Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence

If you want to understand AI well enough to contribute to its adoption in your organisation, evaluate AI solutions critically, or simply keep pace with one of the most significant technological shifts of our time, all without needing to write a line of code, this micro-credential is for you.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping businesses and industries at an unprecedented pace. Whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, finance, or the public sector, understanding how AI works, and how to use it responsibly, is rapidly becoming an essential professional skill.

This micro-credential gives you a practical, accessible introduction to AI without requiring any programming background. Using intuitive drag-and-drop tools, you'll explore how AI models are built and applied, developing a hands-on appreciation of core techniques including supervised and unsupervised learning, predictive analytics, classification, and pattern detection. You'll also gain experience in visualising and interpreting data, understanding its business value, and recognising the challenges that come with data bias.

Importantly, the micro-credential doesn't just focus on what AI can do, it also develops your ability to critically evaluate AI applications, assessing their strengths, limitations, and responsible use across a range of real-world case studies covering areas such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI.

A structured AI lifecycle methodology is introduced throughout, ensuring you approach AI model development in a rigorous, accountable way, from data selection through to deployment and evaluation.

Career Options

Completing this micro-credential equips you to engage meaningfully with AI adoption in your organisation and supports progression into further postgraduate study in AI or data science. Relevant job titles and pathways include:

AI Project Coordinator / AI Implementation Manager
Business Analyst (AI/Data focus)
Digital Transformation Specialist
Technology Consultant
Operations or Process Improvement Manager (AI-enabled)

Transferable Skills Gained

Critical evaluation of AI systems
Data literacy
Responsible AI awareness
Oral presentation
Research and analytical writing

All highly valued across sectors including healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and the public sector.

Delivery: Fully Online

The micro-credential is delivered through a blend of online lectures and seminars, combining theoretical foundations with real-world case studies and an industry-focused approach. Guest contributions from industry partners provide insight into how AI is being adopted across different sectors, giving you a practical understanding of AI challenges and emerging trends beyond the classroom.

Online labs/tutorials will be delivered on Wednesday's from 6pm to 9pm. To support flexible learning, pre-recorded lectures will be available one week before each lesson and can be accessed at a time that is convenient for each participant.

Assessment: 100% Coursework

Participants who successfully complete this micro-credential will be awarded 20 credit points from Ulster University and receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Participants may choose to enrol in additional post-graduate micro-credentials through Ulster University to accumulate further credit (credit values may vary by course). Upon successful completion of a total of 60 Ulster University credit points, learners will be eligible to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development.

Start Date: Wednesday 7 October

Duration: 10 teaching weeks

Delivery: Online labs/tutorials will be delivered on Wednesday's from 6pm to 9pm.

To support flexible learning, pre-recorded lectures will be available one week before each lesson and can be accessed at a time that is convenient for each participant.

Entry Requirements

Ulster University general Postgraduate study entry requirements.

Applicants must hold an Honours or non-Honours degree or an equivalent standard in a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification in any discipline or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. An interview may form part of the admission process. Applicants must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

Have a valid Irish PPS Number or UK National Insurance Number.

Live full‑time in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Have the required immigration permission needed to study in UK.

Funding Eligibility

Places are limited and only open to the following applicants:

Priority 1 - People who live in the North West cross-border region covering counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Derry~Londonderry, Tyrone, Fermanagh and / or people employed by companies based in these counties.
Priority 2 - People who live in Northern Ireland and the border areas of Ireland including Cavan, Louth and Monaghan and / or people employed by companies based in these areas.

North West DEPTH Terms and Conditions

There are a limited number of places on this course. Places are allocated subject to applicants meeting the relevant funding eligibility, prioritisation and entry requirements.
Within each priority group and at the point of application processing, a further level of prioritisation will be applied:
- Eligible New Learners - Applicants who have not previously participated in a NW DEPTH funded programme at Ulster University or any of the Partner institutions.
- Eligible Returning Learners – applicants who have participated in previous NW DEPTH funded programmes at Ulster University or any of the Partner institutions.
- Date and time a complete application was received - where multiple applicants have the same priority and learner status, they will be considered in the order in which a complete application was received
Learners can undertake NW DEPTH funded courses at Ulster University up to a maximum of 60 credits of study per learner across the lifetime of the programme (ends June 2029). This may be achieved through studying of, for example:
- A number of standalone micro-credentials, or
- A Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert), or
- A combination of micro-credentials and other eligible provision.
Participation in NW DEPTH programmes at Ulster University is capped at 60 credits per academic year, with no more than 45 credits permitted to be studied in any one semester.
For the purposes of this limit, enrolment on a course will count towards a learner’s total participation, regardless of whether the course is completed, except where a learner withdraws within any agreed early withdrawal period defined by the delivery institution.
Participants who successfully complete a micro-credential will be awarded credit points from Ulster University and receive a Certificate of Achievement. Participants may choose to enrol in additional post-graduate micro-credentials through Ulster University to accumulate further credit (credit values may vary by course). Upon successful completion of a total of 60 Ulster University credit points, learners will be eligible to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development.
Learners may undertake additional study at Ulster University which is funded through other sources or is self-funded. Ulster University typically permits part-time learners to undertake up to 45 credits per semester, which may be funded through a combination of sources.
Due to the specialist nature of this programme, a minimum cohort size is required to ensure a high-quality learning experience. The University reserves the right not to commence the programme where this minimum number is not achieved. Should this occur, applicants will be contacted and alternative options discussed.
Leave of absences - TBC