- Study Mode: Full time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Four Years
- Start Date: September 2022
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Artificial Intelligence (AI), where machines simulate human intelligence, is a growing industry. The government, and employers across sectors, recognises just how important it is to our future.
But what is Artificial Intelligence actually capable of? How do we design and build effective systems? Who decides what robots should and shouldn’t be able to do? Join us at Bucks to answer tough questions and develop the technical and professional know-how you need to start a career in this fascinating field.
Open Days
We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.
Application Guide
For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.
Why study this subject?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industry – and the world we live in. Experts are applying their skills to improve care in hospitals, control robots in space, help companies understand buying habits, and more. By 2035, it’s predicted that AI activity could be worth an impressive £630 billion in the UK.
A degree in this field will help give you the skills and knowledge you need to help play your part in shaping the future!
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Thanks to our close involvement with the sector, you can be sure we’ll help you develop the skills employers are looking for.
We’ve created our BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree to help you design and programme systems capable of solving real-world challenges.
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t studied computing before – we’re looking for students who want to be at the forefront of the developments in technology that will shape society in the very near future.
At the beginning of the course, you’ll cover the fundamental areas of computing, including systems, programming, analysis and design. Then you’ll start to specialise in AI, exploring the basics, its history and philosophy, and what it can and can’t do.
On this course, you can:
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explore areas that underpin AI including machine learning, artificial neural networks, and data analysis
- prepare for careers in computing and AI across different sectors
- develop your practical skills using industry tools, including MATLAB and Jason
- learn from our teaching team who are experts in a range of AI and computing areas and who specialise in different areas, from language learning to robotics
- examine AI from an ethical perspective and debate the challenges posed by AI innovations so as to identify the benefits and positive opportunities of AI developments.
You will also get opportunities to expand your knowledge both inside and outside of the lecture theatre. Students have previously visited sites of historical importance, including Bletchley Park, to learn more about the history of computing and how it impacted the world.
What facilities can I use?
We’ve invested in a range of state-of-the-art facilities across our campuses to support your learning.
Our facilities are packed with the latest equipment. We regularly upgrade our computer hardware and software, so you have the equipment and facilities to truly excel.
Our library is the perfect place to find the resources you need and a quiet place to study, filled with four floors of books, journals, computer suites and study rooms. Or, if you’d rather work off campus, e-Journals and resources are only a few clicks away using our Virtual Learning Environment.
What will I study?
In our lecture theatre and labs, you’ll gradually learn, practice and develop skills in machine learning and artificial neural networks, data analysis, fuzzy and expert systems. But AI is also underpinned by mathematics, logic, philosophy, cognitive psychology, linguistics and sociology, so you’ll explore these areas too.
As you move into your second year, you’ll start looking at AI in more depth and understand how machines search, reason and problem solve. At the same time, we’ll also explain the role of classical logic in machine intelligence, algorithms to search state spaces, and natural language processing systems.
Then we’ll put your knowledge to the test. In workshops, you’ll work as part of a team to build AI machines – whether these are in the form of Expert Systems, Intelligent Agents or robots. You’ll also become confident using a range of AI-related tools and techniques including MATLAB and Jason with AgentSpeak.
As well as building your technical skills, we’ll help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and you’ll spend time honing skills employers value, such as critical thinking. We’ll challenge you to think about your career options at this point in the course and encourage you to find industry experience.
In your final year, you’ll explore rule-based and data-driven approaches to AI, and we’ll give you the chance to pick from a range of optional modules to customise your degree to your preferred career choices.
You’ll apply everything you’ve learnt to a final project – what it’s about is entirely up to you. We’ll ask you to carry out background research, write a report and build your own piece of software. This could be anything from creating a game with in-built intelligence, to developing scheduling software to help someone with diabetes manage their insulin.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
You’ll be taught by a team of expert academics and specialist professionals. Together, they use their collective experience of academia, industry and commerce to give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you’ll need for your career. Guest speakers also visit Buckinghamshire New University to give you context on your work.
You’ll also benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with other students and tutors.
Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun!
Placements Plus
BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 32 - 56
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year. If you wish to enquire further, please send your query along with any academic evidence or references to admissions@bucks.ac.uk
Find out more about our General Entry Requirements.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
Preparing for Success: Knowledge and Creativity
Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility
Inquiry Based Learning
Digital Media
Computing Essentials
Year 2 Modules
Computer Architectures
Programming Concepts
Digital Technologies and Professional Practice
Networking
Application Programming
Web Development
Essentials of Intelligent Systems
Computational Fundamentals for Intelligent Systems
Year 3 Modules
Algorithms and Data Structures
Introduction to Formal Reasoning
Object Oriented Systems Development
Intro to Intelligent Systems (Team Project)
Database Design
Mobile Systems
Machines and their Languages
Planning, Search and Artificial Intelligence Programming
Year 4 Modules
Project
Autonomous Robotic Systems
Knowledge-Based Systems in A.I
Legal Aspects of IT
Learning Machines and Intelligent Agents
Data Science (optional)
Data Base Technologies (optional)
Cloud Computing (optional)
Database Development (optional)
Quality Assurance and Testing (optional)
Advanced Mobile Development (optional)
Enterprise Systems Development (optional)
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£9,250 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£14,250 per year
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
AI is infiltrating our everyday life and is key to solving many challenges that different sectors face. After studying at BNU, you’ll be ready for a range of AI roles, such as:
- machine learning engineer – build and manage platforms for machine learning projects
- business intelligence developer – design, model, and maintain complex data in cloud-based data platforms
- artificial Intelligence architect – provide AI solutions to help businesses
- robotics scientist – build and maintain software for robots that do tasks with varying human input.
You may also choose to stay on at BNU and study a postgraduate programme.
Did you know?
We are one of the top 10 UK universities mostly likely to produce graduates who go on to own or manage a business (Capital on Tap, 2021), find out more about this excellent news.
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