Imperial College London plans AI, economics and policy master’s for 2027
The 12-month London program will combine computing, markets, law and governance, but remains subject to university approval.
Imperial Business School’s proposed MSc will combine AI with economics, law, governance and public policy
Imperial Business School is preparing a new MSc AI, Economics & Policy for September 2027, combining technical AI training with economics, law and governance in a single postgraduate program.
The 12-month degree will be delivered jointly with the Department of Computing at Imperial College London. Applications are scheduled to open in August 2026, although Imperial states that the program is still subject to university approval.
Markus Perkmann, Professor and Vice-Dean at Imperial Business School, announced the degree on LinkedIn. He described it as “the first master’s degree in the UK to focus on the economic and policy impact of AI.”
Rather than treating AI solely as a computing subject, the curriculum will examine how AI systems affect economic growth, competition, regulation and public policy. Students will also study the capabilities, limitations and risks of AI and data-driven systems.
Five core modules span technology, economics and law
The proposed curriculum contains five compulsory modules: Economics of AI and Digital Markets; Foundations in AI, Economics and Policy; Law and Regulation of Algorithmic Systems; Law and Policy across the AI Stack; and Responsible AI.
That structure gives legal and regulatory questions the same core status as programming and economics. Topics will include automated decision-making, discrimination, accountability, auditing, market power, productivity, liability and the EU AI Act.
Foundations in AI, Economics and Policy will introduce Python programming alongside economic principles and legal frameworks. Imperial says the module is intended to prepare students from different backgrounds for later study across the three disciplines.
Students will also choose from more than 20 electives. The listed options span machine learning, generative AI, natural language processing, digital markets, competition, innovation, finance, health analytics, energy and marketing.
Imperial says teaching will draw on its links with organizations including the Information Commissioner’s Office, Competition and Markets Authority, Financial Conduct Authority, Ofcom and European Commission. The program is also expected to include guest lectures from industry leaders and regulators, although specific speakers have not been named.
Summer project may include an industry or policy placement
During the summer, students will complete an individual project in a real-world setting. Imperial says this may take the form of a placement with an industry or policy partner, a research project or another approved option.
The degree will be taught on campus in South Kensington, London, beginning with a compulsory induction week in early September 2027.
Applications must be submitted online. Imperial’s wider MSc admissions process requires two referees, while shortlisted candidates are invited to complete an online video interview that typically takes about 20 minutes.
Candidates are expected to possess a basic level of mathematics before beginning an Imperial Business School postgraduate program. Applicants can be considered for one program per year, with the Business School taking their interests and eligibility into account when considering alternatives.
An online information session is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, from noon to 1 pm. Professor Tommaso Valletti, Professor of Economics, will discuss the curriculum and its focus on AI governance, policy and economic impact.
