About

Why study Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at Keele University?

Research-led teaching capitalises on our internationally recognised expertise in computational neuroscience, evolutionary systems, machine learning and AI, software and systems engineering

Develop and then put your professional and technical skills to use solving a real-world problem on either an industrial placement or MSc Project

Access to specialist equipment, including over 100 PCs with relevant hardware and software (Microsoft and Linux), gaming lab, high-performance computing infrastructure and Makerspace

Small class sizes and strong, inclusive research community, recently extended to the academic network of the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI

Course summary

Digital skills have a crucial role to play in helping to drive growth, productivity and innovation across the rest of the economy, yet one in three businesses say their workforce currently lacks the advanced digital skills they need.

This MSc offers a postgraduate pathway to progress and excel in a career as a data scientist, providing digital skills and knowledge so you can support a diverse range of industries, including medicine, transport, social sciences, biosciences and sports business, to take advantage of the efficiencies and insight new technology can generate.

To ensure course content meets employer needs, the curriculum has been developed with feedback from companies who sit on our Employer Steering Group; local businesses like Synectics Solutions Ltd and Powelectrics, as well as multinationals, such as Santander.

Blending theory, practical teaching and industry experience, it has been purposefully designed to attract students from all walks of life by tackling some of the common barriers facing non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) graduates and underrepresented groups. Future diversity in the AI workforce is considered vital, not least to reflect the needs and make-up of society as a whole.

This course aims to support students, by providing the foundations of areas such as programming and mathematics, so that you can then quickly progress to more advanced areas such as machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, and intelligent systems.

As part of our focus on providing industry-relevant experience, for your final assessment you have the choice of taking either an industrial placement* or tackling an industry-related problem as part of an MSc project.

One of the first UK universities to teach Computer Science back in 1972, Keele takes pride in being at the forefront of computer science education and research today. The School of Computer Science and Mathematics offers an inclusive, dynamic community of experts with access to world-leading research and cutting-edge areas of industry, such as cloud computing, data mining and web technologies.

Each year, we help students transition into a range of science and non-science related careers, including data science, web development, software engineering and computer science, as well as progression to related PhDs.

Other courses you may be interested in:

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

Typical offer: 2:2 degree in any subject Additional criteria apply

Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

UK

2:2 degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Bangladesh

60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Canada

70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

China

70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

India

55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Kenya

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nepal

60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Nigeria

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Pakistan

We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information

or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need an English language qualification (see below)

South Africa

Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Sri Lanka

55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Uganda

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Zimbabwe

Second class degree in any subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5

English Program Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.

Career

Your career

This conversion master's course is specifically designed for those who want to learn practical skills to apply AI and data science techniques to solve real-world problems – it can be tailored to suit those both with or without prior Computing or Mathematics experience.

Through our close collaboration with industrial partners, we continually seek to ensure that the MSc in AI and Data Science conveys appropriate technical skills and knowledge, as well as the consultancy, team and project management skills employers need.

Essential skills you’ll develop, which are highly valued by employers, include personal drive, prioritising and planning, project management, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, evaluating and reflecting upon your experience. This can open up broader management or teaching positions.

Graduates who have joined us from a range of science and non-science disciplines have successfully transitioned into careers in areas such as data science, web development, networking, systems analysis and development, and software engineering. They work for companies as diverse as Bet365, British Airways BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, Bitjam, Capgemini, Hong Kong Esports, Mira, Playtech, IBM, Capita, Lloyds Bank, Rolls-Royce, Vodafone, Morrisons, and the YMCA. You could also consider a teaching career within secondary, further or higher education. Many have also chosen to further their research skills, progressing to study Computer Science PhDs.

Roles you may find interesting include:

AI strategy manager
Applied AI developer
Business analyst
Computer systems specialist
Data analyst
Database administrator
Data manager
Data mining and analysis engineer
Engineering manager
Head of development
Information systems manager
IT consultant
IT developer
Lecturer
Machine learning engineer
Mobile developer
Project manager
Researcher
Risk analyst
Senior technical manager
Software developer
System engineer
Teacher
Technical assistant
Technical consultant

Software Developer

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

23,520 / year