MSc in Artificial Intelligence in the UK in 2024



If Artificial Intelligence is for you, then pursuing an MSc Artificial Intelligence in UK is a great option to enter the field. AI is changing the way we work and live and having a degree in AI will open will diverse career options. Here we explore all about studying an AI course in UK.


Why Study AI in the UK?


Artificial intelligence and robotics are at the forefront of technological innovation and play a crucial role in Industry 4.0. AI is changing the way we see and experience the world as we know it. Pursuing a degree in this field can help you develop advanced skills and access an immense range of career opportunities, across industries and job markets. Since its inception as a field of study, the UK has always been at the forefront, playing a significant role in its research and development. So, let us take a look at some of the reasons to study AI courses in UK.

  • UK’s AI Market: In the last decade or so, the number of AI companies in the UK has increased by a whopping 688% and is only bound to increase in the foreseeable future. In the 2023 budget, the UK government alone has allocated close to £1 billion as funding towards AI research and development. Compared to any other European nation, England has almost twice the number of AI-based companies. All of these statistics point out to the fact that the AI industry in UK is booming and will continue to be on an upward trajectory. Moreover, in terms of salary, jobs that mention an AI component have almost a 20% higher salary than the listings that do not. Studying AI in UK universities will give you access to this flourishing market and explore your career options. (Source: Forbes Advisor)
  • Top universities in the world: There is no  doubt that the United Kingdom is home to some of the best universities in the world. Two of the top 10 universities in the world for computer science – the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge – are also located in the UK. The UK AI universities also offer over 200 related courses for you to choose from. As an international student studying AI in UK, you will also have access to state-of-the-art labs, simulations and motion tracking systems.
  • Gain transferable skills: In your pursuit of a degree in artificial intelligence in the UK, you will gain a number of skills, both in technical and non-teach areas that can be applied in various positions in the industry. You will have a functional knowldge of Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Robotics, Data Science, Data Mining, and a few programming languages. Moreover, you will also learn aspects of emotional intelligence, technological ethics, critical thinking and problem solving, which can be applied anywhere.
  • Network with experts and shape the era of automation: One of the biggest advantages of studying artificial intelligence in UK universities is the industry involvement in the teaching learning process. Faculty include professionals who understand the importance of AI in industry and who are up to date with the latest developments in the field. Be it in healthcare, manufacturing, or researching in extreme environments, automation is the way ahead and UK universities ensure that you have the know-how to make the automation possible.

Top Universities to Study Masters in AI in the UK


In this section, we will be looking at some of the best universities for masters in artificial intelligence in UK that are best suited for international students. We will be looking at the general framework of these masters in AI courses, the eligibility criteria, fees, intake and the employability rate of these programmes.

S.No Course University
1 MSc in Advanced Computer Science University of Oxford
2 MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence University of Cambridge
3 MSc Artificial Intelligence Imperial College London
4 MSc Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare University College London
5 MSc AI University of Edinburgh
6 MSc Artificial Intelligence University of Surrey
7 MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning University of Birmingham
8 MSc ACS: Artificial Intelligence University of Manchester
9 MSc AI King’s College London
10 MSc AI Queen’s University London

1. MSc in Advanced Computer Science, University of Oxford


Source: University of Oxford

The University of Oxford needs no separate introduction. One of the top universities in the world and the oldest university in the English speaking world, the University of Oxford has always remained at the forefront when it comes to scientific advancements. This remains true when the computer revolution took place and now, when automation and machine learning is taking over.
The MSc in Advanced Computer Science has a coursework designed to combine theory and practice in its teaching of the latest developments in application domains such as machine learning, verification and computer security. The course includes modules developed in consultation with industry to keep up with the changing trends. For someone with a background in computer science or mathematics, this course is a gentle entry into the world of AI, rather than diving into the deep end.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A first class undergraduate degree in computer science or mathematics
  • Applicants should have carried out some programming projects either in employment or study.
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 110 is required.
  • If shortlisted, you must attend an interview with the Oxford admissions committee

Fees

The annual course fee for the academic year 2024-25 for international students is £36,000.

Intake and Duration

Application Deadline: January 2024
Course begins: October 2024
Duration: 1 year

Employability

While a significant number of Oxford graduates go on to pursue their PhDs, many are also absorbed into the industry, especially keeping in mind the reputation of the institution. Your research project at the end of your course plays an important role in your choice of future job opportunities.

Related Courses

  • PGDip in Artificial Intelligence for Business (1 year, online)
  • Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme (6 weeks certificate programme designed for managers, business leaders and IT professionals, online)

2. MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence, University of Cambridge


Source: University of Cambridge

The relationship between the University of Cambridge and modern computing can be traced back to the works of Charles Babbage and Alan Turing. It therefore comes as no surprise that it has always found a spot in the top 10 universities in the world for computer science.

The MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence programme is split into four specialised pathways (i) Machine Learning; (ii) Speech and Language Processing; (iii) Computer Vision and Robotics; (iv) Human-Computer Interaction. With a balanced mix of teaching and research modules, this course ensures that its graduates have experience in large-scale computing for machine learning and machine intelligence.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A UK first class honours degree in a relevant field or from an internationally recognised university with a CGPA of 8.0/10.
  • Students will be expected to have well-developed technical skills in engineering or a related technical area, in mathematics, and in computing.
  • Students are expected to have a strong background in maths (calculus, linear algebra), probability, and statistics.
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or TOEFL score of 100 is required.

Fees

The tuition fee is £41,694 a year for international students.

Intake and Duration

  • Applications open: September 2023
  • Application Deadline: December 2023
  • Course Begins: October 2024
  • Duration: 11 months full-time.

Employability

Offered by the Information Engineering division, this course ensures that its graduates have the expertise necessary to take up leading industry roles and have the required research experience to pursue a doctoral dissertation. You will gain employable skills and expertise which are in high demand in IT, financial, and manufacturing sectors.

Related Courses

  • MPhil in Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms

3. MSc Artificial Intelligence, Imperial College London


Source: Imperial College

Emphasising exclusively on STEM subjects, Imperial College London ranks 6th, according to the QS World University Rankings. Over 55% of its student population is made up of international students.

The MSc in AI is a top notch AI course designed for those with an undergraduate degree in STEM and specially for the mathematically inclined. It is an introductory programme that takes you through the fundamentals of machine learning, Python, Symbolic AI, and the ethical ramifications of AI. In addition, you also get to choose a number of optional modules to specialise in your area of interest. The projects are typically industry initiated, allowing you to forge relationships with tech giants even during the course of your study.

Eligibility Criteria

  • First class Honours in mathematics, physics, engineering or other degree with substantial mathematics content.
  • Minimum IELTS requirement of 7.0 or TOEFL iBT of 100 or other equivalent tests.

Fees

The tuition for international students is £41,750.

Intake and Duration

  • Course begins: September 2024
  • Duration: 1 year

Employability

On successful completion of the course, graduates find employment in a variety of sectors –  healthcare, manufacturing, automotive industry (driverless cars), application/web development, networking, AI, media, finance, robotics, and computer games. Other career paths have included chip design, cyber security, big data management, bio-medical systems and transport.

Related Courses

  • MSc in Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)

4. MSc Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare, University College London


Source: UCL

University College London, more popularly known as UCL is another of the highly reputed research intensive universities in the UK. Along with Oxford and Cambridge, UCL  is the third member of what is considered the golden triangle of UK’s research intensive universities.

With many aspects of the healthcare industry becoming automated, this AI postgraduate course that specialises in biomedicine and healthcare is popular among international students who want to work on the cusp of healthcare and technology. It brings together technology, medicine and clinical sciences and the social sciences and humanities to provide quality healthcare to the people at large.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall CGPA of 7.75/10 in a relevant field or a postgraduate degree or any other medical/ clinical degree
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or TOEFL iBT of 96

Fees

The tuition fee for international students is £37,500.

Intake and Duration

  • Application opens: Oct 2023
  • Application closes: June 2024
  • Course begins: September 2024
  • Duration: 1 year

Employability

Despite the relative novelty of the programme, it has been seeing resounding success. Graduates have gone to work as high level AI practitioners, applying this technology to the range of opportunities and challenges in medicine and healthcare.

Related Courses

  • Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development MSc
  • Machine Learning MSc

5. MSc AI, University of Edinburgh


Source: University of Edinburgh

A member of the prestigious Russell Group of research intensive universities, the University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and Scotland’s finest.

Taught at the UK’s longest-established academic centres studying artificial intelligence, it draws on the latest developments in the latest fields including cognitive science, neuroscience, maths and linguistics. The course is flexible, giving you the choice of one year full-time, two year part-time or three year part-time options.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its equivalent international qualification, in informatics, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, electrical engineering, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics, psychology or any other relevant discipline.
  • Knowledge of at least one of the following programming languages is required – C/C++, Java, Python, R, Matlab, Haskell, ML.
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.0/ TOEFL iBT of 100 is required.

Fees

The full-time fees for overseas students is £40,900.

Intake and Duration

  • Application deadline: March 2024
  • Start date: September 2024
  • Duration 1 year (full-time)/ 2 or 3 years part-time.

Employability

Graduates of this postgraduate degree gain the technical know-how to go on and create careers in the fields of cybersecurity, design and construction of intelligent or automated systems, fraud detection softwares and assistive robots.

Related Course

  • Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics (Online Learning)

6. Artificial Intelligence MSc, University of Surrey


Source: University of Surrey

A public research university located in Guildford, the University of Surrey is an important centre for tech research including satellite and mobile communication and computer vision. The MSc in AI covers three significant aspects of AI – vision, speech and 5G. It also includes application specific areas and the legal aspects of AI.

Eligibility Criteria

The entry requirements are as follows:

  • An upper second class honours degree in a relevant field such as communication engineering, computer / software engineering​, computer science​, electronic and computer engineering​, electronic engineering​, information and communication technologies, information systems engineering, maths​, physics or telecommunication engineering​.
  • Minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or equivalent.

Fees

The annual tuition fee for international students is £26,500.

Intake and Duration

  • Start Dates: February, September
  • Duration: 1 year full-time, up to 5 years part-time.

Employability

With Surrey’s masters degree, you will gain experience with the latest tools such as deep neural networks (DNN), recurrent neural networks (RNN) and deep reinforcement learning (deep RL). Graduates have gone to take up roles such as AI scientists, analysts and entrepreneurs while some also pursue their PhDs.

7. MSc AI and ML, University of Birmingham


Source: University of Birmingham

Another of UK’s top 10, the University of Birmingham is a public research university, globally recognised for its higher education, especially in the field of computer science. The MSc in AI and ML will teach you the fundamental principles of this area of study and help you apply them to solve real-world problems. You will also have access to dedicated labs for Computer Science students, a teaching laboratory for Robotics, and research laboratories for Security, Medical Imaging, Intelligent Robotics and Computer Vision. The University of Birmingham is also a partner in the Alan Turing Institute, which is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a numerate discipline or with substantial mathematics content. For students from India, that translated to about an average score of 55 – 60% in your bachelors degree.
  • You must meet English language requirements by scoring a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS or 88 in TOEFL or an equivalent recognised test.

Fees

The tuition is £31,410 for overseas students.

Intake and Duration

  • Intake: September
  • Duration: 1 year

Employability

Graduates have gone on to become ML engineers,  AI developers, research scientists, and data scientists. You will be equipped to analyse what the current generation of AI can do and its limitations and utilise it to its fullest extent.

8. MSc ACS: Artificial Intelligence, University of Manchester


Source: UoM

Established in 1824, the University of Manchester is one of the traditional red brick universities of the British Isles. This Advanced Computer Science (ACS) programme tackles AI in all its diversity by combining a number of themes including classical logic, statistical approaches, making sense of complex data, learning from data, reasoning and optimisation, and advanced web technologies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A minimum of 65% (First Class with Distinction) in a BSc Eng, BEng or BTech degree, depending on the institution.
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.0/ TOEFL iBT of 100/ PTE score of 76 to meet English language requirements.

Fees

International students are eligible to pay a tuition fee of £33,000.

Intake and Duration

The university follows a staged admission process. The deadline for the first stage is in November, Second stage in January and the third in March. The course begins in September/ October 2024. It is a 1 year artificial intelligence course in UK.

Employability

Besides the options open to all graduates of advanced computer science degrees, students of the AI programme can also work in roles that require you to have an understanding of modern AI formalism and technologies such as Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and Semantic Technologies.

9. MSc AI, King’s College London


Source: King’s College

Another globally reputed institution, King’s College is a top choice for MSc Artificial Intelligence in London, and in England as a whole. The goal of their MSc programme is to give its graduates knowledge and the ability to evaluate, design and build intelligent systems using the latest range of tools and techniques. The university ranks 7th in the UK for Computer Science and associated subjects.

Eligibility Criteria

The entry requirements for this MSc programme are:

  • Bachelor degree (Honours/Special) with a score of 67% in a relevant field. Relevant degrees include Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Natural Science, Electronic Engineering, General Engineering and Operations Research.
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking – no less than 6.5 individually)  or equivalent.

Fees

The fee for international students is £35,244 per year.

Intake and Duration

  • Intake: September
  • Duration: 1 year

Employability

Students of this masters in AI in UK will have access to their Careers Service which ensures you develop the required skill sets and network with prospective employers. Organisations that have hired King’s graduates include Electronia, Microsoft, Google, Sony, ZF Group and Unloc.

10. MSc AI, Queen Mary University of London


Source: Queen Mary University of London

Another top choice for MSc Artificial Intelligence in London is the Queen Mary University. A member of the prestigious Russell Group, the university’s department of computer science is highly ranked in the UK for its research, making it one of the best colleges for artificial intelligence. The MSc programme will help you develop systematic awareness of the latest developments and apply them in the fields of games, robotics, vision, music and language.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with  60% to 70%.
  • Minimum IELTS requirement of 6.5 or equivalent.

Fees

The tuition fee is  £31,850 for international students.

Intake and Duration

  • Intake: September
  • Duration: 1 year

Employability

Considering AI roles are some of the best paying jobs in today’s market conditions, graduates of this programme are quickly absorbed into the job market on successful completion of the course.

Bachelor Honours Degree in AI UK


While the previous section covered some of the best colleges for masters in artificial intelligence in UK, here is a quick look at some of the best bachelor’s degree courses.

S.No Course University
1 Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (with Placement Year) BSc (Hons) Loughborough University
2 Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) MEng (Hons) Imperial College London
3 Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons) University of Bath
4 Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science BSc (Hons) University of Edinburgh
5 Artificial Intelligence BEng (Hons) University of Southampton
6 Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) BSc (Hons) University of Sheffield
7 Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) MEng (Hons) University of Leeds
8 Artificial Intelligence with a year in Industry BSc (Hons) King’s College London
9 Robotics & Artificial Intelligence BEng (Hons) University of Glasgow
10 Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng (Hons) UCL

Eligibility criteria for bachelor’s degrees in the best colleges for artificial intelligence

The typical requirement for most universities is as follows:

  • A*A*A/ A*AA with Maths and Physics.
  • For Indian students, it translates to CBSE Class XII scores with at least 4 A1s or CISCE with a minimum overall score of 90%. However, you must have scored over 95% in Maths and Physics.
  • IELTS / TOEFL

Career Opportunities after MSc in AI in the UK


In the United Kingdom alone, AI has contributed nearly £3.7 billion to the economy in 2022. As of early 2023, the UK had an AI workforce of nearly 50,000 but the demand is expected to increase by over 70% in the next five years. In the realm of technology, a career in AI is relatively future proof.

The following is a list of some of the most popular job profiles after completing masters in artificial intelligence in UK:

  • Artificial Intelligence Researcher
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Deep Learning Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Natural Language Processor
  • Python Developer
  • Robotics Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • UX Designer

The average salary of an AI specialist in the UK is around £61,042 but can range anywhere from £30,000 to £103,000, depending on skill sets, qualifications and niche expertise.

Cost of Studying AI in the UK in the UK


In this section, we answer the question “How much does it cost to study masters in AI in UK as an Indian student?”. It is important to note that the figures shown in the table below are the average cost and approximation to give you a general idea. The actual costs can vary depending on your selection of courses, the universities and the city that you will be living in.

Cost Amount in Pounds
(Approx figures per year)
Amount in INR
(Approx figures per year)
Tuition (Range) £30,000 – £50,000 Rs 30 – 50 lakhs
Additional Costs
Rent (On Campus) £4,000 – £7,000 Rs 4 – 7 lakhs
Rent (Off campus, shared living) London – £9,000
Rest of UK – £6,700
London – Rs 9 lakhs
Rest of UK – Rs 6.7 lakhs
Food £1,800 – £2,200 Rs 1 – 2.5 lakhs
Transport £1,000 Rs 1 lakh
Health Insurance £470 Rs 50,000
Utilities £650 – £800 Rs 65,000 – 80,000
Average Total Living Expenses £14,400 – £16,800 Rs 14 – 17 lakhs

Scholarships to study Masters in AI in the UK


As a student from India, it is also important to spend some time researching on scholarships and bursaries that will help with your financial planning as you apply to some of the best AI colleges in the world. Typically, a scholarship is awarded based on merit while a bursary is offered on the basis of financial need.

As an international student, it is important to look at four sources of financial aid

  • Scholarships from home government
  • UK government scholarships for international students
  • Department/ University scholarships
  • Awards/ grants/ scholarships from external charitable organisations.

That said, here are some you can consider for your masters in artificial intelligence in UK.

  • DeepMind AI Scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarships
  • Felix Scholarships
  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
  • Chevening Scholarships
  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
  • Global Study Awards
  • British Council Scholarships
  • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

Frequently asked questions


Which AI degree is best?

There is no one objective answer to this question. It largely depends on your career goals. That said, specialising in machine learning or data science can open up a number of opportunities in the future.

How much does it cost to study artificial intelligence in the UK?

Without any scholarships or financial aid, You can expect to spend about 50 – 70 lakhs INR per year to study artificial intelligence in the UK. This includes the cost of tuition and the living costs

Can I get a job after doing a masters in AI in the UK?

Yes. There is a growing demand for AI specialists all over the world, especially more so in the UK. This demand is only bound to increase in the next five years. Considering this and the prevalence of AI across all industries, the job prospects are very good after completing a masters course.

Is UK good for Masters in AI?

Yes. The UK is home to some of the top colleges that have exceptional MSc artificial intelligence in London and other parts of the country. These institutions are globally recognised and contribute significantly to the latest research and developments in the field of AI.

What is the cost of MSc in artificial intelligence in UK?

An MSc typically costs anywhere between £25,000 and £40,000 per year for an international student. With the right scholarships, you can reduce the financial burden of studying a masters programme in artificial intelligence in UK.

Which college is best for artificial intelligence in UK?

The article covers some of the best colleges for artificial intelligence in UK. You can consider Imperial College, UCL, University of Edinburgh, Surrey, Birmingham and Manchester for some of the best artificial intelligence courses in UK.

Who is eligible for MSc AI?

Anyone who has completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science can apply for masters in artificial intelligence in UK.

How to apply to UK universities with TC Global?


While studying MSc Artificial Intelligence in UK can be very thrilling, the prep and paperwork of it all can get overwhelming. The easiest way to reduce your stress is to sign up with TC Global.

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Date added
29.10.2023

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