MSc (Computer Science—Artificial Intelligence)

Course Overview

Artificial Intelligence is one the most exciting and fastest growing areas of the ICT industry and research. It has the potential to positively transform every aspect of all our lives, from Smart Cities and Autonomous Vehicles, through to improved healthcare services and low-carbon economies. Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to provide intelligent solutions that can help us to tackle many today’s greatest societal challenges.

Become part of this exciting development by joining our one-year MSc in Computer Science—Artificial Intelligence.

This programme is aimed at graduates with a primary qualification in Computer Science or related subject area. It is not a conversion course, but expects students to be already at a very high technical standard with regard to their Computer Science education.

The full-time MSc in Artificial Intelligence is taught by renowned, interdisciplinary University of Galway experts in the field. It covers over two semesters many complementary areas of Artificial Intelligence, including Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Optimisation, and Reinforcement Learning.

Furthermore, students reinforce their newly gained skills in a 30-credit project that is completed during the summer. Here students may have the opportunity to collaborate with a research group or with an industry partner.

The School of Computer Science Advanced MSc Scholarship (Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics
University of Galway, School of Computer Science is offering one scholarship for the MSc in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics commencing the next academic year this scholarship, up to the full value of the EU tuition fee is awarded to the highest ranked graduate of the BSc Computer Science & IT undergraduate programme (GY350 among those who apply for the scholarship. This is open to all current GY350 final year students due to graduate in the current academic year, and all previous graduates of the programme. Please note that to be considered for this merit-based scholarship, applicants must first apply and be accepted to their chosen programme. They will subsequently be required to complete a separate scholarship application form.

Scholarships available
Find out about our other Postgraduate Scholarships here.

You may also be interested in one of our other School of Computer Science postgraduate programmes.

Entry requirements
Please click here to see the entry requirements for this course.

Prior qualification
This MSc is targeted at high-performing graduates of Level 8 computer science programmes, or Level 8 science/engineering programmes that offer sufficient training in computing.

The minimum academic requirement for entry to the programme is a First Class Honours (or equivalent) from a recognised university or third-level college. However, a good Second Class Honours (or equivalent) can be deemed sufficient on the recommendation of the Programme Director.

English language proficiency
Overall, entry to the MSc Artificial Intelligence requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band. TOEFL: Overall 88, Listening 12–19, Speaking 18–19, Writing 24–26, Reading 13–18. PTE: Overall 61, Writing 61, all other bands no less than 50.

University of Galway Conversion Programme Pathway

Students who have successfully completed our PDip Data Analytics and Visualisation programme, or our PDip Cloud Computing and Software Development programme, or our PDip Cybersecurity and Software Development programme, or the first year of our MSc/HDip Software Design & Development programme, and who have achieved a First Class Honours (1.1) or a high 2.1 overall degree result (or first year’s overall result in the MSc Software Design & Development), are eligible to apply for entry to this programme. This is an ideal route for any applicants who feel they are not likely to reach the entry criteria of the MSc Artificial Intelligence programme through direct entry. Transition to the MSc Artificial Intelligence is at the discretion of the MSc AI programme director and contingent on available places.

Key Facts

AI skills will be required in every industry and AI is projected—according to recent World Economic Forum research—to create globally around 97 million new jobs. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2025 machines are expected to perform more current work tasks than humans compared to 71% being performed by humans today, and a PwC-report concludes that artificial intelligence, robotics and smart automation technology could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global GDP by 2030.

Within the AI space, there is a diversity of jobs requiring various levels of expertise:

• More foundational jobs include data architects, software engineers and machine and deep learning engineers.
• Advanced roles include specialist research engineers, including those that specialise in computer vision, language and speech, and AI architects.