Formal AI Degree

Option 1: Should You Still Do a Formal AI Degree If You Already Know AI?Option 2: Already Learning AI? Here’s Why a Formal AI Degree Still Matters for Students

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting fields right now. Students are building chatbots, coding machine learning models, and even experimenting with tools like ChatGPT before they’ve completed their degree. Parents often ask us: “If my child can already learn AI online, why should they spend years and money on a formal degree?”

It’s a valid question, and the answer is simple: a formal AI program still has huge value, even if you already know AI practically. Let’s understand why.

Practical Knowledge Is Powerful… But It Has Limits

Students today are smart. They pick up coding, build apps, and learn from YouTube tutorials. For example, one of our students, Rohan, started working on AI projects in his second year of engineering. By the time he graduated, he already had an impressive GitHub portfolio with real-world projects.

This kind of practical knowledge makes students job-ready. Companies love it when graduates can actually apply what they’ve learned.

But here’s the catch: practical skills alone may not be enough in the long run.

Why a Formal AI Program Still Matters

1. Validation of Skills

   
   

   A certificate from an online course is great, but a formal degree or diploma gives global recognition. For parents, this means your child’s skills will be accepted anywhere in the world, not just in one local job market.

   
   

2. Deeper Understanding

   
   

   Online learning often teaches the “how” — how to code, how to build a model. But a degree program teaches the “why.” Students dive into advanced concepts, research, mathematics, and the ethics of AI. This ensures they don’t just use AI tools — they’re ready to innovate and improve them.

   
   

3. Networking & Opportunities

   
   

   At a university, students connect with professors, researchers, alumni, and industry experts. These connections open doors to internships, global projects, and high-level opportunities that self-learning cannot provide. Parents often appreciate that their child is entering a professional community, not just learning in isolation.

   
   

4. Global Recognition & Career Growth

   
   

   If your child wants to work abroad or apply for visas, a formal AI qualification adds weight. Employers and immigration offices value recognized degrees when making decisions.

Example: Rohan’s Journey

Remember Rohan, who was already skilled in AI before graduation? He chose to pursue a Master’s in AI in the UK. Initially, he thought he might be “repeating” what he already knew. But instead, the program gave him:

• Access to research labs and faculty guidance

• Opportunities to work on real industry problems

• A chance to publish a paper with his professor

Now, he’s not just a coder — he’s an AI researcher, with job offers from companies across Europe.

For students like Rohan, the combination of practical + formal education made him stand out in a competitive market.

Final Thoughts for Students & Parents

👉 For Students:Practical skills will get you started, but a formal degree will take you further. It will give you credibility, depth, and the confidence to compete globally.

👉 For Parents:Supporting your child in pursuing a recognized AI program is not just an investment in education — it’s an investment in their long-term career stability and global opportunities.

Practical knowledge makes you job-ready today.A formal program makes you career-ready for tomorrow.Together, they make you future-proof in an AI-driven world.

🚀 Thinking about studying AI abroad?At BitTRACK, we help students and parents choose the right country, university, and program that matches both practical skills and career goals. Book a counseling session today — let’s plan your child’s future together.