Applied AI in Business MSc — 2027 entry
This course is subject to validationShape the future of business with AI. Combining practical AI expertise, strategic business insight and responsible innovation, this new MSc will equip you to harness AI confidently, lead digital transformation and create value for organisations in an increasingly data-driven world.
Key course information
- Typical offer
- 2:2 minimum
- Start date
- September 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 1 year
- Scholarships
- Funding available
- UK fees
- £16,400
- Overseas fees
- £26,900
- Subject area
- Business, marketing and management
- Typical offer
- 2:2 minimum
- Start date
- September 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 2 years
- Scholarships
- Funding available
- UK fees
- £8,200
- Overseas fees
- £13,500
- Subject area
- Business, marketing and management
Why choose this course?
- Stand out to employers with a powerful blend of business skills and AI expertise – bridge the gap between business expertise and the technical knowledge organisations need as they adapt to rapid technological change.
- Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard AI tools – apply AI technologies in workshops, seminars and real-world business scenarios, using tools and platforms relevant to today's workplace.
- Gain access to Surrey's AI ecosystem – access our MyAISurrey platform, leading researchers based at Surrey Business School, industry partners, entrepreneurial networks and guest speakers.
- Explore responsible and ethical AI – understand how organisations can deploy AI responsibly, balancing innovation with governance, security, sustainability and societal impact.
- Study AI from a business perspective, not a computer science perspective – designed for students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, this programme focuses on applying AI to business challenges rather than developing advanced technical systems.
Statistics
8th in UK
For developing the next generation of AI talent (money.co.uk)
14th in the UK
And 100th in the world for business and economics in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Top 75 in the world
For management and top 100 for business administration in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026
Course details
Open Close
What you will study
On the MSc, you’ll learn how to manage digital technologies to drive innovation, with a particular focus on how AI can be applied to real business problems. You will gain practical experience working with and preparing data, using AI tools such as machine-learning and large language models (LLMs), and evaluate how businesses can benefit from AI-powered solutions.
You'll learn how to turn AI from a business buzzword into a practical tool for innovation, growth and competitive advantage.
Alongside practical AI skills, you'll explore the ethical, regulatory and governance challenges surrounding the use of AI in organisations. Drawing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, you'll learn how to develop digital business strategies that balance innovation, commercial value and long-term societal and environmental responsibility.
This masters is designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals from a wide range of academic, professional and cultural backgrounds who want to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Whether you're looking to develop specialist expertise, change career direction or strengthen your understanding of AI in business, no prior experience of AI, programming or other technical disciplines is required.
The programme is shaped by the AI Skills for Business Competency Framework, developed by the Alan Turing Institute and the Alliance for Data Science Professionals, with support from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. You’ll gain professionally informed, practical skills to manage digital technologies, drive innovation and apply AI responsibly to real business challenges.
Practical experience
Through applied assessments, case studies and an independent applied study (engaging in consultancy projects or developing your own business plan), you’ll gain hands-on experience with AI tools used in industry and develop professional skills in problem-solving, project management, stakeholder communication and strategic analysis.
Depending on the project, you might assess an AI opportunity, develop an adoption roadmap, analyse how AI could improve a business process, or explore the feasibility of an AI-enabled product or business model. These projects could result in recommendations, a business report or plan, or a prototype, giving you practical work to demonstrate your capabilities to future employers.
Through Surrey Business School’s network of professional contacts, you'll have the opportunity to hear from practitioners, engage with employers and build connections with the wider AI community. You'll also benefit from careers support and professional networking opportunities though initiatives such as our Founders' Circle, Surrey Hatchery, Executives in Residence and guest speaker sessions.
Course structure
Open Close
The programme features seven compulsory modules, two optional modules, and a compulsory Independent Applied Study or Business Plan.
Featuring a mix of compulsory and optional modules allows you to tailor your studies to your academic interests or career goals. You can choose to focus on the topic areas below, or a combination across the three:
- International business and strategy
- Regulations, ethics and cyber security
- Analytics and machine learning.
The programme is designed to support you in moving from awareness of AI, data and elements of digital business to autonomous professional or consultancy-level expertise. By engaging with core theories, contemporary research and industry practice, you will establish a strong conceptual and technical foundation.
As you progress, you will increasingly engage with complex and open-ended business problems, applying advanced AI and analytics tools to real-world scenarios. Learning shifts from theory to problem-based and project-based activities, encouraging originality, judgement and professional reasoning.
You’ll apply your learning by undertaking either an Independent Applied Study or a business plan, requiring you to think about organisational or commercial requirements.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Teaching and learning
You’ll learn from our AI experts in markets and governance, entrepreneurship, and business transformation, and discover how to apply them for real-world business impact.
Our teaching is inclusive, student-centred and informed by the research our academics carry out. Designed to balance conceptual understanding with applied practice, we use a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops and project-based learning. Core concepts are introduced through structured teaching sessions and then supported by interactive seminars and practical workshops in which students apply AI and digital business tools to real-life scenarios. This blended approach ensures that learners with different strengths are equally supported.
You’ll have access to learning materials in a variety of formats, including recorded lectures, written resources, datasets and guided practical exercises, enabling flexible engagement and supporting different learning preferences. The University provides institution-wide access to generative AI tools through its internal platform, MyAISurrey. This is available to both staff and students, enabling experimentation with generative AI across teaching, learning and research.
The curriculum benefits from research carried out by the Centre of Digital Economy.
You will be supported every step of the way at Surrey Business School. From lecturers to dedicated student success coaches, we’re here to guide and encourage you whilst you study with us.
Learning methods
- AI learning
- Independent study
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Practical sessions
- Research work
- Seminars
- Simulation learning
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment
A range of assessment types include, but are not limited to:
- Individual reports
- Group reports
- Live presentations
- Recorded presentations
- Portfolios
- Applied projects
- Case studies.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable during Welcome Week. In later semesters, at least one week before the start of the semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled for one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Career opportunities
Open Close
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
The growing adoption of AI across industries is creating exciting career opportunities for professionals who can connect emerging technologies with business needs.
Our MSc Applied AI for Business will develop your practical, analytical and strategic skills to evaluate AI opportunities, support evidence-informed decision-making and drive business innovation. Through hands-on learning and practical applications, you'll gain the confidence to apply AI and contribute to organisational transformation.
You'll be prepared to pursue career opportunities in areas such as AI strategy and consultancy, business intelligence and analytics, digital transformation, innovation and product management, and responsible AI governance, across a wide range of industries.
Entry requirements
Open Close
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Country-specific qualifications
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on some courses, and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Fees and funding
Open Close
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
Fee options
- UK
- £16,400
- Overseas
- £26,900
- UK
- £8,200
- Overseas
- £13,500
- Fees for part-time routes are applicable in each year of the course
- These fees apply to the academic year 2027-28 only. Fees are reviewed annually, and tuition fees may increase for courses running over more than one year.
Read our tuition fees guidance to find out more about payment schedules and how to pay.
Additional costs
Find out more about additional costs that may be incurred during your time at Surrey.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Register your interest
Open Close
Apply
Open Close
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
Select your course
Choose the course option you wish to apply for.
Sign in
Create an account and sign into our application portal.
Apply options
Apply options
UK applications
Applied AI in Business MSc
Full-time, 12 months, September 2027
UK status
- UK applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Tuesday 31 August 2027
Select
Applied AI in Business MSc
Full-time, 12 months, September 2027
UK status
- UK applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Tuesday 31 August 2027
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
Overseas applications
Applied AI in Business MSc
Full-time, 12 months, September 2027
UK status
- Overseas applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 23 July 2027
Select
Applied AI in Business MSc
Full-time, 12 months, September 2027
UK status
- Overseas applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 23 July 2027
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
UK applications
Applied AI in Business MSc
Part-time, 24 months, September 2027
UK status
- UK applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Tuesday 31 August 2027
Select
Applied AI in Business MSc
Part-time, 24 months, September 2027
UK status
- UK applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Tuesday 31 August 2027
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
Overseas applications
Applied AI in Business MSc
Part-time, 24 months, September 2027
UK status
- Overseas applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 23 July 2027
Select
Applied AI in Business MSc
Part-time, 24 months, September 2027
UK status
- Overseas applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 23 July 2027
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
Admissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate taught admissions explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally, there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.