Your Guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Degrees

Artificial intelligence (AI) stands to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) [1]. To help achieve that economic potential, jobs and sectors utilising AI are poised to grow significantly in the coming years. In fact, according to a 2023 survey by the UK Office for National Statistics, one in six UK organisations is already implementing at least one AI technology [2]. 

Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in artificial intelligence can be a worthwhile way to learn more about the field, develop key skills to begin—or advance—your career, and graduate with a respected credential. While specific AI programs are still relatively limited compared to computer science, a growing number of options are available to explore at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

Explore bachelor’s and master’s degrees in artificial intelligence you can pursue when you want to hone your abilities in AI.

Artificial intelligence bachelor’s degrees

A growing number of universities in the UK now offer a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in artificial intelligence. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence by studying AI as a standalone subject or as part of a related field like computer science, data science, computing, or machine learning and taking several courses (or specialising) in AI. It’s worth noting that AI bachelor’s degree programs are not as widely available in the UK as other majors, so you may have more options if you explore related majors. 

How long does a BSc in AI take to complete?

In the UK, you can generally expect three years to complete your bachelor’s degree or four years if you include a “placement” or “sandwich” year at a company between your second and third years. In Scottish programmes, you can expect to take four years to complete your bachelor’s degree when you can attend a program full-time. 

How much does a BSc in AI cost?

The total cost of your programme will depend on several factors, including whether you attend a domestic or international institution. For example, annual tuition for “home students” in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is capped at £9,535 per year [3]. In Scotland, domestic students have a fee of £1,820 per year [4]. For overseas students, these fees are much higher and vary significantly by the programme and institution. 

Typical course modules 

AI programmes tend to be housed in computer science departments. As such, your bachelor’s degree coursework will likely emphasise computer systems fundamentals, as well as mathematics, algorithms, and using programming languages. 

Examples of AI course modules: 

• Information systems modelling and design

• Maths for computing

• Database systems

• Data structures and algorithms

• Foundations of data science

• Algorithms and data structures

• Artificial intelligence

• Object-oriented programming

• Machine learning

• Natural language processing

The exact flow of your course modules will depend on your institution and programme, but an example flow might look something like this:

In year one, you’ll complete your compulsory courses and learn foundational concepts related to artificial intelligence, programming, and computation. This could include coursework in computer systems development, data science, mathematics for computer science, and programming fundamentals. 

In year two, you continue your foundational education with more advanced coursework in data structures and algorithms, artificial intelligence, software development, machine learning, computing ethics, and decision-making. You may even have a second-year project where you put topics you’ve learned into practice. 

In many programmes, in your last year, you’ll be free to tailor your studies to your interests. You might take optional modules such as cryptography, neural networks, computer vision, and robotics. You may also have a required project where you gain more practical experience with AI topics of your choice.

Other undergraduate pathways for studying artificial intelligence

Given that AI is still a newer offering in university programmes, you may find more bachelor’s degree options by studying one of the subjects below, which often involve taking AI courses. In some cases, you may even find more formal combined courses that integrate each topic with AI concepts:

• Computer science: Many universities offer a BSc in computer science, which may allow you to take courses in AI as part of your coursework or earn a more formal specialisation in AI by completing certain modules and projects. Sometimes, you can find a formal artificial intelligence and computer science combined BSc programme.

• Data science: Data science courses often include AI and machine learning coursework, which can be useful for understanding the subjects better and developing your skills accordingly. Several universities offer combined AI and data science BSc programmes, which can ensure your studies equip you with relevant AI skills to enter a career in AI. 

• Computing: Computing BSc programmes cover hardware and software types, digital media, network systems, information systems, web development, and more. In some programmes, you can choose a specialised pathway to focus on your area of interest, such as artificial intelligence, which will focus on integrating AI theories and data handling in modern computing.

Jobs you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in AI 

With a bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for certain entry-level jobs in AI, computer science, data science, and machine learning. The salaries listed below are for up to one year of experience, according to Indeed (as of February 2025): 

Artificial intelligence master’s degrees 

Earning your master’s degree in artificial intelligence can be an excellent way to advance your knowledge or pivot to the field. When deciding on whether this is the right option for you, consider factors such as cost, specialisation options, and your intended career pathway.

How long does a master’s degree in AI take to complete?

In the UK, master’s degrees typically take one year to complete when you can attend full-time. The length of time your programme takes will also depend on whether it’s online or in-person. You can find many online master’s degrees in artificial intelligence, which may be designed to take more time to complete or have self-paced options.

How much does a master’s degree cost?

Depending on whether you are a domestic or international student and the specific programme, you can expect to pay between £9,000 and £30,000 per year [5].

Specialisation options

At the postgraduate level, you may find more options to study AI than undergraduate options. You can find many respected Master of Science (MSc) postgraduate programs in artificial intelligence in the UK. Similar to undergraduate degree programs, many of these degrees are housed in institutions’ computing or computer science departments. 

At the postgraduate level, the focus of your programme will move beyond the fundamentals of AI and discuss advanced subjects such as ethics, deep learning, machine learning, and more. You may also find programs that offer an opportunity to learn about AI in certain industries, such as healthcare and business. 

In many programmes, you have a set of core modules alongside a set of optional modules through which you can tailor your degree coursework. You might choose topic areas to focus on, such as:

• Computer vision

• Nature-inspired learning algorithms

• Multi-agent systems

• Philosophy and ethics of artificial intelligence

• Robot learning

• AI ventures

• Computational neurodynamics

Jobs you can pursue with a master’s in AI 

With a master’s degree in AI, you may qualify for more advanced roles, like the ones below. Explore more AI jobs worth considering (all salary data from Indeed UK as of February 2025):

Why earn a degree in artificial intelligence?

Earning a degree in artificial intelligence can lead to attractive salaries, career advancement opportunities, and greater competitiveness as an applicant. It can also help open doors for you across industries, helping you build versatile skills you can apply in different types of careers. 

Alternatives to earning your degree in AI 

You might decide that earning a full degree is not the best option for your current goals. In that case, the options below may be worth exploring to level up your AI knowledge: 

• MOOCs: Enrolling in massive open online courses (MOOCs) means you can learn more flexibly and self-paced. MOOCs are a great way to gain a foundational sense of the subject or dive into something more niched and advanced. Check out DeepLearning.AI’s AI for Everyone or IBM’s Introduction to AI on Coursera. 

• Professional Certificates: With a certificate, you’ll take a series of MOOCs, usually over several months, to earn a verified credential you can feature on your resume and LinkedIn page. Professional certificates and certifications can be great ways to strengthen your skills in an area while learning more about it. Check out Professional Certificates in AI and related subjects on Coursera, such as the IBM AI Developer Professional Certificate or the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.

Earn your degree on Coursera

Earning an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in AI can help you develop the foundational skills necessary to enter an exciting career in artificial intelligence or related fields. 

Earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree in either computer science or data science through a respected university partner on Coursera. You’ll find a flexible, self-paced learning environment to balance your studies with your other responsibilities. For a casual introduction to artificial intelligence, consider completing beginner standalone courses such as Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI for Everyone to start learning.