Introduction
Poised at the intersection of the humanities and technology, the MA Philosophy & Artificial Intelligence combines the exploration of theoretical and ethical issues related to computing, data, and information processing with opportunities to develop some of the data science skills that underpin recent advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Engaging an inherently fascinating subject-matter, this cutting-edge masters degree can equip you with a combination of analytical, technical, ethical, and communications skills that is highly sought by employers.
Summary
The MA Philosophy & Artificial Intelligence combines exploration of a range of philosophical issues, including ethical issues related to computer data, with opportunities to develop the skills and techniques of data science. Poised at the intersection of the humanities and technology, this innovative masters degree can equip you with the combination of thinking, communication, and technical skills currently sought by employers in sectors ranging from financial and professional services to the creative industries, government and policy-making.
Presupposing no background in either philosophy or programming, it ensures students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for graduate study in philosophy, and offers opportunities to acquire relevant coding abilities, and detailed knowledge of the techniques of data science that underpin recent advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, should students so desire.
At the same time, the programme allows for a progressive exploration of ethical and other philosophical issues arising in this area, with courses directly addressing them, and a dissertation devoted to a detailed investigation of an approved topic of the student’s choosing.
Structure
The College’s MA Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence is a 180-credit programme.
Students will complete four core courses, two ‘depth’ course options, and one further ‘breadth’ option, for a total of 120 credits.
The programme culminates with the production of a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words, which is worth 60 credits.
Teaching
Philosophy courses will be taught in small lectures/seminars, and (with two-course exceptions) through one-on-one tutorials with faculty members.
Data science courses will be taught through lectures/seminars, labs, and drop-in sessions/office hours, and will use Jupyter notebooks.
The dissertation will involve independent research under supervision from a Faculty member.
Part-time study
The Master's programme can be taken part-time over two years. Part-time students attend the same classes as their full-time colleagues, taking 50% of the course load each academic year.
Our Master's programmes are demanding and we advise students that, if they intend to work alongside the course, their work should be flexible in nature. However, we will work with students, where possible taking into account their individual circumstances and need, to be flexible with our provisions.
Assessment
Summative assessment for the MA Philosophy & Artificial Intelligence will be by a range of methods to ensure students have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and achievements. Students will also be assessed on a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.
Career Development
The MA Philosophy & Artificial Intelligence will equip students for a range of careers and roles in society. Artificial intelligence – specifically, the application of machine learning techniques to big data sets – is becoming increasingly prevalent in society. There is, therefore, an increasing need for those who can think and communicate clearly about it, both within the tech sector and throughout the private, public, and third sectors that increasingly need to engage with it.
The option to learn some of the techniques of data science and AI while pursuing the study of Philosophy at masters level is unusual in the UK. Graduates pursuing this option will be able to speak with their more technically minded colleagues and with the uninitiated, bridging the knowledge gaps between them.
This degree will appeal to those who wish to pursue further graduate study in the area of philosophy and artificial intelligence, as well as those aiming to advance their careers relating to the technology and e.g. financial services sectors, especially their ‘softer’ side, including communications, marketing, sales, and journalism. It will also prove useful to those working in the public sector who need to both understand and communicate about these issues, for example when considering policy issues.
Entry Requirements
Graduates
Offers are typically made to applicants holding an upper second-class honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent). Each applicant will be assessed on an individual basis through their application, a reference and personal statement.
Professionals
NCH welcomes applications from mature students who may have been out of education for a while who have equivalent professional experience.
For international students
English language requirements
We would typically require an IELTS score of 7.0 (including 6.5 in each component). If you need a visa to study in the UK, then we can only accept the IELTS test from a UKVI approved centre and not any other English language tests due to the visa requirements set by the UK Government.
EU/EEA students who have taken higher-level English as part of their secondary school examinations, or who have been educated entirely in English for a minimum of three years before application, may be exempt from these requirements. EU/EEA students studying the IB (International Baccalaureate) may be exempt provided they have achieved the following grades: English A: English Language & Literature or English Literature HL5 or SL6 OR English B: HL5 or SL6.
English language qualifications must have been obtained within two years before the application to NCH.
