BSc Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Experience (4 Years)
ObjectivesOne of the challenges in computing is to make computers demonstrate intelligent behaviour, so that they can solve new problems or cope with the unknown. Current achievements include image and voice recognition, and NASA's Mars Rovers. By combining the study of artificial intelligence and traditional computing techniques with an understanding from psychology of how humans learn, these degree programmes prepare you for a career applying computing in challenging applications. Artificial intelligence related topics covered include techniques for representing and reasoning about knowledge, including approaches in machine learning in which general patterns are learned from examples. These programmes give you the opportunity to study these techniques, and their application in areas such as computer vision, games, natural language processing and the semantic web. This is a four year programme and involves you undertaking a one year work placement in industry between the second and third years of your study at Manchester. Besides the money that you earn during this year, you also gain practical experience that can be invaluable both in your final year project and when competing for graduate jobs. Students with industrial experience not only tend to improve their final degree performance but also tend to develop clearer ideas about their future career path.
Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements English language: IELTS 6 (minimum of 5 in any component), TOEFL 550 (TWE of 5), Internet Based TOEFL 79 (minimum of 19/30 in each component), Computer Based TOEFL 213 (TWE of 5) A level: AAA-AAB: AAB where one of the A-levels is Maths. AAA where at least one of the A-levels is a science. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: Five academic subjects at grades A or B including Mathematics, English Language and dual science. Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 35 points overall including 6 in Mathematics and 5 in two further subjects with a scientific bias at Higher level. Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleBSc Artificial Intelligence with Industrial Experience
Course descriptionSpecial features
-Ability to get relevant industrial/business experience as part of the degree programme.
-Allows you to design and develop all aspects of artificial intelligence systems
-Students can make course unit choices that allow them to change between the Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Computing programmes at the end of the first year.
Scholarships and bursaries
All new home (UK) students who are enrolled on this undergraduate degree programme and who achieve three A grades at A-level (normally excluding General Studies) in the same year, or the equivalent in a national qualification, will be awarded a scholarship.
For more information about equivalent qualifications, and additional scholarships and bursaries which may be available to you, please visit the scholarship information pages.
The School is also offering 10 International Kilburn Scholarships of £1000 per annum for the duration of the programme.
The Kilburn Scholarships are in memory of Tom Kilburn, who in 1948 designed and built the world's first stored program computer here in Manchester. They are awarded on academic merit to students who we believe have the skills and aptitude to help the help the School build on Kilburn's legacy of achievement and innovation.
Accrediting organisations
British Computer Society (BCS) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Career opportunities
Increasingly, employers are seeking graduates with high-level computing skills, and the ability to apply them in innovative ways to solve the problems facing their organisations. Opportunities exist in fields as diverse as finance, films and games, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, and public services - virtually all areas of business and society.
Employers, from large multinational firms such as EA Games, IBM and Microsoft to small local organisations, actively target our students, recognising that Manchester Computer Science graduates are equipped with the skills that enable them to excel in a whole host of positions, including many that are not traditionally associated with computing graduates.
What our students say
Sarah Wood: BSc Computer Science with Industrial Experience graduate 2005
'As part of my degree I had a one year industrial placement at EA (Electronic Arts) in Surrey. During the year I worked as a gameplay programmer on the game Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In this role I gained experience working on a large software project as part of a team of varying disciplines. I mainly wrote elements of the A.I. for the creatures and scripted some effects and puzzles in the game. I was then sponsored by the company, this meant I had a job secured when I graduated, allowing me to concentrate on my final year without the added pressure of looking for a job. After graduating I returned to EA Criterion to work on Black and now work at EA Warrington. Opting for a year in industry was a great experience and the skills that I gained helped a great deal towards my success in both the third year and in starting my new career.'
Course fees: Tuition fees for Home/EU students commencing their studies in 2009 will be approximately £3250 per year. These fees will be subject to change in the light of government announcements to all universities.