MBZUAI introduces its first AI undergraduate programme
New MBZUAI BSc. AI blends core expertise with leadership and industry experience.
#UAE #education - Abu Dhabi’s prestigious Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has launched its first undergraduate programme aimed at developing future leaders for a rapidly evolving AI sector. According to the university, the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence programme blends core AI expertise with leadership, entrepreneurship and industry experience. Officially opened in 2020 as the world’s first graduate-level AI research university, MBZUAI attracts some of the best and brightest talent from around the world.
SO WHAT? - MBZUAI has made a name for itself as a pioneering graduate-level AI research university and so the new course marks a departure from the university’s singular focus on post-graduate programmes. However, the institution has developed and diversified over the past five years expanding its post-graduate offerings, engaging with an increasingly wide variety of industry partners and institutions, building a world-class executive education programme and launching its own MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC). The addition of a Bachelor of Science programme signals both further expansion and that the university aims to play an even greater role in nurturing local talent.
Here are the key details about the new Bachelor of Science in AI programme
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has introduced its first undergraduate degree programme, launching a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Open to both local and international students, the BSc. in AI offers two distinct streams:
Bachelor of Science in AI – Business, which focuses on business integration and entrepreneurship, and
Bachelor of Science in AI – Engineering, which focuses on AI model development and deployment across the breadth of AI, and real-world applications in different sectors.
The new AI undergraduate programme will be the first of its kind, integrating AI education with entrepreneurship, problem-discovery, and key skills for an AI product journey, preparing students to be leaders in innovation.
The new BSc will also use a co-pilot education model where AI tools are integrated throughout the programme, helping students develop critical thinking skills while familiarising themselves with AI-assisted workflows.
Students will also gain practical experience working with state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) including JAIS, an Arabic language model developed in Abu Dhabi, and the open-source K2, which outperforms many other models.
The curriculum for the new degree extends beyond technical skills to include entrepreneurship, financial fundamentals, legal considerations, and essential human skills in management and communication.
MBZUAI will offer both merit-based and needs-based scholarships, covering up to 100% of tuition fees and the cost of attendance. Meanwhile, some student admissions will be sponsored by the university’s industry partners.
The new undergraduate programme includes co-operative industry placements, internships, mentorships, and partnerships with industry leaders to provide hands-on learning experiences.
The deadline for applications for the new programme is 31st May 2025.
ZOOM OUT - MBZUAI's purpose-built AI degree acknowledges that the field requires an entirely new educational framework, combining both technical grounding and the ability to drive innovation in the real-world. This approach maps closely to the widespread needs for AI professionals in the UAE - and around the world - that can help deliver real-world value from the latest AI technologies and advancements. The new BSc. is also one of the first degree programmes in the world to integrate AI tools into the learning process.
LINKS
Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
Read more about MBZUAI:
MBZUAI board change signals new phase in development (Middle East AI News)
UAE President visits MBZUAI (Middle East AI News)
MBZUAI adds Master's in Applied AI Degree to curricula (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi's AI university sees 47% increase in student intake (Middle East AI News)