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Machine Learning MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Help define the next wave of change that machine learning will deliver through one of the most established Master’s programmes in this field. The Machine Learning MSc offers opportunities to focus on specific areas of interest in machine learning, including modules run in collaboration with the esteemed Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and Google DeepMind. Taught at UCL, world-renowned for computer science research and breakthroughs, this is an exceptional place to build your expertise in machine learning.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
All applicants: 16 Oct 2023 – 05 Apr 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree (or international qualification of an equivalent standard) in a highly quantitative subject such as computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or the physical sciences. Relevant work experience may also be considered. Additionally, applicants must be comfortable with undergraduate mathematics in areas such as linear algebra and calculus.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Machine learning provides an opportunity to define what intelligence means, and it is changing the face of many industrial processes at lightning speed. From advertising to voice and facial recognition, large language models are being continually incorporated into industry and society. This programme provides you with an opportunity to cement your expertise in this field and place yourself at the forefront of machine learning as a researcher or industry practitioner.

With machine learning research happening across UCL, from electrical engineering to economics, you will benefit from studying in a world-leading hub in this field. In this programme, you will study a range of foundational machine learning modules, as well as modules that focus on how machine learning applies to various fields. With some modules taught in collaboration with Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and Google DeepMind, you will have the opportunity to learn from leading experts. You will also undertake a substantial project, either working with an industry partner or on an academic research topic.

By joining us, you will become part of the next generation of machine learning experts with the ability to shape the world around you.

Who this course is for

The programme provides a sound basis for those embarking on a career in research or development or taking up positions within industries where machine learning is currently applied or will be applied in the future, such as finance, banking and insurance, retail and web-commerce, pharmaceuticals, computer security and web search.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL is ranked 9th globally in the latest QS World University Rankings (2024), giving you an exciting opportunity to study at one of the world’s best universities.

UCL Computer Science is recognised as a world leader in teaching and research. The department was 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 (REF2021.) You will learn from leading experts at the forefront of computer science innovation.

Graduates of our programmes are highly valued as a result of the department's strong international reputation, strong links with industry, and ideal location close to the City of London. UCL Computer Science staff have research interests ranging from foundational machine learning and large-scale data analysis to commercial aspects of business intelligence. Our extensive links to companies provide you with opportunities to carry out your research project with an industry partner.

UCL Computer Science is home to regular machine learning masterclasses and big data seminars.

The programme team takes an experimental approach to our subject, enjoys the challenge and opportunity of entrepreneurial partnerships, and places a high value on our extensive range of industrial collaborations. You will have opportunities to work on real-world projects with industry through the Department’s Industry Exchange Network (IXN).

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this programme have been employed in substantial sectors of UK industry, including multinational companies such as BAE Systems and BAE Detica, and others making extensive use of intelligent systems techniques during their business activities. Others have gone on to pursue further study or a career in academia and have taken machine learning research degrees in domains as diverse as robotics, music, psychology, and bioinformatics at the Universities of Basel, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Nairobi, Oxford, and at UCL.

Employability

The programme is designed to train you in both the practical and theoretical sides of machine learning. It is one of the few leading Master’s degrees that is entirely dedicated to machine learning. It combines a rigorous theoretical academic framework along with specific knowledge of a variety of application fields to fast-track your commercial career or to prepare for PhD research.

Networking

UCL is proud to support innovation and link our students and research directly to real-world business applications. From internships to solving complex problems with commercial partners, UCL Engineering has a collaborative, innovative spirit at its core.

 As a student and later as a graduate, you will have access to a UCL Engineering 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. 

 Entrepreneurial minds thrive at UCL. For example, UCL’s IDEALondon was the first innovation centre led by a university in London, and incubates companies post-seed to reach technical and business milestones. Our academic and industrial networks provide a safe and supportive environment to grow a company.

Teaching and learning

The programme’s core curriculum is typically delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and lab classes, as well as directed and self-directed learning supported by teaching materials and resources published through each module’s online virtual learning environment. Each module employs a teaching strategy that aligns with and supports its intended learning outcomes.

You will be assessed through a range of methods across the programme, which will vary depending on any optional or elective module choices. The programme’s core curriculum is typically assessed by methods including coursework, lab work, individual and group projects, class tests, written examinations, oral assessments, and, in all cases, culminating in a final research project/ dissertation.

Contact time takes a variety of 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 on average to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is typically described as being 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.

Modules

The Machine Learning MSc is a one-year programme.

In term 1, you will study supervised learning to gain in-depth familiarity with various classical and contemporary supervised learning algorithms. You will also choose from a wide range of optional and elective topics.

In term 2, you will choose further optional topics and deepen your understanding of core principles. You will also begin preparation for your final research project/ dissertation.

In term 3, you will primarily focus on your final research project/ dissertation and any examinations that take place in the main examination period.

Compulsory modules




Optional modules














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. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Machine Learning.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000.

Students will require a modern computer (PC or Mac) with minimum specifications 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage. A computer with the stated specifications is estimated to cost £500 or greater.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For more information about funding opportunities for UCL Computer Science taught postgraduate programmes, please see the department's scholarships webpage.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Machine Learning at graduate level
  • why you want to study Machine Learning at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • what programming experience you have
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Due to competition for places on this programme, no late applications will be considered. Students with visa requirements or applying for scholarships are advised to apply early.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Computer Science
Computer Science

cs.pgt-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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