Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, tutorials, and practical classes, with hands-on work on the application of AI. This is supplemented by self-directed learning to build up knowledge and skills, as well as individual and group projects to put learning into real-world practice. You will also be given the opportunity to work on real projects, plus benefit from learning directly from guest speakers and academics renowned in their fields.

You will be assessed through a range of methods across the programme, including individual and group projects, written research reports, other coursework, programming tests, and a final research project/dissertation. The dissertation is an opportunity for you to work on a specific topic that is of particular interest to you, supported by an academic supervisor. Many of our MSc dissertations are run in collaboration with partner organisations, including local companies, charities, and start-ups, which gives you the opportunity to work on an AI-powered solution to a real-world sustainable development challenge.

Contact time takes various forms, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervisions, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, visits, placements, office hours (where staff are available for consultation), email, videoconference, or other media, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given (one-to-one or in a group).

Each module has a credit value that indicates the total notional learning hours a learner will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is considered equal to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact time for each of your 15 credit taught modules will typically include 22-30 hours of teaching activity over the term of its delivery, with the balance then comprised of self-directed learning and working on your assessments. You will have ongoing contact with teaching staff via each module’s online discussion forum, which is typically used for discussing and clarifying concepts or assessment matters and will have the opportunity to access additional support via regular office hours with module leaders and programme directors.

Your research project/dissertation module is 60 credits and will include regular contact with your project supervisor(s), who will guide and support you throughout your project. You will dedicate most of your time on this module to carrying out research in connection with your project and writing up your final report.