MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc
Overview
The MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bristol is a rigorous, research- and industry-informed programme designed for graduates from numerate disciplines. This programme provides a deep technical foundation in modern AI, covering both the foundations and advanced techniques and algorithms while fostering critical awareness of AI’s ethical, societal, and environmental impacts.
This MSc has been designed with direct input from both industry partners and internationally leading AI researchers to provide:
- A dual focus on theory and application, combining mathematical rigour with hands-on implementation using real-world datasets and high-performance computing.
- Ethics & society integration, with considerations of the ethical impacts of AI embedded throughout the programme and a unit dedicated to fostering critical discussion and reflection on society and the environment.
- Flexible final project: Choose between an industry team project or an individual research dissertation.
- and the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences.
The University of Bristol is the host of the Isambard-AI, the UK's most powerful AI supercomputer ranked 11th fastest in the world. It is a national facility for AI research and is designed to help solve some of the biggest problems in the world today with AI. For suitable research projects that align with the purpose of the supercomputer, students on this programme may be allowed to access some compute time on Isambard-AI.
Programme structure
You will take either a unit in Software Development: Programming and Algorithms, or, if you already have software development skills, a unit in Statistical Computing and Empirical Methods.
The remainder of the MSc consists of the following units:
- Large-Scale Data Engineering
- Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
- Advanced Deep Learning
- Theory and Applications of Large Language Models
- AI Societies, Ethics and Futures
To complete your studies, you will be able to choose between an individual research-orientated dissertation chosen from a selection proposed by project supervisors, or an industry-focused team project selected from a set of topics proposed by industry partners working with the School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology. This unit provides experience in planning, running, documenting, and presenting a substantial piece of original work, and provides the opportunity to integrate material from all taught units to demonstrate the breadth and depth of your learning on the MSc.
Entry requirements
You will typically need a strong upper second-class honours degree (65% or higher) or an international equivalent in Computer Science, Computing, Engineering degrees, Architecture, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics and closely related degrees (eg Biostatistics, Actuarial Science), Physics and closely related degrees (eg Astrophysics), Biology, Bioinformatics, Economics, Econometrics, Genetics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Medicine, Neuroscience, Operations Research or Psychology.
Chemistry and closely related degrees (eg Biochemistry) or joint honours (eg Physics and Sociology) must meet the module requirements of two mathematical units or one mathematics unit and one computer programming unit with 60% UK equivalent achieved in each unit.
Applicants from non-numerate backgrounds who have certificates of study in maths/programming via studying in their own time may be considered on a case by case basis.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications. If you have the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing: a relevant postgraduate qualification.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £18,400 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £34,000 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
UK offer holders for this programme may be eligible for a scholarship of up to £5,000 towards their tuition fees. Information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Graduates of this MSc programme will be equipped for roles such as:
- AI Engineer/Researcher (tech firms, startups).
- AI Policy/Governance Specialist (government, NGOs).
- Tech Leadership (CTO, AI product manager).
- PhD Research (in AI/ML or applied domains).
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk