Artificial Intelligence and Public Policy BSc

Our unique programme helps you develop technical and policy expertise, preparing you to tackle public service challenges and lead responsible AI innovation in government and beyond.

• First UK degree integrating technical AI skills with comprehensive public policy expertise.
• Option to add a Year Abroad of Placement Year, making it a 4-year course.
• Accessible to students from all backgrounds with only GCSE-level mathematics required.
• Learn through real policy datasets and authentic governance challenges.
• Develop unique expertise spanning both technological implementation and ethical governance.

Enhance your future with a Placement Year

In your second year, you’ll receive tailored support from our placements team and our School of Government, including expert advice on CVs, interviews, and career planning. The College of Social Sciences Careers Network team will also support you in securing a placement that aligns with your interests.

Your placement is an opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world social and public policy challenges and may be in the public, private, or voluntary sectors. You may find yourself engaging directly with policies around crime, poverty, healthcare, and education – the core issues of social policy. Alternatively, you might review your organisation’s HR policies, assess its social media presence, or conduct research on key topics affecting its work. Whatever your role, you’ll gain invaluable experience, develop problem-solving and adaptability skills, and build your employability.

With assessments such as reports and skills journal, the Placement Year also enhances your final-year studies. To take part, you’ll need to achieve at least 58% in Year 1. If you decide it’s not for you, you can easily return to the three-year programme.

• Lectures: Learn key concepts and real-world social policy from expert academics.
• Seminars: Participate in discussions and debates to deepen understanding and critical thinking.
• Group Work: Build teamwork and problem-solving skills through collaborative projects.
• Projects: Research, analyse data, and present findings, often in teams.

Assessment methods and feedback

Assessment methods include essays, exams, presentations, project work, and technical exercises. The balance of assessment types reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the programme, combining policy analysis with technical implementation. Group projects encourage collaboration across disciplines, while individual assignments develop your capacity for independent research and critical thinking. The final-year dissertation showcases your ability to investigate a significant AI governance challenge through rigorous independent research

Support during your studies

You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.

• Personal tutors: Offer academics support and advice during your studies.
• Wellbeing Officers: Provide guidance on extensions, adjustments, and access to wider support.
• Academic Skills Centre: Workshops to improve writing, note-taking, and presentation skills.
• Student Experience team: Support your academic, social, and career development.

Contact hours: For all undergraduate modules students usually attend 1 lecture and 1 seminar per week.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Course Structure

Year 1: Your first year establishes dual foundations in public administration and AI through carefully designed compulsory modules. You'll gain a strong foundation in governance through the ‘Understanding Politics’ and ‘Introduction to Public Policy and Management’ modules, while also developing technical skills in ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Computational Thinking’. Your analytical skills are developed through ‘Pathways to Political Research’ and a mathematics module tailored to your prior qualifications. The innovative ‘Ethics, Technology & Society’ module bridges these domains, exploring the societal impact of technological innovation. This integrated approach ensures all students – regardless of background – develop the interdisciplinary perspective needed to excel.

Year 2: Building on these foundations, your second year deepens both technical and policy expertise. Core modules in ‘Policy Analysis’, ‘Research Design’, and the hands-on ‘Machine Learning and Data Science for Public Policy’ enhance your analytical capabilities and methodological toolkit. In these modules, you will learn to apply AI techniques to real-world public sector datasets and critically evaluate policy processes. You will complement these with optional modules in areas such as digital governance, comparative politics, and sustainable development, allowing you to tailor your learning toward specific interests.

Year 3: Your final year synthesises your learning through independent research and specialised study. The compulsory Dissertation (40 credits) allows you to investigate an AI governance challenge of your choice, demonstrating your capacity to conduct rigorous, policy-relevant research. Alongside this, you'll select from advanced optional modules covering cutting-edge AI developments, global governance perspectives, and public service transformation. Throughout, you'll connect theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing you to bridge technical and policy domains in your future career. The curriculum culminates in a holistic understanding of how AI can be ethically and effectively deployed to address complex societal challenges.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

General Studies: not accepted

T Levels: all subjects considered. Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

This distinctive programme creates graduates with a rare combination of technical AI skills and policy expertise, opening diverse career paths. You'll be qualified to drive digital transformation in government, shape regulatory frameworks, implement ethical AI solutions, and bridge communication gaps between technologists and policymakers. This versatile skillset is increasingly valued across public services, technology firms, consultancies, think tanks, and international organisations working at this critical intersection.

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.