WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE
AI-DRIVEN OPPORTUNITIES
Supporting Northern Ireland's economic vision to promote regional growth
Northern Ireland (NI) has a new vision for the future. One driven by AI innovation. In alignment with the Department for Economy’s vision for the future, the AI Collaboration Centre (AICC) will promote widespread adoption of AI across all sectors. The AICC will fuel innovation and economic growth by focusing on enhancing digital sectors, promoting collaboration, and addressing skills gaps.
Through the collaboration centre, Queen’s University and Ulster University are offering a range of fully funded postgraduate places, that will equip graduates with the technical skills and creative drive necessary to achieve AI success in Northern Ireland.
Join us for a new era of success, where NI secures its reputation as a global leader in AI innovation and economic advancement.
FREE FULLY FUNDED POSTGRADUATE PLACES
Now accepting applications for September 2026 entry
Browse through our range of PG Certificates and full MSc Programmes
Masters Courses: Apply for a Fully Funded Place on these 1-year programmes
PgCert Course: Worth 60 CATS
This programme is offered as a part-time study option, delivered on-campus one or two days a week over two semesters. Please note, this is not an evening class. The PgCert can be built upon to achieve a full MSc by completing the PGDip and a final project or dissertation. Upon successful completion of the PGCert, you may be eligible for funding to progress to the next stage.
Eligibility for Funding
To qualify for a fully funded place, you must meet the following requirements:
A limited number of fully funded places (provided by the Department for the Economy) are available for these programmes on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be eligible for a fully funded place under this programme, you must:
- Be over 18 years old;
- Resident in Northern Ireland;
- Eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- ‘Settled’ in Northern Ireland, and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years OR are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- Must meet the existing entry requirements for the course.
The Application Process
- Funded offers will be made on a first-come, first-served basis until funded places are filled.
- If successful, you will be required to pay a deposit of £100 to secure your funded place. The deadline for paying this deposit will be the last day of the following month. (You will receive your deposit back after you matriculate into the course).
- Where there are more eligible applications received than funded places available, we will operate a waiting list as required to allow us to fill all available funded places. If you have not been selected for a funded place, we will issue offers on a self-funded or employer-funded basis, if spaces are available.
If you have any enquiries, please contact askeps@qub.ac.uk.
THE AI COLLABORATION CENTRE
What is the AICC?
The AICC is focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to spur regional growth, boost the economy and establish Northern Ireland as a prime location for AI investment and development
Boosting NI's Reputation:
- Innovative business ready for external investment and development
- Increased collaborative research and development with Universities, particularly Queen's University and Ulster University.
- More graduates in AI or Data Science landing jobs in NI.
Promoting AI Adoption:
- AI-driven development leading to new business and products
- Better-paying jobs in the AI sector
- Improved productivity for businesses adopting AI
Supporting the Future of AI in Northern Ireland
Queen's University, in partnership with Ulster University, is leading the charge, with a range of fully funded courses available that support the core goals of AICC.
We're dedicated to creating industry-ready graduates who are perfectly poised to excel in the world of AI. The range of courses below has been carefully selected to anticipate the needs of this growing industry and will prove pivotal to its success.
With a range of masters level and PG-Cert courses on-offer there is a wide range of opportunities to dive into a cutting-edge area of study.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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When will I find out if I have been successful in gaining a funded place?
Offers for a place on the course and offers of funding are communicated separately. You will receive a decision on your course application within seven days of submission. Please note that an offer of a place does not include an offer of funding.
If you are successful in securing funding (allocated on a first-come, first-served basis), you will receive a separate email confirming this within two weeks of your official course offer from Admissions. - When will I get my deposit back?
Your deposit will be refunded once you have started the course in September. The Student Finance team will contact you directly about this process. If you have any specific questions about the reduced-rate, refundable deposit, please contact studentfinance@qub.ac.uk.
- When will I receive details about the course start date and class timetable?
The welcome period will take place from 16–18 September 2026.
You can view general semester dates here: Queen’s University Semester Dates.
Detailed timetables are confirmed in August and will be sent to you by email. - Where can I review the course content?
Course information is available via the course links provided above. Please select your chosen course and click on the ‘Course Content’ tab to view full module details.
- Will there be funded places available next year?
Yes. A number of funded places will be available for September 2027 entry.