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Postgraduate

MSc Data Science and AI

Data Science Graphic, courtesy of Teo Dannemann
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute Start date
September 2025 Course length
12 months

Explore advanced applications of machine learning to create the next generation of AI products and service.

Course summary

Applications closed 2025/26

We are no longer accepting applications for 2025/26 entry to this course. Applications for 2026/27 entry will open in autumn 2025.

Applying for more than 1 course

From October 2024, you can only apply for a maximum of 3 postgraduate courses each year at UAL (excluding online or low-residency courses and Graduate Diplomas). Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Why choose this course at UAL Creative Computing Institute

  • Advanced machine learning: Learn advanced coding skills to develop machine learning approaches for AI products and services.
  • Data, people and society: Explore how data science approaches are key to enabling technologies that mitigate harm rather than perpetuate it.
  • Data and entrepreneurship: Examine how data science can be used in businesses to increase economic opportunity
  • The PG community: Join a creative community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about the future of data science and AI. You will also become a member of our integrated online community for peer learning and technical support.
  • Campus location and facilities: All your classes will be taught at our High Holborn site in central London. You will also have access to workshops and facilities at all other CCI buildings in South London including Peckham Road, Greencoat and The Hub at Eagle Wharf.

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Course overview

Our MSc Data Science and AI provides the opportunity to deepen your core competencies in data science and AI, and to strengthen your skills in developing data- and AI-driven products and services. The course actively explores the ethical and social dimensions of data science and AI —ensuring you have a deep and critical understanding of the impacts of related technologies, and a familiarity with arts and human-centred methods for designing and reasoning about new systems. 

Using computer programming combined with arts and humanities critical approaches, you will apply scientific and mathematical principles to guide the creation and evaluation of mathematical models of real-world problems. This enables the creation of tools that take into account the computational and technical, but also the human, social and cultural aspects that emerge from the entanglement of humans, technology and the environment. You will apply data science and AI to a broad range of domains, involving diverse types of data and content, from numerical data to text and media. And you will critically engage with contemporary thinkers from diverse disciplines concerned with the ethical and social implications of data science and AI. You will approach through collaborative, creative problem solving which leverages and strengthens your technical and teamwork skills, critical thinking, and your knowledge of application domains and stakeholders. 

Your thesis project should target your preferred technology sector or domain of work, supporting your progression to industry or further academic research. 

We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework and are working to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Social and Racial Justice. 

What to expect

  • Technical skills for data science and AI: learn advanced coding, data science and AI skills that make use of key modern programming languages and technical frameworks, which can be applied in a wide range of data science and AI industries and beyond. 

  • Human and arts-centred approaches: learn and apply methodologies coming from humanities and the arts that will provide critical and out-of-the-box approaches to your data science and AI practice. 

  • Project-based learning: complete a range of data science and AI projects, applying your skills and knowledge to real-world problems. Frequent and regular hands-on learning activities give you time to practice new skills while receiving rich feedback. 

  • Ethical data and AI practices: learn how data and AI practices have the potential to impact individuals and society, and you will learn about techniques for human-centred design and critique of data and AI systems. 

  • Collaboration and creativity: collaborate with your postgraduate peers to creatively solve problems together, bringing your varied undergraduate, professional, and personal experiences to advanced problems. These abilities and attributes are sought after by many graduate employers. 

  • The CCI community: join a significant community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about the future of computing. You will learn alongside MSc students on our other postgraduate courses. You will also be part of our integrated online community where you can access technical support, events, employment opportunities and more. 

  • A supportive environment: you will have access to both technical and pastoral support and be part of a community committed to promoting accessibility, diversity and inclusion.  

Industry experience and opportunities

You will learn using industry standard tools and advanced frameworks ensuring you are ready to progress to a wide range of roles in data science and AI, across the technology sector and beyond. You will benefit from a wide range of cross-institute talks and will meet industry representatives throughout your studies. 

Entrepreneurship is encouraged and the opportunity to start enterprises will be supported with business training and access to incubator programs, as well as through team entrepreneurship pedagogies. 

Mode of Study  

MSc Data Science and AI is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 12 months. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.  

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Term 1

Advanced Algorithms and Programming (20 credits)

You will be introduced to advanced algorithms through mathematics and programming, including linear algebra for advanced analysis of data and machine learning optimisation. You will create and analyse computational models using approaches such as stochastic and gradient algorithms, dynamic programming algorithms and primal and dual methods. This will develop your understanding of how algorithms might be improved to tackle current and emerging problems. 

Advanced Mathematics and Statistics for Data Science and AI (20 credits)

You will learn advanced data structures and representations, including complex multidimensional feature processing and storage. You will be asked to demonstrate your advanced knowledge and skills in a range of mathematical and statistical approaches required for carrying out modern data science and AI. This includes calculus, discrete structures, probability theory and elementary statistics. You will also approach advanced topics in statistics including complex correlations, significance, differences in nominal and ordinal data analysis, and linear algebra.

Term 2

Critical Data Analysis and Representation (20 credits)

This unit will cover advanced professional practice principles, ethics, data protection legislation, compliance procedures and impact analysis. Through a series of case studies, you will be introduced to different critical approaches, such as social data science and you will explore in detail how representation and data abstraction at macro scale can impact individuals and marginalised groups. You will also learn how to story tell through various data visualization techniques and get introduced to big data tools and techniques.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (20 credits)

This unit focuses on a range of contemporary AI and machine learning techniques and approaches such as RNN and LSTMs, GANs and VAEs. You will also cover reinforcement learning for natural language processing, personalisation, recommendation and audience analysis. As part of this unit, you will learn how to prepare datasets and create, test and validate your own models to solve real-world problems. 

Term 3

Human-centred approaches in data science (20 credits) 

In this hands-on unit, you will learn how to solve problems in a critical and creative way. You will learn human-centred approaches and methods (co-design, user-centred design) for thinking and building new technologies. You will also learn to use creative tools (Bela, p5js, Pure Data, Processing) and methods (empathic design, material-oriented practices, soma design) to design and build custom digital interfaces that emerge from a problem-driven perspective.  

Computational Entrepreneurship and Ethics (20 credits)

This MSc course has a strong focus on ‘tech for good’ and seeks to contribute to UAL’s social purpose mission. In this unit, you will develop your skills in entrepreneurship and futures thinking and learn how to embed ethical computing into your own practice. You will be introduced to a range of product development case studies, evaluating their social, cultural and ethical impact. This contextual knowledge will help you to develop realistic, informed project plans, considering team requirements, investment requirements and market placement.

Summer period

Thesis Project (60 credits)

Your final thesis project will allow you to develop a significant piece of work demonstrating the level of your knowledge and skills in relation to those delivered throughout the course. Academic staff will support you throughout your project, sharing their professional experience in contemporary data science and AI. You will also be offered the opportunity to work with staff to develop research projects based on staff expertise and topic specialisms as an option. 

Programme specification

Download course specification (PDF File 718.4 KB)

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Studio/lab-based practice and masterclasses
  • Project work
  • Technical tuition
  • Experiential team learning
  • Practical design briefs and projects
  • Collaborative problem-solving and group work
  • Panel discussions in a debate environment
  • Independent study

Assessment methods

  • Project portfolio including technical prototypes and presentations
  • Essays and reports 
  • Exams
  • Portfolio-based projects
  • Presentations through a range of media 
  • Design briefs and team-based projects
  • Coursework 

 

Watch the online open day

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£14,000

This fee is correct for 2025/26 entry and is subject to change for 2026/27 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£29,990

This fee is correct for 2025/26 entry and is subject to change for 2026/27 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Additional costs

You may need to cover additional costs which are not included in your tuition fees, such as materials and equipment specific to your course. For a list of general digital equipment you may need (and how you can borrow equipment), visit our Study costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about accommodation options and how much they will cost, and other living expenses you’ll need to consider.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

If you’ve completed a qualifying course at UAL, you may be eligible for a tuition fee discount on this course. Find out more about our Progression discount.

You can also find out more about the Postgraduate Masters Loan (Home students only) and scholarships, including £7,000 scholarships for Home and International students. Discover more about student funding.

If you’re based in the UK and plan to visit UAL for an Open Event, check if you’re eligible for our UAL Travel Bursary. This covers the costs of mainland train or airline travel to visit UAL.

How to pay

Find out how you can pay your tuition fees.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are: 

  • An honours degree in a relevant subject such as Computer Science, Data Science, Computing, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Joint Computer Science + Arts/Humanities programme.  
  • OR a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree in a technology-related or engineering discipline. 
  • AND typically, at least Grade B/Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics. 

English language requirements  

  • IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. 

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For further guidance, please check our English language requirements. 

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning  

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by: 

  • Related academic or work experience. 
  • The quality of the personal statement. 
  • A combination of these factors. 

Each application will be considered on its own merit, but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case. 

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria:

  • An ability to code (essential).
  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience in a specialist subject area (e.g., computer science, creative computing, informatics, data science, AI, mathematics, statistics) or other evidence of potential to be able to successfully complete the course (essential).
  • An academic or professional background in data science, AI, computer science or a related subject area (e.g., informatics, mathematics, statistics, creative computing, etc.).
  • Willingness to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • A strong case for how the course could be applied to your ambitions, especially if your current knowledge and experience is in a different subject area.

Information for disabled applicants

UAL is committed to achieving inclusion and equality for disabled students. This includes students who have:

     
  • Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference
  • A sensory impairment
  • A physical impairment
  • A long-term health or mental health condition
  • Autism
  • Another long-term condition which has an impact on your day-to-day life

Our Disability Service arranges adjustments and support for disabled applicants and students.

Read our Disability and dyslexia: applying for a course and joining UAL information.

Apply now

Application deadline

Applications are now closed for 2025/26 entry. Applications for 2026/27 entry will open in autumn 2025.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Applications are now closed for 2025/26 entry. Applications for 2026/27 entry will open in autumn 2025.

Read more about deadlines

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

From October 2024, you can only apply for a maximum of 3 postgraduate courses each year at UAL. This excludes online or low-residency courses and Graduate Diplomas, which you can apply to in addition to 3 other postgraduate courses.

If you apply for more than 3 postgraduate courses between October 2024 and August 2025, we won’t accept the 4th application. It’s not possible to withdraw an application to replace it with another.

You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. If your course requires a portfolio and/or video task, we may request these before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

Most of our postgraduate courses have 2 rounds of deadlines: one in December and one in March.

As long as you apply ahead of each deadline we will consider your application alongside all the other applications in that round. We always make sure to hold enough places back for round 2 to make sure we can consider your application fairly, no matter which round you apply in.

If there are still places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until all places have been filled.

Careers

Computing graduates are highly sought after across sectors and our degrees facilitate progression to a wide range of careers in both industry and academia. Graduates can join large companies or start their own business using their engineering skills and their knowledge of computational innovation.

Graduates can become:

  • Data scientists for large and small technology companies
  • Specialists in NLP, voice technology and computer vision
  • Data science researchers
  • IT professionals across a variety of sectors
  • Founders of technology start-ups in sectors such as finance, healthcare and the creative industries.

Opportunities for Further study:

  • PhD level study both within the CCI and at other institutions nationally and internationally

UAL Creative Computing Institute

Contact

Email

cci@arts.ac.uk

Address

UAL Creative Computing Institute
45–65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF