Master of Artificial Intelligence

VU course code: NMAI | Level of study: Postgraduate

Duration

2 years full time

Delivery mode

Hybrid

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

City Campus, Brisbane Campus, Sydney Campus

All start dates

Student and teacher at VU's cyber security facility at St Alban's.

Overview

Build practical, future-ready expertise in AI to address real problems across industry and society, with the Master of Artificial Intelligence at Victoria University (VU).

This postgraduate course combines strong technical foundations with hands-on development, equipping you to design, implement, and evaluate AI-enabled solutions responsibly.

Alongside key ethical and governance considerations, you will gain advanced expertise in core AI domains, including:

machine learning and deep learning
natural language processing
data mining and intelligent decision-making

You will develop specialised skills in Generative AI to build industry-ready products, workflows, and decision-support tools. The curriculum also addresses critical deployment factors, including data quality, privacy, security, sustainability, and community consent.

Whether you are an IT student or working professional, you will finish this course with a portfolio-ready skillset to enter a high-demand job market.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Critically review and theorise foundational and recent developments in artificial intelligence, including machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, natural language processing, generative AI, predictive analytics and intelligent decision-making.
Design and implement robust AI solutions and scalable data-driven applications with advanced problem-solving skills that address complex real-world problems individually and as a part of team.
Analyse structured and unstructured data using appropriate analytical, mining, language-processing, and predictive techniques to generate defensible insights for professional and business decision-making.
Contextualise and evaluate human-centred AI applications that respond to user, stakeholder, and organisational needs, and that augment human capability, productivity and employability in contemporary workplaces.
Critique AI design, development, and deployment decisions with reference to ethics, bias, privacy, security, transparency, explainability, sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data sovereignty, Indigenous data governance and broader societal impact.
Translate AI concepts, methodologies, model outputs, and project outcomes to specialist and non-specialist audiences in collaborative professional contexts.
Propose and validate substantial research-based or industry-oriented AI project by applying appropriate research methods, project management and professional judgement to a complex real-world problem.
Critically evaluate AI systems, data practices and governance decisions through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data and perspectives.
: The Master of Artificial Intelligence prepares you to contribute confidently, professionally and ethically in local and global contexts.
You will develop deep knowledge about responsible practice in ethical AI, privacy, security, bias awareness, transparency, sustainability.
The course includes explicit engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data sovereignty and Indigenous data governance. It addresses the ways that AI systems may affect communities, Country, cultural heritage, public services, health, education, environmental management and decision-making.
: The Master of Artificial Intelligence at Victoria University is suitable for:
students seeking a specialist AI master’s qualification with strong employability outcomes
working professionals and managers looking to upskill or transition into AI-related roles
graduates from computing and related disciplines
applicants with other backgrounds, who require additional learning before studying AI.
If you don't have a strong computing background, we will support you through foundational study (including programming and core IT concepts).
If you have prior computing/IT qualifications, you may be eligible for credit (advanced standing) for selected foundational units, enabling a faster pathway into advanced AI learning.
: Our flexible learning environment supports intensive, skills-based study and authentic assessment. Your learning will be project-oriented, using contemporary tools and development practices to produce portfolio-ready outcomes.
We offer an industry project and/or research pathway, letting you tailor your learning to employment outcomes and progression to more advanced study.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Master of Artificial Intelligence, students will be required to complete 192 credit points consisting of:

168 credit points of Core units, and;
24 credit points of Capstone units.

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Once you've graduated from this course, you may pursue a career in a huge range of organisations adapting to AI, in emerging positions where AI capability is central.

Roles include:

AI/ML Engineer
AI Application Developer
Data Scientist (AI)
NLP/GenAI Solutions Developer
AI Analyst/Consultant
AI Product or Project Specialist.

Start dates

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne City Campus

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close 07 February 2027

Course starts 26 April 2027

Applications close 18 April 2027

Course starts 26 July 2027

Applications close 18 July 2027

Course starts 27 September 2027

Applications close 19 September 2027

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.