MSc in Machine Learning

MScPostgraduateMachine Learning

About This Programme

A two-year research MSc in Machine Learning: 36 credits of core ML, electives and a one-year Master's thesis.

Course Highlights

  • Not automatically funded: MBZUAI classes M.Sc. students as fee-paying by default, with merit-based funding considered at admission and otherwise secured through a faculty-sponsored assistantship or a government scholarship.
  • Taught at MBZUAI, ranked 10th in the world in AI (CSRankings).
  • Access to computing labs with nearly 1,000 Nvidia DGZ-1/2 GPU servers.
  • One-year independent Master's thesis under a supervisory panel.

What You'll Study

Delivered full-time in English over four semesters on the Masdar City campus, combining core machine-learning courses, electives, research methods, an internship and a one-year Master's thesis under a faculty supervisor. MBZUAI classes M.Sc. students as fee-paying by default; merit-based funding is considered at admission, and is otherwise secured through a faculty-sponsored assistantship or an approved government scholarship.

Core courses

Core: 5 courses, 12 credit hours, taken by every student.

  • Machine Learning with Python (AI7101)2 credits
  • Introduction to Deep Learning (AI7102)2 credits
  • Machine Learning (ML701)4 credits
  • Probabilistic and Statistical Inference (ML7101)2 credits
  • Mathematical Foundations of AI (MTH7101)2 credits

Research methods, internship and thesis

  • Introduction to Research Methods (RES799)2 credits
  • Master of Science Internship (up to six weeks) (INT799)2 credits
  • Machine Learning Master's Research Thesis (ML799)8 credits

Elective courses

Students select a minimum of three elective courses totalling 12 credit hours.

Published elective list

  • Introduction to Single Cell Biology and Bioinformatics (CBIO7101)4 credits
  • Foundations of AI System Design (CS7201)4 credits
  • Computer and Network Security (CS7602)4 credits
  • Human and Computer Vision (CV701)4 credits
  • Geometry for Computer Vision (CV702)4 credits
  • Visual Object Recognition and Detection (CV703)4 credits
  • Digital Twins (CV707)4 credits
  • Selected Topics in Computer Vision (CV7501)2 credits
  • Deep Learning for Visual Computing (CV7502)4 credits
  • Data Mining (DS701)4 credits
  • Big Data Processing (DS702)4 credits
  • Information Retrieval (DS703)4 credits
  • Statistical Aspect of Machine Learning/Statistical Theory (DS704)4 credits
  • Entrepreneurship in Action (ENT799)2 credits
  • Medical Imaging: Physics and Analysis (HC701)4 credits
  • Advanced Machine Learning (ML702)4 credits
  • Smart City Services and Applications (ML707)4 credits
  • Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ML708)4 credits
  • IoT, Smart Systems, Services and Applications (ML709)4 credits
  • Parallel and Distributed Machine Learning Systems (ML710)4 credits
  • Intermediate Music AI (ML711)4 credits
  • Probabilistic and Statistical Inference (ML7101)2 credits
  • Applied Machine Learning (ML7501)4 credits
  • Optimization (MTH702)4 credits
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP701)4 credits
  • Advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP702)4 credits
  • Speech Processing (NLP703)4 credits
  • Introduction to Robotics (ROB701)4 credits

Entry Requirements

Academic: A bachelor's degree in a STEM field (computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics or related) with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0.
English: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90, PTE Academic 60, Cambridge C1 Advanced 180, Cambridge C2 Proficiency 200, or Duolingo English Test 120. MBZUAI does not publish an EmSAT route.

Selection includes an online screening exam (mathematics and programming) and a technical interview. Two references (one academic, one professional). GRE optional.

Careers

Graduates move into machine-learning and research roles across industry, government and academia, or continue to a PhD.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (status Active on the CAA register).

Programme Details

Award

Master of Science (MSc) in Machine Learning

Start Date

Annual Fall intake (August)

Typical Offer

STEM bachelor's, CGPA 3.0/4.0; IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90

Duration

2 years

Qualification

Masters

Subject Area

Machine Learning

Study Pattern

Full time

Delivery Format

In person

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