Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is rapidly developing and is increasingly being applied across sectors, posing significant ethical and societal challenges. The MSt in AI Ethics and Society is devoted to developing leaders who can tackle the hard AI questions that are most relevant for the workplace today, such as issues of:
- privacy
- surveillance
- justice
- fairness
- algorithmic bias
- misinformation
- Big Data
- responsible innovation
The MSt in AI Ethics and Society is an academically rigorous part-time programme, rooted in approaches from history, philosophy, governance, and science and technology studies. The programme will provide students with the critical academic skills, knowledge and analytical abilities needed to identify and address ethical challenges as they arise from the application of AI.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key course information
The MSt AI Ethics and Society is developed and taught by the University’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI), a global research centre at the forefront of AI Ethics and impact research, in partnership with University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education.
Watch the information session of the MSt in AI Ethics and Society from our Master's Open Week 2024.
Aims of the programme
The programme aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the ethical and societal challenges arising from the use of Artificial Intelligence. It provides a professionally relevant teaching and learning environment informed by the forefront of academic research on AI and its ethical and societal impacts.
The programme will:
- ensure that engagement with the ethical and societal challenges of AI is thoroughly informed by the knowledge, theories and methods of relevant established academic disciplines
- provide a critical overview of the state of current interdisciplinary research on the challenges of AI
- develop the critical research skills and analytical abilities needed to identify and address ethical challenges as they arise in practice from applications of AI
- instil thorough knowledge of the role that different governance approaches can play in navigating the challenges of AI, and the ability to critically analyse those approaches
- develop experts in the ethical and societal implications of AI with the ability and initiative to identify and address the challenges of AI across sectors and society
- create a network for such experts to collaborate and continue learning as leaders in the field of AI ethics and governance
Learning outcomes
By the end of this programme, students will be able to:
- discuss the ethical and societal challenges of AI with a full understanding of its history and its relationship to other disciplines and technologies
- identify the capabilities of current AI systems, their key applications and the potential ethical and societal challenges of those applications
- evaluate key ethical and societal challenges arising from the use of AI and the existing critical literature
- apply theories and methodologies from a range of established disciplines and demonstrate their use in addressing ethical and societal challenges raised by AI
- analyse the strengths and weaknesses of current governance approaches for addressing the challenges posed by AI
- apply the systematic understanding of AI ethics and governance to develop new insights
- synthesise and analyse research and advanced scholarship across disciplines
- put theoretical and academic knowledge into practice
- structure extended pieces of written work and present arguments clearly and effectively
- plan and implement an independent research project
- deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and show originality in tackling and solving problems
We welcome applications from students with a variety of backgrounds and professional experiences. As part of our admissions process, you’ll need to meet certain requirements and make sure you’re able to attend teaching sessions in the UK.
Standard entry requirements
Typically, we expect a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent.
If your degree is not from the UK, check international qualifications on the University’s postgraduate site to find the equivalent in your country.
Applicants for this course are also expected to have a demonstrable commitment to, and aptitude for, advancing the ethical use of AI in society.
Non-standard applications
If you do not meet the standard entry requirements, we still encourage you to apply. You’ll need to show you have relevant, professional experience that makes you a strong candidate, and/or have completed higher-level study. Please include this information when you apply.
English language requirements
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. For more information, visit Postgraduate and Master's admissions and the University’s English language requirements.
Visa information
We welcome applications from international students. If you’re coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission.
It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions. To make sure you understand the requirements, we advise you to read the in-depth information on the University’s International Students website.
As the programme is run by a specialist research centre, rather than a department, the curriculum is uniquely multidisciplinary, informed by up-to-the-minute research developments, and incorporates experts from diverse areas, including philosophy, machine learning, computer science, policy, law, and more.
Teaching
Below are the expected teaching dates for this course. If they change, we'll update offer-holders in line with the University's terms of admission.
Residentials in Cambridge
You are expected to attend all four week-long residentials in Cambridge, as follows.
- 21 to 25 September 2026
- 04 to 08 January 2027
- 26 to 30 April 2027
- 06 to 10 September 2027
Online sessions
In addition to the in-person, taught residentials, there will be a number of pre-recorded lectures from a range of guest speakers, as well as live online discussion sessions. These typically take place weekly or fortnightly on Fridays, in term-time only.
There will also be some online dissertation workshops in Year 2, to help with planning and share ideas with fellow students. These are planned for January and April 2028 (dates tbc).
Year 1
Module 1: The Nature and History of AI
Aims: To provide students with theoretical, academic and practical understanding of how artificial intelligence has been developed, used and understood historically across different traditions, and how it is being applied in society today.
Key areas:
- the technical foundations of AI and the current capabilities and status of the technology
- current applications of AI across a range of domains and sectors
- the history of AI and its relationship to other disciplines and technologies, including the history of computing and administration
- the nature and measurement of intelligence, and comparisons between human, animal and artificial intelligence
Module 2: Ethical and Societal Challenges
Aims: To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key ethical and societal challenges raised by AI, through engagement with the contemporary critical literature and case studies.
Key areas:
- critical discussion of the following themes:
- privacy
- fairness and equality
- safety
- Accountability
- human dignity and autonomy
- the relationship between the near- and long-term challenges of AI
- comparison of different global perspectives
Module 3: Governing AI
Aims: To critically engage with a range of practical approaches to navigating the ethical and societal challenges of AI, including those found in policy, regulation, law, ethics principles, and social action.
Key areas:
- comparison and critical analysis of current AI policy initiatives worldwide
- overview and critical discussion of different codes of practice and principles for AI ethics, and their implementation
- critical discussion of methods for ethical impact assessment
- critical discussion of methods for ethical design
- the role of activism and civil society
Year 2
Module 4: Theories and Methods
Aims: To increase rigour and depth in understanding and analysing the ethical and societal challenges of AI by introducing students to foundational knowledge, theories and methods in established academic disciplines.
Key areas:
- theories and methods from the following disciplines:
- philosophical ethics
- the history and philosophy of science
- literary and cultural studies
- social and behavioural sciences
- futures studies and foresight methods
- critical design studies
Dissertation
Aims: To enable students to apply and develop their learning from modules 1 to 4 through an innovative, independent research project in an area relevant to the course, topic and scope to be agreed with the supervisor.
You will work independently on your chosen topic under the supervision of an expert in the chosen field whom you will have regular contact with. You have 5 supervisions between January and June 2027 (you can agree with your supervisor whether these are in person or online).
Assessment
Assessment will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.
All summative assessment is compulsory. You are expected to submit academically rigorous, properly referenced assignments. Guidance on academic writing is offered through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), wider University resources, including within Colleges, and within the first module.
As students enter the MSt with differing levels of experience of academic writing, it is expected that you will seek to develop these skills independently as needed, and throughout the programme.
Assignments on the programme are divided into two components:
Component 1: modules 1 to 4 (50%)
For Module 1: equivalent of 2,000 words (8% of final grade)
For Modules 2, 3 and 4: equivalent of 4,500 words each (14% each of final grade)
Component 2: dissertation (50%)
The dissertation is 15,000 words (50% of final grade).
To progress to the dissertation, students must submit the assessment materials required for modules 1 to 4 and attain an average mark of at least 60.
Feedback
You will receive continual feedback throughout the course using a variety of strategies and techniques, including evidence of regular reflection.
Fees
The total fees for this course are shown above in 'Course details'.
To understand which fee status applies to you, whether as a home or overseas student, visit the University’s fee status page.
To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. See how to pay for more.
There are also some additional costs you’ll need to cover as part of this course. These are usually:
- an application fee of £85, unless you're eligible for a fee waiver, payable online
- any travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for the residential teaching sessions held in Cambridge
Funding
We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support ahead of the application deadline to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.
Considering applying? We look forward to receiving your application.
We anticipate substantial demand for places on this course, with a planned cohort size of around 65 students. We receive on average 4 applications for every place we are able to offer. Due to the high numbers of applications for this course, we consider applications in 2 ‘gathered fields’, reviewing them after each application deadline.
We encourage you to apply as part of Gathered Field 1 to ensure that your application is considered whilst places remain on the course. If we receive sufficient numbers of applications there may be limited places available as part of Gathered Field 2.
Gathered Field 1:
- Submit your application by Monday 17 November 2025.
- We’ll hold interviews for shortlisted candidates in late November / early December 2025.
- If you're shortlisted, we'll contact you to arrange a time and format for yours.
- Following the interview, applicants will receive their outcome from January 2026. This outcome may be a formal conditional offer inviting you to join the course, a hold for consideration as part of Gathered Field 2 or an unsuccessful application decision.
Gathered Field 2:
- Submit your application from Tuesday 18 November 2025 to Thursday 26 February 2026.
- We’ll hold interviews for shortlisted candidates in late March / early April 2026.
- If you're shortlisted, we'll contact you to arrange a time and format for yours.
- Conditional offers will be made from May 2026.
- Applicants on hold from Gathered Field 1 will also be informed of the outcome of their applications.
The number of spaces on the course available to allocate in Gathered Field 2 will depend on the outcome of offers accepted as a result of Gathered Field 1.
It is not possible to provide an early indication of application outcomes before the 2 gathered field application deadlines.
If you apply by the deadline for Gathered Field 1 but are rejected, it will not be possible to submit a second application in Gathered Field 2.
How to apply and what you'll need
The ‘Apply now’ button will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can:
- create, save, and submit your application
- upload your supporting documents
- submit and manage your references
- pay your application fee
- track your application
Supporting documents
When you submit your application, you’ll need to provide supporting information.
Personal statement
Your personal statement should be around 500 to 600 words, stating your reasons for applying for the course and a summary of the most relevant experience or interest in relation to AI Ethics & Society. It is also useful to be able to demonstrate how you might balance part-time study in addition to other commitments.
CV
Upload an up-to-date resume.
Sample of work
The sample of work should be no longer than 5,000 words, including references and bibliographies. Footnotes are not included in the 5,000-word count. The writing sample is designed to demonstrate your ability to write for a professional, academic or public audience on any topic (topics related to AI and/or ethics are especially encouraged). This might be a news article, professional report, academic paper, internal report, blog post or other form of published or unpublished written communication.
Dissertation (research) proposal
Your research proposal (up to 500 words maximum) should outline one potential topic you would hope to undertake for your dissertation in the second year of the course. Whilst this proposal is non-binding, it will be one of the considerations when shortlisting applicants, and will form part of the interview process. We encourage you to include all of the below:
- a central research question or title
- a brief summary of the historiography and current state of knowledge in that area
- gaps in knowledge or problems you hope to engage with, and an indication of where your research may advance our understanding
- references to the relevant literature of which you are already aware, or which you expect to be able to consult.
Qualifications and transcripts
Upload details of degree-level courses you have completed or are studying.
References
Submit contact details for 2 referees, preferably academic, who we will contact on your behalf.
For more information on applying and admissions, see Postgraduate and Master's admissions.
As an MSt student, you'll become a member of a Cambridge College. For the MSt in AI Ethics & Society, we work with the following Colleges:
On your application, you can specify preference(s) for any of these Colleges, and we’ll do our best to allocate you to your preferred choice(s), subject to capacity and ensuring an equal balance between the Colleges we work with. As there are only a limited number of places available at some Colleges, please give a second choice of College on your application form if you're selecting preferences.
To find out more about College membership, watch the ‘Meet the Colleges’ recording from our Master's Open Week 2024.
If you have a pre-existing membership at a Cambridge College which is not listed above, you can ask them to consider you as a member for this course. However, we cannot arrange this for you. If you do not have a pre-existing College membership, you can only become a member of one of the above Colleges.
We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.
