Course Information course information
About
The rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise UK organisations by enhancing efficiency, productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. As AI evolves, so does the regulatory environment, addressing challenges like bias, transparency, and data privacy. Effective governance and regulation are crucial to ensure AI aligns with human rights, democracy, and security. Responsible AI involves designing, developing, and deploying AI systems that are safe, fair, transparent, and compliant with laws. This responsibility falls on developers, organisations, and regulators. There is a growing demand for professionals skilled in ethical AI, particularly in compliance, regulation, and leadership roles.
The target audience of the PgCert Ethical and Responsible AI is non-specialist. Students can enrol from successful completion of any primary UG Honours degree subject. This course will differ from other AI courses since it will focus on the critical skills required to evaluate and apply AI technologies ethically and responsibly, focusing on key areas such as AI policy, regulation, and practical application.
Attendance: Part-time only
The course will be delivered through a hybrid learning model, combining both on-campus and online delivery. Each module will typically include four on-campus sessions, each lasting three hours, spread across a 12-week semester. The remaining module content will be delivered online.
Start Date
September 2025 (Part-Time)
Duration
The PgCert Ethical and Responsible AI is completed over two semesters. Each semester lasts 12 weeks.
Teaching, learning and assessment
All modules are assessed entirely through coursework, with the workload evenly distributed across the semester. Assessments include presentations, software demonstrations, reflective assignments, and a teamwork poster. This course uses a hybrid teaching approach.
Each semester, students attend four on-campus sessions, each lasting three hours, while the remaining learning is conducted online via video and audio recordings, interactive quizzes, and educational apps. Lecture materials, including PowerPoint presentations, are made available for review and revision on the University’s online learning system.
Career Options
A PgCert in Ethical and Responsible AI provides professionals with a focused understanding of ethical AI principles, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI development. While it does not offer the same depth as an MSc, it serves as a valuable qualification for those looking to integrate ethical considerations into various industries. The certificate equips graduates with the skills needed to navigate the complex ethical challenges posed by AI technologies and ensures that AI systems are designed and deployed responsibly.
Graduates with a PgCert in Ethical and Responsible AI can pursue careers as AI Ethics and Compliance Officers, particularly in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government. These professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that AI systems align with ethical guidelines and legal frameworks. Similarly, Responsible AI Consultants are increasingly in demand in consulting firms and technology companies. Their expertise helps businesses implement fair and transparent AI-driven decision-making processes while maintaining accountability.
Graduates with a PgCert in Ethical and Responsible AI can continue their learning by transferring to the MSc in Ethical and Responsible AI if they meet the course entry requirements.
Contact
School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems
Email: sceis@ulster.ac.uk
Modules
Here are the subjects taught on this course. Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new technologies and developments in AI and ethical requirements.
Ethics and Governance in Artificial Intelligence
This module offers a comprehensive exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a specific focus on Ethical and Responsible AI principles and practices. Students will examine real-world case studies and regulatory frameworks to critically assess the ethical implications of AI technologies across diverse sectors. Through engaging with concepts such as trust, fairness, transparency, and accountability, students will develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills essential for evaluating and contributing to the development of safe, ethical, and socially responsible AI solutions in professional contexts.
Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
This module provides students with a case-based approach to understanding and applying fundamental AI technologies. Through practical, non-programming methods, students will develop an appreciation of data value, bias, and the methodologies of supervised and unsupervised learning, including classification, predictive analytics, and pattern detection. The module emphasises the importance of using a structured lifecycle to create AI models and critically evaluate their responsibility, suitability for deployment, and interpretability. Students will gain practical insights into responsible AI applications through real-world case studies across diverse business contexts.
Applied Artificial Intelligence in Ethical Contexts
This module provides the student with an industry-focused approach to understanding and applying AI technologies without requiring AI programming experience. Students will explore how AI models are designed, trained, deployed, and optimised within real-world scenarios. Since AI is a rapidly evolving field, the module content will be continually updated with current research, industry innovations, and emerging AI technologies, as advised by real-world case studies, allowing students to stay at the forefront of AI advancements.
Entry Requirements
Academic qualifications
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard;
or
(ii) an equivalent standard in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;
and
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent);
In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are over 18 years of age;
- are eligible to work in Northern Ireland;
- are ‘settled’ in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or
- are a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements
Applications will open on 2 June and will close on 22 June
There are a limited number of places on the course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended.
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence on meeting three year residency in NI/ROI
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else)
- Statement of Purpose*
- BRP - If applicable
* Statement of Purpose - this should be no more than an A4 page and should provide details of what you hope to gain from studying this course. This may be to used to assist the course team in the allocation of places, in the event that the number of applicants who meet all other requirements exceed the number of available funded places.
