Education

Investigating the true nature of intelligence is one of today's most fascinating research avenues. Advances in the study of cognitive processes and models, natural language and perception, human knowledge, representation, and reasoning attest to this.

Relatedly, one of the scientific community's key research objectives is the development of an intelligent robot, that is, a robot that can perceive and communicate using natural language, collect information using vision, sensors, and movement, plan ahead, act based on this information, assimilate new knowledge from experience and interaction with its environment and, in general, perform tasks considered typical for intelligent
human beings.

The Master of Artificial Intelligence programme at KU Leuven explores and builds on these fascinating challenges. For many years, it has provided an internationally acclaimed advanced study programme in artificial intelligence. The multidisciplinary programme trains students from a variety of backgrounds - including engineering, sciences, economics, management, psychology, and linguistics - in all areas of knowledge-based technology, cognitive science, and their applications. The one-year programme, taught entirely in English, is the result of a collaboration between many internationally prominent
research units from seven different faculties of the university.

The Master of Artificial Intelligence is an advanced Master's programme. You can follow this programme on a full-time or part-time basis.

Profile

Students entering the programme should have already successfully completed at least a 4-year university programme. Most have already obtained a Master's degree or completed an equivalent 4-year degree. As such, we expect that entering students already possess the general skills and attitudes of a Master's student. Students should already be able to formulate research goals, determine trajectories that achieve these goals, collect and select information relevant to achieving research goals and interpret collected information on the basis of a critical research attitude. The AI programme will further develop these skills within the specific scientific context of artificial intelligence.

On a more specific level, entering students are expected to be familiar with basic mathematical notations (sets, union, inclusion, integral, summand, etc.). Moreover, students who select the ECS option are expected to master basic undergraduate level mathematics (calculus, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, probability or statistics).

All entering students are expected to be familiar with at least one higher-level programming language. Students who select the ECS option are expected to master at least one object-oriented programming language.

All entering students are required to be proficient in English (level of TOEFL test result of at least 550).

For specific admission requirements, click on the desired programme in the 'Choose your courses of study' section.

Objectives

The programme aims at instructing and training students in state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques in artificial intelligence, with particular focus either on Engineering and Computer Science Technology or on Speech and Language Technology. It aims to bring students up to the level of knowledge, understanding, skills and experience that are needed to participate actively in research on an international level.

At the end of the programme, students should :
- be able to understand the concepts, the methods, and the applicability of the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, including knowledge representation formalisms, search and problem-solving techniques, the basics of neuroscience and neural computing, the basics of cognitive science or of the philosophical aspects of artificial intelligence;
- be familiar with an object-oriented or an AI programming language and be able to write programmes in it;
- be familiar with the basics of several advanced areas of AI and with the current research directions;
- be able to formulate research goals, determine trajectories that achieve these goals, collect and select relevant information and interprete collected information;
- have acquired enhanced knowledge in one of the three specific domains the programme is focusing on.

After graduation

With a Master's degree in artificial intelligence you will be welcomed by companies working in information technology, data mining, speech and language technology, intelligent systems, diagnosis and quality control, fraud detection and biometric systems. You will also be qualified to work in banking or provide support for the process industry, biomedicine and bioinformatics, robotics and traffic systems. Some graduates go on to begin a PhD programme.

Information sessions

KU Leuven organises a Verderstudeerbeurs each spring. In addition, faculties also organise information sessions for many of their bridging and graduate programmes.

All information sessions for (future) Master's students.

Contact

Faculty of Engineering Science
Programme director
Prof. dr. Ir. danny.deschreye@cs.kuleuven.be
tel. +32 16 3 27556 of +32 16 3 27552
Secretariat Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Department of Computer Science
tel. + 32 16 32 78 17
MoAI@cs.kuleuven.be
Administrative office
Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 bus 2200
3001 HEVERLEE
tel. + 32 16 32 13 50
fax + 32 16 32 19 82
info@eng.kuleuven.be
www.eng.kuleuven.be

General information
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website.

Useful links

Visit this programme's website.

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.