Online MSc Artificial Intelligence Overview

From healthcare to finance, artificial intelligence (AI) now impacts nearly every industry. AI not only influences the way we interact with technology and each other, it also shapes our very development.

Our Master’s in Artificial Intelligence online offers individuals from both computer science and non-computing-based backgrounds an opportunity to understand how data and AI technology can be applied to support industry progress in an increasingly complex world.

Quick course facts

  • Minimum Duration: 2 years, 4 months
  • Start dates: January, May, and September.
  • Study Type: 100% online
  • Entry requirements
  • The total cost of this 180-credit course is £12,9961. Fees are paid per unit. (£722 per 10-credit unit, £1,444 per 20 credit unit and two instalments of £2,166 for your 60-credit project). 10% alumni discount available. Learn more on fees and funding.

Examining every aspect of AI, from robotics and mathematics to machine learning and natural language processing, this MSc Artificial Intelligence degree online will equip you with the skills to secure one of a growing number of careers in this incredibly challenging but rewarding field. You’ll also explore the contemporary ethical implications of AI and the need for policies to ensure transparency and accountability, helping to further future-proof your knowledge.

Providing a mix of compulsory and optional units, you’ll have the flexibility to tailor your studies to your particular career path or area of interest. Optional units allow you to explore AI in context, offering both a broad overview of the field and the chance to delve deeper into areas such as deep learning, robotics and entrepreneurship.

Although previous coding experience is not required to study this course, it is recommended. Maths experience is essential; it will prepare you for the high-level mathematical concepts covered throughout the course.

By developing your comprehensive understanding of the practical applications and emerging opportunities in AI, our online Artificial Intelligence Master’s will fill you with the confidence to push the boundaries in this exhilarating, progressive specialism.

Choose Bath online

By combining ideas from topics such as data science and robotics with the more technical aspects of programming and machine learning, our Artificial Intelligence Master’s course provides the skills you need to put AI into practice.

Artificial intelligence insights are crucial to helping businesses evolve their strategies, be it through customer preference tracking, service improvement or robotic development.

The University of Bath draws on input from its ‘UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Accountable, Responsible and Transparent AI (ART-AI)’. This means our online MSc Artificial Intelligence degree provides you with the most up-to-date understanding of the emerging possibilities of artificial intelligence, as well as its ethical implications.

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I have enjoyed greatly sections on ethics, natural language processing and machine learning.  It is the key concepts that underline these technologies that are of importance to my current role.  Data products that we are building will benefit greatly from these technologies.

Jeremy Green

Artificial Intelligence online MSc student

What jobs can a postgraduate degree in AI lead to?

Whether you are switching career, enhancing your prospects or just expanding your knowledge, our AI master's degree online will support your progress in this future-focused specialism.

Through its leading role in the Institute of Coding – an initiative made up of universities and corporations committed to filling the digital skills gap – the University is able to help you identify and progress precisely the skills that employers are looking for. 

Maybe you’re a computer scientist keen for a new challenge. Perhaps you’re passionate about the future of AI and are just waiting for an opportunity to learn more. Whether it’s the in-depth technical or the more theoretical understanding you seek, this course will stretch your abilities, priming you for a career in this rapidly growing field.

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAREERS

Why it matters who you learn with.

As you narrow down the possibilities of where to pursue your degree, consider who you'll learn with. Your cohort can be a strong benefit to the course you select. When your peers come from around the world and share similar professional roles, their experiences enhance your learning and worldview. By learning alongside a diverse cohort, you'll strengthen your professional skills, cultural knowledge, professional network and can contribute to more areas of business.

Explore the curriculum

The MSc Artificial Intelligence online gives you a foundation in AI, allowing you to develop greater depth in the areas that align with your interests and ambitions. Exploring modules such as Principles of Programming, Humans and Intelligent Machines, Robotics and Machine Learning, the course provides a broad picture of AI and its application in the real world.

Exploring units such as Programming and Maths for AI, Humans and Intelligent Machines, Applied AI, the course combines the foundations of AI with practical skills needed to develop and apply AI solutions in the real world.

You can then tailor your studies through diverse optional units in areas such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, robotics and machine vision, entrepreneurship, and the social and political impact of artificial intelligence.

Finally, a research-based dissertation provides an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired throughout the course.

Learn more about course curriculum

Build practical AI skills

How will I learn?

  • Programming exercises

  • Experimentation

  • Coding and practical exercises

  • Technical problem-solving

  • Peer discussion

  • Collaborative work

  • Optional hands-on specialisms

  • Independent research or development project

What will I work with?

  • Programming languages: Python

  • AI and machine learning: AI/ML libraries and frameworks

  • Deep learning: deep-learning architectures and transformers

  • AI development: AutoML and MLOps

  • Computing platforms: cloud AI and GPU platforms

  • Optional units include: deep learning, entrepreneurship, reinforcement learning, AI as a social and political practice, robotics and machine vision 

Working with different AI and machine learning approaches helps you understand how models work, evaluate their strengths and limitations, and choose appropriate techniques for different problems. 

What will I actually do?

  • Implement AI and machine learning approaches

  • Build, train, test and evaluate models

  • Develop natural language processing applications

  • Work with deep learning architectures and transformers

  • Compare AI approaches and trade-offs

  • Evaluate model performance

  • Explore production AI systems

  • Work with cloud AI and GPU platforms

  • Apply AI to areas such as robotics and machine vision

  • Develop and evaluate an independent AI solution 

From AI and machine learning foundations to developing and evaluating models, you’ll build the knowledge and practical skills to apply AI across a range of real-world contexts.

Some technologies and activities depend on optional unit choices. 

 

What could I gain from taking this course?

  • Explore the mathematical, statistical, and theoretical principles of AI and machine learning
  • Apply AI methods and tools to analyse problems and develop appropriate solutions
  • Design, implement, test, and evaluate AI systems using programming techniques and practical approaches to improve their performance
  • Use data from diverse sources to understand how AI knowledge can be applied to real-world situations
  • Compare different approaches to AI problems and select appropriate solutions, considering their strengths, limitations, and practical applications
  • Use methods such as testing and performance analysis to assess and evaluate AI systems
  • Present your ideas and findings effectively to different audiences using appropriate technical and professional formats
  • Contribute to AI projects through teamwork, leadership, independent work, and peer review
  • Undertake an individual innovative research or development project in AI that demonstrates originality and the ability to work to a professional standard

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I learned a lot about AI safety, alignment and ethics, a little about mathematics and a lot about programming. My dissertation is on Distress recognition and mirror neuron patterns in ANNs. It's really compelling. 

Robyn Wyrick

Artificial Intelligence online MSc student

Entry requirements

Qualifications

  • You should have a first or strong second-class bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent
  • To apply for this course, you may have an undergraduate degree in any subject, but you must demonstrate evidence of relevant quantitative skills (especially algebra and calculus) either through your degree study or by alternative means

International students

  • If your first language is not English you will need IELTS with a grade of at least 6.5 overall and no less than 6.0 in any of the four parts (listening, reading, writing and speaking). If you completed your degree in the UK within the last 2 years prior to the start of the course, you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO APPLY

Is a master's in AI difficult to study online?

Our active learning environment will keep you connected to the Artificial Intelligence Master’s curriculum all the way through to graduation.

  • Engaging video content and real-life case studies
  • Interaction and networking with students and lecturers
  • Digital resources to support your studies and develop your career

FIND OUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO STUDY ONLINE

University of Bath
Online learning

Interactive.
Immersive.
Supportive.

Designed exclusively for online study,
the University of Bath’s Virtual Learning Environment…
takes the learning experience further.

1: Find everything you need quickly and easily

2: Prep your workload and set your weekly agenda
Unit calendar
Upcoming events
Calendar of deadlines

3: Study in bite-sized blocks at a time and place that suits you

4: Tap into a wealth of all-inclusive e-resources

5: Experience academic content in a variety of engaging ways

6: Connect with specialist support when you need it

7: Bring learning to life with video and real-world case studies

8: Enhance your studies with hands-on interactive assignments

9: Collaborate and network with peers and tutors

10: Build your own portfolio and share your best work

Take what you’ve learned and apply it in the real world

Time to further your career? Request information and apply now.

Ben Ralph

Dr Ben Ralph

Director of Teaching (Distance learning)

Dr Ben Ralph is the Director of Teaching (Distance Learning) for the Artificial Intelligence online MSc, and teaches on both the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science online MSc. As a researcher Ben has mainly studied structural proof theory: in particular the problem of proof identity, using techniques including combinatorial proofs and Deep Inference, and before his PhD at Bath completed a Masters degree in Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Oxford. Ben has also signed the pledge for sustainable research in theoretical Computer Science.

Explore your options with the University of Bath

If you are interested in studying the equivalent on-campus MSc, you can find out more by visiting our full-time Artificial Intelligence MSc course page.

Sources

  1. Valid up to and including September 2026 intake. Tuition fees are liable to increase each January. You should budget for an increase of up to a maximum of 8% each year. Terms and conditions for tuition fee payments for online courses.
  2. Rankings based on undergraduate data