Master's · UCL Machine Learning
UCL's Machine Learning MSc is a one-year, full-time course in the Department of Computer Science that starts in September 2027. Its page asks for a 2:1 in a highly quantitative subject, with comfort in undergraduate mathematics such as linear algebra and calculus. The application should show your programming experience, the closing date depends on whether you need a visa, and a separate Data Science and Machine Learning MSc also exists.
2027-28 entry · Official information
Taken from the UCL graduate course page for the Machine Learning MSc (course starts September 2027) and read on 2 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
The minimum is an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent international qualification, in a highly quantitative subject such as computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering or the physical sciences. Relevant work experience may also be considered.
Applicants must be comfortable with undergraduate mathematics in areas such as linear algebra and calculus.
The application should show, among other things, what programming experience you have, how your background meets the course's demands and where you want to go professionally.
Applicants who require a visa apply between 19 October 2026 and 22 March 2027. Applicants who do not require a visa apply between 19 October 2026 and 27 August 2027. Both close at 5pm UK time, and no late applications will be considered.
The course requires two references, and an applicant may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses in any application cycle.
The compulsory modules are Supervised Learning and the MSc Machine Learning Project. The rest of the year is chosen from optional modules, some taught with the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and Google DeepMind.
Official sources
Read on 2 November 2026 on the UCL graduate course page for the Machine Learning MSc (course starts September 2027), which describes 2027-28 entry. The English language requirements, the country-specific equivalent qualifications, the contact-hours and assessment details, the fee and funding sections, the department's own pages and the application guidance pages were not read and are not stated.
Fit
UCL lists more than one machine learning master's in the same department. This guide covers only the Machine Learning MSc, and uses only that page.
Entry in a highly quantitative subject, comfort with undergraduate mathematics, and a project with an industry partner or on an academic topic.
A separate course page exists under this name in the same department. Read its own page and compare entry rules before choosing; this guide does not describe it.
The page asks for a highly quantitative subject. If your degree is outside that list, read the page and contact the admissions team before planning around this course.
Decision
The compulsory part is small, so most of the year depends on your optional choices. The readings below are Avandy's judgment (heuristic), not UCL's.
Supervised Learning and the MSc Machine Learning Project are compulsory. The project is completed with an industry partner or on an academic topic.
Listed options include Graphical Models, Probabilistic and Unsupervised Learning, Statistical Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning and Introduction to Deep Learning. The page says availability is subject to change.
Pick the options you would want to defend in the statement. Because only two modules are compulsory, the application is stronger if it links your programming and mathematics to the options you expect to take.
Application
The page lists what UCL would like to learn when assessing an application.
Why you want to study Machine Learning at graduate level, why at UCL, what attracts you to the course, how your background meets its demands, what programming experience you have and where you want to go professionally.
The page says no late applications will be considered, and that applicants with visa requirements or applying for scholarships are advised to apply early.
Answer each of the six items in order, in plain terms, with one concrete example for the mathematics and one for the programming.
Planning
The page describes a September 2027 start, and the dates above belong to that cycle.
Check the degree subject and mathematics against the page, decide whether this course or the Data Science and Machine Learning MSc is the better fit, and request two references. Re-read the page before submitting, because UCL says module content and availability can change.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
An upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent international qualification, in a highly quantitative subject such as computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering or the physical sciences.
The page says applicants must be comfortable with undergraduate mathematics in areas such as linear algebra and calculus.
For applicants who require a visa, at 5pm UK time on 22 March 2027; for those who do not, at 5pm UK time on 27 August 2027. No late applications will be considered.
The page says the course requires two references.
No. UCL lists a separate course under that name. Read its own page and compare.
Students and families
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.
