Computational Linguistics

The Master of Science programme in Computational Linguistics is offered by the Institute for Natural Language Processing in the School of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The programme is intended for students from the fields of computational linguistics, computer science and related disciplines. It provides an advanced education to students who wish to widen their knowledge of theories and applications relevant to the automatic processing of written and spoken language.
The programme starts with an intensive class that reviews the basics of computational linguistics. This class is especially useful for students with Bachelor's degrees in computer science or related fields, and also for students who have a Bachelor's degree in linguistics.
We offer three concentrations in the programme: (i) computational syntax and semantics, (ii) statistical natural language processing and (iii) laboratory phonology and speech processing. Students select two out of these three and are expected to write their Master's thesis on a topic related to one of the two selected concentrations. In a computational linguistics team laboratory in the second semester, students acquire practical skills for typical collaborative project situations.
Apart from basics class, concentrations, team lab and Master's thesis, about one quarter of the programme consists of specialisation modules. Students have great leeway in selecting these modules. They are offered by the Institute for Natural Language Processing and by the Departments of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Linguistics.

Educational organisation

Semester one: Methods in Computational Linguistics; Computational Linguistics Concentration 1, part 1; Computational Linguistics Concentration 2, part 1; Specialisation Module; Key Competences Seminar

Semester two: Computational Linguistics Concentration 1, part 2; Computational Linguistics Concentration 2, part 2; two Specialisation Modules; Computational Linguistics Team Lab

Semester three: four Specialisation Modules; Research Seminar

Semester four: Colloquium, Master's thesis

Study abroad unit(s)

Students are encouraged to spend semester three abroad. Classes in semester three can be taken at a host university.

Forms of assessment

• Written and oral examinations
• oral presentations
• poster presentations
• seminar papers

Course objectives

The Master of Science Computational Linguistics is a good basis either for a PhD programme in computational linguistics/natural language processing or for a position in industry and at research organisations that involves text and speech processing systems.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their proficiency in English (e.g. TOEFL or other equivalent test).

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science, computational linguistics, or a related field

Enrolment fees

Approx. 170 EUR per semester

Costs of living

To cover living expenses, you will need about 750 EUR per month. This is for rent (approx. 300-350 EUR), health insurance for non-EU residents (approx. 80 EUR), the semester ticket for public transport (190 EUR/six months), food (approx. 200 EUR), other incidental expenses and working materials (approx. 100 EUR).

Job opportunities

Owing to its location in the heart of one of Europe's largest high-tech regions, there are many opportunities to find employment. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is very high and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year. Students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische Hilfskräfte") are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply. You are not allowed to work during the first year while attending a German language class in preparation for the test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF).

Arrival support

A pick-up service is part of our welcome package. If you wish, you will be contacted before your departure, and if you arrive between 8am and 8pm, you will be met at Stuttgart airport or railway station and taken to your accommodation. Your host partner will also help you to deal with all formalities. This service is free of charge.

Services and support for international students

Cross-Cultural Mentoring Programme
The Office of International Affairs invites international degree students to sign up for the "Cross-Cultural Mentoring Programme". The programme is intended to ease initial challenges at the university as well as to offer study information, counselling services, subject-specific tutorials, courses, and activities during the whole study programme.
For further information, please contact: heidenreich@ia.uni-stuttgart.de.

The Welcoming Service
The Office of International Affairs offers a buddy programme in order to support you with all formalities at the beginning of your studies. For further information, please visit our website: http://www.ia.uni-stuttgart.de/internat/studierende/services/buddyprogramm/index.en.html.

Accommodation

Both campuses in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and in Stuttgart city centre have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 240-350 EUR per month) are furnished, some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone, and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within 10 minutes. If you are under 30 years old and want to apply for a room in one of the student dormitories, please contact the student service:

Studentenwerk Stuttgart
Rosenbergstraße 18
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)7 11-9 57 44 70
Fax: +49 (0)7 11-9 57 44 50
E-mail: wohnen.sws@t-online.de
Internet: http://www.sws-internet.de