Direct answer
The official Queen’s University Belfast course page for MSc Artificial Intelligence (Academic Year 2026/27) states an entry requirement of a 2.1 (UK upper second-class honours degree). The page does not publish a separate percentage or GPA equivalence specifically for Chinese applicants. It describes the programme as a one-year full-time or three-year part-time postgraduate taught course. The page confirms the course is built around six taught modules and a themed research project, with content covering foundations of AI, machine learning, knowledge engineering, computer vision, natural language processing and AI for health.
What the official page establishes
The page confirms the MSc Artificial Intelligence is a full-time (1 year) or part-time (3 years) programme. The stated entry requirement is a 2.1 UK degree classification. The course structure comprises six taught modules (120 CATS points) and a research dissertation of 15,000–20,000 words (60 CATS points). Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester. Part-time students are normally enrolled for two years. The page also notes a Postgraduate Certificate exit award is available by completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.
What still requires live rechecking
The page lists places available as “TBC” for both full-time and part-time modes. This means the number of available places for 2026/27 entry was not confirmed at the time the page was captured. Anyone considering applying should recheck the live course page for updated availability. The page also does not provide a specific Chinese qualification equivalence for the 2.1 requirement; this would need to be verified through the university’s country-specific entry requirements pages or by contacting the institution directly.
Course content and module progression
The programme is designed so that each taught module acts as a building block towards a themed research project. The six taught modules are:
- Foundations of AI: covers probability, statistics, calculus, algebra and optimisation.
- Machine Learning: covers different types of machine learning and various algorithms.
- Knowledge Engineering: covers logic, ontology, knowledge graphs and uncertainty reasoning.
- Computer Vision: covers deep neural networks and modern approaches to computer vision.
- Natural Language Processing: covers deep neural networks for NLP and current NLP topics.
- AI for Health: serves as a case study of AI applications in precision medicine, diagnostics, medical imaging and drug discovery.
The themed project is a research project in an approved theme related to a strong area of research in the School, drawn from thematic areas such as machine learning or knowledge engineering.
Attendance and delivery format
Full-time students attend face-to-face teaching (lectures and labs) normally timetabled across three days per week between 9am and 5pm. Part-time students attend one to two days per week. Teaching materials are made available online to support self-directed learning, but students are expected to be available for timetabled contact hours.
Facilities and teaching context
Most lectures and lab-based activities take place in the Computer Science Building, which opened in 2016 after a £14 million redevelopment. The four-storey, 3,000m² facility includes computing labs, a dedicated AI Lab, and formal and informal student spaces supporting group and project work. The teaching team are described as specialists with extensive research experience in their subject areas. Four new AI staff members were recruited to match the newly designed programme.
Programme design principles
The official page states the programme was newly designed to minimise module overlap, maximise employment relevancy and content recency, and consider knowledge and skill longevity and between-year continuity. The design is described as free of legacy issues related to existing course provision or staff.
FAQ
What is the entry requirement for MSc Artificial Intelligence at Queen’s University Belfast?
The official page states an entry requirement of a 2.1 UK degree classification. No separate percentage or GPA equivalence for Chinese qualifications is published on this page.
How long does the MSc Artificial Intelligence take to complete?
The full-time option takes one year. The part-time option takes three years, with part-time students normally enrolled for two years.
What modules are taught on the programme?
The six taught modules are Foundations of AI, Machine Learning, Knowledge Engineering, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing and AI for Health. Students also complete a themed research project.
Are places still available for 2026/27 entry?
The official page lists places available as “TBC” for both full-time and part-time modes. This means availability was not confirmed at the time of capture and requires a live recheck.
Does the programme offer any exit awards other than the full MSc?
Yes. The page states a Postgraduate Certificate is available by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.
Where does teaching take place?
Most lectures and lab activities take place in the Computer Science Building, a facility opened in 2016 with computing labs, a dedicated AI Lab and student project spaces.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn entirely from the official Queen’s University Belfast course page for MSc Artificial Intelligence (Academic Year 2026/27), available at https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/artificial-intelligence-msc/#programme-specification. For broader context on UK study options, you may also find these resources useful: studying at DMUIC campus life, academics and progression, University of Hull 2026 international guide, Abertay University 2026 guide on admission, fees and programmes, and a discussion on Australian study options.