Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,771 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* there is no strict application deadline | for the most recent – and only official – information on application deadlines, please check the KU Leuven webpage
** for the most recent – and only official – information on tuition fees, please check the KU Leuven webpage
Key Summary
Introduction
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The Master of Artificial Intelligence programme at KU Leuven explores and builds on the fascinating challenges of cognitive processes and models, natural language and perception. For many years, it has provided an internationally acclaimed advanced study programme in artificial intelligence. The multidisciplinary programme trains students from a variety of backgrounds - including engineering, sciences, economics, management, psychology, and linguistics - in all areas of knowledge-based technology, cognitive science, and their applications. The one-year programme taught entirely in English, is the result of a collaboration between many internationally prominent research units from seven different faculties of the university. It allows you to focus on engineering and computer science, cognitive science, or speech and language technology.
The option Big Data Analytics is intended for graduates in Computer Science and trains them to become specialists in the analysis of Big Data. It instructs the students in Statistics, Machine Learning, Data Mining and Advanced programming techniques for dealing with Big Data. It offers a range of application domains in Information Retrieval, Bio-Informatics, Computer Vision and others.
The understanding of the principles of intelligence, the development of artificial intelligence and its many applications in different areas requires a multi-disciplinary approach. The Master of Artificial Intelligence programme is internationally and interdisciplinary oriented. It aims at educating students from a wide variety of different backgrounds. A basic introductory part of the programme consists of fundamentals of artificial intelligence and a broadening course that the student selects from either cognitive science, philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence or privacy and big data. Specific to the option of big data analytics, it also contains course data and statistical modeling. Within the programme students have the choice between three options.
Curriculum
Specialization: Engineering and Computer Science (ECS)
ECS Introductory Components
Students follow all courses in the ECS Compulsory Introductory Components subgroup and select 4 credits from the ECS Elective Introductory Components subgroup.
ECS Compulsory Introductory Components
- Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
ECS Elective Introductory Components
- Cognitive Science
- Privacy and Big Data
- Philosophy of Mind and Artificial Intelligence
- AI Ethics & Regulation
ECS Programming Component
- Declarative Problem-Solving Paradigms in AI
ECS Advanced Mandatory Components
- Machine Learning and Inductive Inference
- Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning
ECS Master's Thesis
- Master's Thesis ECS
Specialization: Speech and Language Technology (SLT)
SLT Introductory Components
SLT Compulsory Introductory Components
- Machine Learning and Inductive Inference
- Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
SLT Elective Introductory Components
- Cognitive Science
- Privacy and Big Data
- Philosophy of Mind and Artificial Intelligence
- AI Ethics & Regulation
SLT Programming Component
SLT Object-Oriented Programming
- Scripting Languages
SLT Advanced Mandatory Components
- Speech Science
- Natural Language Processing
- Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence
- Speech Recognition
- Language Engineering Applications
SLT Master's Thesis
- Master's Thesis SLT
Specialization: Big Data Analytics (BDA)
BDA Introductory Components
- Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
- Data and Statistical Modelling
- Privacy and Big Data
BDA Programming Component
- Big Data Analytics Programming
BDA Advanced Mandatory Components
- Machine Learning and Inductive Inference
- Data Mining
BDA Master's Thesis
- Master's Thesis BDA
Ideal Students
As a student, you should be able to formulate research goals, determine trajectories that achieve such goals, collect and select information relevant to achieving research goals and interpret collected information on the basis of a critical research attitude. When selecting the ECS option you are expected to be familiar with basic undergraduate level mathematics. When selecting the BDA option, you are expected to already have a degree in Computer Science.
When succeeding in the programme you should be able to understand the concepts, methods, and applicability of fundamentals of artificial intelligence and a broadening view on a selection of either cognitive science, philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence or privacy and big data. You will become familiar with AI programming languages and several advanced areas in AI including current research directions.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Advanced Master
- Specifications: Master of Science.
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Faculty
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
With a Master of Artificial Intelligence degree, you will be welcomed by companies in the areas of information technology, data-mining, speech and language technology, intelligent systems, diagnosis and quality control, fraud detection, and biometric systems. You can also work in the banking area, or give support in the areas of process industry, biomedicine and bioinformatics, robotics, and traffic systems. Furthermore, this degree offers opportunities to start a PhD programme.