AI, Economics and Policy
Build expertise at the intersection of AI, economics and policy.
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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White City
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Minimum entry standard
2:1 UK Bachelor’s Degree with Honours (or an equivalent international qualification) in a relevant discipline.
Course overview
As AI reshapes industries, disrupts markets and challenges the limits of existing regulation, the ability to operate confidently at this intersection is crucial for future business leaders.
Our MSc in AI, Economics & Policy is delivered jointly by ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Business School and the Department of Computing.
Our programme will equip you with a unique cross-sector skill set to navigate complex AI systems, understand AI’s impact on economic growth and competition and address the challenges of responsible AI governance and public policy.
Develop your expertise across all three pillars, applying them to real-world business challenges through applied projects, guest lectures from industry leaders and regulators, and an individual project or internship.
Subject to university approval
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
Induction week
On campus | Early September, compulsory
Your MSc AI, Economics & Policy induction will be spent at our vibrant South Kensington campus in London. You will be invited to a welcome event where you can meet and network with your fellow students, distinguished faculty and dedicated programme staff, forging new connections and getting a taste of life at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
You will study all these core modules.
Core modules
Build essential skills in law, programming, and economics as a foundation for advanced study. This module introduces legal and regulatory frameworks, core economic principles, and Python programming, equipping you to analyse the impact of AI on firms, markets and policy. Tailored for diverse backgrounds, it ensures all students are prepared for the challenges ahead.
Examine how AI and digital technologies transform market structures, firm strategies, and competition. This module covers platforms, data, pricing, and market power, and explores AI’s impact on productivity, labour, and policy. Apply economic theory and real-world examples to understand the evolving dynamics of digital and AI-driven markets and hear from guest speakers across industry and policy.
Examine the legal and regulatory frameworks governing algorithmic models within software products and services. This module addresses issues such as discrimination, automated decision-making, accountability, and audit obligations, with a focus on high-risk applications and emerging standards like the EU AI Act. Develop the skills to analyse, appraise, and apply regulation to real-world algorithmic systems.
Analyse how legal and policy frameworks govern the entire AI supply chain, from data inputs to system deployment and distribution. This module explores compliance, liability, and governance issues at each stage, equipping you to assess responsibility and manage legal risks in real-world AI development and operations.
Examine the ethical challenges of managing AI technologies. This module explores the dynamic relationship between technology, organisational practices, and ethics, equipping you to critically assess responsibility, accountability, fairness, and sustainability in digital innovation projects.
You will take six to seven electives throughout the year depending on the credit value of the modules selected.
Electives will allow you to develop specialist knowledge across rapidly evolving fields such as machine learning, natural language processing, formal methods for safe AI, and domain-specific applications. Each elective will introduce the core analytical models, frameworks, and ethical considerations shaping the modern data-driven landscape.
You will gain expertise in discipline-specific language and tools, as well as critical perspectives that are essential for responsible innovation in today's digital economy.
Elective modules
- AI Strategies in Marketing, Innovation, and Consumer Behaviour
- Big Data in Finance
- Business Model Design for the Digital Economy
- Data Management and Ethics
- Data Wrangling and Visualisation
- Digital Assets
- Digital Businesses and Marketplaces
- Energy Analytics
- Causality and Explanation in AI (subject to University approval)
- Formal Methods for Safe AI
- Generative AI
- Healthcare and Medical Analytics
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Machine Learning Applications in Marketing
- Machine Learning and Finance
- Maths for Machine Learning
- Natural Language Processing
- Predictive and Prescriptive Health Analytics
- Principles of Distributed Ledgers
- Reinforcement Learning
Projects
Deliver a substantial, independent AI project that synthesises your learning across the programme. This capstone module develops your ability to research, design, and implement advanced AI solutions, while demonstrating originality, technical skill, and effective communication through a scholarly report and presentation.
Undertake an internship in industry as an alternative to the Individual Project. Apply programme knowledge in a professional setting, work on a substantial real-world problem and develop independence, analytical skills and effective communication through a final report and presentation, with support from both workplace and academic supervisors.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Case studies
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Projects
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Presentations and seminars
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Group work
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Virtual learning environment
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Lectures
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Practical classes and fieldwork
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Work placement opportunity
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Workshops
Assessment methods
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Case studies
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Continuous assessments
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Essays
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Formal presentations
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Multiple choice tests
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Reports
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Participation
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Written exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
If you are applying to the Business School, this course must be submitted as your first choice in your application to be considered.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Tuesday 29 September 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several deadlines throughout the year. This programme is highly competitive, so early application is advised.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Round 1 is for Business School courses only.
- Applications open on Thursday 20 August 2026
- Applications close on Tuesday 29 September 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 25 November 2026
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
For courses starting in 2026-27:
- £125 for all MSc applications to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Business School
For courses starting in 2027-28:
- Application fees are still to be confirmed for 2027-28 entry.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Tuition fee
2027 entry
Not set
A guide is not available as this course is new for 2027-28 entry.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Tuition fee
2027 entry
Not set
A guide is not available as this course is new for 2027-28 entry.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ help my career?
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You will be equipped to work at the interface between technical teams, business leaders, policymakers and regulators.
Gain world-class support tailored to your individual career aspirations.
A programme designed with real-world experience at its core.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7589 5111
- Email: business.school@imperial.ac.uk
Visit the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Business School website.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications