MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with Placement Year

Why choose Herts?

Industry Accreditation: Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) enabling graduates to register at The Chartered Institute for IT as a chartered IT professional.
Teaching Excellence: Our academics' research in Computer Science and Informatics has been rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Work Placement Opportunities: You have a one-year industry placement option enabling you to gain real-world industrial experience. Students on this course have had placements with Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and Ocado.

This course is up for review
To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by March 2025.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
- module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
- expected contact hours
- assessment methods
- staff teaching on the course

For admission to MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the normal requirement is a good honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or cognate discipline. The choice of award title students may be accepted on to will be determined by the award applied for and the prior learning of the student as demonstrated by the transcript for existing qualifications held by the applicant.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient competence in English to benefit from the Programme. This is normally demonstrated by recognised awards equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0. Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The programme is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes (in UPR SA03), along with associated procedures. These will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Sandwich, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

What job can I get?

Our master's programme is designed to give Computer Science graduates the specialist, up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers, whether in business, industry, government or research.

The MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics course will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills that are needed to contribute to the design and implementation of working systems in intelligent computing and prepare students to take up a challenging job or to pursue further research in specific AI fields.

Successful graduates may pursue a career as a research scientist or designer for intelligent systems such as machine learning engineer, business intelligence developer, or R&D engineer.

Work placement

The 'with placement' programmes give you additional industrial experience by applying the skills you have learned throughout your studies. This offers you the opportunity to work for one year in a highly professional and stimulating environment. You will be a full time employee in a company earning a salary and will learn new skills that can't be taught at University. During the placement, you will be able to gain further insight into industrial practice that you can take forward into your individual project.

We will provide excellent academic and personal support during both your academic and placement periods together with comprehensive careers guidance from our very experienced dedicated Careers and Placements Service.

Although the responsibility for finding a placement is with you, our Careers and Placements Service maintains a wide variety of employers who offer placement opportunities and organise special training sessions to help you secure a placement, from job application to the interview. Optional one-to-one consultations are also available.

In order to qualify for the placement period you must pass all the first 60 credits of your study in your first attempt.

Professional Accreditations

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional. Students on the specialist MSc with placement (Semester B entry) must pass the 7COM1064 Preparation for Placement module as a condition for accreditation.

About the course

This course is part of our master's programme in Computer Science.

The School has a strong international reputation for research in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and this expertise influences this course which explores current research and practice in artificial intelligence and robotics. This MSc can lead to a career such as a designer of intelligent systems or in research.

The programme offers three award routes that you can choose to study:

MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with Placement Year
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with Advanced Research

Why choose this course?

Through your placement year, you will gain industrial experience and be able to practice applying the skills you have learned throughout your studies.
One of a range of advanced courses within our postgraduate master's programme in Computer Science, this particular course provides you with a specialism in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
Advanced topics studied include artificial life with robotics, neural computation and machine learning, theory and practice of artificial intelligence.
Taught by a highly-regarded and long-established computer science department.
Computer Science saw 90% of its research ranked as world-leading (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).
7th for engineering and technology in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).

What will I study?

Classes consist of lectures, small group seminars, and practical work in our well-equipped laboratories. We use modern, industry-standard software wherever possible. There are specialist facilities for networking and multimedia and a project laboratory, especially for masters students. In addition to scheduled classes, you will be expected to conduct a significant amount of time in self-study, taking advantage of the extensive and up-to-date facilities. These include the Learning Resource Centres, open 24x7, with 1,500 computer workstations and wifi access, Studynet our versatile online study environment usable on and off campus, and open access to our labs.

Where will I study?

Learn in our new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building (SPECS), where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones.

The computer science labs are home to telecommunications, robotics and UX empathy labs, with a variety of research spaces that range from dark rooms to clean rooms, and sample prep labs to calibration and assembly labs.

You will also benefit from our Academic Support Hub, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

Spectra also provides space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Artificial Life with Robotics	30 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, students delve into the intricacies of Artificial Life systems, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the underlying concepts and the ability to implement these systems in real-world scenarios. Through hands-on experience and in-depth exploration of advanced techniques in modelling the properties of living systems, students will develop a deep appreciation for the intersection of computer science and robotics in the field of Artificial Life. Emphasizing practical application, this module equips students with the skills necessary to push the boundaries of technology in the field of Artificial Life systems.
Neural Networks and Machine Learning	30 Credits	Compulsory
A study of a selection of research topics centered around neural network theory and design, machine learning including supervised and unsupervised learning and some interesting applications, for example, data mining, biocomputation, evolutionary algorithms, neural networks as models of brain function in health, disease and development, and data visualization. Actual topics taught may vary from year to year.
Theory and Practice of Artificial Intelligence	30 Credits	Compulsory
The overall aim of this module is to provide an in"depth study of a range of ideas, theories and techniques used in the construction of artificial intelligence systems. The module will be oriented towards the creation of Al systems for tasks in the areas of intelligent modelling, problem"solving, learning, decision"making, reasoning, robot control and others. There is a large practical element to the module with the students gaining experience in developing artificial intelligence models.
Preparation for Placement	0 Credits	Compulsory
The module will explain the benefits of the Supervised Work Placement and encourage students to apply. It will support students in their application by informing them about the types of employer and job role available, helping them select the most appropriate for their strengths and weaknesses, and how employers conduct the recruitment process. The module will assist students to make an application, throughout the entire process, via a series of lectures, seminars, individual guidance and online communication. This includes writing of CVs and letters of application, development of interview technique and other forms of assessment. For those who are successful in securing a placement there will be further help in preparing for employment.
Team Research and Development Project	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores a range of generic and domain-specific investigative methods and helps students to enhance their proficiency in the skills that are expected of those working at postgraduate level. Furthermore, this module involves working actively as part of a team of fellow students on a complex computing problem. Typically, the project can be a research project to answer a research question, a thorough empirical investigation of a specific topic, or a development idea from student themselves or a virtual or real client. Each team would be expected to manage the project, to report regularly on the progress of the project, and to collectively deliver a set of appropriate outputs from the project. The output(s) of the team project will typically be a computing product or system and its presentation together with appropriate documentation.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Masters Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
The project is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they know about current research and practices in computer science and apply their skills to a range of computer science topics in order to conduct a practical investigation of a particular computer science problem. The project is a self-directed piece of work, conducted with minimum supervision that demonstrates the student's ability to plan and manage a substantial piece of work, and steer their own efforts. Students are expected to be thorough in their work, and, particularly, identify and tackle any difficult or challenging aspects of the problems they are trying to solve. It is not just the quantity, or even the quality of work that is considered when grading the project, but the level of difficulty and the scope of the problem being addressed.
Professional Work Placement for MSc Computer Science	60 Credits	Compulsory
Supervised work experience provides students with the opportunity to set their academic studies in a broader context, to gain practical experience in specific technical areas and to strengthen their communication and time"management skills. It greatly assists them in developing as independent learners, so that they will be able to gain maximum benefit from the learning opportunities afforded by their future study programme. It gives students opportunities, according to the nature of the placement experience, to acquire the basis of technical expertise in specialist areas, which they may be able to enhance through study after completion of the placement, especially in the final project.
Responsible Technology	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is concerned with legal, social, ethical and professional issues that may affect the work of practitioners in the computing and technology sectors. Its main focus is on the ethical considerations inherent in the development of responsible technologies. Topics covered are likely to vary from year to year to reflect contemporary research and issues.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics - Extended	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics - Extended	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	Mandatory
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £13545 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £18950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £18950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £14400 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £19800 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £19800 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
22/01/2025 31/01/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2025 31/05/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
22/01/2026 31/01/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
22/01/2027 31/01/2028 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
25/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
22/01/2026	31/01/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
25/09/2026	31/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
22/01/2027	31/01/2028	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

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MSc Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with Placement Year

Why choose Herts?

What job can I get?

Work placement

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Where will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Student Blogs

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025

2026