MSc — 2025 entry Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Practice
Our Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Practice MSc degree offers a comprehensive training in the theory, methods, and applications of artificial intelligence. This course will enable you to gain the practical skills and experience needed to pursue careers in AI research, development, and applications across various industries.
2,450+ people have created a bespoke digital prospectus
Why choose
this course?
Our Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Practice MSc stands apart as the sole programme of its kind in the UK. It draws on the profound knowledge of our pan-University Institute for People-Centred AI (PAI) and the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), both top-ranked for AI research: No. 1 in the UK for computer vision. The programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) by incorporating a wide range of core topics. On this programme, you will study:
- Technical subjects, such as computer vision, natural language processing and audio analysis, to develop strong technical expertise
- Application-specific areas, such as health and the metaverse, to ensure you develop specialised knowledge in emerging AI fields
- Regulatory and legal aspects of AI, to equip you with a critical understanding of the ethical and legal considerations that will shape the future of AI.
The growth of AI is rapidly changing the way we live, work and learn. However, there’s a real shortage of AI talent worldwide, both to serve the industry and to drive future research.
This course will enable you to capitalise on the wide spectrum of career opportunities provided by AI, preparing you to work in industry, take an entrepreneurial route or pursue further research.
You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a postgraduate placement year, allowing you to gain crucial workplace experience. We’ll support you in finding a placement with a company most suited to your career goals.
Statistics
96%
of our electrical and electronic engineering postgraduate taught students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
Video
What you will study
This full-time MSc will teach you about fundamental AI concepts and the universal machine learning tools essential for any AI job role, as well as specific practical and research skills in key AI topics and applications. You’ll gain experience with cutting-edge tools such as deep neural networks (DNN), recurrent neural networks (RNN) and deep reinforcement learning (deep RL) through regular hands-on exercises and practical labs.
The course consists of technical modules delivered by our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, along with the opportunity to take related modules in business or law and ethics. You’ll also undertake a year-long project on an AI topic that interests you. You’ll be supervised throughout the project by an academic specialising in your chosen subject area.
Research
This degree draws on the pioneering knowledge of:
- The Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI (PAI), a pan-University institute that brings together world-leading AI and domain expertise across the University to realise and shape AI impact for public good.
- The Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP), with more than 30 years of research experience in image processing, deep learning and machine intelligence.
- Our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering played a key part in Surrey being named one of nine universities in UK to be named Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education and Research*. The School was awarded Cyber University of the Year at the National Cyber Awards 2023, and is proud that 100% of postgraduate research computer science students go on to employment or further study.**
*Awarded by the UK Government's National Cyber Security Centre | **In the Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA.
Facilities
Several of the modules you’ll study are complemented by software-based laboratory sessions. From these, you’ll complete your coursework. This is an important part of your MSc, enhancing your knowledge in preparation for the written examinations. We’ll provide you with computing support for any specialised software required during the course.
The faculty’s student common room is also covered by the University’s open-access wireless network, which makes it a popular location for individual and group work using laptops and mobile devices.
Specialist experimental and research facilities (e.g. graphics processing unit clusters) for computationally demanding projects or those requiring specialist equipment are provided by our Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing.
You’ll study eight modules across the year – four in each semester. You will work on your project full-time during the summer period for approximately two-and-a-half months, and prior to that, during semester time, you will work on the initial stages of the project part-time and complete an interim report. This means that if you begin your course in February, you will complete your project in between the two semesters, and if you begin your course in September, you will complete your project after the two semesters.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Teaching and learning
Our MSc is developed and delivered by academics with unrivalled experience, including:
- Professor Adrian Hilton: Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, who has successfully commercialised 4D computer vision techniques used across entertainment, manufacturing and healthcare.
- Professor Josef Kittler: A Distinguished Professor at Surrey, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, pioneer of modern machine learning and founder of CVSSP.
- Professor Tao Xiang: A Distinguished Professor at Surrey and Chief Scientist at Samsung AI Research Centre, Cambridge.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Our graduates have a wealth of opportunities in AI-driven businesses such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Samsung, as well as roles in the mobile and gaming industries.
More specifically, our MSc will equip you for roles such as:
- AI scientist at a global technology company (e.g. Facebook, Google, Samsung)
- AI analyst in finance/banking and other jobs requiring a systematic understanding of AI
- Entrepreneurial roles (e.g. business start-ups focused on AI technology)
- Industry-sponsored PhD studentship at the cutting edge of AI research.
Chaitat U.
Graduate - Artificial Intelligence MSc
"While studies are important, remember to enjoy your time in Guildford. Explore the town, make new friends, and create memories that will last beyond your academic journey."
Yash Kulthe
Student - Artificial Intelligence MSc
''My time at Surrey has had a profound impact on my employability post-graduation. The course content, which is always up-to-date with the latest trends, has equipped me with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.''
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in communication engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electronic and computer engineering, electronic engineering, information and communication technologies, information systems engineering, maths, physics, telecommunication engineering, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We'll also consider relevant work experience if you don't meet these requirements.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Placements
This two-year MSc includes a placement year which enables you to gain invaluable professional experience working within an organisation.
After a year of full-time study at Surrey, you'll spend up to an additional 12 months on placement. You'll be responsible for securing your own placement, but we’ll support you in your search with a series of employability workshops and individual coaching.
We work closely with potential employers to help facilitate your successful placement. In addition to this, our award-winning Employability and Careers team are always ready to help, and they can provide you with a range of specialist resources and advice.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time (with placement) -
- UK
- £13,550
- Overseas
- £28,050
February 2026 - Full-time (with placement) -
- UK
- £13,550
- Overseas
- £28,050
- The fee stated above will be charged in Year 1 of the programme and a fee of £1,850 is payable in Year 2 of the programme
- Once enrolled, students who decide to change from the two-year with placement course to the one-year full time course will not be entitled to a refund of the difference in course fees between the one-year full time course and the first year of the two-year with placement course
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Additional costs
Books/stationery/admin: Costs may be incurred associated with the purchase of writing paper and associated stationery.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
Select your course
Choose the course option you wish to apply for.
Sign in
Create an account and sign into our application portal.
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at offer stage and are shown again at registration. You will be asked to accept these terms and conditions when you accept the offer made to you.
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2025/26 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.