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MSc Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
(AI) Data Specialist
Degree apprenticeship
Distance learning
Accelerate your team’s capabilities and tackle your organization’s most complex challenges with AI and machine learning expertise – the world’s most strategically valuable skill set.
Key information
Apprenticeship standard
Artificial intelligence (AI) data specialist (ST0763)
Full-time or part-time
46 weeks per year (typically one day a week off-the-job)
Start date
April, October, December
Course length
21-24 months
Degree
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Location
Distance learning
Up to 1 week of in-person training in the second year in London
End-point assessment
Non-integrated
Why choose this degree apprenticeship programme?
Gain an MSc at no extra cost with our degree apprenticeship programme.
This Level 7 apprenticeship programme, which includes a Master’s degree at no additional cost, focuses on the advanced application of AI and data specialisms in a business context. Your employees will develop their professional practice using advanced technologies and approaches, contextualised in your workplace.
Who is this apprenticeship for?
This programme is designed to be integrated with full-time work, offering an efficient route to master’s degree qualification. It’s suitable for individuals who already hold a relevant undergraduate degree who are interested in developing their digital skills, or for experienced professionals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills and gain a formal qualification.
Programme overview
What apprentices will study
The AI Data Specialist apprenticeship programme will equip your team members to develop advanced knowledge of AI and machine learning methodologies, enabling them to apply these skills to complex datasets that drive your organisation’s strategic objectives.
By the end of the programme apprentices will be able to:
- Lead applied research and create innovative AI solutions for complex business problems that previously had no feasible solutions.
- Initiate AI projects in agile environments, design scalable architectures, and develop real-time analytical solutions using machine learning and data science.
- Build robust data systems and optimise mechanisms for analysing large, complex datasets that far exceed traditional processing capabilities.
- Ensure the ethical use and development of AI, assess risks and biases, provide technical authority on emerging opportunities, and champion AI adoption across your organisation.
- Assess risks and limitations, quantifying biases associated with applications of AI within given business contexts.
- Maintain their learning to stay up to date with AI developments and industry best practices.
Courses
Summary
The courses outlined below are indicative of those planned for learners starting their apprenticeships in the 2025-26 academic year. Courses are subject to change in line with industry needs and apprenticeship requirements.
In addition to the courses below, at the beginning of the programme there is a Virtual Induction week where apprentices are expected to be available full-time for off- the-job learning.
The learning experience
Our degree apprenticeship programmes offer:
- Innovative, self-paced learning that blends interactive case studies, quizzes, and games
- Structured workplace activities so your employees can apply their learning in the real world
- Online seminars
- In-person bootcamps
- 1:1 sessions with our academic experts
- Access to industry-leading tools, technology and methods
We pride ourselves on our ability to offer personal attention. Apprentices will have access to:
- A dedicated Success Manager Team, who’ll support apprentices and their line managers from day one through to graduation.
- Subject-specialist course leaders to help learners achieve their full potential.
- Opportunities to learn from peers in different industries and organisations, including social learning activities and small group seminars.
- Options to tailor learning to their workplace, including closed cohorts, guest speakers, industry-specific case studies and bespoke modules.
Entry requirements
Standard offer
To study for a degree apprenticeship with us, you must be employed in a suitable role with responsibilities aligned to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Specialist apprenticeship standard.
We set entrance requirements for our apprenticeships in partnership with employers on a case-by-case basis. Typically, apprentices will need to have:
- A degree-level award in a STEM subject at 2:2 or above
- GCSE Maths, English and IT at grade 4/C or above
- Confidence using Python in a data setting
- Awareness of machine learning algorithms
- Knowledge of the following software packages:
- IDE’s -PythonEclipse
- Jupyter notebook
- pandas
- matplotlib
- numpy
- seaborn
- unittest
- datatbases
- sklearn
We’ll also consider prior learning and skills developed in the workplace if you don’t have the traditional qualifications listed above. If this is the case, you should follow our Recognition of prior learning and credit transfer policy.
Qualifying for apprenticeship funding
To be eligible for funding, apprentices must fulfill the following requirements and provide all necessary documentation and evidence before their application can be processed and considered for approval.
To be eligible for funding, apprentices must:
- Meet the government’s residency requirements – this usually means applicants must have been living in the UK for the past three years.
- Have left full-time education before the apprenticeship start date.
- Be able to complete their apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment, within applicable time constraints (for example, a visa or fixed-term contract.)
- Be at least 16 years old.
Workforce development
Building capacity across your organisation
Developed together with leading employers, the Artificial Intelligence Data Specialist degree apprenticeship gives you the skills to stay ahead in your industry. You’ll gain:
- The human competencies needed to complement and make the most of AI in your organisation
- Support to take on new responsibilities, developing their career and bolstering employee retention
- 1:1 support to help set and reach the goals that matter most in their role
- Critical thinking skills
- Collaborative skills essential for organisational success
What roles is this apprenticeship relevant for?
AI Data Specialists are employed by organisations with a need to analyse large and complex datasets using advanced computational methods. They work in a range of sectors including agriculture, business, travel, hospitality, education, public services, media, manufacturing, engineering, technology, science, finance, and transport and logistics.
This apprenticeship is relevant for people in roles such as:
- Data Scientist
- Data Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- AI Research Scientist
- Data Analyst (advanced level)
- AI Solutions Architect
- Research and Development Scientist (AI/Data focus)
And for people in leadership roles such as:
- Head of Data
- Chief Data Officer
- AI/Data Product Manager
- Technical Lead – AI/Data
Support for Apprentices
We work closely with our apprentices and employers to ensure you’re fully supported from day one of your journey with us. Apprentices will receive:
- Personalised guidance from a dedicated Success Manager Team
- Regular review meetings
- 1:1 bookable office hours with their course leads
- Additional learning support provided by our Student Support Team, complemented by access to external services where helpful
Support for Employers
Line managers and employers also benefit from:
- Regular manager forums
- Training and induction sessions
- Comprehensive reporting to help your apprenticeship scheme stay on track
Register your interest
Does your organisation have skills gaps to fill? Connect with our expert team to see how apprenticeships could be your solution.
Frequently asked questions
The information here is for organisations employing apprentices. If you’re interested in an apprenticeship, but not yet in a suitable role, you’ll need to apply directly to an employer. Vacancies with our employer partners are usually advertised on the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service or on company websites. For a head start, you can check out our application tips.
If you’re an employer or manager looking to upskill a member of your team (or an individual already employed in a relevant role), you can register your interest by booking a consultation call with our business development team. They’ll guide you through the process and help you determine the best approach for your organisation.
If the prospective apprentice is employed in a suitable role, they can join the next cohort that works for you. We have regular intakes in October, January and April. Applications typically close 4 weeks before each start date, so register your interest early to ensure enough time to get your employee onboarded.
No – apprentices can schedule most of their studies around work commitments. Some activities like exams and in-person bootcamps have fixed dates, which we’ll share in the programme timetable before you start.
As part of our application process, we undertake an initial assessment process with prospective apprentices to identify if our programme is sufficiently aligned to the employee’s role. We’ll work closely with apprentices and their line managers to make sure your learning is relevant, and that there are plenty of opportunities to apply new skills. This will include structured workplace activities to support your progress, and regular check-ins between our Success Managers and apprentices’ line managers.
All our programmes are designed to be accessible from the start. Our Student Support Team will provide apprentices with personalised support, where applicable, and we can also arrange Clear Links support workers or tailored learning support plans to help learners reach their full potential. If you would like to discuss a particular learning need for one of your employees in more detail, please book a call with our apprenticeship team.
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