MSc Artificial Intelligence

This programme is designed to bridge the gap between AI theory and real-world application, ensuring you graduate with robust, hands-on technical skills. You will learn to build and evaluate intelligent systems using the University's high-performance computing resources and industry-standard software. This practical philosophy is embedded throughout the curriculum, exemplified by the following key components:

• Specialist AI and Robotics Laboratories: You will have access to dedicated labs for intelligent systems and robotics, including the Sheffield Robotics Laboratory, which provides state-of-the-art facilities for work on autonomous agents and embodied intelligence.

• Industry-Standard Software and Tools: The curriculum involves practical work with core AI programming languages like Python, and you will gain proficiency using major machine learning libraries and platforms such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.

• Substantial Individual Project: A major component of the degree is a significant summer research project, allowing you to apply your skills to a substantial problem, often in collaboration with one of the University's renowned research groups.

• Research-Led Teaching: The programme is delivered by academics from the Sheffield Machine Learning Research Group and other centres of excellence, ensuring you are exposed to cutting-edge tools and methodologies.

• High-Performance Computing (HPC): For complex data-intensive tasks and large-scale model training, you will have access to the University's High-Performance Computing facilities, including the ShARC and Bessemer clusters.

Graduates of the MSc Artificial Intelligence at the University of Sheffield are highly prepared for specialist AI and data roles across industries such as technology, engineering, research, and automation. Students commonly progress to roles such as AI Engineer, Machine Learning Scientist, Robotics Engineer, and Data Scientist, often taking up leadership positions or consulting work due to the strong technical proficiency, team project work, and industry exposure acquired during the program.

• The University’s dedicated Careers Service provides bespoke support through one-to-one advice, employer connects, networking events, and targeted job portals for computer science and AI careers.

• Sheffield postgraduates enjoy an impressive employability rate—97% of taught graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with AI MSc graduates typically earning starting salaries from £35,000 to £50,000, depending on sector and expertise.

• Strong industrial partnerships include collaborations with IBM, Amazon, VoiceBase, and advice from an Industry Advisory Board with key figures from Facebook and Amazon, which inform curriculum and facilitate real-world projects and dissertation opportunities.

• The MSc holds British Computer Society (BCS) accreditation, offering pathways toward Chartered IT Professional (CITP) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, as well as assurance of industry-aligned learning outcomes.

• Program graduates secure careers across high-tech firms, research institutions, robotics, automation, finance, and intelligent systems development, benefitting from the department’s applied research strengths and advanced learning environment.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can progress to doctoral study (PhD) in AI, machine learning, robotics, or computer science, or pursue further certifications and research fellowships to deepen expertise in specialist domains such as deep learning, computer vision, or AI for engineering and automation.