Head of Department
Department of Economics
MSc Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 1 year
- Start of programme
- September
- Attendance mode
- On campus
- Fees
-
Home: £12,965
International: £25,320 - Course code
- PSO-AISUST1FD, PSO-AISUST2PD
- Entry requirements
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We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in any discipline that does not incorporate a strong data science component. In addition to degree classification, we take into account other elements of the application such as your supporting statement. References are optional but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.
Course overview
The MSc Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability at SOAS is designed for students seeking to study the interactions between AI and sustainability, in combination with a thorough understanding of related economic, political, social and developmental processes.
AI’s substantial energy demands pose challenges for tackling the environmental crisis, while AI applications can enhance a more efficient use of natural resources. At the same time, the rapid expansion of AI raises pressing ethical issues that need to be assessed through a social justice lens.
Drawing on SOAS’s world-leading research in sustainability and AI, the curriculum is shaped by a Global South perspective, emphasising context-sensitive data practices grounded in diverse epistemologies, ethical approaches and developmental priorities. Students in this programme have the opportunity to work with real-world data and AI applications, critically evaluating their implications for living within planetary boundaries and addressing social challenges.
Why study MSc AI and Sustainability at SOAS?
- We are ranked top 30 in the UK for Economics (QS World University Rankings 2025).
- You will have access to the Centre for Sustainable Finance, the Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation and the Centre for AI Futures.
- You will obtain transferable analytical skills that are essential for careers in businesses, financial institutions, international organisations, government agencies and non-government organisations, in particular in positions that require coding skills and a critical understanding of social and environmental sustainability challenges in the era of AI.
Global partnerships
Programme participants are eligible to apply for a co-supervised dissertation, collaborating with members of the Economics department and leading experts from international organisations. Such organisations include the World Bank, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Study Tours
Explore the world with our Study Tours. Gain global experience. Build lasting impact.
All of our postgraduate programmes provide an opportunity for students to take part in exclusive study tours across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The tours are curated and run by SOAS academics together with in-country partners. Destinations include:
- South Asia: New Delhi — rising powers, inequality, urban governance, cultural diversity.
- South Asia: Lahore — regional security, climate change, Islam, law, and politics.
- East Asia: Seoul — advanced capitalist democracies, the 'high-income trap', regional diplomacy.
- Southeast Asia: Luang Prabang — regional integration, governance, development, sustainability.
- Central Asia: Almaty and Bishkek — transition economies, labour migration, geopolitics, regional organisations.
- Africa: Kigali or Johannesburg — post-conflict recovery, grassroots engagement, and regional relations.
- Middle East: Doha — global politics, regional diplomatic engagement, cross-cultural exchange.
These immersive experiences bring theory to life, connecting you with regional experts, policymakers, and practitioners. They are designed to deepen your academic learning and expand your professional network in some of the world’s most dynamic regions.
The fee for each tour (events plus room and board) will be approximately £1,750 plus airfare. Each tour will be subject to minimum/maximum participant numbers.
Join us in shaping global futures — on campus and beyond.
Structure
The MSc programme includes a supervised research project (60 credits), four compulsory taught modules (15 credits each), and four guided optional modules (15 credits each) selected from a pool of available modules. The modules are delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops.
Teaching and learning
Full or part-time study
The MSc programme is taught over a period of 12 months of full-time study or 2 years of part-time study. For 2 year study, you will study four modules each year, normally completing a dissertation in the second year.
Lectures
Most modules involve a 50-minute lecture as a key component.
Seminars/workshops
In seminars and workshops, students actively engage in hands-on exercises, explore case studies, and contribute to structured group discussions that deepen their understanding of the material and encourage critical reflection.
Research Project
A significant part of the work for the degree is devoted to the completion of a 10,000-word Research Project that can focus on theoretical or applied issues.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Scholarships
| Title | Deadline date |
|---|---|
| SOAS New Programme Scholarships |
Employment
The MSc AI and Sustainability is ideal for students who wish to obtain coding skills, apply data science techniques and develop a social science expertise on the analysis of environmental and social sustainability challenges in the era of AI. The programme provides a gateway to job opportunities in private companies, the government sector and international organisations. The advanced nature of the programme also serves as an excellent foundation for PhD studies.
