BSc (Hons) Artificial Intelligence with foundation year
Course Overview
It's estimated that artificial intelligence (AI) could contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030 (1). Major industries such as healthcare, financial services, entertainment, manufacturing and retail offer significant and growing employment opportunities in AI. A wealth of career opportunities await ambitious and talented graduates with AI design, development and deployment expertise.The University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) in Artificial Intelligence with foundation year is an ideal choice if you seek a career in this innovative and fast-moving field and wish to study at a supportive, student-focused, multicultural university. The foundation year is the first year of this degree, offering an excellent grounding in the fundamentals of computing, programming and mathematics. It's designed to prepare you for degree-level study, ready to specialise in AI.
As you progress, our expert team will support you in developing wide-ranging knowledge of AI, programming and computing methods and techniques, along with strong practical skills in applying these technologies. We'll cover the essential areas of computer and software systems science that underpin AI and explore specialised AI topics and the latest trends shaping the future of computer science.
While studying at our town centre campus in the North of England, you'll explore the latest methodologies and development techniques based on industry standards. We'll support you in developing your understanding in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, deep learning and natural language processing. Our dedicated tutors will also promote lifelong learning skills, creativity and critical thinking so you're ready to adapt as the computing and AI industry evolves throughout your career.
Our degree is tool-based. For each topic, we focus on developing your conceptual understanding and then support you as you learn to apply this theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. We use realistic scenarios developed with industry partners to test your skills and understanding. During the course, you'll build a coursework portfolio demonstrating your ability to solve real-world AI problems. This vital experience will help prepare you for a successful graduate career.
Interpersonal and transferable skills are also essential, so we'll challenge you to develop sought-after communication, problem-solving, analytical, self-management, and decision-making skills. Our dedicated team will focus on helping you gain the skills employers value and a detailed understanding of the technologies and methods underpinning computing and AI.
(1) https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/data-and-analytics/publications/artificial-intelligence-study.html accessed on 19 July 2024
Highlights
- Our Computer Science courses are 4th in the UK for student satisfaction, according to The Complete University Guide 2025.
- Our Computer Science courses are also placed in the top 5 in the UK for teaching quality by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
- We are a well-respected, intensive teaching-focused department with a friendly approach and highly-rated teaching. You'll learn from our experienced lecturers and researchers in fields such as machine learning, computer vision, data science, intelligent agents, bioinformatics, information and cyber security.
- We encourage collaboration, so you'll also learn through activities with your peers, along with lectures and seminars from industry experts.
- We regularly monitor and update the course to ensure the content is industry-relevant and introduces you to the latest thinking and innovations. You'll explore the most up-to-date technologies and software packages, such as Python, using IDEs, including PyCharm and Visual Studio Code.
- During your studies, we'll offer you access to online educational resources from industry training providers such as Intel AI Academy and AWS Educate.
- By designing the course assignments and projects to mimic industry pipelines and standards, we aim to give you a real feel for a career in AI.
- Manchester is a thriving digital hub and home to a wide range of digital technology businesses, including specialist AI companies. The region offers plenty of opportunities to network and exchange ideas. Our guest lecturer programme invites professionals to come and share their expertise so that you can benefit from their experience.
Key Features
- At the degree level, you'll have access to our state-of-the-art AI labs featuring industry-leading technologies. Our specialist facilities support you in developing practical skills and gaining experience working with industry-standard tools, such as Python frameworks, IT Academy and AWS.
- Our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic lecturers offer face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support. We'll also assign you a dedicated personal tutor to help guide you through your studies.
- We prefer to keep lecture and practical classes relatively small so that you have plenty of opportunities to us ask questions and get help, as well as benefit from the ideas and support offered by your classmates.
- We'll help and support you in developing a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills in readiness to impress potential employers.
- In addition to technical knowledge and expertise, you'll have opportunities to gain experience in teamwork, communication and presentation, problem-solving and time management.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Entry Requirements
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) and computing-related subjects are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- We'll be happy to consider your application if you don't meet the standard entry requirements but have non-traditional qualifications and/or relevant experience. You'll be required to undertake an assessment to determine your suitability for the course. You'll be assessed on your problem-solving skills and ability to participate in group work.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Bolton University's BSc (Hons) in Artificial Intelligence with foundation year is ideal if you wish to pursue a career at the cutting edge of AI, helping to turn technological innovations into meaningful solutions that transform the way we live. It offers you the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the scientific and practical applications of programming and computation in the fast-moving field of AI and machine learning.
As a graduate of this degree, you'll possess a solid understanding of the core technologies underpinning AI and be able to demonstrate your skills in applying AI concepts and methodologies to solve problems. You'll have strong programming skills in several programming languages and valuable knowledge in essential areas such as machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing.
You'll also be able to demonstrate vital transferable skills, including teamwork, leadership, communication, time management, commercial awareness, problem-solving and negotiation.
What can I do with this qualification?
You'll be able to seek employment in areas such as machine learning, data science, computer vision, business intelligence, robotic science and research science. Employers range from established big-tech firms to ambitious young start-ups with opportunities across the UK and the globe. AI is already transforming sectors such as retail, entertainment, finance, and transportation and has enormous potential in healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy, education, and even agriculture. As a graduate of this course, your skills will be in high demand. Additionally, your lifelong learning skills will support you to customise your skillset, adapt and specialise as your career and the field of AI develops.
This course also paves the way for postgraduate studies and research degrees in AI and computing-related subjects.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible fields include:
- Teaching
- Research and development
- Social media management
- Technical writing
- Product management
- ICT Training
- ICT sales
- Digital copywriting
- Telecommunications
- Network engineering
- Cyber analyst
- Machine security professional
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
| Year of study | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | |
| 2024-25 | £9,250 | £9,250 | £9,250 | £9,250 | - | £37,000 |
| 2025-26 | - | |||||
International Fees
| Year of study | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | |
| 2024-25 | £15,950 | £15,950 | £15,950 | £15,950 | - | £63,800 |
| 2025-26 | - | |||||
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
International Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Partner Organisation Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Teaching & Assessment
We understand that our students' learning needs and preferred learning styles vary, so we use a range of learning and teaching methods, including online (where appropriate). Our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic lecturers offer face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support. We'll also assign you a dedicated personal tutor to help guide you through your studies.
Lectures introduce the core course content, while practical laboratory sessions offer practical experience and help consolidate your learning. Tutorials allow you to ask questions to ensure you understand the topics covered in lectures and laboratory sessions. We use case studies and practical scenarios to help you learn to apply academic theory to real-life problems, allowing you to gain insights into AI in commercial environments.
Guest lectures/presentations by a variety of visiting speakers from relevant employment areas offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and understanding further.
Regarding assessment, you can expect time-constrained exams and coursework, such as essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, and others. These contribute to your final marks and allow you to demonstrate that you've met the learning outcomes for the course.
We also use other forms of assessment to help you learn, provide you with feedback and inform your development, though these do not count towards your final marks. For instance, you might be asked to complete quizzes or undertake practical exercises. You'll also receive feedback on assessment drafts. These will help identify any areas that would benefit from extra attention on your part or where you need additional support from your tutor.
We take our social, public and ethical responsibilities very seriously. All our student project work conforms with the University's policies on ethics and uses the University's research ethics procedure before work commences.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Fundamentals of Programming
- Logical Analysis and Problem Solving
- Computer Systems
- Foundation Project
- Maths for Computing
- Computer Science Fundamentals
- Computing Infrastructure
- Databases
- Object Oriented Programming
- Introduction to AI
- Computer Vision and Image Processing
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Advanced Databases and Big Data
- Research and Professional Issues
- Undergraduate Project
- Natural Language Processing
- Computer Graphics
- Applied Machine Learning
- Emerging Technologies
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Coursework 87% Practical exams 13% |
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 100% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | Guided independent study 55% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 45% |
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 66% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 77% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 77% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
