Overview
The UK AI market is worth more than £16.9 billion, according to the US International Trade Administration. It’s expected to grow to £803.7 billion by 2035. The number of UK AI companies has increased by 688% over the last 10 years, showing rapid expansion. Today, one in six UK organisations uses at least one type of AI technology (Source: Global Legal Insights).
Launch your career in AI
Our MSc in Artificial Intelligence is designed for students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who want to advance their careers in AI-focused fields.
This course explores the theory of a wide variety of AI-related techniques, including:
- machine learning and deep learning;
- mathematics and statistics for data science;
- programming using Python;
- computer vision and natural language processing.
You’ll also gain hands-on experience with the tools and methods used to apply these concepts to real-world challenges.
AI internships opportunities
We designed this artificial intelligence Masters degree in collaboration with employers to ensure you're equipped with the skills needed for a successful career in AI. The course includes opportunities for internships with technology providers. Past internship placements have included organisations such as Aggreko, Falcon Foodservice, Diageo, and Synaptec.
Engage with industry
Our academics are engaged in world leading research in AI fields such as complex systems modelling, computer vision, machine learning, and optimisation. We’re a member of The Data Lab Innovation Centre, developing data science talent and skills required by industry.
Studying an artificial intelligence Masters at Stirling provides a fantastic opportunity to build your professional network with fellow students and industry experts.
You’ll engage with industry through guest lectures and local career events. In the last couple of years, we've had talks from Huawei, Bigspark, Red Star (AI for healthcare), Virtonomy, KBC Group, and Leonardo UK.
Gain practical AI experience
On our Artificial Intelligence MSc, you get the opportunity to work with academics on ongoing commercially relevant research projects. You can also take part in projects with industry or technology providers. Past projects included companies such as Craft Prospect, OPEX, ST Microelectronics R&D (UK) Ltd, Dukosi Ltd and Canon Medical Research Europe.
Watch Rishil's story
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Our team of academics in the department of Computing Science and Mathematics are engaged in world leading research in fields such as complex systems modelling, computer vision, machine learning, optimisation and, of course, artificial intelligence.
Our research is applied to real world problems such as providing food security, reducing disease, helping the blind live independently, improving airport efficiency, detecting fake news, monitoring environments using satellite/drone imaging and IoT sensors, understanding marine eco-system and developing cybersecurity techniques.
MSc students become involved with our research through seminars and dissertation projects, which can lead to further study and ultimately a PhD.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in any discipline. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply.
This course is intended for students without a background in computing. If you have a degree in computing, or a closely related subject, or equivalent experience, then you are strongly encouraged to take the Advanced Computing and AI course instead.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Key topics and technologies taught will be:
- mathematics and statistics for data science
- programming using Python
- applying AI to real-world problems
- machine learning
- computer vision
- natural language processing and prompt engineering
- deep learning
- heuristic optimisation
For those interested in a January start, the duration of the course will be 21 months. For example, students starting in January 2023 will graduate in November 2024. This decision was made to allow students to learn flexibly and enhance other skills during the summer months when teaching is not available.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
There’s a real mix of practical technology sessions taught in labs and workshops along with lectures, seminars and tutorials teaching you the theories and skills you will need for your career.
You’ll carry out a dissertation project using an artificial intelligence solution of your choice. With support from our staff, you’ll choose a specialist topic and become a real expert. You'll start with an in-depth analysis of the topic and its technology. Then you'll build a solution that will showcase your skills to employers and give you the knowledge to win a high level, high salary job.
We have a programme of invited speakers from industry giving you the opportunity to ask questions of people who are doing data science every day.
This is a practical course and the assessment reflects that. Each module has an assignment and an exam (in selected modules), but the emphasis is on the course work.
Dr Sandy Brownlee
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
As AI continues to revolutionise industries, a Masters in Artificial Intelligence opens the door to diverse career opportunities across sectors such as:
- Banking and finance
- Data-driven marketing
- Sport and fitness
- Health and medicine
- Engineering
- Data journalism
- Mapping and GIS
- New media
Graduates with expertise in AI are in high demand for a variety of specialised roles, including:
- AI Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Robotics Engineer
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer
- System Engineer
- AI Developer
- AI Researcher
- AI Security Specialist
- Technology Risk Manager
- AI Ethics and Data Privacy Lead
Earning potential
Entry-level AI engineers can expect annual salaries ranging from £35,000 to £50,000. With experience and specialisation, salaries can rise significantly, with mid-level engineers earning between £50,000 to £70,000 (source: Artificial Intelligence Jobs).
Graduates from the University of Stirling have gone on to roles such as Protection Consultant at Santander, Senior Consultant at Deloitte, and Data Engineer at Zebra Technologies.
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