Artificial Intelligence (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Explore the techniques and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and develop your practical skills through exposure to real-world problems and datasets.
Specialise your degree
Build your skills in areas such as automated reasoning, knowledge representation and machine learning.
Industry-focused experience
Gain valuable experience with professional work placements and projects with leading AI practitioners.
Based in the Data Science Academy
Our teaching is informed by the most up-to-date research and co-designed by world-renowned AI researchers.
Enhance your employability
Learn the ethical and social impacts of AI technologies while developing your critical judgement, intellectual integrity and practical skills on client-facing projects.
This unique course provides specialist knowledge in areas such as automated reasoning, knowledge representation and machine learning. You also have the opportunity to customise your learning experience to suit your interests and career aspirations by choosing from a range of optional modules, professional work placements and projects.
High-performing graduates from this programme will be well-prepared for commencing a research career in AI.
This one-year degree falls under the umbrella of the Data Science Academy (DSA), run by the School of Computer Science and Informatics, in partnership with the School of Mathematics. You will benefit from the shared knowledge and skills of both Schools. However, your degree will still be run by the School of Computer Science & Informatics.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Computer Science and Informatics
Our degree programmes are shaped by multidisciplinary research, making them relevant to today's employers and well placed to take advantage of tomorrow's developments.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as Computer Science or Computing, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area or have a 2:2 honours degree you may still apply but should provide additional evidence to support your application such as a CV and references. In these cases you may be invited to participate in an interview.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a two-stage programme taught over one year for a total of 180 credits. The taught stage is 120 credits, followed by a 60-credit research project. All modules in the taught stage are worth 20 credits.
The Master’s stage of your degree will be an individual project (worth 60 credits) which you will write up as a dissertation, after the Diploma stage. This project will be carried out the summer under the supervision of a member of academic staff.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/26 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
You will study four 20-credit compulsory modules to a total of 80 credits, and choose a further 40 credits from a list of carefully selected optional modules. This will be followed by a 60-credit dissertation project undertaken in the summer
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Representation | CMT117 | 20 credits |
| Automated Reasoning | CMT215 | 20 credits |
| Principles of Machine Learning | CMT311 | 20 credits |
| Applications of Machine Learning: Natural Language Processing/Computer Vision | CMT316 | 20 credits |
| Dissertation | CMT400 | 60 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Testing and Malware Analysis | CMT121 | 20 credits |
| Machine Learning for NLP | CMT122 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Computational Robotics | CMT123 | 20 credits |
| Distributed and Cloud Computing | CMT202 | 20 credits |
| Human Centric Computing | CMT206 | 20 credits |
| Computer and Network Forensics | CMT216 | 20 credits |
| Cybersecurity Operations | CMT217 | 20 credits |
| Advanced Topics in NLP | CMT227 | 20 credits |
| Programming Paradigms | CMT304 | 20 credits |
| Developing Secure Systems and Applications | CMT310 | 20 credits |
| Computational Linguistics | CMT318 | 20 credits |
| Foundations of Operational Research and Analytics | MAT021 | 20 credits |
| Foundations of Statistics and Data Science | MAT022 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard.
A diverse range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the MSc Artificial Intelligence. Modules are delivered through a series of either full- or half-day contact sessions, which include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and laboratory classes.
Most of your taught modules will have further information for you to study and you will be expected to work through this in your own time according to the guidance provided by the lecturer for that module.
You will also undertake a project and independent study to enable you to complete your dissertation. Dissertation topics may be suggested by yourself or chosen from a list of options proposed by academic staff and industrial partners, reflecting their current interests.
How will I be assessed?
The taught modules within the programme are assessed through examinations and a wide range of in-course assessments, such as:
Written reports; Extended essays; Practical assignments; Oral presentations.
Feedback on coursework may be provided via written comments on work submitted, by provision of ‘model’ answers and/or through discussion in contact sessions.
The individual project and dissertation enables students to demonstrate their ability to build upon and exploit knowledge and skills gained in earlier stages of the Programme. Furthermore it provides the opportunity for students to exhibit critical and original thinking based on a period of independent study and learning.
How will I be supported?
We pride ourselves on providing a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.
At the start of your course you will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is an academic member of staff in the School and serves as a point of contact to advise on both academic and personal matters in an informal and confidential manner. Your Personal Tutor will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your Personal Development Planning.
Outside of scheduled tutor sessions, our Senior Personal Tutor runs an open-door policy, being on hand to advise and respond to any personal matters as they arise.
What skills will I practise and develop?
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Understanding of the importance of how data is represented for the success of artificial intelligence methods
- Knowledge of the key concepts and algorithms underlying artificial intelligence methods
- Understanding of the theoretical properties of different artificial intelligence methods
- Insight and foresight of how artificial intelligence methods influence the success of a given task
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- An ability to implement and evaluate artificial intelligence methods to solve a given task
- An ability to explain and communicate the basic principles underlying common artificial intelligence methods
- Critical appraisal of the ethical implications and societal risks associated with the deployment of artificial intelligence methods
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Capacity to formalize real-world problems in relation to chosen artificial intelligence methods
- Ability to choose an appropriate artificial intelligence method (and data pre-processing strategy if needed) to address the needs of a given application setting
- Competence in implementing artificial intelligence methods, taking advantage of existing libraries where appropriate
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Critical appraisal of your own and other’s work through written and verbal means
- Clear and efficient communication of complex ideas, principles and theories by oral, written and practical means, to a range of audiences
- Appreciation of opportunities for career development
- An ability to undertake independent study and critical reflection
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £11,700 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £31,700 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
You will need to provide your own laptop. Information regarding the particular laptop specification required will be provided in advance of enrolment. You will be provided with access to all required software at no additional cost.
Various support schemes are available to ensure all our students have access to the necessary equipment, subject to eligibility.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
Graduates from this programme will be ideally placed to develop careers as data scientists, artificial intelligence engineers, and data engineers.
Placements
Industrial partners are invited to support the delivery of a variety of modules by providing real data and problems to be addressed as part of coursework examination.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
