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

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

G411

Start date

September 2024


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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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

You will benefit from:

  • opportunities to participate in field trips2 and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects, allowing you to interact online with students from other universities abroad.
  • extracurricular activities in the Computer Science Club (subject to availability) that enables you, with support of academics, to acquire knowledge and skills in learning up-to-date technologies.
  • novel and engaging learning approaches that places you at the centre of your learning, such as flipped classroom, 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 facilities in the modern Engineering, Environment and Computing and Beatrice Shilling buildings4.
  • Culturae Mundi and Linguae Mundi services which run events and courses to celebrate the multiculturalism and multilingualism present on campus.

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 the study of the above, 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

  • This module introduces you to the concepts and practical considerations of creating and evaluating secure computer systems. Systems will be analysed at both the application level and at the level of interconnected devices in architectures such as client-server and cloud-based, with attention given to security-by-design, security legislation and regulation and the associated products and services. 

    Compulsory

  • This module represents an introduction to the wide field of machine learning. It will present fundamental concepts related to supervised and unsupervised learning methods, for example linear regression, support vector machines, radial basis function, decision trees and random forests, clustering techniques and naïve Bayes classification models. You should learn the basics behind these methods and be able to analyse the outcomes of applying various machine learning algorithms on a set of data, together with techniques of processing such data. Applications related to these concepts will also be covered. 

    Compulsory

  • This module will provide you with a good understanding of key principles, concepts and theories in the field of Project Management. You should learn about key project management methodologies, practices and techniques and gain a good understanding of how they might be applied in real Information Technology and Business contexts. 

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of knowledge-based systems and fundamental concepts in artificial intelligence. 

    Compulsory

  • This module provides an introduction to the concepts used in neural networks and their application to solving real-world problems. The main topics covered in this module include biological motivations of neural networks, different approaches including the main supervised and unsupervised neural network architectures, static and temporal learning approaches, data collection and preparation methods for neural network learning, applications of neural networks, current trends and future developments. 

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity to research, design, implement and critically evaluate a functional or simulated system, object or concept and to acquire further knowledge in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) area. To this end, you will undertake a substantial project in AI which will exercise in-depth technical, problem solving, creative and other skills required of a professional practitioner. Successful completion of the project will require methodical planning, record keeping and self-management and effective communication, execution and delivery of an agreed artefact. Support and guidance will be provided by a project supervisor who will be the primary point of contact during the module. 

    Compulsory

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, and you will be supported throughout with our comprehensive student support.

You will experience a variety of study materials that provide you with the opportunity to understand and reflect on the 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 methods may include:

  • Practical laboratories 
  • Seminars
  • Lectures
  • Project supervision 

Teaching contact hours

You should typically have around 12-15 hours of contact time per week. Your contact time will vary depending on your background knowledge (at the start of the module) and learning style and the requirements of the module. As you work through the modules, it will be explained that some modules allow you to spend more time working through your coursework and will reflect the support and guidance you will be given towards this.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 16-20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules. 

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

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

Assessment methods 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 and optional field trips2.

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 guaranteed2


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

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 2 years appropriate academic study in Higher Education.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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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

2024/25 Tuition fees

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU support bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU support bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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. 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.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.


Facilities

The faculty’s £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building house an impressive range of industry standard equipment4

Student sat in computer lab

Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity Laboratory

Contains 84 workstations, equipped with full licenses for Forensic Toolkit 7.1 as well as a range of open-source security suites, in addition to a variety of software commonly used by many businesses around the world.

Virtual Laboratories

Virtual Laboratories

Provides a virtualisation environment that can be used to create entire virtual networks, complete with services, users and even attackers. Students can access this environment from anywhere on or off campus.

Students sitting around table looking at a laptop

sigma Centre

Sigma is an award-winning Mathematics Support Centre that provides a wide range of learning resources in both mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or more extensive one-to-one appointments.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will 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 and 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 critical 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 which to continue your studies at postgraduate level. 


How to apply

  • Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS.

    Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.


    If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

  • International codes:
    EECU178

    Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 should apply directly to the university.
    Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

    How to apply

    For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

    You can also download our International Guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation, tips for travel and guidance on how to apply.


    If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    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 permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

    4Facilities

    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 Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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