MSc AI and Government

Duration
1 year full time; 2 years part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees
For 2024-2025
£11,340 Full time (UK)
£5,670 Part time (UK)
£25,290 Full time (International)

Steer emerging technology. Transform public policy

Artificial intelligence is transforming governance. Birmingham’s groundbreaking MSc in AI and Government cultivates interdisciplinary changemakers equally fluent in the technical and ethical complexities. Through hands-on public sector projects, social science students emerge ready to responsibly direct these technologies for the public good. 

Designed for ambitious social scientists seeking to drive change, this innovative degree builds your technical abilities in areas like machine learning, natural language processing, generative AI, and data science alongside ethical insights for responsible AI governance. Through interdisciplinary modules, you will gain hands-on experience tackling policy issues from public health to transportation infrastructure using real-world datasets. Our experts spanning computer science and political science equip you with versatile competencies to shape outcomes using AI, from improving government operations to optimising public service delivery and modernising regulations.

This program opens doors to sought-after consulting, research and leadership roles pioneering solutions to pressing systemic issues. Stand out as a versatile, socially conscious graduate prepared to bring policymakers and technologists together through expertise in areas like algorithm audits, privacy protection, stakeholder analysis and change management within complex public sector environments.

AI and Data Science Masters Scholarships for 2024 entry

We are offering £10,000 scholarships to upskill students from under-represented backgrounds to progress into the AI and Data Science workforce.

Apply now

Why study at Birmingham?

  • Jointly designed curriculum integrating Computer Science's AI expertise with Government policy knowledge 
  • Advanced AI skills development for non-technical backgrounds
  • Tailored focus on public sector contexts and implementation challenges
  • Impact-oriented experiential learning through real-world government projects
  • Develops technical and policy leaders at the intersection of AI and governance

Who is this course for?

This innovative MSc is designed for ambitious social science students who recognise that technology is shaping the policy landscape and seek to expand their skillsets to drive change. Whether you study politics, sociology, geography or related disciplines, this specialisation equips you with technical abilities in AI and interdisciplinary understanding of governance. 

Our uniquely interdisciplinary curriculum provides hands-on applied learning opportunities to tackle real-world problems students are passionate about solving - whether expanding access to healthcare or making transport systems more equitable. Graduates emerge ready to affect meaningful change whether crafting regulation at global agencies, advising policymakers on AI's impacts, assessing automation risks for advocacy groups, or modernising government services to be more citizen-centric.

Dr. Slava Jankin, Professor of data science and government & Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government (CAIG)

Modules

Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024.

Compulsory modules

You must choose one module for the following list


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees 2024 - 2025

UK

  • £11,340 full-time
  • £5,670 part-time

International 

  • £25,290 full-time

The fees shown above are the first year fees for students starting their course in September in 2024. 

Learn more about fees and funding

How To Apply

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in social science(or a related discipline) from a UK university; or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. All applicants must provide evidence of successfully completing at least one advanced module in quantitative methods, statistics, data science or econometrics during their Bachelor's degree. 

Relevant practical or professional experience in a related area may also be taken into account. This could include having worked for at least two years in a public sector organisation, think tank, international organisation, public policy consulting role, or in a data science position. The key criteria are having applicable work experience of two or more years duration in a field connected to public policy or data science.

International Requirements



International Students

Applicants should also have English language scores of 6.5 IELTS (no less than 6.0 in any band) or equivalent.

 

This innovative degree equips graduates with highly sought-after expertise at the intersection of technological innovation and policymaking, preparing students for impactful careers. 

You will gain a powerful combination of technical competencies in AI and interdisciplinary understanding of governance to excel in roles driving change. Our graduates are poised to: 

  • Lead strategic implementation of AI systems to transform policy and public services as project managers, policy advisors, and technology consultants across government agencies. 
  • Pioneer ethical and responsible AI by evaluating technological impacts on society, advising regulators, or conducting critical research as analysts at think tanks, international organisations, and advocacy groups.  
  • Innovate new AI-enabled solutions to societal issues by joining public sector innovation labs, high-growth technology startups, and other enterprises driving positive change as technical product managers and data scientists. 
  • Continue academia through PhD research or university roles advancing discoveries in AI governance, policy innovation, and more as the next generation of scholars. 

This programme opens doors to meaningful careers positively shaping the growing role of AI across politics, society, business and technology.