AI and Government MSc
About This Programme
The MSc AI and Government at the University of Birmingham Dubai is an interdisciplinary master's that combines computer science and political science so that social scientists can master AI and ethical governance and lead where technology and public policy meet. Students work with real-world datasets and hands-on projects on public sector challenges, from health to infrastructure, with a focus on responsible AI and on global and local AI policy. The first semester builds data science skills such as supervised learning and data mining, programming, and an understanding of the ethical and policy challenges of AI; the second applies machine learning to public sector problems in AI for Government and Policy and follows current developments in data science; and the summer is given to a research dissertation. The course runs for 12 months full-time, with a part-time route for Home students.
Course Highlights
- An interdisciplinary course combining computer science and political science to tackle AI's impact on governance and policy.
- Real-world projects that use AI on public sector challenges, from health to infrastructure.
- A focus on responsible AI that joins ethical considerations with technical skills.
- Preparation for roles in policy advising, technology consulting, innovation and academia, in international and public sector settings.
- Birmingham is ranked 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, as stated on the course page.
What You'll Study
Teaching combines lectures, seminars and workshops with blended learning support: lectures are organised talks to large groups; seminars are smaller, more informal sessions for discussion with other students; and workshops are hands-on small-group sessions for learning tools and techniques the course needs. Assessment across the first semester includes group work, exams and assignments, and the second semester's current-topics module uses seminars, presentations and quizzes. The course page features Professor Slava Jankin, Professor of Data Science and Government and Director of the University's Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government (CAIG).
Course modules
180 credits, over 12 months full-time. Semester 1: three core modules building data science techniques such as supervised learning and data mining, the ethics and politics of AI, and programming. Semester 2: AI for Government and Policy, which applies machine learning to public sector challenges with a focus on ethical use, and Current Topics in Data Science. Summer: assignments and the research dissertation. The table below is as published, labelled for the 2025/26 session.
- Algorithms for Data Science20 credits
- Governance and Politics of AI20 credits
- Programming for Data Science20 credits
- AI for Government and Policy20 credits
- Current Topics in Data Science20 credits
- Visualisation20 credits
- AI and Government Project20 credits
Entry Requirements
Detailed evidence of qualifications must be provided at the point of application; applications cannot be considered without it. Applicants who studied outside the UK without A levels can check whether they hold an equivalent qualification. Each application is reviewed by the course's Admissions Tutor.
Careers
The course prepares graduates to be part of the next generation of public policy leaders, handling the technical and ethical complexities of AI in governance, with hands-on experience of AI, machine learning and ethical governance for roles in policy advising, consulting and academia in government agencies, international organisations and advocacy groups. The Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
The course page says the programme is subject to accreditation by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; the Commission for Academic Accreditation register lists the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Government as Active.
Programme Details
Award
Master of Science (MSc)
Start Date
September (the course page does not show open applications)
Typical Offer
2:1 Honours degree, plus strong mathematics (A level grade A or the University's Mathematics for AI and Data Science microcredential)
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Qualification
Masters
Subject Area
Computer Science
Campus
Dubai
Study Pattern
Full time, Part time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 166,356/yr
AED 166,356 a year full-time or AED 83,178 a year part-time, as listed for September 2026. The fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation and is charged for each year of study, so part-time students pay it in both years; it can be paid in full or in instalments, and it does not include visa or living costs. The course page's application section still says applications are not being accepted for September 2025 entry and shows no application link. The University's general process is an online application through its Admissions portal with no application fee, decisions usually within 10 working days of all documents arriving, and a non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, on accepting an offer; full-time students can apply for a student visa sponsored by the University.
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