University of Southampton

Machine Learning (MSc)

University of SouthamptonHighfield, Southampton

Course overview

Develop advanced expertise with our MSc Machine Learning degree. This one-year course focuses on both the theory and practice of modern artificial intelligence, including deep learning and reinforcement learning. You'll develop a strong mathematical foundation and learn how to turn data and algorithms into working systems that solve real-world problems.

This machine learning master’s degree is for you if you already have experience in computing, mathematics or a related subject and want to specialise in AI methods and models. You'll study alongside other motivated postgraduates and learn from teaching informed by current research in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision and optimisation. You'll start by studying core concepts that underpin machine learning, including probability, linear algebra and statistical learning theory.

You'll then explore advanced topics such as deep neural networks, Bayesian methods, active learning and reinforcement learning. You'll also

Key highlights

  • Covers theory and practice of deep learning and reinforcement learning
  • Builds mathematical foundations in probability, linear algebra and statistical learning
  • Teaching informed by research in NLP, computer vision and optimisation
  • Advanced topics include Bayesian methods, active learning and deep neural networks
  • Learn to turn data and algorithms into working real-world systems

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:1 — You’ll need a 2:1 degree, or equivalent, in an undergraduate (bachelor’s or integrated master’s) course that includes a significant amount of mathematics and some computing and programming.

Scholarships

  • Biological Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in biological sciences.

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • Environmental and Life Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    £5000 is available to international students studying for a MSc in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing.

    Up to £5,000

  • Geography and Environmental Science Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in geography and environmental science.

  • Global Excellence Scholarship

    The £3,000 is available as a tuition fee reduction on the first year of study.?

    Up to £3,000

  • Health Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in health sciences. The scholarship will apply to the first year of study.

  • Medical Technology, Innovation and Design Master’s Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design.

    Up to £3,000

  • Nursing Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in nursing. The scholarship will apply to the first year of study.

  • Ocean and Earth Science Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students.

  • Presidential Bursaries

    The scholarship funds the difference between UK and international level tuition fees.

  • Southampton Ageing and Gerontology Talent Scholarship

    Two scholarships of £5,000 are available to UK and international students applying to study an eligible postgraduate Ageing and Gerontology programme in 2026.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Business School (MBA) Excellence International Scholarship

    Scholarships are available for 3 different amounts: £13,000, £10,000, £7,000.

  • Southampton Business School (MBA) Future Leader Scholarship

    Five scholarships of £15,000 are available to UK and international students studying Master of Business Administration (MBA).

    Up to £15,000

  • Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (International)

    If you have a 1st or an equivalent qualification in your undergraduate studies you will get £9,000.

  • Southampton Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in chemistry.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in economic, social and political sciences.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Education Civic Scholarship

  • Southampton Education Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in education.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Engineering Deans Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £5000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in engineering.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Faculty of Medicine PGT Talent Scholarship

    Three scholarships of £6,000 off tuition fees are available to UK and international students studying an eligible postgraduate masters’ within the Faculty of Medicine in 2026.

    Up to £6,000

  • Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3,000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in law.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton MA Holocaust Scholarships

    2 Sayers Family scholarships of £2,000 are available to students applying for the MA Holocaust: History, Experience, Heritage in 2026.

  • Southampton Mathematics Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in mathematics.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3,000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in medicine.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Photonics Impact Scholarship

    There are up to 3 scholarships available to international students applying to study MSc Optical Engineering. If you are awarded this scholarship, you'll get up to £15,000 off your tuition fees.

    Up to £15,000

  • Southampton Psychology Postgraduate International Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in psychology.

  • Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship

    Two scholarships of £5,000 are available to international students studying for an eligible master’s degree in social statistics and demography.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Sociology and Criminology Postgraduate International Scholarship

    2 scholarships of £5,000 off tuition fees are available to international students.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Teachers' Postgraduate Scholarship

    We'll issue the 10% discount as a tuition fee reduction on both years of part-time study. For 2025 entry, the 10% discount for year 1 will be £462.50.

    Up to 10% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Machine learning engineer
  • Data scientist
  • AI research scientist
  • Computer vision engineer
  • Natural language processing engineer

Cost of study

UK/Home: £10,400 per year | International: £35,000 per year

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Southampton, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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