Generative Artificial Intelligence

By joining our cutting-edge MSc Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Exeter, you will immerse yourself in one of the most exciting and transformative areas of AI. Generative AI is revolutionizing industries, enabling machines to generate content, enhancing efficiency, and solving complex problems creatively. This programme equips you with a deep understanding of the principles and technologies underpinning generative AI, covering foundational machine learning, data-driven modelling, deep learning, and advanced generative AI techniques. You will explore the diverse applications of AI, particularly generative AI, including language generation and text-to-image synthesis, and their impactful applications across industries such as healthcare and environmental sectors. This programme will also explore ethical and societal implications of generative AI, ensuring you develop the skills to design responsible AI systems that can contribute positively to society. Through hands-on experience with real-world datasets and state-of-the-art tools, you will develop the expertise necessary to design, implement, and evaluate generative AI systems, navigating the opportunities and challenges of this dynamic field.

This programme promotes collaboration across diverse domains, encouraging you to explore the intersections of generative AI with computer science, linguistics, psychology, art, and more. It aims to broaden your perspective and spark innovative applications of generative AI, with opportunities to tailor your learning journey to align with your career goals through our optional modules. Compulsory modules, including Deep Learning, Generative AI, Generative AI Applications and Data Science at Scale formulate a strong foundational core, equipping you with essential skills and knowledge. Optional modules allow for specialisation in areas such as AI in healthcare, AI in environment and language models. The integration of Data Governance and Ethics prepares you for responsible AI development. You will be taught by internationally recognised research-active staff using a range of methods including lectures, workshops and projects, ensuring that you stay at the forefront of the latest advancements and trends in AI research and applications. The interdisciplinary approach will not only enhance your technical capabilities but also allow you to apply AI-driven solutions to a wide range of industries, improve transferable skills and enhance employability.

At the University of Exeter, you will benefit from a vibrant academic community and state-of-the-art facilities. Our research-led teaching approach ensures that you engage with cutting-edge ideas and methodologies, preparing you for the fast-evolving AI landscape. Whether you are aiming for a career in AI research, industry innovation, or entrepreneurial ventures, this programme will provide you with the necessary skills and insights to succeed.

By the end of this programme, you will be well-equipped to tackle the challenges of generative AI, contributing to the development of ethical, impactful, and cutting-edge AI applications. The MSc Generative Artificial Intelligence is your gateway to an exciting and rewarding career in one of the most rapidly growing fields in technology today.

The MSc Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme aims to provide a comprehensive education in the principles, techniques, and applications of generative AI. This programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness necessary to engage with and contribute to one of the most transformative areas of AI.

Specifically, the aims of the MSc Generative Artificial Intelligence programme are:

• To provide a deep understanding of the fundamental concepts, mathematical foundations, and computational techniques that underpin generative AI, including machine learning, data-driven algorithms and deep learning.

• To develop expertise in key generative AI techniques and models, such as Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Diffusion Models, Energy-Based Models, Large Language Models (LLMs), and other advanced models and architectures.

• To assist students in developing advanced programming skills necessary for designing, implementing, and evaluating generative AI systems using state-of-the-art tools and frameworks.

• To enable students to analyse and apply generative AI techniques to real-world problems across diverse industries.

• To promote ethical and responsible AI practices, ensuring that students critically engage with potential societal impact of generative AI.

• To prepare students for careers in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, etc., by equipping them with the professional, analytical, and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

• To support lifelong learning and adaptability, enabling graduates to stay at the forefront of AI developments and keep up with the continuous evolution of generative AI technologies.

In doing so, we aim to encourage you to develop into individuals who, on graduation, will:

• Possess a strong theoretical and practical understanding of generative AI, being able to design, implement, and evaluate cutting-edge AI models.

• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, translating complex AI concepts into meaningful practical applications.

• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address the challenges of AI development and deployment.

• Adapt to the rapidly evolving AI landscape, staying at the forefront of advancements and harnessing its potential for innovation across diverse domains.

MSc Generative Artificial Intelligence is a 1-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). Your programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. You will need to complete a total of 180 credits across your 12-month programme. This will be a mix of mandatory and optional modules, subject to change and timetabling requirements.  

Interim / Exit  Awards

If you do not complete the programme, you may be able to exit with a lower qualification.

A Postgraduate Diploma may be awarded when a student gains at least 120 credits from the compulsory modules.

A Postgraduate Certificate may be awarded when a student gains at least 60 credits from the compulsory modules

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook.

Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook. 

In accordance with University policy, a system of personal tutors is in place for all students on this programme. A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University's TQA Manual. As a student enrolled on this programme, you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties, such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. In addition to this, a Pastoral Mentor is also available for all students on this programme to engage with. The Pastoral Mentor can offer further support around wellbeing and academic concerns, and offers regular opportunities for students to engage with them, such as bookable meetings. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, including recording of lectures, as well as useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

Additionally, the department has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages. Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the department and a student handbook is available with relevant information for your studies.

The department has dedicated access to two new state-of-the-art computer labs (Lovelace and Babbage), where practical sessions of modules are typically held and that students can also use for self-studying and group work.

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculty assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).