MRes AI Law and Emerging Technologies
Course Overview
The University of Greater Manchester's Master's by Research degree in AI Law and Emerging Technologies is a multidisciplinary research training programme which has been designed to embody the nature of future disciplines. With the benefit of diverse perspectives on the subject of emerging technologies, this programme raises critical questions, foment debates designed to inspire imagination and creativity on issues relating to AI and other emerging technologies. It provides room for rigorous exercise of advanced research skills to challenge, interrogate, explore, evaluate, confirm, adapt, vary, or modify existing assumptions on these issues.The programme is delivered through a staged and flexible approach, enabling you to develop research skills in preparation for a PhD or Professional Doctorate. Collaborative research is embedded within the programme, which prepares you for research within employment. You will have opportunities to undertake applied research projects involving knowledge exchange.
The MRes programme will provide a common foundation for PhD or Professional Doctorate programmes with interim awards available following the gaining of 60 credits (PgCert), 120 credits (PgDip) and an exit award of the 180 credit MRes.
Highlights
- This MRes is carefully designed to support you in developing a systematic and critical knowledge and understanding of AI law and emerging technologies through the study and application of advanced research methods and skills using a scaffolded approach to learning.
- A collaborative practical research project allows you to work with others to develop creative solutions to a real-world problem.
- The MRes Dissertation provides an opportunity for you to undertake in-depth independent and original research or advanced scholarship on a subject of interest within the field of artificial intelligence law and emerging technologies.
- A range of academic and professional assessments are carefully planned throughout the student journey.
Key Features
- The MRes in AI Law and Emerging Technologies provides critical insights on AI architectures, models, approaches and associated legal, regulatory, governance and ethical problems.
- The MRes develops a critical interpretation exploration and systematic application of advanced research methods in investigating complexities associated with AI development, deployment and application across industries.
- We will guide you as you develop the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and clearly communicate the research's conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- You will develop an advanced understanding of how established research and enquiry techniques can be practically applied to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
- You will evaluate and critically apply current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline, evaluate methodologies and develop critiques to develop creative solutions and/or hypotheses.
- Through a blended learning approach, you will develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment that requires initiative, personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
- You will develop critical self-awareness and independent learning strategies in order to develop academically and professionally.
Entry Requirements
- You are normally expected to have successfully completed an honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (minimum classification 2.2 or equivalent).
- You should include in your personal statement an explanation of your research interests and how they align with your career aspirations. You may be required to attend an interview to discuss this further.
- 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
You will develop transferable skills for independent thought and critical analysis on issues relating to technologies and their practical implications in every facet of society. Completing this course will provide you with the tools to analyse and evaluate complex issues in industries, government and non-governmental spaces. As a graduate, you will be able to solve unfamiliar problems independently whilst presenting ideas clearly, coherently and with confidence.
What can I do with this qualification?
Alternative career options
Here are some career options you can pursue with an MRes. Please bear in mind that some of these options require prior experience and/or additional qualifications.
- Scientific Advisor/Manager
- AI Legal Risk Assessor/Manager
- AI Legal and Policy Adviser
- AI Governance and Ethics Officer/Manager
- Legal Practitioners and Judicial Officers
- Legal Assistants (Emerging Technologies)
- AI Regulatory Assessors and Consultant
- AI Industrial Application Advisor
- AI Policy Manager
- Group company Secretary
- Technologies Compliance Advisor
- Regulatory Compliance Advisor
- Academic Research Assistant
- Research and Development Technician/Assistant
- Market Researcher
- Researcher
- Business/Technology Strategist
- Research Analyst/Business Analyst
- Research Advisor/Manager
- ESG Advisor
- Sustainability Advisor
- Cross-Functional Manager
- Data Officer
- Business leaders
- Chief Technology Officer
- IT Manager
- Chief Information and Communications Officer
- Ethicist and Ethical Officers
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
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 MRes AI Law and Emerging Techologies - 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
The bespoke programme will be delivered using a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face block delivery sessions with online and practical work as appropriate. A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including (face-to-face or online) lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, guest speakers and master classes. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student comprising, for example, background reading, online activities, assessment work and preparation for sessions.
Assessment methods
The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to ensure that students achieve the overall aims and learning outcomes of the programme, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. Assessment serves several functions. Assessment is used to evaluate your achievement; however, assessment also serves to help students organise and develop their learning. Feedback from assessment serves an important educational function and can help students develop their skills and understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. The types of assessment students will be required to complete fall into two general categories, formative and summative. Formative assessments are activities that do not contribute to students' overall module grade. They are however an integral part of the learning strategy for a module and students are required to complete them. Students will receive feedback on their level of achievement; this may take a variety of forms. Summative assessments are those assessment activities for which the marks will contribute to the overall module grade. Students will also receive feedback on these assessments so that they will know what they have done well and where they can improve. Many different forms of assessment are employed on the programme. For both formative and summative purposes, the major forms are: coursework; reports, case studies; oral presentations, research proposals and an extended project.
Learning Activities
A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, assessment work and preparation for sessions. The course is taught by a core team of specialist lecturers; online support is available before and after the block to ensure you have ongoing support. Assessment will be by a combination of coursework and practical exercises, such as the preparation of presentations and posters. A final research project will form part of the assessment. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student comprising, for example, background reading, online activities. This programme adopts a blended style of learning and teaching including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
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.
- Academic Skills and Professional Development
- MRes Specialism: Critical Insights
- Advanced Research Methodology
- Research Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 88% Practical exams 12% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 90% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10% |
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.
