MSc Software Development (AI) (Part Time) at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This part-time MSc in Software Development (Artificial Intelligence) is designed with industry for graduates of non-computing disciplines. It is taught online in the evenings (one to two evenings a week per semester) over 3 years so students can study while working, with live online lectures and labs and optional on-campus lab attendance. It can be completed in 2 years by taking the dissertation or Mini Project modules full-time in the third semester of year two.

Department: School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | Duration: 3 years part-time (can be completed in 2 years) | Intake: September 2026 | Study mode: part-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Programming, databases and web development alongside software engineering principles, including procedural and object-oriented programming, AI-augmented development approaches and software project management, culminating in a dissertation project or set of Mini Project modules.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for a range of careers in computing and software; students can join employment and professional skills workshops and employer networking events with Belfast software employers.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent, in any discipline excluding Computer Science or similar computing degrees. Applicants not meeting this may be considered under Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning. A deposit is required to secure a place. Applications after 12 August 2026 may not be accepted. International applicants: IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (taken within the last 2 years) or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 7,700 a year (2026/27). Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland fee; part-time route, fees quoted per single year of study Source

International applicants: GBP 27,600 a year (2026/27). International and EU Other fee; part-time route, fees quoted per single year of study Source

Intake: September 2026

Duration: 3 years part-time (can be completed in 2 years)

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