Artificial Intelligence PGCert

Course overview

The online Artificial Intelligence Postgraduate Certificate is both a gateway to the online Artificial Intelligence Masters and an award in its own right. This Level 7 qualification, like our Masters degree has been designed and delivered by computer scientists specifically for professionals who recognise the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to their sector.

The Postgraduate Certificate pathway provides a strong foundation of AI skills to give you what employers are looking for. You’ll study two compulsory modules and two optional modules of the Artificial Intelligence Masters and exit with the Postgraduate Certificate award, or continue to complete the full Masters degree.

Use your knowledge to influence company strategy and impress employers, helping them to evaluate the risks and opportunities associated with new technologies and market approaches.

Who is this course for?

If you recognise the importance of AI for the future of your industry but don’t have the option to commit to a full Masters degree, this course is for you.

The online Artificial Intelligence Postgraduate Certificate gives you the forward-thinking knowledge to take your career to the next level. This course is for professionals from a wide range of careers including professor, senior manager, CEO or sales and marketing.

It is ideal if you:

• are looking to reskill to enter the AI developer profession
• are looking upskill to develop, manage and plan AI solutions within your current organisation
• are seeking a route to higher level study to develop academic prowess further within this field.

Read our blog post on 7 reasons to study Artificial Intelligence.

Academic and research excellence

We are one of the top 100 universities in the world and ranked in the top 15 in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2023).

At the School of Computing, over 85% of the School’s research activity in Computer Science was classified as “world leading” or “internationally excellent” in the latest Research Excellence Framework. 100% of the School’s research was deemed to have either “outstanding” or “very considerable” impact in the same exercise.

Partnerships

Alan Turing Institute

The School of Computing is one of only a handful of elite UK institutions which partner with the Alan Turing Institute – the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The institute is a hub for research across disciplines and locations, approaching real-world issues in science and society to be at the forefront of cutting-edge changes today.

The Alan Turing Institute is a place for engagement, discussion and development of new ideas. Our partnership gives the School of Computing real-world research and societal issues to discover more about the field of AI.

Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA)

The Leeds Institute for Data Analytics brings together applied research groups and data scientists from all disciplines, opening new opportunities to understand health and human behaviour and casting light on the action required to tackle a wide range of social and environmental problems.

Connecting academic research with external partners in business, government and the third sector; LIDA is matching the world-class capabilities of University research with the needs and opportunities of local organisations.

Robotics at Leeds

Robotics at Leeds is an interdisciplinary network driving innovation in robotics research. Our industrial partners, researchers and students can access a suite of technologies for robot design and construction that is among the most advanced in the world. Our national Robotics Facility is backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the Government’s drive to improve Britain’s international competitiveness in robotics.

Study options

We also offer a full-time Advanced Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) MSc, covering statistical and symbolic machine learning algorithms, qualitative reasoning, image processing, language understanding and bio-computation as well as essential principles and practices in the design, implementation and usability of intelligent systems. View the course page for more details.

Course details

Our Artificial Intelligence Postgraduate Certificate 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.

The four modules provide enough AI coverage to speak directly to the skills that employers are seeking within the AI development sector.

The first two modules are compulsory: Programming for Data Science plus a choice of Data Science or Algorithms. Programming for Data Science will provide a firm foundation in programming for data analysis and AI systems to enable you to build systems that integrate with the internet and with databases. The data investigated will be drawn from a sector relevant to your background. After completing the two compulsory modules, you’ll be able to select two more modules from the optional list that most interest you.

Please note: The minimum programme duration is 8 months. Depending on when you start the programme it may not be possible to complete the programme in 8 months. You might have to take a study break to complete the 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 PGCert in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

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

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 in a mixture of structured and open-ended learning techniques.

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 online learning 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. They will typically include:

• 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

All applicants will need to have GCSE English language at grade C or above, or an appropriate equivalent English language qualification.

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

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:

• Nov 2024 start: application deadline is 15 October 2024
• January 2025 start: application deadline is 10 December 2024
• March 2025 start: application deadline is 11 February 2025
• May 2025 start: application deadline is 15 April 2025
• July 2025 start: application deadline is 17 June 2025

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.

REGISTER TO APPLY

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

The following fees apply to those starting their course between 1 September 2024 - 31 August 2025:

UK and International: £5,800

The fee is composed of:

• four taught modules (15 credits each): £1,450 per module

You will have the option to pay your fees on a module-by-module basis*. In this case your fee will be broken down into:

• four equal payments of £1,450

*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

Graduates of the University of Leeds (or an affiliated institution) are entitled to a 10% bursary towards tuition fees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

Career opportunities

The University of Leeds engages in industry collaboration with domestic and worldwide partners. Our industry links help us to build a curriculum designed specifically to meet growing market demands.

As a student, you will have access to the University of Leeds Careers Service’s extensive online resources including career planning, advice on CV (Curriculum Vitae) writing, job applications and key interview skills. Further support will be available via the one-on-one e-Guidance service which can provide advice by appointment via telephone or Skype.

The Careers Service may be able to connect students looking for knowledge of a specific region with groups of students in the same country so they can assist each other with job seeking. The Careers Service can offer professional development access to our alumni network, online careers support and employer links.

An additional resource for you is the virtual learning environment (Minerva) which provides access to a range of resources including study skills support, interactive and collaborative communication tools, and reflective personal and professional development opportunities.

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