Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons) top-up

Study level: Undergraduate
Top-up courses
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world. If you can see your future self working in this area, this course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to help drive the ongoing digital revolution.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

G411

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

You will take specialist modules in arguably two of the most important emerging topics of computer science: artificial intelligence and security.

These are supplemented by an individual project in artificial intelligence, under the supervision of an academic member of staff. 

  • Master the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to develop AI-enhanced software solutions, which address demanding user expectations and complex customer requirements. 
  • Explore the areas of artificial intelligence and security, and learn how they continue to drive major changes in the domain of computer science. 
  • Learn the technical skills needed for a career in the computing industry. Upon successful completion, you may consider roles related to AI including AI expert, machine learning modeller, data scientist, human factor designer, Internet of Things programmer, or developer of autonomous cars.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

You will benefit from:

  • opportunities to participate in field trips and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects, allowing you to interact online with students from other universities abroad2
  • novel and engaging learning approaches that places you at the centre of your learning, such as flipped classrooms, interactive e-learning technology and research-inspired teaching
  • guest speakers from industry professionals (subject to availability) to discuss their experience and offer advice on employability
  • access to industry-standard facilities in the modern Sir Frank Whittle and Beatrice Shilling buildings4.

What you'll study

You will take specialist modules in two of the most important emerging topics of computer science: artificial intelligence and security. These are supplemented by an individual project in artificial intelligence, under the supervision of an academic member of staff. Through your studies you should also develop important course-level transferable skills including both group and individual work, time management, written and verbal presentation to both experts and non-experts, and critical reflection of your own and others’ work.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course consists of six 20-credit modules (composed of 200 hours teaching each). We place an emphasis on activity-led learning, with comprehensive student support throughout.

You should benefit from access to a variety of study materials designed to provide you with the opportunity to understand and reflect on computing science, as well as develop established and research-inspired skills that could be applied to practical problems for a future career in AI.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your top-up year you can expect 9-12 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • formal examinations
  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.  


International experience opportunities

Students will have opportunities to participate in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects. These opportunities provide you with valuable experience working with others from different cultures and countries, helping to develop your digital skills and your intercultural competency2.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

You will need to have, or expected to achieve, a FHEA Level 5/SCQF Level 8 Foundation Degree (FD), DipHE, or HND in Computing. Successful completion of two years appropriate academic study in higher education.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a  pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.  

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the niversity may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student sat in computer lab

Networking, Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity Laboratories

Contains 84 workstations, equipped with Cisco networking equipment and a range of open-source security suites, on a secured network that allows students to practice offensive an defensive security techniques.

Digital literacy centre

Digital Literacy Centre

The DLC provides a range of help and support for digital, programming, and IT skills. From programming to email etiquette, from Word and Excel to enhancing your Google-Fu, the DLC provides a range of online and in-person help and support. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or book one-to-one appointments online and face-to-face.

Students sitting around table looking at a laptop

sigma Centre

The sigma centre provides a wide range of learning resources dedicated to mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge, understanding and critical analyse of key areas of artificial intelligence and security 
  • demonstrate the ability to identify, define and critically evaluate problems/scenarios, design and/or develop complex and secure systems solutions using appropriately justified tools and approaches
  • critically apply the essential concepts, principles, and practices of the subject to less well-defined scenarios
  • demonstrate professional skills, the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences, document each stage of a project, plan, manage and organise your work both as an individual and as a team member, with minimum guidance 
  • demonstrate the ability to contribute to AI projects by applying appropriate professional practices of criticality, innovation, creativity, economics, legal, social, ethical, environmental, sustainability, health and safety, entrepreneurial and commercial considerations
  • identify mechanisms to critically evaluate and review both your own work and others, and opportunities for continuing professional development and lifelong learning. 

Successful graduates of this course should be in an excellent position to respond to future changes in the computing job market by having the skills and knowledge to gain AI jobs that do not exist yet or are just emerging. The transferable skills learned on this course could also equip you for a wide range of other careers.

Where our graduates work

Career destinations for the successful graduates of this course could include machine learning, data science and software development domains. You may also opt to continue your studies at postgraduate level.


How to apply

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