Udacity and Woolf Launch Accredited Master's in AI: Affordable, flexible, built for work
On October 15, 2025, Udacity (part of Accenture) and Woolf announced a fully accredited Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence built around Udacity's project-based model. The degree is awarded by Woolf and recognized through the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) across 60+ countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and 43 European nations.
The program is priced from $3,500 (USD), a fraction of traditional graduate tuition. It's structured for working professionals who need recognized credentials without pausing their careers.
Why this matters for education leaders
AI is in daily use at work, but capability gaps persist. Udacity's research shows 90% of workers use AI, yet 3 in 4 abandon tools mid-task due to skills, systems, and trust gaps. Only 5% of GenAI initiatives show measurable P&L impact, while 67% of c-suite leaders expect revenue gains and 9 in 10 plan to increase investments. Employers are paying a 25% premium for proven AI skills-creating demand for applied, verifiable graduate credentials.
Program at a glance
- Radically affordable: Complete the degree for as little as $3,500 (USD).
- Industry relevant: Project-based courses developed with input from leading tech companies; graduates finish with a portfolio that demonstrates capability.
- Fully accredited: Degrees awarded by Woolf are widely recognized for immigration, visa applications, and doctoral programs in 60+ countries.
- Backwards compatible: Recognition of Prior Learning lets current and former Udacity learners apply completed Nanodegree programs toward the master's, accelerating time to graduation.
- Highly flexible: Self-paced progress through 12 Udacity Nanodegree programs plus a capstone. The total workload is ~2,250 hours, aligned with the standard for a European master's under ECTS.
Learn more about the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
What makes this degree different
It merges applied learning with formal recognition. Learners build job-ready artifacts across AI domains while earning an accredited master's degree that travels across borders.
For institutions and education leaders, it offers a model that connects skills-first learning with recognized academic outcomes-without inflating cost or time-to-degree.
Leadership perspectives
"We've been at the forefront of AI education since the beginning, training tens of thousands of professionals who are now driving AI initiatives at companies worldwide," said Udacity CEO Kai Roemmelt. "This evolution into accredited degree programs represents the natural next step-giving our learners just the skills that employers demand, but also the formal recognition that opens doors globally."
"This partnership represents a milestone in making formal academic recognition accessible to a global learner base," said Rector and Woolf President Dr. Joshua Broggi. "Udacity's expertise in high-impact, project-based learning pairs naturally with Woolf's accredited degree infrastructure. The result is a world-class master's program that meets students where they are, wherever they are."
Implications for academic teams
- Pathway design: Map the program's ECTS-based workload to local frameworks for credit equivalency and advising.
- Recognition of Prior Learning: Use RPL to connect micro-credentials (Nanodegrees) to advanced standing where policy allows.
- Portfolio assessment: Evaluate capstone and project artifacts with clear rubrics to support outcomes-based assessment.
- Employer alignment: Tie learning outcomes to in-demand roles and internal upskilling programs to address the 25% wage premium for AI skills.
How it fits into Accenture's LearnVantage
The degree builds on Accenture's $1B LearnVantage investment, which has scaled through acquisitions including Udacity, TalentSprint, Ascendient Learning, and Award Solutions. The focus is simple: help individuals and organizations build the skills required to grow in the AI economy.
About the partners
Udacity: A global leader in AI and technology education since 2011, known for project-based Nanodegree programs that produce job-ready talent.
Woolf: An accredited, globally recognized collegiate higher education institution that enables qualified education providers to issue portable, ECTS-recognized degrees across 60+ countries via a shared academic platform.
Accenture: A global professional services company helping enterprises build their digital core and apply AI at scale, backed by a workforce of ~779,000 and deep ecosystem partnerships.
What to do next
- Assess how this program can support your institution's AI pathways, credit transfer, and workforce partnerships.
- Advise learners who need flexible, accredited options at low cost and with clear ROI.
Apply now and forge a new future in tech.
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