New postgraduate conversion courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science

New postgraduate conversion courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science have been launched this September aimed to increase diversity in the sector with 1,000 scholarships available worth £10,000 each and a paid work placement available as part of each course.  

18 universities across England have launched the new courses with funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Artificial Intelligence (OAI) to increase diversity from underrepresented groups and to respond to a skills shortage in the tech sector, which is currently costing businesses £2billion a year.  

Scholarships are available for students for underrepresented groups  

The scholarships will be prioritised for black, female and disabled students. They may also be available for other underrepresented groups including: 

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller students
students from areas of the UK where young people are less likely to go on to higher education (POLAR quintiles 1 and 2)
refugees
estranged students
care experienced students
children from military families, veterans and partners of military personnel. 
Students are not expected to have a background in a STEM subject, so students with undergraduate degrees from other disciplines may apply.  

Find out more on the Office for Students website