Machines that can learn on their own have been a sci-fi dream for decades. Lately, that dream seems to be coming true thanks to advances in AI, machine learning, deep learning, and other cutting-edge technologies.
Have you used Google’s search engine recently or admired the capabilities of ChatGPT? That means you’ve seen machine learning in action. Besides those renowned apps, the technology is widespread across many industries, so much so that machine learning experts are in increasingly high demand worldwide.
Chances are there’s never been a better time to get involved in the IT industry than today. This is especially true if you enter the market as a machine learning specialist. Fortunately, getting proficient in this field no longer requires enlisting in a college – now you can finish a Master in machine learning online.
Let’s look at the best online Masters in machine learning and data science that you can start from the comfort of your home.
Top MSc Programs in Machine Learning Online
Finding the best MSc machine learning online programs required us to apply certain strict criteria in the search process. The following is a list of programs that passed our research with flying colors. But first, here’s what we looked for in machine learning MSc courses.
Our Criteria
The criteria we applied include:
- The quality and reputation of the institution providing the course
- International degree recognition
- Program structure and curriculum
- Duration
- Pricing
Luckily, numerous world-class universities and organizations have a machine learning MSc online. Their degrees are accepted around the world, and their curricula count among the finest in the market. Take a look at our selection.
Imperial College London – Machine Learning and Data Science
The Machine Learning and Data Science postgraduate program from the Imperial College in London provides comprehensive courses on models applicable to real-life scenarios. The program features hands-on projects and lessons in deep learning, data processing, analytics, and machine learning ethics.
The complete program is online-based and relies mostly on independent study. The curriculum consists of 13 modules. With a part-time commitment, this program will last for two years. The fee is the same for domestic and overseas students: £16,200
European School of Data Science & Technology – MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
If you need a Master’s program that combines the best of AI and machine learning, the European School of Data Science & Technology has an excellent offer. The MSc Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program provides a sound foundation of the essential concepts in both disciplines.
During the courses, you’ll examine the details of reinforcement learning, search algorithms, optimization, clustering, and more. You’ll also get the opportunity to work with machine learning in the R language environment.
The program lasts for 18 months and is entirely online. Applicants must cover a registration fee of €1500 plus monthly fees of €490.
European University Cyprus – Artificial Intelligence Master
The European University in Cyprus is an award-winning institution that excels in student services and engagement, as well as online learning. The Artificial Intelligence Master program from this university treats artificial intelligence in a broader sense. However, machine learning is a considerable part of the curriculum, being taught alongside NLP, robotics, and big data.
The official site of the European University Cyprus states the price for all computer science Master’s degrees at €8,460. However, it’s worth noting that there’s a program for financial support and scholarships. The duration of the program is 18 months, after which you’ll get an MSc in artificial intelligence.
Udacity – Computer Vision Nanodegree
Udacity has profiled itself as a leading learning platform. Its Nanodegree programs provide detailed knowledge on numerous subjects, such as this Computer Vision Nanodegree. The course isn’t a genuine MSc program, but it offers specialization for a specific field of machine learning that may serve for career advancement.
This program includes lessons on the essentials of image processing and computer vision, deep learning, object tracking, and advanced computer vision applications. As with other Udacity courses, learners will enjoy support in real-time as well as career-specific services for professional development after finishing the course.
This Nanodegree has a flexible schedule, allowing you to set a personalized learning pace. The course lasts for three months and has a fee of €944. Scholarship options are also available for this program, and there are no limitations in terms of applying for the course or starting the program.
Lebanese American University – MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Lebanese American University curates the MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence study program, led by experienced faculty members. The course is completely online and focuses on practical applications of AI programming, machine learning, data learning, and data science. During the program, learners will have the opportunity to try out AI solutions for real-life issues.
This MS program has a duration of two years. During that time, you can take eight core courses and 10 elective courses, including subjects like Healthcare Analytics, Big Data Analytics, and AI for Biomedical Informatics.
The price of this program is €6,961 per year. It’s worth noting that there’s a set application deadline and starting date for the course. The first upcoming application date is in July, with the program starting in September.
Data Science Degrees: A Complementary Path
Machine learning can be viewed as a subcategory of data science. While the former focuses on methods of supervised and unsupervised AI learning, the latter is a broad field of research. Data science deals with everything from programming languages to AI development and robotics.
Naturally, there’s a considerable correlation between machine learning and data science. In fact, getting familiar with the principles of data science can be quite helpful when studying machine learning. That’s why we compiled a list of degree programs for data science that will complement your machine learning education perfectly.
Top Online Data Science Degree Programs
Purdue Global – Online Bachelor of Science Degree in Analytics
Data analytics represents one of the essential facets of data science. The Online Bachelor of Science Degree in Analytics program is an excellent choice to get familiar with data science skills. To that end, the program may complement your machine learning knowledge or serve as a starting point for a more focused pursuit of data science.
The curriculum includes nine different paths of professional specialization. Some of those concentrations include cloud computing, network administration, game development, and software development in various programming languages.
Studying full-time, you should be able to complete the program within four years. Each course has a limited term of 10 weeks. The program in total requires 180 credits, and the price of one credit is $371 or its equivalent in euros.
Berlin School of Business and Innovation – MSc Data Analytics
MSc Data Analytics is a postgraduate program from the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI). As an MSc curriculum, the program is relatively complex and demanding, but will be more than worthwhile for anyone wanting to gain a firm grasp of data analytics.
This is a traditional on-campus course that also has an online variant. The program focuses on data analysis and extraction and predictive modeling. While it could serve as a complementary degree to machine learning, it’s worth noting that this course may be the most useful for those pursuing a multidisciplinary approach.
This MSc course lasts for 18 months. Pricing differs between EU and non-EU students, with the former paying €8,000 and the latter €12,600.
Imperial College London – Machine Learning and Data Science
It’s apparent from the very name that this Imperial College London program represents an ideal mix. Machine Learning and Data Science combines the two disciplines, providing a thorough insight into their fundamentals and applications.
The two-year program is tailored for part-time learners. It consists of core modules like Programming for Data Science, Ethics in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Applicable Mathematics.
This British-based program costs £16,200 yearly, both for domestic and overseas students. Some of the methods include lectures, tutorials, exercises, and reading materials.
Thriving Career Opportunities With a Masters in Machine Learning Online
Jobs in machine learning require proper education. The chances of becoming a professional in the field without mastering the subject are small – the industry needs experts.
A Master’s degree in machine learning can open exciting and lucrative career paths. Some of the best careers in the field include:
- Data scientist
- Machine learning engineer
- Business intelligence developer
- NLP scientist
- Software engineer
- Machine learning designer
- Computational linguist
- Software developer
These professions pay quite well across the EU market. The median annual salary for a machine learning specialist is about €70,000 in Germany, €68,000 in the Netherlands, €46,000 in France, and €36,000 in Italy.
On the higher end, salaries in these countries can reach €98,000, €113,000, €72,000, and €65,000, respectively. To reach these more exclusive salaries, you’ll need to have a quality education in the field and a level of experience.
Become Proficient in Machine Learning Skills
Getting a Master’s degree in machine learning online is convenient, easily accessible, and represents a significant career milestone. With the pace at which the industry is growing today, it would be a wise choice.
Since the best programs offer a thorough education, great references, and a chance for networking, there’s no reason not to check out the courses on offer. Ideally, getting the degree could mark the start of a successful career in machine learning.
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Life is unpredictable. While many of us have specific hopes and expectations of how our futures will turn out, things don’t always go as expected. There are many variables and unexpected incidents that can interfere and force you to alter your plans, and this is particularly true when it comes to education.
For instance, you might have had plans to study a specific subject, but had to deviate from those plans due to unforeseen circumstances. Or you may have had to enter the workforce in an occupation different from the one you sought in an effort to earn an income, a move that may not provide you with the time or opportunity to achieve your desired educational aims.
In short, every individual’s career pathway is different, and very few go exactly as we expect from the outset. Fortunately, even if you experience a few false starts or sudden twists in your pathway, there are always options available to help you get back on track.
The Unpredictable Nature of Education
In theory, the educational process seems simple. You select a course of study that interests you from the vast array of subjects and prospective professions, select the appropriate classes, acquire the knowledge and skills you need to succeed, and then embark on your profession.
In reality, however, as many people know from firsthand experience, the road to education is often far from straightforward. Here are just some of the many challenges that can take your educational path in a completely different direction:
- Life’s Curveballs: As touched on in the introduction, life is impossible to predict. Financial hardships, health issues, and family emergencies are just some of the unfortunate occurrences that might derail even the most perfectly planned educational regime.
- Changing Interests: People’s desires and preferences don’t necessarily stay the same throughout their entire lives. As you grow, learn, and have new experiences, your interests may change, and so, too, may your educational objectives.
- Pressure and Burnout: Some academic paths are particularly challenging, demanding intense levels of study and hard work. This can sometimes prove too much to bear, even for the most resilient students.
- Failures and Setbacks: Conventional education largely builds around tests and examinations, requiring students to demonstrate their competencies repeatedly. It’s a system that doesn’t suit everyone, and test failures can lead to setbacks and delays.
- Inequality: People can be born with very different privileges and levels of access to education. Those in certain parts of the world may find it much more challenging to complete their education path for financial, cultural, or even political reasons.
- Late Bloomers: People develop at different paces. Some may struggle educationally early on in their lives, forcing them to make certain concessions or sacrifices related to their studies, only to find their feet later in life once they’ve entered the world of work.
Whether you’re a late bloomer, have had your educational aspirations delayed by personal problems, desire to learn new skills and try something different, or want to begin a fresh chapter in your professional life, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) may be able to help.
Introducing OPIT
OPIT is an online teaching platform, making high-level technological educational programs accessible to all, no matter their age or background. Offering education in fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, and digital business, OPIT provides a curated collection of degrees. In addition, they offer classes taught by world-leading tutors imparting the wisdom and skills students need to achieve their goals and become the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Meanwhile, for those who have had somewhat tumultuous or unpredictable educational paths, OPIT offers the perfect course corrector: the OPIT Foundation Year.
The OPIT Foundation Year
OPIT’s Foundation Year is a Pre-Tertiary Certificate in Information Technology, fully aligned with MQF/EQF Level 4 standards and valued at 60 ECTS credits. Lasting just one year, this program essentially serves as a comprehensive yet accessible springboard towards higher-level education, creating a path towards degrees and careers in dynamic, flexible fields, like computer science and digital business.
Like other OPIT programs, the Foundation Year is delivered entirely online via the OPIT Virtual Learning Environment. Combining live lectures, asynchronous content, and interactive assessments, students enjoy diverse and dynamic study experiences, acquiring core skills like academic writing, mathematics, and computer literacy, and building a bedrock of knowledge and confidence before taking their next steps.
Who Is the Foundation Program For?
The Foundation Program is designed to provide a solid base upon which to build the technological education many students need. It’s the perfect choice for those who are eager and ambitious to enter professions in AI, data science, and computing, but don’t feel that they have the necessary core skills and knowledge needed to dive straight into a degree.
Entry requirements are relatively relaxed in order to allow as many students as possible to enjoy the benefits of this program. With that said, applicants should ideally hold an MQF/EQF Level 3 or equivalent qualification, with the intention of pursuing a bachelor’s degree. A minimum of B2 level of English proficiency is also required, as this is the working and studying language of the institution.
What the Foundation Year Provides
Perhaps you’ve recently graduated, are considering a career change, or finally have the opportunity to return to education after initial delays or unexpected disruptions to your original plans. Either way, the Foundation Year can help you enjoy:
- Greater Self-Confidence: Foundation Year graduates gain the fundamental skills they need to enter degree programs with much more self-belief and assuredness.
- Superior Tech Knowledge: Lasting two terms, this course explores mathematics, academic reading and writing, and provides an introduction to computer hardware and software.
- Foundational Mathematics: Mathematics literacy forms a large part of the study focus for the Foundation Year, helping students feel more comfortable with numbers and formulas.
- Flexible Learning: Unlike more rigid, conventional education environments, OPIT gives you the freedom and flexibility to study at a pace that suits you best, all from the comfort of home.
- Global Community: OPIT is an international institution, with staff and students from all around the world eager to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and help one another.
Take Your Next Steps to Success With the OPIT Foundation Year
If you’re curious about a career in technology or have always wanted to work with AI, data, and computers, but struggled to find the time and opportunities you need to acquire relevant skills and knowledge, the Foundation Program was made for people like you.
It’s the ideal entry point into the exciting world of online education, and the perfect first step towards a prestigious degree from an innovative and increasingly successful institution. Download the brochure to learn more about it, or start your online application, today.
Students today have a broader range of fields of study to choose from than ever before, but with the world becoming increasingly technological and computers increasing in influence and importance, pursuing a career in computer science often proves a smart, strategic choice.
There are numerous benefits and career paths associated with studying and working in computer science, and we’ll be listing just a few of them in this guide.
High Average Salaries
With the rising cost of living in many parts of the world, it’s unsurprising that many students are thinking several decades ahead to determine what level of starting salaries they could obtain in different career fields.
Many are also seeking professions that offer the opportunity for growth and the ability to advance up the ranks over time, thus increasing their salary and their quality of life in the process.
If a strong, stable salary with the opportunity for improved income is one of your top career priorities, computer science should be at or near the top of your list of prospective careers.
According to recent data, computer scientists earn an average of over €65,000 per year, with certain jobs, like IT project leader and data scientist, paying ever higher. Starting salaries are strong, too, with graduates earning anywhere from €46,000 to €60,000, depending on their chosen profession and level of qualifications.
There are similarly high average salaries reported around the world in computer science and related fields such as data science and AI/ML engineering. These numbers are projected to increase in the years to come, pointing to computer science as a way for graduates to get off to the best financial start of any career.
Unrivaled Flexibility
A common problem with some subjects and courses is that they only provide graduates with a narrow set of skills and a similarly narrow range of potential professions to which they can apply those skills.
That’s not the case with computer science. Graduates in this field can enjoy instant access to a remarkably diverse array of career opportunities, with even newer opportunities being created all the time as technology evolves and innovations emerge.
A few of the many industries and roles you might choose to enter in the field of computer science include:
- Healthcare: As a software developer, data analyst, or cybersecurity expert
- Finance: As a fintech engineer, blockchain developer, or security analyst
- Media: As a graphics programmer, AI developer, or game developer
- Education: As an analyst, software developer, or machine learning engineer
Guaranteed Opportunities
Some career paths are more limited than others, with relatively low numbers of opportunities, recurring risks of job loss, or difficulty obtaining employment in the first place.
Again, with computer science, this simply isn’t the case. At a time when 75% of companies plan to embrace AI and other technologies by 2027, and businesses of all sizes and industries are now relying on computers more than ever before, computer science graduates can enjoy almost unbeatable job security.
Opportunities will continue to grow for people with good computing knowledge, whether that be in the obvious fields like software and web development, engineering, and AI development, or more niche sectors.
With so many options, you’re effectively guaranteed a long, rewarding career if you put in the necessary time and effort needed to establish a strong foundation of computing skills.
Rapidly Expanding and Evolving Industries
It’s no secret that the world of technology is a dynamic and fast-moving one. In the past 20 years alone, we’ve seen the proliferation of the internet, the rapid advancement of smartphones and wearable devices, the emergence of AI, and so much more.
In the years ahead, engineers and developers will continue to explore the boundaries of modern technology’s powers and potential, driving new innovations and improvements and opening more exciting job opportunities for those already established and experienced in this field.
Getting into computer science now could therefore provide a solid foundation for a career filled with excitement as you uncover and explore new ways of working with computers in fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, education, entertainment, manufacturing, logistics, and beyond.
Start Your Computer Science Career at OPIT
We’ve discussed some of the many benefits associated with careers in computer science, from the high starting salaries to the rapidly growing array of job options available to graduates. By now, you may be eager to follow this particular career path and take advantage of the wealth of opportunities.
If you’re wondering how to start, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) may hold the answers you need. As an exclusively online learning platform, specializing in computer science and digital business, and staffed by some of the world’s leading tech experts, OPIT is producing the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Some of the many advantages of learning with OPIT include:
- Accessible and flexible online education that matches your learning style and schedule
- Heavy focus on real-world applications of the skills you acquire
- An international community of like-minded students from around the globe
- A top team of tutors and lecturers from varying fields and industries
- Progressive assessment of skills and understanding – not constant exams
OPIT offers a small, curated selection of courses for those seeking to gain the technological skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen areas of expertise. That includes a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science – a six-term program, worth 180 ECTS credits.
Numerous IT industry leaders and experts helped develop this fully accredited undergraduate degree, which is online and accessible to all. Like other OPIT courses, it offers a flexible learning program, with progressive assessments, fast-track options, and the opportunity to be part of a growing community of learners and tutors.
If the benefits of doing a career in computer science interest you, download the OPIT BSc in Computer Science brochure or fill out an online application today and take your first step toward a rewarding and fulfilling profession.
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