Artificial Intelligence MSc

Course overview

Advance Your Career with the Online MSc in Artificial Intelligence – Master the Skills Shaping the Future

Designed and delivered by computer scientists, this innovative online Masters in Artificial Intelligence is tailored for professionals who recognise AI’s growing impact on every sector. You’ll gain the knowledge and practical skills to influence organisational strategy, drive efficiencies and shape future business processes.

Focusing purely AI, the programme covers an extensive range of AI and machine Learning tools and techniques. You’ll apply your learning directly to real-world projects, equipping you to excel in your chosen sector and adapt to the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Specialist modules — including Robotics, Algorithms, Data Mining and Text Analytics, and Machine Learning — have been developed in response to industry demand, ensuring you gain high-value, in-demand skills.

With businesses increasingly needing to understand and leverage AI, our modern technology-driven curriculum prepares you to address complex work-related challenges, assess risks and opportunities, risks and opportunities associated and confidently advise on the adoption of emerging technologies.

If you see the transformative potential of AI in your industry, this online Masters in Artificial Intelligence equips you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills to accelerate your career .

It is ideal if you want to:

• Reskill for a career as an AI developer.
• Upskill to design, implement and manage AI solutions in your organisation.
• Develop your academic understanding of AI through advanced postgraduate study.

With a curriculum covering machine learning, robotics, algorithms, and data analytics, you’ll graduate ready to make informed, strategic decisions that shape the future of your sector.

Course highlights

Academic and research excellence

• Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and top 13 in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2026).
• At the School of Computing, 99% of the submitted computing research was rated "world-leading" or "internationally excellent" (REF 2021).

Exlusive Partnerships

• Alan Turing Institute – We are one of a select group of UK institutions partnering with the national institute for data science and AI, tackling real-world scientific and societal challenges at the forefront of innovation.
• Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) – A hub connecting world-class research with business, government, and third-sector partners to address health, social, and environmental challenges using data-driven insights.
• Robotics at Leeds – Home to one of the UK’s most advanced robotics research facilities, supported by the EPSRC, driving cutting-edge innovation in robot design, construction, and application.

Course details and modules

Our Artificial Intelligence MSc will begin with a two-week online induction designed to prepare you for online learning at the University of Leeds. It will introduce the study skills you will need to successfully complete your degree.

Delivered online, the artificial intelligence course offers a flexible schedule of modules which are structured to be accessible to working professionals. There are nine individual 15-credit taught modules, and you will typically spend eight weeks studying each module, plus a 45-credit project module over 24 weeks.

The modules cover a variety of subject areas such as algorithms, robotics, and machine learning to teach you the technical elements of AI, including robot navigation and manipulation. The Artificial Intelligence research project enables you to apply your academic study, techniques and knowledge acquired from the course to develop AI solutions to the real world in your current role to address a work-related challenge, encouraging you to explore, analyse, and innovate upon existing critical theory and practice.

You can take the course at your own pace and adapt your studies to fit around your work and life commitments. To give you flexibility, it is possible to pause your studies and take them up again at a later point. This means you can choose to complete the Masters in Artificial Intelligence in a minimum of two years or up to a maximum of four years.

Please note: You might have to take a study break to complete the artificial intelligence online course depending on when the selected module is next running.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Artificial Intelligence MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Depending on when you start the programme, you will take half of the modules below in Year 1, with the remaining modules being taken in Year 2.

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

In Year 2 you will study the remaining half of the modules, which weren't taken in Year 1.

Learning and teaching

Join our powerful learning network

Your learning will be delivered online via our virtual learning environment, Minerva. Each week you will study through live face-to-face sessions with our world-class academics.

We recognise that professionals have busy lives, so with a 100% online delivery mode, students can manage their learning around their busy personal and full-time employment, without the need to disrupt their life. You will also be given access to premium-quality study videos, library resources and the industry’s top electronic journals for independent study.

Our artificial intelligence online course is designed to ensure professionals living and working across the world together can share experiences and knowledge with each other. Collaborate and learn from like-minded professionals during regular interactive activities, including live seminars, virtual discussions, and group projects. This allows you to develop a range of transferable skills and grow confidence and strength in character studying within a growing community of virtual learners.

Introducing Minerva

Social learning is at the heart of your learning experience, with interactive and collaborative activities embedded into every module of this course. It’s what brings your online learning experience to life through:

• synchronous and asynchronous video lessons
• interactive surveys, tests, polls and exercises
• weekly live tutorials with classmates and academics
• group projects and discussion boards
• individual access to reading and study resources
• flexible study sessions to allow you to join at any time that suits you.

Minerva can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection and is mobile friendly, so you can study on the go around your existing work and life commitments. You can also benefit from downloadable PDFs on course content for offline reading when required.

We recommend a high-speed broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 1.5 Mbps. You will need regular access to a desktop computer, tablet or laptop, with a webcam. You will also need the ability to view PDF documents and work in Microsoft Office (software provided).

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods will emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. The Artificial Intelligence MSc will typically be assessed through:

• mini project reports
• group discussions and assignments
• live and/or pre-recorded presentations
• practical exercises based on real-world scenarios
• essays
• literature reviews
• multiple choice exams for formative learning feedback (no more than 5% of assessment).

Applying

Entry requirements

• A First or 2.1 (hons) bachelor degree in any mathematical or highly numerate discipline where relevant subject areas have been studied.
• If you hold a 2.2 (hons) bachelor degree in any mathematical discipline, we’ll consider your application if you have at least three years of relevant work experience in a professional environment.
• If you hold a First or 2.1 (hons) bachelor degree in a non-mathematical discipline, we’ll consider your application if you have at least three years of relevant work experience in a related professional environment.

Exceptionally, we will also consider applications from professionally qualified and experienced candidates who do not meet the formal requirements.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information please contact our Enrolment Advisors at studentenquiries.online@leeds.ac.uk.

Proof of your English Language Proficiency

Proficiency in English language is essential to study at the University of Leeds. Applicants will need to have GCSE English language at grade C or above, or an appropriate equivalent English language qualification. You will need either:

Alternative English Language Qualification

A degree taught in English from a recognised institution, lasting at least two years at the undergraduate level or one year at the Masters level, which can be evidenced by transcripts and/or certificates.

In exceptional circumstances, applicants can provide alternative proof of English language proficiency rather than a standard English test. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You should discuss the criteria with your Enrolment Advisor to see if this can be considered.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

How to apply

The ‘Apply’ button at the top of this page takes you to the University's online application system, where you can start your application for this course. Alternatively, you can request further information by ‘registering your interest’.

Read our how-to-apply guidance before you start your application.

Identification

The Digital Education Service requires all applicants to provide proof of their identity at the point of application. Accepted forms of ID are:

• Passport photo page, or
• Driving licence, or
• National identity card.

Deadlines

The deadline for applications to join each intake are outlined below:

• September 25 start: application deadline is 19 August 2025

• November 25 start: application deadline is 14 October 2025

• January 26 start: application deadline is 9 December 2025

• March 26 start: application deadline is 17 February 2026

• May 26 start: application deadline is 21 April 2026

• July 26 start: application deadline is 16 June 2026

All suitably qualified candidates will be interviewed by telephone or online as part of the selection process.

Applicants for Digital Education Service programmes should contact their Enrolment Advisor to find out more about the course, how to start the online application process and if applicants wish to change their start date after submitting an application.

Email studentenquiries.online@leeds.ac.uk.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Contact us

Enrolment Advisor team

Email: studentenquiries.online@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)113 868 6129

Fees

UK: £15,000 (Total)

International: £15,000 (Total)

The fee, which can be paid on a module-by-module basis*, is composed of:

• nine taught modules (15 credits each): £1,450 per module
• project module (45 credits): £1,950

*If your fees are being paid directly to the University by your employer or sponsor you will not be able to pay on a module-by-module basis.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

We believe financial circumstances shouldn’t be a barrier to education. If you have the talent and drive, there may be funding options available including loans and non-repayable grants from both the University and from the UK government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.

• University of Leeds alumni (or graduates of affiliated institutions) are entitled to a 10% bursary towards tuition fees. Find out more about eligibility for the alumni bursary and how to apply.
• UK students may be eligible for a UK government-backed loan, with specific terms and conditions for online courses. Applications are made through the Student Loans Company. Visit the UK Government website to find out more.

Career opportunities

The University of Leeds Careers Service offers extensive online resources to help you maximise your studies and achieve your career goals:

• One-to-one support from a careers advisor via phone or virtual meetings
• Online career workshops, webinars and career resources
• A job database and online employer events
• LinkedIn Learning platform access
• CV writing guidance and job application support
• Interview coaching and practice sessions.

Find out more about careers support.