M.Sc. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the University of Birmingham are pleased to announce their Joint Masters Program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Learn from the leaders in the field through a world-class curriculum with the flexibility to choose your location for a part of the program. With an opportunity for industrial placement, and a year-long research project co-guided by expert faculty from both institutes, this 18-month program promises to give you an unparalleled learning experience while you gain international exposure. Join the exciting academic journey that starts at the prestigious IIT Madras in Chennai. As part of the program, you will have the opportunity to complete a short industrial placement to gain valuable hands-on experience. In the following semester, you will head to the esteemed University of Birmingham for your studies. On completing the second semester, you will have the option to choose between two tracks. The choice is yours, and whichever track you choose, you can be assured of a world-class education and an experience that will set you up for success in your future career. Study Tracks Track 1: Complete your research project and attend electives at the University of Birmingham, leading to an overall continuous stay of 12 months in the UK.Track 2: Return to IIT Madras to complete your research project and attend electives in Chennai. Why study this Joint Masters? Top-Ranked Institutions Both the University of Birmingham and IIT Madras have strong reputations for academic excellence and research. The University of Birmingham’s School of Computer Science is world-renowned for its education and research. IIT Madras’ is recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the government of India for excellence in technical education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial consultancy. Specialization in Data Science and AI Get the opportunity to learn from highly experienced academics and leading industry professionals. The University of Birmingham is a partner in the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. Birmingham has state-of-the-art, multi-million-pound facilities, including dedicated laboratories for Computer Science students, a teaching laboratory for Robotics, and research laboratories for Security, Medical Imaging, Intelligent Robotics and Computer Vision. IIT Madras has world-class infrastructure for research in Data Science and AI, including high-performance computing facilities, cloud computing resources, and advanced software tools. The institute has several Centres of Excellence in the field, including Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and AI. These centres provide a platform for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. Access to Industry Partnerships Both universities have strong industry partnerships and collaborations, providing opportunities for industrial placement and networking with professionals in the field. This hands-on experience will give you a competitive edge in the job market and help you build your professional network. International Experience Gain a unique global perspective on Data Science and AI while studying at two leading institutions in the UK and India. You will develop cross-cultural competencies that are highly valued by employers in today’s globalized world and build a diverse network of contacts in both countries, including fellow students, professors, and professionals in the industry. Winter Project - Industrial Placement Get employment ready through practical industry experience working on real data science and AI projects in some of the best companies in Chennai. Expand your professional network and make connections with experienced data scientists and AI experts. Experience a new culture and work environment, enhancing your cross-cultural communication skills. Stand out in the job market by demonstrating your adaptability, resilience, and ability to work in diverse environments. Develop independence, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills through a challenging but rewarding personal growth experience. Research Project Hands-on Experience: During the program, you will work on a nearly year-long research project that will give you hands-on experience in applying theoretical concepts to real-world problems in Data Science and AI. This experience is invaluable when it comes to finding employment in the industry, as it shows potential employers that you have practical experience in the field. Expert Guidance: Your research project will be supervised by experienced faculty from IIT Madras and the University of Birmingham. They will offer guidance and mentorship throughout the project, ensuring that you receive exposure to cutting-edge research and are well-prepared for future research opportunities. Skill Development: Through the project, you will develop essential skills such as data analysis, programming, and problem-solving, which are highly valued in the industry. This hands-on approach will help you refine your skills and build a solid foundation in Data Science and AI. Eligibility Academic Scores Students will be considered for this programme with the following academic scores: Holders of a Bachelors degree of three or more years in duration in Engineering/ Science (in a numerate discipline) from a recognized university Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency (1st class) Language Students who have not completed their degree from a majority speaking English country, as defined by the UKVI will be required to provide evidence of successful completion of a recognised English Language test. IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall, with at least 6.0 in each component. TOEFL: TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing. Pearson Test of English PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills Cambridge English C1 Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI) B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill. The equivalencies for this from the Indian Standard XII English are: 80% from ISC, CBSE, and Maharashtra 75% from West Bengal 85% from Other State boards The application form charges: INR 1500/- Timeline Applications close : 15 March 2025 Online test : 05 April 2025 Online interview : mid April 2025 Results :June 2025 Start of Program : July 2025 Curriculum Track Track 1 Track 2 Course Period From late July to November you will study at IIT Madras then you will undertake an industrial placement until December. In January, you will transfer to Birmingham for the remainder of the programme. From late July to November you will study at IIT Madras then you will undertake an industrial placement until December. In January, you will transfer to Birmingham to study for up to six months and then return to IIT Madras in July for a research project. Core Modules Data Analytics Laboratory Data Analytics Laboratory Mathematical Foundations of Data Science Mathematical Foundations of Data Science Data Structures and Algorithms Data Structures and Algorithms Foundations of Machine Learning Foundations of Machine Learning Current Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Current Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Industrial Placement Industrial Placement Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Project Extended Research Project Optional(Indicative Modules) Computer Vision and Imaging (Extended) Computer Vision and Imaging (Extended) Evolutionary Computation (Extended) Evolutionary Computation (Extended) Intelligent Data Analysis (Extended) Natural Language Processing (Extended) Natural Language Processing (Extended) Visualization Neural Computation (Extended) Deep Learning for Imaging Visualization Probabilistic Graphical Models Machine Learning (Extended) Fundamentals of Deep Learning Reinforcement Learning Sessions and Mobility Term 1: July 2025 to early January 2026 Taught courses and winter project (industrial placement) at IIT Madras, Chennai, India. Term 2: mid-January 2026 to June 2026 Taught courses and winter project (industrial placement) at the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Term 3 & 4: June 2026 to January 2027 Track 1: Taught elective courses and a nearly year long co-guided project at the University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Track 2: Taught elective courses and a nearly year long co-guided project at IIT Madras, Chennai, India. Tuition Fee Structure Track 1 IIT Madras: INR 3,00,000 University of Birmingham: £10,140 Track 2 IIT Madras: INR 6,00,000 University of Birmingham: ~ £ 7,240 Fees: Includes tuition fees only. All the living expenses, flight charges are exclusive of the tuition fees mentioned above Employability The field of data science and artificial intelligence is experiencing rapid growth and high demand for skilled professionals. Acquiring expertise in this domain presents an exciting opportunity for individuals seeking to advance or transition their career. Your experience at two of the world’s leading institutions in India and the UK, will arm you with a unique international perspective, specialized knowledge and skills, and give you access to industry partnerships. Additionally, it will help you develop cross-cultural communication skills and broaden your understanding of different approaches to Data Science and AI, giving you the edge you need to advance your career in this rapidly evolving field. Here are just a few of the many roles open to professionals in this exciting field across a diverse range of industries. Jobs Data Scientists Business Intelligence Engineers Machine Learning Engineers / Consultants Business Analytics Tech-Leads Research Engineers / Fellows Director / Manager Innovations Engineering Managers Industries Software Development Electronics and Telecommunication Manufacturing and Factory operations Robotics and smart solution development Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) Healthcare Energy and Utilities Retail The University of Birmingham has a Careers Network which you can access while studying. An expert team can offer you advice, mentoring and support with CVs and job applications. IIT Madras’ robust industry connections make it a highly sought-after destination for recruitment, providing students with ample opportunities to participate in the institute’s placement season. Related Links Syllabus for test Sample question paper Source : Portal of IITM-UoB Data Science course