Key Info
Bachelor/Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
About You
If you have an analytical mind and like problem-solving then this could be the ideal programme for you. The course is an exciting blend of computer science and mathematics that sets you up with skills to take on and solve some of the biggest scientific challenges facing us today.
Why Study Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at UL?
Computers have come a long way for being simply "adding machines" and now provide a platform on which Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques can be at the forefront of helping society solve some of our greatest challenges. From detecting and diagnosing cancers, to digitising (and so, allowing us to search rapidly through) historical archives, through to supporting driverless cars, and designing new medicines to assisting in global pandemics, the possible applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are endless. This 4-year bachelors degree, which may be extended to a masters degree in an optional fifth year, will equip you with skills to tackle these challenges, and more.
UL's Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning degree, UL.AIML, is the first of its kind in the country and draws on the expertise of the Computer Science and Information Systems Department built over many years. During your third year you will get the chance to spend 8 months putting the techniques and skills you have been taught to practical use, as part of an integrated cooperative education (work placement) component. Later in this year you may opt to exit after the fourth year with a bachelors degree or to continue for a fifth year, after which you will have the opportunity to exit with a masters.
UL.AIML aims to equip graduates with the strong technical foundation that is essential to so many of today's high value-added occupations. A career in research or, indeed, further postgraduate study would be fully within the intended career track of our graduates.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
The Bachelor of Science programme is of four years duration. In the first year the student will undertake an intensive learning programme of computer science fundamentals, programming including an immediate introduction to an AI-appropriate language, and mathematics. In subsequent years the focus on artificial intelligence will intensify while also including core computer science aspects such as operating systems, data structures and algorithms, database systems, computer graphics.
Data analytics / mining and more specialist topics such as language engineering / translation and cultural aspects of AI are covered in later years. Students who opt to exit after four years with a bachelors degree will complete, in their final year, a year-long Final year Project that is the culmination of their studies drawing on their skills in research, algorithm or system design, and implementation.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CS4141 | Introduction to Programming | CS4182 | Foundations of Computer Science 2 |
| CS4221 | Foundations of Computer Science 1 | CS4222 | Software Development |
| Programming for Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning for Interactive Systems | ||
| MS4021 | Calculus 1 | MS4022 | Calculus 2 |
| MS4131 | Linear Algebra 1 | MS4122 | Further Linear Algebra |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CS4013 | Object Oriented Development | CS4006 | Intelligence Systems |
| CS4023 | Operating Systems | CS4076 | Event Driven Programming |
| CS4096 | Artificial Intelligence for Games | CS4115 | Data Structures and Algorithms |
| CS4416 | Database Systems | CS4815 | Computer Graphics I |
| MS4613 | Vector Analysis | MA4004 | Engineering Mathematics 4 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Education | CS4106 | Machine Learning: Methods and Applications | |
| CS4187 | Professional Issues in Computing | ||
| CS4457 | Project Management and Practice | ||
| Topics in AI (Seminar Series) | |||
| MS4327 | Optimisation |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CS4125 | Systems Analysis and Design | CS4168 | Data Mining |
| CS4287 | Neural Computing | CS4227 | Software Design and Architecture |
| CS4337 | Big Data Management and Security | AI Culture-Themes, Ideas, Debates | |
| CS6361 | Language Engineering and Translation Technology | Ai Project 2 | |
| AI Project 1 |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CS4011 | Advanced Programming Concepts and Practices | CS5024 | Theory and Practice of Advanced AI Ecosystems |
| CS4125 | Systems Analysis and Design | CS4168 | Data Mining |
| CS4287 | Neural Computing | CS4227 | Software Design and Architecture |
| CS4337 | Big Data Management and Security | AI Culture-Themes, Ideas, Debates | |
| CS6361 | Language Engineering and Translation Technology | CS6472 | Research Methods and Specifications |
| Semester 9 | Semester 10 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CS6271 | Evolutionary Computation and Humanoid Robotics | CS6462 | Probabilistic and Explainable AI |
| AI Research Frontiers (Seminar Series) | CS6482 | Deep Reinforcement Learning | |
| MSc Project 1 | MSc Project 2 |
Entry requirements
| CAO points history |
488
|
|---|---|
| Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Irish or another language, and English. |
| Subject requirements |
In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H3 in Mathematics. |
| Additional considerations |
A special Mathematics (Higher Level) Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. Applications are welcome from Mature Students. Information for those wishing to apply can be found here. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €20,900 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €21,000 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| BD Bursaries for Women in STEM | €5,000 for one year | 4 |
| BD Science and Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship | €2,000 for one year | 6 |
| Fiserv Scholarship in AI & Machine Learning | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
- Automotive - development of AI for control/navigation systems (processing of various navigation inputs)
- Healthcare - predictive analytics for healthcare diagnostics (image analysis, etc), expert systems
- Finance - market analysis, trend prediction/detection, fraud detection/prevention
- Research Scientist - new interventions development
- Games - AI gameplay programmer
- Smart Manufacturing - process automation
- Data Scientist/Analyst - big data processing and analysis
- Software Engineer - computer science practitioner