Artificial Intelligence (MSc)

Program Overview

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Artificial Intelligence (MSc) 2025 entry

Overview

Open up exciting career opportunities in artificial intelligence by developing skills in logic, constraint programming, language processing, machine learning, and neural networks.

Application Deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Starts

September 2025

Duration

One year full time

School

School of Computer Science

Fees

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Why Study This Course?

With a global AI skills gap, graduates in this field are in high demand. You will gain theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills developed through labs and group projects allowing you to make a success of your career in a wide range of sectors. You may have the opportunity to experience working with industry on real-world projects through supervised dissertations.

Course Structure

• Enjoy a specialist course offering you flexibility to pursue other areas of computer science alongside the compulsory modules.
• Extend your specialist knowledge and critical thinking with a project involving a wide-ranging investigation and a substantial software development, leading to your dissertation.
• Programming languages covered include Java and Python, which are used across most modules. Some modules may also introduce and use other programming languages.
• Access modern computing laboratories 24 hours a day. These labs are student spaces which support the close-knit community within the School where students at different stages of study and disciplinary interests can meet. There are also areas where groups can work together on projects.

You may switch to an MSc in Computer Science or in Computing and Information Technology after the first semester.

Teaching

A mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical classes.

Class Sizes

Typically from 20 to 110 students.

Dissertation

A three-month project leading to a 15,000-word dissertation.

Assessment

Practical coursework exercises and exams.

Modules

The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.

If you choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) instead, finishing the course at the end of the second semester of study.

Compulsory Modules

• Artificial Intelligence Practice: practical design and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), covering techniques in the areas of AI reasoning, planning, doing, and learning.
• Artificial Intelligence Principles: foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) with an overview of AI and its philosophy.
• Object-Oriented Modelling, Design and Programming: introduces and reinforces object-oriented modelling, design, and implementation to provide a common basis of skills, allowing students to complete programming assignments within other MSc modules. The module assumes a substantial amount of prior programming experience equivalent to having completed an undergraduate degree in Computer Science.

Students should take at least one of:

• Constraint Programming: introduces constraint-based reasoning as a powerful mechanism for knowledge representation and inference.
• Language and Computation: covers the major aspects of natural language processing and speech understanding.
• Machine Learning: provides a foundation in the theory behind machine learning and enables students to apply machine learning in practice to solve real-world problems.

Optional Modules

The following modules are optional for Computer Science programmes. Not all combinations of modules will be available for all programmes, and some modules are subject to pre-requisites being satisfied.

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

• Critical Systems Engineering
• Data Ethics and Privacy
• Data-Intensive Systems
• Fundamentals of Software Engineering
• Human Computer Interaction Principles and Methods
• Information Visualisation
• Interactive Software and Hardware
• Knowledge Discovery and Datamining
• Principles of Computer Communication Systems
• Software Architecture and Design
• Software Product and Project Management
• Software Quality
• User-Centred Interaction Design
• Web Technologies

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students.

Additional Optional Modules

Students may take up to two of the following:

• Advanced Communication Networks and Systems
• Computer Architecture
• Computer Graphics
• Computer Security
• Concurrency and Multi-Core Architectures
• Databases
• Distributed Systems
• Logic and Software Verification
• Programming Language Design and Implementation
• Signal Processing: Sound, Image, Video
• Video Games

Dissertation Project

During the second semester, students work with staff to define and agree upon a topic for the extended project, which they will work on during the final three months of the course, and which finishes in a 15,000-word dissertation. Dissertation projects may be group-based or completed individually (students are assessed individually in either case).

The dissertation typically comprises:

• a review of related work
• the extension of existing ideas or the development of new ideas
• software implementation and testing
• analysis and evaluation

Each project is supervised by one or two members of staff, typically through regular meetings and reviews of software and dissertation drafts.

What It Will Lead To

Careers

Our graduates work in a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, in roles ranging from AI programmers, consultants, and full stack AI developers, to:

• data analysts
• research scientists
• integration engineers
• cloud consultants
• game developers
• machine learning engineers and consultants

We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage your career is at. We offer:

• Access to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring
• One-to-one guidance covering everything from career choice to application support and interview coaching
• Employer connections, global vacancies, and practical experiences
• Academic and professional skills development

Elevate Your Career

Alumni of Computer Science MSc programmes have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, financial, and research institutions, including:

• Microsoft
• Cisco
• Civil Service
• RegGenome

Further Your Education

The EngD programme in Computer Science is a four-year Engineering Doctorate involving an industrial partner. If you have already completed an MSc you may be able to proceed directly to the individual research component of the EngD.

Postgraduate research

Go Your Own Way

Our Entrepreneurship Centre offers training and start-up support, gives you access to experienced and expert mentors and an investor network, and one-to-one advice to help you realise your commercial potential.

Why St Andrews?

The School of Computer Science is highly rated for its theoretical and practical research in areas such as:

• AI
• symbolic computation
• networking
• distributed systems
• human computer interaction
• systems engineering

Get to Know Us

Join our optional 'Transition to CS@St Andrews' online hub to get early information about learning, teaching, assessment, and student support. You can chat with staff and current students during live monthly Question and Answer sessions over the summer before the start of your course.

Events

The School of Computer Science organises a regular programme of colloquia, talks, and seminars by external and internal speakers from both industry and academia. The talks are aimed at bringing the diversity, excitement, and impact of computer science from around the globe to staff and students within the School.

The St Andrews Computing Society (STACS) and Women in Computer Science at St Andrews (WICS) regularly organise hackathons and other events open to local and external participants, including Masters students. These are very popular events, often supported by industrial sponsors.

Alumni

When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in Computer Science, or strongly related discipline. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• Applicants to this programme are expected to be competent programmers with prior practical experience in a programming language such as Java, C, Python, C++, or JavaScript.

English Language Proficiency

For direct entry to a Masters in Artificial Intelligence, you will be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application Requirements

• CV. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• Personal statement (optional).
• Two original signed academic references.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates. Please only provide certified copies with official English translations if applicable. Do not send original documents as they cannot be returned.

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Fees and Funding

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts, or other support:

• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Computing Science scholarships