Artificial Intelligence (with a Year in Industry) Bsc (Hons)
UCAS Code: GH77|Duration: 4|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Accredited|Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
We are on the brink of a technological revolution that will profoundly alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before. Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are being developed today that would have been considered to belong to the realms of science fiction only a couple of years ago. The pace of change in AI is such that it has blindsided many politicians and policymakers. A very few are only now, at this late stage, becoming aware of the potentially massive disruptive impact of AI on all aspects of life in the 21st century. What is in no doubt is that the direction that AI takes will have a a profound impact on all of our futures.
There is a major, and growing, skills shortage of AI practitioners. It is becoming increasingly important to understand how AI works; what it can and can’t yet do, what it may be capable of, how to utilise it, and how to develop AI in a responsible, scientific and ethical way.
This course will teach you about the practical aspects of AI: how it works, what it can do, how it can be practically utilized for many different purposes, how it may develop in the future, and how to be part of the AI based industries of the future.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 15-20 students, and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students.
During your first year of study, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week, which reduces to approximately 10 teaching hours in your second and third years. On top of teaching hours, you are also expected to spend a number of hours studying independently each week, as well as studying in groups to prepare for any group assessments that you may have.
Accreditation
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer
Year One
This is a broad introduction to the subject and you develop the theoretical knowledge, problem solving and practical skills that underpin AI:
- Introduction to Programming
You will learn the fundamentals of two programming languages. Python is crucial to machine learning, and Java is a popular language for development and production.
- Introduction to AI: You start with classical approaches to AI, such as expert systems, as well as optimisation, the basics of finite state machines, and simple chatbots.
- Algorithm Design: Understanding algorithms and their creation is crucial to much of what you will do later in your degree and career, and you will learn this process from the ground up.
- Mathematics for AI: Linear algebra and calculus are used extensively in machine learning, and you will learn the basics of these during your first year.
- Taster of current and new developments: You will be taught by staff members with experience in diverse aspects of AI, giving you different perspectives on what work is being done in the field.
Year Two
Your second year allows you to study specific topics in more depth, focusing on specific branches of theoretical and practically based AI subjects:
- Artificial Neural Networks: This is the most fundamental machine learning model, and you will learn how these are designed and trained.
- Software Development for AI: AI is not just about machine learning. You will also learn in depth the principles of software development and being part of a team in industry. Java and C++ are used as vehicles for this, as well as Unified Modeling Language (UML) for designing projects.
- Predictive Analytics: An important aspect of AI is making predictions, and you will learn more than one machine learning model, as well as how to properly pre-process data and build pipelines.
- Genetic Algorithms: Another important aspect of AI is metaheuristics, which is advanced optimisation to solve difficult problems, often ones that are NP-complete (or harder). Genetic algorithms are the oldest metaheuristic, inspired by how creatures adapt to their environment.
- Natural Language Processing: There is an increasing demand in industry for candidates competent in NLP, which is the application of machine learning and information-theoretic techniques to human language. You will learn this in depth.
Year Three
You spend your third year on compulsory placement in industry.
Year Four
Your fourth year helps you develop a deeper understanding of the specific aspects of AI and be able to critically select appropriate tools and techniques to solve specific problems:
- Machine Learning and AI at the edge: Edge ML involves a broad range of techniques to process data, often using deep learning, on smart devices. You will gain access to such devices and use industry-level techniques and libraries.
- Embedded Systems, Physical Computing & Spatial Computing: Building on Edge ML, you will build machine learning into small devices, enabling the use of AI in everyday human interactions.
- Neuromorphic Computing: This is an emerging field of AI, using chips that mimic activities in the brain and nervous system, often using Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) systems.
- Robotics: Embedded systems and physical computing gives rise to robotics on a larger scale, and you will be able to implement machine learning into robotic systems.
- Computer Vision: AI is not just about making predictions on columnar data, but also about being able to work with high dimensional data, such as images, and you will learn how to apply deep learning on images (and by extension audio and other data), as well as the theory behind this.
- Human Machine Interaction: This ties into the knowledge you will gain of Edge ML and spatial computing, enabling you to understand the principles of how humans interact with various types of machines.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 28 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | 120 Tariff Points / Merit |
| Subject Requirements | No specific subject requirements |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
A degree in AI from Liverpool Hope will make you highly employable, having developed a range of highly sought after skills. With the AI industry growing very fast, there will be opportunities to work as an AI specialist designing or programming a wide range of intelligent systems. Your diverse range of skills will make you highly employable in other sectors too.
Enhancement opportunities
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2023/24 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2023/24 are £12,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.