MSc Artificial Intelligence
Course Overview
It's estimated that artificial intelligence (AI) could contribute over $15trillion to the global economy by 2030 (1). Major industries such as healthcare, financial services, entertainment, manufacturing and retail all offer significant and growing employment opportunities in AI. A wealth of career opportunities await highly qualified and talented graduates with expertise in AI design, development and deployment.The University of Bolton's MSc in Artificial Intelligence is an ideal choice for graduates with a computing or software engineering background. Our expert team will support you in developing wide-ranging knowledge of AI methods and techniques, along with strong practical skills in applying these technologies. We'll cover essential areas, including machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP).
While studying at our town centre campus in the North of England, you'll explore the latest methodologies and development techniques based on industry standards. Our expert team will support you in developing a detailed understanding of specialised and advanced AI topics, emphasising deep learning. Our dedicated tutors will promote lifelong learning skills, creativity and critical thinking, so you're ready to adapt as the AI industry evolves throughout your career.
We'll use realistic scenarios developed with industry partners to test your skills and understanding. During the course, you'll build a coursework portfolio demonstrating your ability to solve technical issues, develop proposals, and write reports. This vital experience will help prepare you for a successful postgraduate career.
Interpersonal and transferable skills are also vital, so we'll challenge you to develop sought-after communication, problem-solving, analytical, self-management, and decision-making skills. Our dedicated team will focus on helping you gain the skills employers value and a detailed understanding of the technologies and methods underpinning AI.
(1) https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/data-and-analytics/publications/artificial-intelligence-study.html accessed on 30 August 2023
Highlights
- By studying for your postgraduate degree with us, you can deepen your knowledge of AI while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus in the heart of the North West of England.
- Bolton University's Master's in Artificial Intelligence emphasises working collaboratively with industry partners and offers a comprehensive programme of relevant industrial topics.
- We continually monitor and update the content of our MSc programmes so they offer the best preparation for the industry.
- The success of our postgraduate students is directly related to the practical research aspects covered in the course laboratory work.
- For the coursework elements of the degree, you'll consider realistic scenarios that help prepare you for your postgraduate career. Completing this work will develop your understanding of the technical concepts underpinning AI and the outputs required by employers, such as technical proposals or reports to management.
- Completing a dissertation will build your subject specialist knowledge and understanding and provide a showcase of your skills, ready to impress employers and clients.
Key Features
- You'll have access to specialist AI labs featuring industry-leading infrastructural technologies, supporting you in developing skills without limitations.
- Industry partners provide relevant, up-to-date input to our teaching and live student projects.
- Our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic lecturers offer face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support, ensuring you can access help and advice when you need it.
- We'll also support you in gaining lifelong learning skills, which will help you take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Entry Requirements
- Normally, you should have at least an upper second class (2.1) honours degree in a computing-related subject.
- For applicants without a first or upper second, a lower second class (2.2) honours degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis (particularly for candidates with good relevant industrial experience).
- We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Bolton University's MSc in Artificial Intelligence is ideal for computer science graduates and experienced computing professionals. As a graduate of this postgraduate degree, you'll possess a solid understanding of the core technologies underpinning AI and be able to demonstrate your skills in applying AI concepts and methodologies to solve problems. You'll have strong programming skills in several programming languages and valuable knowledge in essential areas such as machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing.
You'll also be able to demonstrate vital transferable skills, including analytical skills, communication, creativity and innovation, independence, logic, numeracy, project management and organisation.
What can I do with this qualification?
You'll be able to seek employment in areas such as machine learning, data science, computer vision, business intelligence, robotic science and research science. Employers range from established big-tech firms to ambitious young start-ups, with opportunities across the UK and the globe. AI is already transforming sectors such as retail, entertainment, finance, and transportation and has enormous potential in healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy, education, and even agriculture. As a graduate of this course, your skills will be in high demand. Additionally, your lifelong learning skills will support you to customise your skillset, adapt and specialise as your career and the field of AI develops.
This course also paves the way for PhD research studies in AI and computing-related subjects.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible fields include:
- Finance
- Commerce
- Quality management
- Research and development
- Teaching and education
- Public services and local government
- Information management
- Digital communications
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2025/26.
International Fees
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £17,500 for the academic year 2025/26.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Artificial Intelligence-18 May 2025 (Course Full)
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Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Artificial Intelligence - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Teaching & Assessment
We use a blended approach, meaning you'll have face-to-face sessions, sometimes one-to-one, and take part in online learning. You can expect a mix of seminars, lectures, tutorials and critiques, laboratory/workshop sessions, self-directed learning, e-learning, and online sessions and support.
Technical introductions and support, along with workshop sessions, demonstrations and activity-based assignments will support you in acquiring and enhancing your practical skills. We emphasise active learning and apply a strong practical theme throughout your studies.
We'll provide regular written feedback on your work, with assessments normally completed by the end of each module. Assessment is varied and can include methods such as assignments, projects, exams and presentations. Most of your overall grade will be based on coursework.
We take our social, public and ethical responsibilities very seriously. All our student project work conforms with the University's policies on ethics and uses the University's research ethics procedure before work commences.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Professional Practice
- Research Methods
- Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Vision and Deep Learning
- Advanced Software Development
- Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 84% Practical exams 16% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 83% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
