Artificial Intelligence MSc

1 year, starting in September 2025

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Prepare for a career in artificial intelligence with specialist skills and knowledge in classical AI, probabilistic reasoning and machine learning.

Originating in the 1950s, recent years have seen the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Alongside global applications in healthcare, transport, and public services, it’s also working behind the scenes to power our everyday interactions, like tailoring shopping recommendations, helping save energy in homes, and editing smartphone photos with ease.

This course provides you with a foundational knowledge of the principles of AI, as well as proficiency in programming languages and software tools for AI development. You will also gain an understanding of the legal, ethical, social and professional implications of AI. The practical knowledge and skills developed will enable you to apply AI techniques to solve real-world problems in a variety of fields, including healthcare, finance, cybersecurity and manufacturing and industry.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this course and to ensure you’re well-prepared to excel in advanced AI studies and research, you will need a good first degree in a numerate subject, such as computer science, mathematics, physics, economics, engineering, or relevant social sciences. You should also be able to demonstrate proficiency in mathematical topics such as calculus and linear algebra, possess some familiarity with probability and statistics, and have a good foundation in programming.

Course highlights

Study at a top 10 ranking university on a course developed in consultation with industry experts to ensure you graduate with the skills to be an innovative, ethical, and responsible AI specialist.
Develop teamwork skills working in multidisciplinary teams on AI projects, leveraging the strengths of team members with diverse expertise.
Have the opportunity to design and conduct a piece of research into a specific area of artificial intelligence.
Be part of our supportive postgraduate community.
Live and study in a beautiful world heritage city.

Specialist facilities

You will have access to purpose-built teaching labs, including a maker lab, allowing you to explore, create, experiment and share software-driven and physical artefact projects in a collaborative workspace context. Complex, data-intensive processes can be analysed over our in-house GPU Cluster. You will have access to most of our specialist labs 24/7.

Research project

During the summer, you will carry out a research project in fundamental or applied artificial intelligence. Through your project, you’ll propose, contextualise, perform, and critically evaluate your research, and disseminate the results to an expert audience.

Career prospects

After graduating, you'll be well-placed for a variety of careers in industry. Throughout your studies, you will have access to a development programme via timetabled sessions and that includes employer events which will raise your awareness of the commercial opportunities available to a technologist.

Alongside the specialist skills and knowledge you'll gain, our dedicated careers team offers individual guidance and helps you decide between employment and further study.

Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.

Find out more about studying at Bath

2024/25 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

Analytic software technologies

5 credits
Applied artificial intelligence

10 credits
Foundational machine learning

10 credits
Reinforcement learning 1

5 credits
Understanding deep learning

10 credits

Semester 2

Alongside compulsory units, in semester 2, you will choose 10 credits of optional units. These could include topics such as natural language processing, reinforcement learning, computer vision, Bayesian data science, human and intelligent machines, and entrepreneurship.

Compulsory units

Applied artificial intelligence

Continued
Classical artificial intelligence

5 credits
Foundational machine learning

Continued
Research and development project skills

5 credits

Summer

Compulsory units

Specialist project

30 credits

Placement

This is the one-year version of the course without placement. We also offer this course with a placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain work experience as part of your degree.

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

Assessment

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Overall workload

You should expect to spend approximately 35 to 40 hours a week studying on your course. These hours consist of structured activities and independent learning. You will experience a mix of in person teaching, that will take place on campus, and structured online learning delivered through the University’s virtual learning environment.

Structured learning activities

MSc programmes deliver taught unit/modules in the first and second semester, with the Summer dedicated to a dissertation. The second semester will have less structured learning as you will start to prepare for your dissertation. Both during the dissertation preparation and the dissertation, supervision will take place at times suitable to you and your supervisor.

You can expect to spend between 9 to 18 hours engaged in structured learning activities per week, of which the majority will be in timetabled sessions on campus, and the remainder online.

In-person teaching and online activities

Timetabled sessions delivered in person on campus will be a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratories. Online activities may include following a recorded lecture, or other learning materials, or joining a timetabled live interactive session through Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Independent learning

The remainder of your time outside these structured activities will be spent in independent learning which includes individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams.

To support you in your studies you will be able to access, outside of timetabled learning, facilities on campus and in Bath such as study spaces, computers, and the Library.

Professional accreditations

Our courses have been accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) for more than 30 years.

The BCS conducts a reaccreditation exercise every few years or when we make changes to the course. We will be seeking accreditation of this new course during the next available round.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

Studying the MSc Artificial Intelligence from University of Bath on Vimeo.

‘AI is going to surprise us. There’s going to be applications that we can’t even imagine right now.’

— Prof. Özgür Şimşek Professor of Artificial Intelligence

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

Select the country where your qualification comes from.

British qualifications

You should have a first or strong second-class Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent.

To apply for this course you should have an undergraduate degree a numerate subject, such as computer science, mathematics, physics, economics, engineering, or relevant social sciences. You should also be able to demonstrate proficiency in mathematical topics such as calculus and linear algebra, possess some familiarity with probability and statistics, and have a good foundation in programming.