Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Placement - MSc

The MSc Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Placement is a two-year specialist programme that has the core aim of preparing students with skills in AI that are in high demand nationally and internationally. The MSc programme will strive to address the growing demands in the sector by training computing professionals to follow a career in the AI industry. The course also provides a platform to embark on further research studies.

This industrial placement provides masters students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience at an advanced level, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study at the University. This will allow students to further develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement opportunity significantly supports the development of the student's employability skills, build confidence through further application of theory within the workplace and prepare them for a future career in computing.

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Applicants must have gained

Applicants must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent). For applicants whose first language is not English the minimum English language requirement is an Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, Trinity ISE: Pass at level III or equivalent English language tests comparable to IELTS equivalent score.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

AI is at the centre of Industry 4.0 – The Fourth Industrial Revolution. Many countries, including the UK, US and China, have taken AI as a priority area for research and development. The UK government and industry have committed to spend nearly £1 billion on AI based on the recommendations made by Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of computer science at the University of Southampton and Jérôme Pesenti, vice-president of AI at Facebook, in their review of the UK’s AI industry. The new MSc in Artificial Intelligence will strive to address the growing demands being placed on the sector by training computing professionals to follow a career either in industry or academia. The course provides opportunities for training and development of the skills required to contribute to the local and global industrial opportunities that AI offers. AI has applications in almost every industry sector including, but not limited to, Health, Financial Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Media, Energy, Civic Society and Public Policy. Graduates from the course will be well placed to progress into a career across a range of industrial settings in these sectors. The School have active Industry engagement and links with vibrant technology sector in Northern Ireland. Graduates from the course also have opportunity to embark on further research at the Ph.D. level.

Students who have successfully completed the taught modules and Masters Project of their MSc programme, and have secured an internship of twelve months duration with a suitable company, are eligible to proceed to the Industrial Placement pathway. This pathway provides masters students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience at an advanced level, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study at the University. This will allow students to further develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement opportunity should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, build confidence through further application of theory within the workplace and prepare them for a future career in computing. It also serves as an integrating mechanism for course content as well as developing analytical, evaluative and project management skills in an industrial context. The nature of the work will vary depending on the company providing the placement. The student will complete a reflective professional development report and learning journal as part of the assessment of this pathway.