MRes Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Develop advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning skills and apply these in research to real-world problems
Key information
Overview
If you want to develop your research and innovation skills and focus on developing novel artificial intelligence (AI) for practical opportunities, this new research-based programme could be for you.
You will complete an individual, supervised research project over the duration of the course, giving you the opportunity to explore a research area of your interest in-depth and learn to use different approaches to bring AI and machine learning (ML) ideas into practice. Through this, you will develop high-level analytical skills and learn to design and lead projects.
From lectures, group work and laboratory exercises, you will gain specialist knowledge of AI and ML, while developing advanced programming skills, including Python and complex algorithms. You will also apply these skills to the production of a research and development (R&D) proposal for a real-world technology business case.
On this course, you will have the opportunity to develop a solid theoretical grounding in AI and combine this with the ability to imagine, lead and deliver R&D projects that meet regulatory and real-world performance expectations. You can take these skills into a wide range of industries and careers, including further research and qualifications such as a PhD.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
The curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for this year of entry.
We recommend you check this page before finalising your application and again before accepting your offer. We will update this page as soon as any changes are confirmed by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about any changes made.
Page last reviewed on 10 March 2022.
Structure
Core and compulsory modules
You'll take all the modules below.
Python Programming
Become an effective Python programmer by learning to present key Python tools and how to apply them.
Ethics, Privacy, Artificial Intelligence in Society
Learn to use the tools needed to reason and make decisions about the ethical, social and legal aspects of AI.
Research Tutorial
Develop the ability to critique, summarise and present scientific literature. You'll focus on the principles of high-quality academic research in AI and machine learning, including theory, novel algorithmic work and empirical research.
Simulated Research and Development Project Proposal
Learn to write a clear and persuasive research and development proposal for a short AI project which is suitable for business decision-makers or a grant application. You'll include a use case or business case analysis and a staged plan, supported by a literature review.
Individual Research Project
You'll complete an extensive research project, which you'll work on throughout the course. The project will be in an area of your interest, which you'll select as part of your application.
The project is assessed by a poster presentation, a thesis and a subsequent oral presentation (viva) of the written thesis.
Your project will normally be supervised by an AI expert, and be co-supervised by an expert in an area of applied AI or from industry.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Group exercises
- Lectures
- Individual research project (one-to-one meetings with supervisors)
- Presentations and Pitching Sessions
- Seminars and Symposia
- Workshops
- Virtual Learning Environment: Blackboard
- Online Groups/Discussions
- Online Quizzes and Interactive Content
- Lectures Recorded using Panpoto
Assessment methods
- Oral presentation (viva)
- Coursework
- Multiple Choice Tests
- Practicals
- Problem Sheets
- Written Reports
- Research Thesis
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Entry requirements
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is normally a first-class degree in a relevant scientific or technical discipline, such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or physics.
Students with other natural science degrees (e.g. life sciences, chemistry) who have strong mathematical or computing grounding and programming skills may also be considered.
Selection process
Applicants should provide a motivation statement for their chosen project in addition to their CV with their application.
Applicants are normally asked complete our MRes admissions tests. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
This page will be updated with further details in due course.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Project
As part of the application process, you typically need to discuss possible projects with potential supervisor(s) before making your application to ensure that there is a suitable project available.
Please visit the Department of Computing's website to see a list of example projects and potential supervisors.
ATAS certificate (overseas candidates)
An ATAS certificate is required for all visa-nationals, with the exception of EEA/Swiss nationals and nationals of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA.
To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme’s Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and ‘descriptor’, as well as your university supervisor name. For this course, these are:
| CAH code | Descriptor | Supervisor name |
|---|---|---|
| CAH11-01-05 | Artifical intelligence | Professor Aldo Faisal |
Your student visa application, or extension of stay, will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and cannot provide one.
For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate please see the information on our International Student Support website.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£18,800 per year
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£39,400 per year
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022-2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Additional course costs
All of the necessary specialist software required for this degree is provided for free, as part of your tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2020-21 entry, the maximum amount was of £11,222. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Find out more about our scholarships to see what you might be eligible for.
A number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students. Find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.
If you are an Iranian national and are accepted to study at Imperial starting this October, you may be eligible to apply for the Irani family scholarship.
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
T: +44 (0) 20 7594 8298
E: mres-ai-ml.admissions@imperial.ac.uk
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