Overview

January 2024 remains open for international and home applicants.

The world is more data-driven than ever, and while specialist analytical, digital, data science, and artificial intelligence skills are in high demand, the supply is still very limited. There is a lack of experts in data science and artificial intelligence and this lack of expertise means that, currently, only few companies are actually able to exploit the full potential of their data sets and transform the same into a competitive advantage.

This new MSc programme has been designed in response to the shortage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics (DA) specialists in the UK. It will give you the skills and professional insight you need to launch a career in these diverse and fast-growing sectors.

A number of £10,000 scholarships will be offered to full-time Sri Lankan students* attending the three-month placement version of this programme, as part of a £1.4m investment by Office for Students (OfS), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Office for Artificial Intelligence and industry contributions.

*Please check eligibility criteria.

The programme will provide you with an applied understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. This programme is suitable for applicants from all backgrounds and no prior technical knowledge is required. You will develop the relevant technical skills you need as part of the programme.

Please note that the course avoids any mathematical complexities. It centres on equipping you with foundational skills in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics by allowing you to systematically learn open-source software and premium software like SAS and master their application in various business settings and functional areas for the betterment of the organisation.

Technical skills you will develop include knowledge of applications such as Python, R, AWS, MS Azure, SAS, SPSS, and Excel. Non-technical soft skills, the development of which are key to your long-term success in any industry, including data-driven decision-making, critical thinking, business acumen and entrepreneurship, and communication, teamwork and leadership skills.

You will have the opportunity for a three-month industry placement** as part of the programme, giving you invaluable real-world experience and an opportunity to build industry contacts.

The three-month industry placement is not guaranteed; however, you will work closely with our dedicated employer and placement services adviser, who will support you in finding a placement, support you with CV writing and help you apply for roles.

**For students awarded OfS Scholarship, the placement is compulsory.

Your intellectual and employability skills will be further developed through access to our Career Booster professional development programme. In addition, the proposed curriculum will offer you the opportunity to obtain professional certifications through AWS Academy and SAS.

You will graduate as a confident, creative, enterprising, independent data modeller and interpreter, able to select appropriate AI and DS tools for a given practical problem and perform empirical analysis that feeds into data-driven decision-making.

Professional accreditation

We are proud to be in an elite group of business schools to hold the triple accreditations of Equis, AMBA and AACSB, often referred to as the "Triple Crown".

Students will have the opportunity to develop their intellectual skills further and increase their employability prospects through micro-badges available via SAS content and Amazon Web Services content. These are invaluable industry-recognised certifications that prepare you for more job responsibilities - they will open the doors to different employment options and you can use them anywhere in the world.

SAS is one of the world’s leading industry standard data analytics software, used as part of this degree to train students. SAS are one of our strategic partners. They are advocates for our students gaining certification with the software, which is used widely in the business world, as part of this programme.

All learners will have the opportunity to seek professional certification with the AWS Academy programme from Amazon Web Services, as part of the programme. As a member of the AWS Academy, the University of Bradford will help students become proficient and certified in the use of AWS technologies and ready to join the dynamic cloud IT workforce.

What you will study

All module information is for 2021 entry, and is subject to change.

This course also offers an optional three-month work placement.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

This programme has been designed to enable you as a graduate to launch or enhance a career in the artificial intelligence and/or data science sectors, as well as giving you the skills you need to work in related consultancy or to start a new tech business.

Career opportunities include (but are not limited to):

• Applied artificial intelligence and data science professional
• Graduate analyst
• Business analyst
• Analytics consultant
• Technology consultant
• Digital marketing analyst
• Digital insights manager
• Start new tech business

AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS)

The School of Management has joined the prestigious worldwide AWS Academy program from Amazon Web Services (AWS). All students will be given an opportunity to enhance their employability skills, helping to make them ready for the world of work.

AWS Academy is a global program that provides educational institutions with access to cloud computing content to support student learning in a competitive digital workplace. As a member of the AWS Academy, the University of Bradford will help students become proficient and certified in the use of AWS technologies and ready to join the dynamic cloud IT workforce.

All learners will have the opportunity to seek professional certification with the skills gained through AWS Academy content, delivered by University staff that are AWS Academy accredited.

Career Booster

During your time studying at the Faculty of Management, Law and Social Sciences you will have the opportunity to take part in our distinctive career booster programme throughout the duration of your course. The programme is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and graduate attributes to be job-ready when seeking employment with leading innovative organisations. The Career Booster Programme (PDF, 2.8 MB) offers you the opportunity to gain certificates in:

• The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - the benchmark for digital literacy
• Sage 50 Accounting and Sage 50 Payroll - training that will allow you to develop leading accounting and payroll software skills
• Project Manager Professional certificates - giving you the edge when seeking to become a Certified Project Manager
• Big Data analysis and reporting skills - using Software and Services (SAS) that will lead to certification.

In addition, the programme will also include activities to promote teamwork, confidence, communication and many other skills sought by employers.

Developing a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificates will demonstrate to employers that you are not only ambitious but also take responsibility for your own professional development.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Students registered for postgraduate degrees in the School of Management (SoM) during the 2020/21 academic year will be encouraged to register with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). The PMI is the world's leading association for those who consider that project, programme or portfolio management as their profession or for those who see developing skills in this area as being an important additional professional qualification.  
 
The school will help support students prepare for this exam through the one-week Career Booster short course programme which will be delivered in Semester 2. This will be followed by a one-week CAPM revision session to help students prepare for the exam.  
 
Any of the School’s MSc students at the beginning of the academic year at Bradford can register as an individual member of the PMI. This will give students access to a range of learning materials on the PMI website. Towards the end of the taught MSc programme at the School of Management, students will be supported to register for the PMI’s CAPM exam which is a three-hour multiple-choice assessment.  
 
Regardless of your career stage, the Certified Associate in Project Management is an asset that will distinguish you in the job market and enhance credibility and effectiveness working on projects or with project teams. Further information on the benefits of becoming a member of the PMI and a Certified Associate in Project Management can be found on the Project Management Institute (PMI) website.