Course Structure

The MSc AI in Business is a one-year programme structured across 3 semesters.
Students who successfully complete eight taught modules (120 CATS) and an AI in Business Capstone module (60 CATS) in semester 3 are awarded an MSc in AI in Business.

Exit qualifications are also available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS from taught modules.

Introduction

The MSc AI in Business is a one-year full-time programme designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage AI technology in business contexts, enabling them to drive innovation, informed decision-making, and responsible AI adoption across various sectors. The programme covers core areas such as AI integration, ethical considerations, data-driven strategy, and innovative business solutions. These areas are crucial for addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by AI in today’s business landscape.

Semester 1 modules include AI in Business and Society, which explores the societal and ethical impacts of AI on business; Technology for Good, focusing on the potential for AI and digital technologies to promote social and environmental objectives; Design Thinking with AI, which integrates AI with user-centric design principles to foster creative problem-solving; and Generative AI and Business Intelligence, covering the application of generative AI for data analysis and business insights.

Semester 2 enables students to deepen their expertise in AI applications within business contexts, focusing on areas like data-driven strategy, consulting, and emerging AI technologies. Semester 2 includes 3 core modules: Strategy, Change, and Analytics, which applies AI tools to inform strategic decision-making and manage organisational change; AI Entrepreneurship and Consulting, where students gain hands-on experience with consulting projects focused on AI solutions; and AI Frontiers, exploring cutting-edge advancements in AI technologies. Additionally, students can choose one optional module from Marketing Analytics, Making Ethical Business Decisions, and Emerging Technologies for Business, allowing them to tailor their studies to specific interests within AI and business.

Semester 3 consists of a module called AI in Business Capstone. The Capstone represents the culminating independent piece of research of the MSc AI in Business programme. This substantial research work allows students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired over previous semesters to design, develop, and propose AI- driven solutions for real-world business or societal challenges. The capstone combines critical elements of business models, AI, machine learning, and data analytics, supporting students in delivering actionable and sustainable impact.

Semester 1

The module “Artificial Intelligence in Business and Society” explores the transformative impact of AI on business and society, addressing topics such as data-driven strategies, ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and the responsible development and use of AI in professional contexts.

The module “Technology for Good” is positioned at the intersection of technology development, digital strategies, and social innovation and explores how firms can organise and develop strategies that leverage innovative technologies to synergistically create economic, social, and environmental value.

The module “Design Thinking with AI” explores the intersection of design thinking and AI, examining how AI technologies can be integrated into the design process to create more innovative solutions for complex problems. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to apply design thinking methodologies to address complex problems while learning to leverage AI technologies to improve the design thinking process in an informed and ethically responsible manner.

The module “Generative AI and Business Intelligence” equips students with essential skills in data analysis, modelling, and prompt engineering, enabling them to derive actionable insights from generative AI and critically evaluate its impact on business intelligence processes.

Semester 2

The module “Strategy, Change, and Analytics” enables students to strategically analyse and interpret data to drive business change, engaging with cutting-edge techniques like text analytics and data visualisation through research, case studies, and practical exercises.

The module “AI Entrepreneurship and Consulting” equips students with skills to navigate AI-driven entrepreneurship and consulting, focusing on start-up strategies, consulting frameworks, and problem-solving techniques while addressing ethical challenges. By the end, students generate and assess AI entrepreneurial ideas, apply consulting frameworks, and convey recommendations to stakeholders, preparing them to drive AI innovation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The module “AI Frontiers” explores cutting-edge advancements in AI, such as machine learning, deep learning, and autonomous systems, and their impact on industries and human augmentation. Students critically assess emerging AI trends, societal impacts, and ethical challenges, equipping them to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its transformative implications for businesses and society.

The first optional module “Emerging Technologies for Business” explores breakthrough innovations like blockchain, metaverse, and quantum computing, focusing on their practical applications and strategic potential to drive business growth. Students critically evaluate these technologies, address ethical and regulatory implications, and develop skills to integrate them into business strategies while navigating the complexities of innovation.

The second optional module “Making Ethical Business Decisions” discusses and evaluates the ethical responsibilities of managers and organisations. It explores themes/issues from international, multi-disciplinary and managerial perspectives, and analyses tensions, conflicts, contradictions and dilemmas via case studies and class discussion.

The third optional module “Marketing Analytics” provides students with theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experience with industry-standard software to excel in data-driven marketing roles. Covering analytics maturity, data mining techniques, and hands-on workshops with SAS, the module equips students to solve real-world marketing challenges and enhance business performance.

Semester 3

The “AI in Business Capstone” module allows students to apply skills and knowledge from the taught modules from across the programme to real-world business scenarios, synthesising insights from business models, AI, machine learning, and data analytics to propose viable and realistic solutions to an organisational or societal challenge. Students demonstrate their ability to independently conduct rigorous research, critically evaluate academic and industry literature, and propose data-driven, AI-powered solutions for strategic value, operational efficiency, and sustainable impact in diverse industry contexts.
Students complete the module by choosing from a Consultancy-Based Capstone, an Analytical Problem-Solving Capstone, or an Internship-Based Capstone.

Teaching Times

For semesters 1 and 2, students will have 4 classes per week, all 3 hours long.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Teaching Methods

Classes will be delivered as a mix of seminars, lectures, and workshops and they will be interactive and discussion-based blending theory with practical examples. Learning and engagement approaches will involve a range of styles such as interactive case studies, live AI software and tools demonstrations, practical workshops, role plays, groupwork, and scenario discussions.
Semester 3 is structured around independent and applied learning through the capstone where students choose between different pathways. Students are assigned dedicated academic support for these projects and company mentors where relevant.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• There is an emphasis on assessments that are applied and practical in focus where students are encouraged and supported to produce actionable recommendations to address real-world scenarios and problems.
  More specifically, the programme includes a range of assessment methods tailored to develop and evaluate students’ knowledge and skills in applying AI to business challenges. These assessments involve individual and group projects, oral presentations, case study investigations, reports, computer software simulations, portfolios, and projects. Formative assessments provide students with developmental feedback, supporting their progression. The capstone serves as a culminating independent piece of research, allowing students to demonstrate independent research skills, data synthesis, and the integration of AI and business strategy in addressing a real-world organisational or societal challenge.

Modules

Career Prospects

Introduction

The programme provides a wide range of opportunities for graduates to work in roles such as Business Transformation Consultant, Strategic Innovation Advisor, Customer Insights Specialist, and Business Intelligence Analyst, among others. With skills in AI-driven solutions, strategic decision-making, and ethical AI applications, graduates will excel in diverse industries, driving innovation, efficiency, and growth in an AI-powered business environment.

Employment after the Course

The MSc AI in Business programme uniquely combines advanced AI expertise with strategic business applications, preparing graduates for in-demand roles such as Business Transformation Consultant, Customer Insights Specialist, and Strategic Innovation Advisor in a rapidly evolving, AI-driven economy.

Prizes and Awards

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£8,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£8,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,250
EU Other 3	£25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)
International	£25,800 (£6,000 discount, see T&Cs link below)

£6,000 Scholarship available for 2025 entry. Click this link to view the Terms and Conditions.

¹EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

Students have the option to undertake a consultancy project for their dissertation and are responsible for funding any travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

Terms and Conditions for Postgraduate applications:

1.1  Due to high demand, there is a deadline for applications. 

1.2  International applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure their place on the course. The current mandatory tuition fee deposit payment is £1000 International (Non- EU & EU except ROI). 

1.3  This condition of offer is in addition to any academic or English language requirements.

Read the full terms and conditions at the link below:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/deposit-refunds-policy/

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus