Entry requirements

Degree:

Honours degree (2:2 or higher) or postgraduate diploma

Further entry requirements may apply

Key facts

Study mode:

Full-time

Start dates:

September (12 months), January (18 months)

Fees:

2027/28 full-time fees for UK students: £11,000

2027/28 full-time tuition fees for EU and international students: £19,600

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how we work, solve problems and make decisions and organisations increasingly need professionals who can use these tools effectively and responsibly.

Whether you're looking to develop your existing expertise, explore new career opportunities or understand how AI can transform your professional field, on this course you’ll develop the practical knowledge and skills to apply artificial intelligence across a range of industries.

You'll learn how AI works and how to use it to analyse information, create written and visual content, and solve practical problems. You'll also explore the ethical, legal and societal implications of AI, learning how to assess the accuracy of AI-generated information, understand its limitations and use these technologies responsibly.

Key features

  • Learn by doing: Take part in practical workshops, real-world case studies and collaborative AI design hackathons, developing your technical and problem-solving skills.
  • Build your confidence with AI: Start with a compulsory introductory Python programming bootcamp, helping you develop the foundations needed to progress through the course, whatever your academic background.
  • Put your knowledge into practice: Complete an independent MSc project, exploring an AI-related challenge or developing a practical solution in an area that interests you.

What you will study

Year 1

Block 0: Python Programming Fundamentals

Before starting the taught modules, you'll complete a compulsory introductory Python programming bootcamp designed to help you prepare for postgraduate study in Applied AI.

This preparatory provision supports the development of the programming foundations needed to engage with AI tools and practical activities throughout the course. It is particularly useful for students joining from different academic or professional backgrounds.

Block 1: Practical AI

Develop a practical understanding of how AI works, from the mathematical principles behind it to using Python programming to build and test AI solutions.

You'll explore how computers learn from data to recognise patterns, make predictions and solve problems. You'll also gain experience using AI tools to generate content and support everyday tasks, while learning how to assess their accuracy and use them responsibly.

Block 2: Prompt Engineering and Generative AI Applications

Learn how to use generative AI effectively, including tools that can produce written content, answer questions and support professional tasks.

You'll develop techniques for writing and improving prompts to get more accurate and useful responses from AI systems. Through practical examples, you'll discover how these technologies can be used to solve problems across different industries, while considering their limitations, potential biases and responsible use.

Block 3: Research Methods for Applied AI

Develop the research skills needed to investigate AI-related challenges and assess how well different solutions work.

You'll learn how to plan research, collect and analyse information, evaluate findings and consider ethical issues. You'll also put these skills into practice through a collaborative AI design hackathon, working with others to tackle a practical challenge. This module will help prepare you for your independent MSc project.

Block 4: Multimodal Generative AI: Vision and Language Systems

Discover how AI can work with images, video and written language to analyse information, generate content and complete complex tasks.

You'll explore how these technologies are used in areas such as journalism, finance and the creative industries. Through practical activities and a collaborative AI design hackathon, you'll learn how to bring different AI capabilities together to develop and evaluate solutions to real-world challenges.

Blocks 5 and 6: MSc Project in Applied AI

Put your learning into practice by completing an independent project focused on an AI-related topic or challenge that interests you.

You could develop and test an AI-based system, carry out original research or investigate ways to solve an existing problem. With guidance from an academic supervisor, you'll plan and manage your project, evaluate your findings and present your work through a final written report and oral presentation.

Throughout this course, you'll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand, apply and critically evaluate artificial intelligence in real-world settings.

You'll begin by exploring the fundamental principles of AI, including Python programming, machine learning and deep learning, before progressing to generative AI and prompt engineering. You'll learn how to work with Large Language Models (LLMs), evaluate AI-generated outputs and design solutions for professional challenges.

As your studies progress, you'll examine research methods and advanced AI applications involving computer vision, natural language processing and multimodal systems. You'll also explore how AI technologies can be developed and deployed responsibly, taking account of ethical, legal and professional considerations.

Practical learning is central to the course. You'll work on applied exercises, industry-informed case studies and collaborative AI design hackathons, building your problem-solving, analytical and teamwork skills.

The course culminates in a substantial independent MSc project, giving you the opportunity to investigate an AI-related topic or develop and evaluate a practical solution.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Why choose DMU?

Your future career

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being adopted across industries, creating opportunities for professionals who can understand, apply and evaluate AI technologies in different working environments.

Our MSc Applied AI is designed to help you develop transferable technical, analytical and problem-solving skills that can support careers in sectors including technology, finance, law, business and the creative industries.

Depending on your previous experience and career interests, potential career paths include applied AI consultancy, AI-assisted software development, AI governance and ethics, and roles involving the integration of artificial intelligence into business processes and professional workflows.

The course's practical focus will also help you develop valuable skills in collaborative working, research, critical evaluation and responsible decision-making.

Further study and research

If you're interested in pursuing research, this course can provide a foundation for further academic study, including doctoral research.

Through research methods training and your independent MSc project, you'll develop skills in research design, critical analysis, investigation and the evaluation of AI-based solutions.

You'll have opportunities to explore how artificial intelligence can be applied to research challenges, whether within computing or other disciplines such as business, law, finance and the creative industries.

These skills can support progression into research-focused roles or further study, particularly where AI technologies are used to investigate complex problems and develop new approaches.

Careers and employability

An award-winning Careers Team, the #1 UK university for careers support (TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards, 2024), we provide you with all the support you need.

Our careers commitment doesn’t end at graduation. With DMU for Life, you’ll have access to lifelong career support throughout your entire career.

How we support you

Unlimited one-to-one careers coaching

Get tailored advice and guidance from our expert careers advisors whenever you need it.

Professional development programme

Boost your employability with workshops, bootcamps, training sessions, and employer-led events.

Inside Edge Mentoring

Connect with professionals from dynamic industries to expand your career insight, network and knowledge of the world of work.

24/7 access to digital employability tools

Access LinkedIn Learning, personalised CV feedback, mock interviews and more – anytime, anywhere.

Entrepreneurship support

Bring your business ideas to life with events, networking opportunities, expert speakers, workshops and links to funding opportunities.

Job search assistance

Get support finding part-time work, placements, internships and graduate jobs.

Employability projects and placements

Gain real-world experience through academic business consultancy projects or work placements (course-dependent).

Industry-informed teaching

Learn from real-world experience and academics, guest lecturers and business leaders who share their industry expertise.

Discover postgraduate careers

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

2027/28 full-time fees for UK students: £11,000

EU and international students

2027/28 full-time tuition fees for EU and international students: £19,600

Funding

Postgraduate Master's Loan (Student Loans Company)

A Postgraduate Master’s Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master’s course.

Funding for postgraduate loans is different if:

  • you normally live in Scotland
  • you normally live in Wales
  • you normally live in Northern Ireland

Find out more about a Master's loan

Additional postgraduate loans and grants

Sir Thomas White Loans Charity

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for 9 years from the Sir Thomas White Loans Charity for postgraduate study. Applicants must be resident in Leicestershire or Rutland for more than three years and be aged over 18 years old and under 45 years old.

Telephone number for Sir Thomas White Loans Charity: +44 (0)116 204 6620

Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for five to 10 years for business, vocational or education purposes from the Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester. You must be aged over 18 and under 45 and reside in Leicestershire or Rutland.

Telephone number for Sir Harry Riddleston Charity of Leicester: +44 (0)1858 463322

Educational grants, trusts and charities

Some educational trusts and charities provide small grants to help towards books, fees or equipment. There are several searchable online Grants databases such as Turn2us.

Funds for women graduates

Funds for Women Graduates offer grants towards living expenses for the final year of a PhD or DPhil for UK, EU or international students.

Going to university represents a real investment in your future and there is plenty of financial support available to students for both tuition fees and living expenses.

Find out more about funding

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your myDMU login.

Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition, students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in DMU Global trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy vary by location.

Scholarships

20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship provides DMU graduates with an exclusive tuition fee discount of 20 per cent. The discount is available on selected full-time, part-time and distance learning postgraduate taught courses running across multiple start dates.

Read more about the Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

Global Access Scholarship

This scholarship rewards eligible prospective international students joining a postgraduate taught degree at DMU with up to a £3,000 fee reduction.

Find out more about the Global Access Scholarship
Global Access Scholarship

Entry requirements

Degree:

Honours degree (2:2 or higher) or postgraduate diploma

Find your country specific entry requirements 

If you have no formal academic qualifications but do have extensive industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis.

If you feel you would like to talk to us about your qualifications before submitting an application please do not hesitate to call or email using the contact details below.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Key facts

Course title

Applied AI (subject to validation)

Award

MSc

Programme code

Study mode

Full-time

Study level

Postgraduate

Start dates

September, January

Duration

12 months (September), 18 months (January)

How to apply

How to apply for a masters degree

Save these details for your application
Programme title:
Applied AI (subject to validation) MSc
Programme code:

You can apply using the DMU Application Portal. This method allows you to save, revisit and review your application before submitting it at any time of the day.

The following should be submitted with the application form:

  • Where required, one current reference on official headed paper or from a professional email address. This can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated
  • Copies of your academic transcripts
  • Copies of your degree or diploma certificates
  • Your personal statement
DMU Application Portal