Search
Coventry University-led consortium awarded £3.7m for new AI and data science courses
University news / Business news
Wednesday 15 April 2020
Press contact
An Institute of Coding (IoC) consortium led by Coventry University (along with 10 other Higher Education Institutions), has been awarded £3.7m in funding from the Office for Students to develop a suite of postgraduate conversion courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science.
The primary goal of the new conversion courses is to respond to the shortage of data science and AI specialists in the UK.
The current supply of skilled graduates needs to increase significantly to keep pace with demand, which is expected to continue accelerating. The Government's Digital Strategy predicted that within 20 years, 90 per cent of all jobs will require some element of digital skills.
A critical objective of the IoC consortium is to increase the number of learners from underrepresented groups in AI and data science, and to encourage graduates from diverse backgrounds to consider a future in this area.
The consortium will develop a series of flexible modes of study - a mixture of online, blended and face to face learning, and will also be working together to create a two-week online boot camp to support learners in making the transition to AI and data science. The delivery partners are:
- Aston University
- University of Bath
- Birkbeck, University of London
- University of Exeter
- University of Gloucestershire
- Lancaster University
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Sunderland
- University of the West of England
In this fast-paced and rapidly changing global society, digital skills are more important than ever before. Coventry University are delighted to be working with ten other University partners to create an exciting new suite of postgraduate conversion courses, and meet the rising demand for workers with digital skills. We will be working closely with a wide range of industry partners, and looking to attract a more diverse and inclusive talent pool, who will in turn address the needs of our future society, and support the development of a successful economy.
Paul Fairburn, Director of Enterprise & Innovation, Coventry University
The initiative will support 650 learners (full-time and part-time) by March 2023, of which 233 will be assisted through scholarships (36% of total learners).
For course enquiries, please contact: Reda Al Bodour
The IoC is a large national consortium of educators, employers and outreach organisations that is committed to co-developing new courses and activities at the degree level and above that will help a larger and more diverse group of learners into digital careers.
