University College London (UCL)
Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 39,800 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £39,800 | UK students: full time £20,500. Additional fees may apply
The MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering offers a comprehensive program designed to equip students with strong technical skills in data management, machine learning, and AI algorithms. The course covers key areas like data structures, statistical analysis, and programming, helping students develop the ability to analyze large datasets and create intelligent systems. It emphasizes practical learning through projects, ensuring students gain hands-on experience along with theoretical knowledge, preparing them for careers in rapidly growing fields related to data-driven decision making and AI development.
The program also focuses on the ethical and societal implications of artificial intelligence and data engineering. It encourages students to think critically about how these technologies impact society and to develop responsible AI solutions. The course is suitable for those with a background in computing or related fields who want to deepen their understanding of AI’s technical aspects and real-world applications. Overall, it aims to prepare graduates to meet industry needs, whether working in tech companies, research, or consultancy roles, with a solid foundation in both theory and practical skills.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, lab classes. Your self-directed learning is supported by online resources.
You will be assessed through various methods, including coursework, projects, exams, and a summer research project/dissertation.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are approximately 12-16 contact hours per teaching week, depending on module selections and timetabling. These contact hours include lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, office hours and other events.
Outside of these sessions, students are expected to engage in significant self-directed study and complete assessments. Formal teaching and self-directed study together amount to a workload comparable to a full-time job, roughly 35-40 hours per week in total.
Modules
Full-time
The Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering MSc is a one-year programme.
In Term 1, you will study requirements for engineering and software architecture, which will introduce you to fundamental concepts and the latest techniques to develop your modelling skills and your ability to communicate requirements and architectures with clarity and precision to business stakeholders and software developers. You will learn applied technical details of deploying and maintaining data science applications and how to develop and write your own large-scale, state-of-the-art Machine Learning analyses. You will also learn about the theory and practical applications in Data Engineering and Machine Learning Ops, focusing on designing, developing and deploying high-throughput data science applications and pipelines in cloud environments. You will choose from a range of specialist optional topics, which may include introductory machine learning and supervised learning.
In Term 2, you will study validation and verification, which will cover not only the state-of-the-practice in validation and verification, but also the most significant trends, problems and results in validation and verification research. You will extend your knowledge of engineering for data analysis, be introduced to principles in designing and developing data science applications platforms, and learn the applied technical details of deploying and building data science applications. You will also learn about theories and principles of scaled data software engineering with a focus on designing and developing real-world high throughput data science applications and pipelines. It also offers hands-on experience in deploying state-of-the-art development platforms. You will choose from selected optional topics, which may include data science and applied deep learning. You will also begin preparation for your summer research project/ dissertation.
In Term 3, you will primarily focus on your summer research project/dissertation (either group or individual) and any examinations that take place in the main examination period.
Compulsory modules
- Requirements Engineering and Software Architecture
- Validation and Verification
- Software Development Practice
- Professional Practice
- Engineering for Data Analysis 1
- Engineering for Data Analysis 2
- MSc Software, Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering Group Project
- MSc Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering Research Project
Optional modules
- Supervised Learning
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Information Retrieval and Data Mining
- Applied Deep Learning
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:
- Recognition from a top-ranked university: UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide. Additionally, UCL was named the Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2024.
- High-quality education from leading experts: Learn from world-renowned academics who are at the forefront of computer science innovation. UCL Computer Science is recognised for its research excellence, being ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
- Real-world experience through project work: Apply your knowledge and skills in practical settings with a substantial research project. Many of these projects are conducted in collaboration with industry partners via the IXN Industry Exchange Network, giving you valuable hands-on experience and industry insights.
- Strong employability with high employment rates and starting salaries: Our graduates are highly sought after in the job market, thanks to UCL's strong reputation and the practical, industry-focused skills gained during the programme. You'll be well-prepared to enter a variety of high-demand roles in AI and data engineering.
- Enhanced research skills: The research-based components of the programme will equip you with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, preparing you for potential doctoral studies or research-intensive roles in industry.
The foundation of your career
As this programme admitted its first cohort of students in September 2024, graduate destination information is not yet available. However, other UCL Computer Science alumni have been employed at leading global companies, often through connections made during their final projects.
Industry partners are eager to recruit graduates from this MSc, recognising the exceptional skills and expertise they would bring into employment.
Employability
Graduates are prepared for careers in sectors reliant on AI and data-driven software systems. You will gain skills applicable to roles such as AI software engineer, AI system engineer, or general software engineer. The research-based curriculum also equips you for doctoral research in software engineering for large data-driven systems.
Networking
You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and network with peers and members of academia and industry as part of your Master’s, particularly through collaborative project work and research seminars.
- As a student and later as a graduate, you will have access to a UCL Careers events programme, connecting you with employers and alumni. This programme provides invaluable insight into the reality of different roles, sectors, and current application processes.
- UCL also has a large number of clubs and societies, such as the AI Society, which can be an effective way to connect with peers who share similar interests and career goals.
- Be part of a university where entrepreneurial minds thrive. Our academic and industrial networks provide a safe and supportive environment if you want to grow your own company.
- London’s Tech Scene is vibrant and has regular networking events.