Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate to how we work, shop, learn, and receive healthcare. As a result, it has become an imperative for today’s workforce to keep a step ahead of the latest AI developments.
Interest in studying AI has skyrocketed. Professionals from a wide range of backgrounds are exploring how they can upskill to meet the growing demand for AI expertise.
But without a background in computer science or STEM subjects, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re at the start of your journey and wondering what kind of AI degree might be right for you, it helps to understand the options available. And one of the first distinctions to establish is the difference between an MA in Artificial Intelligence and an MSc in Artificial Intelligence.
While both degrees focus on developing your understanding of AI, they differ significantly in their approach, content, and career focus. In this blog post, we explore those key differences to help you figure out which path might suit your goals, interests, and professional background.
MA vs MSc in Artificial Intelligence: What’s the difference?
In broad terms, an MA (Master of Arts) in Artificial Intelligence is rooted in the social sciences and humanities, while an MSc (Master of Science) is focused on technical and computational disciplines. That means that MA courses explore AI’s ethical, societal, legal, and policy-related dimensions. Meanwhile, MSc courses develop your programming skills, algorithmic understanding, and mathematical competence.
If you're passionate about how AI influences society, impacts people, and shapes public discourse and policy, the MA is likely to resonate more with you. On the other hand, if you want to build AI systems, develop models, and work in-depth with data, the MSc would be the better match.
Let’s take a closer look at how these differences play out in practice.
Course content and focus
The Southampton Online MA in Artificial Intelligence is a conversion course. We’ve designed it for people from non-technical backgrounds who want to understand and engage with AI in meaningful ways. This means you don’t need prior experience in computer science or mathematics. Instead, you’ll explore topics like:
- The societal impact of AI, and how it fits into the bigger picture
- What responsible and ethical AI looks like in action
- The policy and governance frameworks that cover AI
- AI’s role in sectors such as healthcare, criminal justice, and the economy
If you pick the general course pathway, you’ll also get hands-on exposure to machine learning tools and frameworks. This practical experience is always grounded in human, legal, and societal considerations.
By contrast, MSc courses in Artificial Intelligence are usually aimed at students who already have a background in a STEM subject (e.g., computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics). They explore topics such as:
- Programming and software development
- Advanced machine learning and neural networks
- Algorithm designs
- Data science and analytics
This technical training prepares MSc students to contribute to the development of AI technologies, rather than understanding their wider implications or managing their use.
Which degree is right for your background?
If you’re coming from a non-technical profession (e.g., law, healthcare, education, policing, social sciences, arts, or business), our MA in Artificial Intelligence is for you. It’s ideal if you want to:
- Apply AI knowledge to your existing career or sector
- Lead AI initiatives in your organisation
- Influence AI-related strategy, ethics, or policy
Since the MA doesn’t assume prior technical knowledge, you’ll be supported as you learn core concepts like statistical learning and basic machine learning. You’ll graduate with a solid grounding in how AI works, plus the skills to communicate its implications clearly and effectively to others.
Do you already work with code, data, and algorithms, or have a background in computer science or engineering? If this sounds more like you and you’re looking to develop hard tech skills, then an MSc will likely suit your skills and aspirations better. You’ll be challenged to design and build complex AI systems, and you’ll graduate ready for roles like AI engineer or data scientist.
Career outcomes: Where can each degree take you?
MA Artificial Intelligence graduates are equipped to become leaders and strategists in AI adoption across sectors. Businesses and governments are increasingly focused on deploying AI in a responsible and inclusive way. This means your expertise in ethical, social, and governance issues will be highly sought after.
There’s also a high demand for professionals whose skills complement those of data scientists and developers. Lastly, your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams could prove instrumental to your organisation’s success.
Possible roles include:
- AI Strategy Consultant
- Ethical AI Specialist
- AI Project Manager
- Policy Analyst for Responsible AI
- Innovation and Technology Advisor
- AI Governance and Compliance Officer
If you work in business or criminal justice, Digital Transformation and Criminal Justice Systems pathways are tailored to your industry. By picking one of these pathways, you’ll become optimally placed to shape AI integration in your industry. But no matter what sector you work in, our MA gives you the tools to lead change responsibly.
In contrast, an MSc in Artificial Intelligence typically leads to highly technical roles. With strong programming and analytical skills, MSc graduates might go on to become:
- AI Engineers
- Machine Learning Developers
- Data Scientists
- NLP Specialists
- Computer Vision Engineers
- AI Research Scientists
These roles often involve designing AI algorithms, training models, and deploying applications in a production environment.
Making the right choice
Choosing between an MA and an MSc in Artificial Intelligence depends on your educational background, your career ambitions, and your personal interests. Do you want to understand how AI works so you can shape its role in your field? Or do you want a hands-on role building the next generation of AI tools and technologies?
Our MA in Artificial Intelligence is particularly well-suited to forward-thinking professionals who want to lead AI integration with a focus on fairness, impact, and accountability. With three specialist pathways to choose from, you can align your studies with your career and learn at your own pace.
With research from Southampton’s Web Science Institute (WSI) underpinning your course content, you’ll benefit from world-class insights into responsible AI and its global implications.
Find out more about our MA in Artificial Intelligence
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re seriously considering postgraduate study, learning more about our MA Artificial Intelligence course pathways can help you make an informed decision. Their interdisciplinary focus, accessible entry requirements, and flexible online format make them highly accessible. And most importantly, they prepare you to lead not just from a technical perspective, but from a human one.
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