BEng Artificial Intelligence (G164)
2027 entry | view 2026 entry
Course summary
Our three-year BEng Artificial Intelligence degree is your chance to dive into the world of artificial intelligence and learn how to apply it in practice.
Bristol won AI University of the Year at the National AI awards in 2024. You'll learn from our world-class researchers as they develop new algorithms and apply AI to drive innovations in healthcare, finance, environmental modelling, robotics and the technologies of the future.
Today, AI stands at the forefront of technological innovation, and you can be part of it. You'll learn about designing and refining algorithms that don't just show intelligent behaviour, but have the ability to adapt and learn dynamically from feedback, evidence and data.
At the very heart of modern AI lies machine learning. This rapidly advancing field has an ever-expanding toolbox of new algorithms for modelling, forecasting and classification in complex application domains. We can help you get to grips with these essential tools.
This transformative technology can encourage new avenues for creativity and problem-solving, helping us tackle difficult and urgent social and environmental challenges. Working with AI does, however, raise important ethical, philosophical and regulatory questions. You'll be encouraged to face these head-on, thinking critically about fairness, responsibility and the potential for harm.
Our BEng Artificial Intelligence degree is a truly interdisciplinary course. It's designed to give you a broad and deep understanding of modern AI and machine learning, covering the applied practical side and foundational theory. You'll be taught by experts in AI and machine learning, as well as practitioners with vast experience of applying AI in their domain.
You'll interact directly with our industrial partners, who act as stakeholders on projects. They'll provide invaluable insight into how AI is used across various sectors like software development, pharmaceuticals, energy, Formula One racing, investment and consultancy.
Early in your degree, you'll engage with an industrial mentor, giving you personalised advice and a window into how AI is used in practice.
Our course will train you to become an adept AI engineer, with hands-on experience. You'll gain the expertise to apply modern machine learning to diverse domains including health, robotics, finance, manufacturing and design.
In order to become a responsible problem solver in AI and machine learning, you will:
- learn how to programme and manage data at scale
- study the essential mathematics that underpins AI, so you truly understand its strengths and limitations
- develop crucial problem-solving skills by working in teams and individually on challenging, open-ended, real-world problems
- explore the new ethical and legal challenges that AI brings.
Finally, when you graduate, you'll be perfectly placed to play a pivotal role in the AI transformation of our economy and society, ensuring that this new technology is used effectively and with care.
Course structure
The structure of our BEng Artificial Intelligence degree course is designed to build knowledge, skills, confidence and employability. Current topics include:
- Principles of AI (years one and two) - you'll study the core concepts and ideas underpinning AI. We'll discuss what it means to be intelligent and the ethics and morality of AI in society. You'll hear from business and industry experts about how AI is being applied in practice and the specific challenges faced by their sectors.
- Programming and Data Engineering (years one and two) - you'll learn about algorithms and how to programme; gain experience using specialist machine learning tools and packages; and learn how to manage and analyse data at a large scale using the cloud.
- The Mathematics of AI (year one) - maths is at the heart of AI and you'll need a good grounding in the relevant mathematical ideas to understand the strengths and limitations of different machine learning algorithms. Applied linear algebra underpins data representation and optimisation in machine learning; information theory guides and bounds learning; probability and statistics help us to look for patterns in data.
- Machine Learning: Algorithms and Architectures (years two and three) - you'll learn about a variety of modern machine learning approaches, such as deep learning and reinforcement learning, so that you understand their foundations and gain experience using them in practice.
- Problem Solving and Applications (years two and three) - you'll train to be an AI problem solver with experience in a diverse range of application domains including robotics, health, finance, manufacturing and design. You'll learn problem-solving skills by working on real-world projects, individually and in teams.
Entry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
More about Access to HE entry requirements
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Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Artificial Intelligence can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2026 entry. The statement for 2027 entry will be available in summer 2026.