, software and methodologies used to apply these underlying theories to real-world problems.

You will learn how to engineer and evaluate AI systems and also engage in debates around the legal and ethical issues involved in the ethics of AI technology. The programme culminates with a research project, which you will undertake under the supervision of a member of staff and can also be undertaken with an external company or organisation. Typical projects include extending, improving or adapting existing AI theories or techniques to solve different problems or comparing competing techniques or tools to solve a particular problem.

The skills and knowledge you will learn on this programme is shaped by the latest research in AI. The University of Aberdeen has over 30 years’ of experience, and a worldwide reputation in AI-related research, focusing on areas such as machine learning, data science, natural language generation, and multi-agent systems. Data and AI is one of five interdisciplinary research priorities for the University of Aberdeen and the department has strong links with the University's Centre for Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Spin-out successes from the University of Aberdeen include ARRIA NLG, one of the world’s leading natural language generation companies. Our close industry links mean you will have opportunities to apply your skills through training and networking events and industrial placements organised through organisations such as the Data Lab, Intel AI Academy, IBM, Intelligent Plant, and Aberdeen City Council.

Available Programmes of Study

MSc

Artificial Intelligence

Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month Location  
MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September Aberdeen More
MSc 16 months On Campus Learning Full Time January Aberdeen More

Programme Fees

Fee information
Fee category Cost
EU / International students £27,000
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year
UK £11,900
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year

Semester 1

Compulsory Courses

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Detailed course information
Data Mining with Deep Learning (CS552J)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to make students familiar with basic data mining and visualisation techniques and software tools. Students will learn how to analyse complex datasets by applying data pre-processing, exploration, clustering and classification, time series analysis, and many other techniques. This course will also cover text mining and qualitative modelling. Through this course students will be able to analyse real-world datasets in various domains and discover novel patterns from them. This course is particularly suitable for those who are interested in working as data analysts or data scientists in the future.

Detailed course information
Natural Language Generation (CS551H)

15 Credit Points

The aim of the course is to introduce students who have some background in computing to (1) the varied aims for which Natural Language Generation (NLG) is pursued, (2) the main rule based and statistical methods that are used in NLG, and (3) some of the main NLG algorithms and systems. The course will cover NLG both as a theoretical enterprise (e.g., for constructing models of language production) and as practical language engineering, paying particular attention to the link between NLG and data science. Some programming experience is expected.

Detailed course information
Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (CS551J)

15 Credit Points

Recent advances in AI have changed the perception of what machines can do, from on-line search to answering questions. An underlying feature of many AI systems concern how knowledge is acquired, represented, and reasoned with. Companies such as Google, IBM, and Facebook have been developing sophisticated tools for knowledge representation and reasoning. This module provides the theory and practice of knowledge representation and reasoning, also presenting cutting-edge technologies, libraries and tools. At the end of the course students will be able to design, implement and evaluate knowledge-intensive AI systems.

Detailed course information
Software Agents and Multi - Agent Systems (CS551K)

15 Credit Points

The global autonomous systems market is expected to be valued at over £13 billion by 2025, involving both software systems and robots. Such autonomous systems act to achieve goals with no human intervention, and are already found in Tesla's self-driving cars, NASA space probes and systems such as Amazon's Echo. This course provides the student with a solid grounding in the theory and tools which underpin such systems, teaching them both how to develop such systems, and use them effectively as part of a larger product.

Detailed course information

Semester 2

Compulsory Courses

Symbolic AI (CS502K)

15 Credit Points

This course presents the fundamental techniques of Artificial Intelligence, used in system such as Google Maps, Siri, IBM Watson, as well as industrial automation systems, and which are core to emerging products such as self-driving vehicles. This course will equip the student to understand how such AI technologies operate, their implementation details, and how to use them effectively. This course therefore provides the building blocks necessary for understanding and using AI techniques and methodologies.

Detailed course information
Evaluation of AI Systems (CS5063)

15 Credit Points

One of the biggest challenges in Artificial Intelligence is evaluating how well AI systems work. This course will provide students of our MSc in AI with knowledge of core evaluation concepts, approaches, tools, techniques and technologies; we will also look at software testing of AI systems.

Detailed course information
Machine Learning (CS5062)

15 Credit Points

This course will deliver the most sophisticated Machine Learning methodologies and algorithms which would be illustrated across a wide range of applications including but not limited to images, videos, health, time series data, language processing, etc. This course provides students with the Machine Learning principles for continuing learning and working in the area of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Detailed course information
Applied Artificial Intelligence (CS5079)

15 Credit Points

This course will allow students to use cutting-edge AI technologies to investigate the creation and application of AI systems. Such tools include deep learning libraries and simulation environments.

Detailed course information

Semester 3

Compulsory Courses

MSc Project in Artificial Intelligence (CS551T)

60 Credit Points

This course will provide students of our MSc in AI programme with the opportunity to develop their own AI research project, under the supervision of a member of staff. Typical projects include extending, improving or adapting existing AI theories or techniques to solve different problems, comparing competing techniques or tools to solve a particular problem, and so on. Students will improve their problem-solving and communication skills, as well as broaden, deepen and consolidate knowledge obtained in other components of the degree.

Detailed course information

Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programme(s) above.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Fee Information

Additional Fee Information

  • Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

International Applicants

More information about fee status, living costs, and work allowances for international students is available here.

Funding Opportunities

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more about this scholarship and other funding opportunities available.

Scholarships

Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.

From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

Related Programmes

You may also be interested in the following related postgraduate degree programmes.

Related Information

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Peer Learning
  • Research
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Why Study Artificial Intelligence?

  • The MSc Artificial Intelligence covers both the theoretical underpinning of AI as well as the technology, techniques, tools, software and methodologies used to apply these underlying theories to real-world problems.
  • You will learn the key skills in the use of Symbolic AI, Machine Learning, Data Mining and Natural Language Processing in order to be able to engineer, develop and evaluate AI systems
  • Your research project gives you the opportunity to further enhance your problem-solving and communication skills and apply the skills and knowledge you obtain throughout the programme.
  • There has been a huge increase in demand for AI specialists across almost every industry, from energy and manufacturing to healthcare and cybercrime. This recent LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise report listed Machine Learning Engineer as one of the fastest-growing jobs in the UK. 
  • The University of Aberdeen has a strong history and worldwide reputation in computing science, in particular around Data Science, Natural Language Generation and Artificial Intelligence and is home to the research success of ARRIA NLG - the global leader in the field of natural language generation (NLG).
  • From agriculture and archaeology to medicine and geosciences, our researchers are utilising data and AI across many fields to further research and improve lives. Browse the project summaries in our Interdisciplinary Research Project Database to find out more about the critical role data and artificial intelligence have to play in advances spanning many disciplines.
  • Our close industry links mean you will have opportunities to apply your skills through training and networking events and industrial placements organised through our partner organisations.
  • The University of Aberdeen is a member of the Turing University Network, a network of UK universities engaged in cutting-edge teaching and research in data science and AI.
  • The University of Aberdeen also has strong links with the energy industry and our researchers are actively engaged in applying technologies built with AI to reduce carbon emissions and ultimately to help society transition to net zero.

Interested in this programme?

Email study@abdn.ac.uk Enquire Now Using an online form Next Steps Find out how to apply

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a Computing Science degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

Key subjects you must have covered: Python, Algorithmic problem solving and Data Structures. Programming experience in other languages, such as Java, C and C++, is recommended - but not required - to follow the courses taught in this programme.

Applicants with a 2:2 or equivalent in Engineering (e.g. Electronic/Electrical Engineering) will be reviewed by the selectors for suitability on a case-by-case basis.

Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.

CV
an up-to-date CV/Resumé
Degree Certificate
a degree certificate showing your qualifications
Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

International Applicants

Additional details for international applicants, including country-specific information, are available here.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.

January 2025 September 2025

Careers

Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly under the spotlight on the back of recent impressive advancements such as ChatGPT. The ever-increasing adoption of AI technology across all industry sectors means there is growing demand for people who can design, manage and direct the technology.

In 2021, the UK government published the National AI Strategy which sets out a 10-year plan to make the UK a word-leader in AI with the help of a thriving AI ecosystem and world-class R&D system.

According to research from Lightcast, the number of UK job postings requesting artificial intelligence skills has more than tripled over the past decade, making the UK one of the global leaders in this vital field.

There has been a huge increase in demand for AI specialists across almost every industry, from energy and manufacturing to healthcare and cybercrime. This recent LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise report listed Machine Learning Engineer as one of the fastest-growing jobs in the UK.

What our Alumni Say

Swarada Adavadkar

Swarada Adavadkar

Swarada Adavadkar

Job Details
Data Science Specialist, James Fisher Asset Information Systems
Graduated 2019

Other than technical skills, the degree programme has also helped me in developing my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The degree programme also gave me an opportunity to develop a self-motivated and analytical approach towards the project work. I would also like to mention that the invaluable guidance on the fundamentals and project work, provided by the professors with strong academic profiles, has definitely contributed to shaping my career.

Our Experts

Director
Dewei Yi, The University of Aberdeen

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX