Artificial Intelligence MSc – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
- Study mode and duration
- Full-time: 1 year (maximum course length)*
- Part-time: 5 years (maximum course length)*
Why choose this course
Our new MSc is the only course of its kind in the UK. The unique programme will equip students with knowledge on a broad range of core AI topics, including: technical topics on computer vision, natural language processing and audio analysis; application-specific topics, such as health and the metaverse; and important regulatory and legal aspects that will critically inform the future development of AI.
The growth of AI is rapidly changing the way we live, work and learn. However, there’s a real shortage of AI talent worldwide, both to serve the industry and to drive future research.
This course will enable you to capitalise on the wide spectrum of career opportunities provided by AI, preparing you to work in industry, take an entrepreneurial route or pursue further research.
What you will study
This one-year full-time MSc will teach you about fundamental AI concepts and the universal machine learning tools essential for any AI job role, as well as specific practical and research skills in key AI topics and applications. You’ll gain experience with cutting-edge tools such as deep neural networks (DNN), recurrent neural networks (RNN) and deep reinforcement learning (deep RL) through regular hands-on exercises and practical labs.
The course consists of technical modules delivered by our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, along with the opportunity to take related modules in business or law and ethics. You’ll also undertake a year-long project on an AI topic that interests you. You’ll be supervised throughout the project by an academic specialising in your chosen subject area.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Facilities, equipment and support
Several of the modules you’ll study are complemented by software-based laboratory sessions. From these, you’ll complete your coursework. This is an important part of your MSc, enhancing your knowledge in preparation for the written examinations. We’ll provide you with computing support for any specialised software required during the course.
The faculty’s student common room is also covered by the University’s open-access wireless network, which makes it a popular location for individual and group work using laptops and mobile devices.
Specialist experimental and research facilities (e.g. graphics processing unit clusters) for computationally demanding projects or those requiring specialist equipment are provided by our Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing.
Research
Our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering has two pioneering research centres supporting this course and student projects. These are:
- The Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), which has more than 30 years of research experience in image processing, deep learning and machine intelligence
- The newly established Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, which is a pan-university institute that brings together world-leading AI and domain expertise across the University to realise and shape AI impact for public good.
Key academics
Our MSc is developed and delivered by academics with unrivalled experience, including:
- Professor Adrian Hilton: Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, who has successfully commercialised 4D computer vision techniques used across entertainment, manufacturing and healthcare
- Professor Josef Kittler: Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, pioneer of modern machine learning and founder of CVSSP
- Professor Tao Xiang: A Distinguished Professor at Surrey and Chief Scientist at Samsung AI Research Centre, Cambridge.
Careers and graduate prospects
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. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
Our graduates have numerous opportunities in AI-driven businesses such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Samsung, as well as roles in the mobile and gaming industries.
More specifically, our MSc will equip you for a wide range of roles such as:
- AI scientist at a global technology company (e.g. Facebook, Google, Samsung)
- AI analyst in finance/banking and other jobs requiring a systematic understanding of AI
- Entrepreneurial roles (e.g. business start-ups focused on AI technology)
- Industry-sponsored PhD studentship at the cutting edge of AI research.
93 per cent of our electrical and electronic engineering postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA).
Academic year structure
If you’re studying this course full-time, you’ll study eight modules across the year – four in each semester. You will work on your project full time during the summer period for approximately two and a half months, whilst prior to that during semester time you will work on the initial stages of the project part time and complete an interim report. This means that if you begin your course in February, you will complete your project in between the two semesters, while if you begin your course in September, you will complete your project after the two semesters.
You can also study this MSc part-time, taking between two and five years. The length depends on how many modules you study each year. You can study between two and six modules each year. We recommend part-time students work on their project in their final year of study when all eight modules have either been completed or are near completion.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
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:
Optional modules for Year 1 - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
One optional module in semester 1
Two optional modules in semester 2
Optional modules for Unstructured (3-5 years) PT - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
One optional modules in semester 1
Two optional modules in semester 2
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
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.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in communication engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electronic and computer engineering, electronic engineering, information and communication technologies, information systems engineering, maths, physics, telecommunication engineering, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We'll also consider relevant work experience if you don't meet these requirements.
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we 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
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees per year
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £24,400
Part-time - 5 years
- UK
- £1,200
- Overseas
- £2,700
Please note:
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on an unstructured self-paced part-time course, the fee shown is per 15 credits for the 2023-24 academic year
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
- If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Additional costs
There are associated costs with this course:
- Books/stationery/admin: Costs may be incurred associated with the purchase of writing paper and associated stationery.
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.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
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Course | Status |
|---|---|
Artificial Intelligence MSc Full-time, 12 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
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. | |
Artificial Intelligence MSc Part-time, 60 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
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. | |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH