A complete guide to AI degrees

There’s no doubt that we’re living through a new era of technology — and maybe you want to be a part of it. The recent developments we’ve seen in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have taken the world by storm, and this storm has brought thousands of new jobs with it. 

But, there’s still a lot to learn when it comes to the future of AI, including ethical and legal considerations, so there’s a huge need for experts in the field who can guide the trajectory of this technology into a positive outcome.

That’s where you come in. A degree that specialises in AI will offer you the knowledge, understanding and technical skills that are desperately needed in the AI space, offering you the chance to secure high-pay, high-impact careers after graduating. 

In this article, we’ll explore different types of AI degrees, some of the most exciting career paths, salaries, and how studying online could be the answer to any concerns you have.

What is artificial intelligence?

Put simply, artificial intelligence is a term used to describe any technology that allows computers to simulate human intelligence, including being able to solve problems, make decisions and generate content.

Modern AI algorithms are fed huge amounts of information by humans, and over time, this allows them to find patterns and become more intelligent. This process is called machine learning — rather than us teaching AI everything from scratch, now it has been programmed to learn through observing and categorising its own mistakes.

As you’re probably aware, AI can be used for an enormous variety of purposes, from fraud detection and medical diagnoses to self-driving cars and content creation. And it’s only continuing to grow and develop, so choosing an AI degree is a sure-footed way to future-proof your skills for the years ahead.

Example modules on an AI degree

So, what will you actually study on an AI degree? There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it will really depend on the specific program and level you’re studying at (we’ll go into more detail about this later), but there are certain topics that are fundamental to learn. 

Below, we’ve listed some example modules for an AI degree, to give you a better idea of what to expect.

• Fundamentals of computer science
• Computer hardware and operating systems
• Cybersecurity and networks
• Data structure and algorithms
• Applied artificial intelligence
• Intelligent robotics
• Big data and machine learning
• Mathematics for engineering.

Types of AI degree

If you’ve only just decided you want to pursue a career in AI, you’ll need to look at undergraduate degree options. You may already have a relevant degree, for example, if you studied a bachelor’s in maths or computing, but if not, there are a variety of options to choose from. Below, we go into your undergraduate and postgraduate options.

Bachelor’s degree in AI

This is an undergraduate course offering a foundation of AI knowledge to fledgling students. It’s quite common for AI undergraduate degrees to be a combined major, for example, BSc Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, but it is also possible to focus purely on AI. Other examples of joint majors might include studying data science or robotics alongside AI.

Master’s degree in AI

For students who already have a relevant degree under their belt, a master’s in AI is one of the best ways you can specialise in desirable tech skills and secure a career in an innovative field of your choice. While most artificial intelligence master’s degrees are quite generalised, others focus on a specific sub-section of AI.

Postgraduate certificate in AI

If you already have skills in computer science, data, statistics or a similar field, and want to convert them into AI expertise, a shorter postgraduate certificate could allow you to build specialised skills quickly, helping you get into your ideal career sooner.

Skills you’ll learn on a AI degree

There’s certainly no shortage of skills to learn on an AI degree. Because artificial intelligence is a complex technology, there are a lot of skills related to maths and computer science to learn. However, you’ll also develop some soft skills too, helping you work well across different industries and with future colleagues.

Hard skills:

• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Programming
• Data science
• Computational thinking
• Machine learning
• Deep learning
• Information management.

Soft skills:

• Design thinking
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Mentoring
• Attention to detail
• Adaptability.

How long does it take to get an AI degree?

If you’re studying alongside your day job, you’ll most likely have to choose a part-time degree. This means it’ll probably take 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree, 2 years for a master’s degree, and 1-2 years for a postgraduate certificate.

Full-time degrees, on the other hand, are normally 3 years for a bachelor’s and just one year for a master’s. While full-time degrees are quicker to complete, it does take a lot more effort and hard work packed into a shorter time frame, so make sure you choose an option that works with your lifestyle and pre-existing commitments.

Entry requirements for an AI degree

When it comes to entry requirements, you’ll need to show that you’ve got the aptitude to study AI. This means you should have studied subjects like maths, computing, science and statistics at A-level or equivalent. 

Below, we’ve listed the average grade requirements in the UK — as you can see, the grades you’ll need to get in vary depending on factors including the university’s prestige and the strength of their AI and computing departments.

A-levels: A*AA–BCC

BTECs: D*DD–DMM

Scottish Highers: AABB–BBBC

IB: 36–28

To get onto a master’s degree in AI, you’ll need at least a 2:1 in a relevant undergraduate program, and in some cases, you may even need a first class degree. This all depends on how specialised the master’s course is.

Must-haves 

• Relevant academic qualifications
• Aptitude for maths, computing and science
• Interest in tech and future innovations
• Ability to work independently.

Good-to-haves 

• Volunteering or work experience with a tech company
• Knowledge of AI platforms and different computer software 
• Personal experience with using AI.

How much does an AI degree cost?

At undergraduate level, tuition fees are £9,250 per year for most UK students, though degrees are free for Scottish students studying in Scotland, and the tuition is less in Northern Ireland. International students can expect to pay quite a bit more.

The cost is more variable for master’s degrees and other postgraduate qualifications. On average, master’s degrees cost between £12,000 and £25,000, but where exactly it falls on the spectrum will depend on how in-depth the program is and the prestige of the institution. 

Funding options for AI degrees

Fortunately, undergraduate degrees (and normally one year of a master’s degree) are covered by Student Finance in the UK. This means that you get a loan to fund your degree, and sometimes also a grant for living costs. 

There are, however, additional routes you can go down when it comes to funding your degree. For example, there might be options for obtaining a scholarship or grant, and your university might even offer financial aid packages. 

This is especially true in the realm of AI education, as the government wants to make sure that the UK is at the forefront of research, innovation and development in artificial intelligence. In fact, last year, the Office for Students in the UK announced £8.1 million worth of funding for over 800 new scholarships for students from disadvantaged groups who want to take an AI conversion course.

Where to look

• Check out Prospect’s postgraduate funding page
• Use the Turn2Us grants search tool
• Take a look at The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
• If you’re Scottish, check out Student Awards Agency Scotland
• If you’re an international student hoping to come to the UK, check out GREAT Scholarships by the British Council.

How to get into an AI degree

In the UK, you usually apply for undergraduate degrees via UCAS, choosing five degree options and ranking them in order of which one you’d most like to join. You also normally have to meet the entry requirements stated by your chosen university and write a personal statement detailing your suitability for the degree  — more details on this below.

For master’s programs, you apply directly on the institution’s website, and you’ll need an undergraduate degree in your chosen field, whether that’s computing, cyber security or something else. 

Personal statement tips

• Explain your engagement with the subject of AI. What made you interested in studying artificial intelligence, which areas are you most interested in, and what do you hope to gain or contribute through studying AI?
• Showcase your understanding. While you don’t need to explain what AI is (the universities already know), it is important that you show you’ve got the aptitude and general understanding to study complex computing technology. This might include discussing your opinions on AI, any extra-curricular activities that relate to computing, or something you’ve read recently.
• Avoid cliches. There are a lot of cliches and unoriginal statements around the future of AI, so try to avoid using these, and instead get personal about your motivations and interest in studying the subject.
• Highlight your knowledge of the course. It’s good to be as specific as you can about your reasons for choosing this degree in particular. What about it stood out? Which degree modules are you most excited to study and why?

How will you be assessed on an AI degree?

Whether you’re at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you can expect to be assessed using a mixture of practical assessments, research papers, exams, lab exercises and then the odd presentation or group project. 

However, this will depend on your degree program to an extent. When it comes to online degrees, all of your assessments will be online, making it as easy as possible for you to complete your degree from home.

How difficult is a degree in AI?

A degree in AI can be difficult for a number of reasons, including the fact that a lot of AI technology is still new and evolving, which means that even the experts are learning about new AI innovations, and existing software doesn’t always have the capabilities that students require.

In addition, many AI degrees are very specialised, especially at postgraduate level. So, it’s essential that you have a basic foundation in topics like machine learning, calculus, Python and statistics before you start your degree.

It’s also important that you have the drive and commitment to work hard and ensure you focus on your studies, but for some people, developing complex tech skills comes quite naturally. Whether you’re one of those people or not, the most important thing is that you’re genuinely interested in developing your skills, and the future of AI.

Job satisfaction and prospects for AI graduates

Unsurprisingly, your job prospects as an AI graduate are very optimistic. The World Economic Forum even predicts that careers in AI and machine learning are going to experience the fastest rate of growth in the next five years, compared to other industries.

While AI technology continues to expand, and different industries continue to adopt artificial intelligence with the hope of improving business operations, the number of jobs will keep climbing — and with that, the need for specialist AI graduates.

But what about career satisfaction? Although there’s a steep learning curve with AI, and sometimes the demands of AI jobs require long working hours, there are fantastic rewards that come with this career path. 

Strong salaries, high job demand, great career progression, and opportunities to constantly upskill all contribute to AI graduates feeling satisfied at work.

What can you do with an AI degree?

The better question here is, what can’t you do with an AI degree? You can pretty much work in any industry you desire, as the need for AI specialists is expanding massively, and you also have the option to work for the biggest employers in the world, like Microsoft, IBM and Disney. 

Some of the fields you might pursue a career in include finance, education, entertainment, manufacturing, law, transportation and healthcare — basically, there are opportunities everywhere.

In terms of actual roles, there are also a lot of options, depending on your specific interests, specialisms, and the contents of your degree program. Take a look at our list below, but remember this isn’t an extensive list. Your options are wide open!

• AI engineer
• Data scientist
• Machine learning engineer
• AI consultant
• App developer
• Robotics engineer
• Data analyst
• Cybersecurity specialist
• AI researcher
• AI ethicist.

Salary prospects: How much do AI graduates earn?

If you already work in tech, converting your specialism to AI could be an extremely lucrative decision. That’s because recent UK data found that AI roles are the highest paid in tech. 

In fact, experts at AIPRM analysed average entry level salaries and found that switching from a non-AI role to an AI role meant you could earn an increase of £20,518 per year. That’s a huge difference, and certainly an incentive to take a master’s in AI.

We’ve also listed some of the best entry-level salaries in AI below, so you can see what you’re working with. And, remember, that these salaries keep on climbing as you pick up more years of experience.

• Machine learning engineer: £45-60k per year
• AI research scientist: £50-70k per year
• AI consultant: £50-65k per year

Why choose a degree in AI?

We’ve covered the fact that careers in AI are well paid, in demand, and offer plenty of exciting opportunities. But what should be the real driving force behind your desire to work in AI?

You should take a degree in AI because it’s a challenging, intellectually stimulating subject that allows you to solve complex problems that can be applied to the real world, allowing you to make significant impacts in technology. 

This is a career path that suits individuals who enjoy constantly growing, learning and innovating, and you need to have a real passion for the possibilities of AI. 

Or, at least, you need to be passionate about impacting the trajectory of AI development, even if that means making sure that future innovations consider legal and ethical implications.

Get an online AI degree with FutureLearn

If you’re ready to develop your artificial intelligence skills and open the doors to new opportunities in the growing world of AI, we’ve got some excellent online AI degrees by top institutions in the UK. On FutureLearn, you’ll find a range of degrees at different levels, including online AI master’s degrees.

Studying for your degree online means you don’t have to put all other commitments on hold, you can study wherever and whenever it suits you, and you may even save money.

AI is actually the perfect subject to study online too, since pretty much everything you study requires you to use the computer and learn digital skills. So why not explore your options on FutureLearn? Take a look at some of our offerings below.

• MSc Artificial Intelligence by the University of Huddersfield
• MSc Artificial Intelligence by the University of Hertfordshire
• MSc Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence by the University of Hertfordshire
• MSc Cyber Security by the University of Hertfordshire
• MSc Advanced Computer Science by the University of Hertfordshire
• Master of Business Administration (Artificial Intelligence) by Coventry University.