Computational and Corpus Linguistics

Entry requirements

We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent. Typically this will be a degree that in some way involved the study of language, including linguistics or a specific language.

Strong applicants with degrees in other areas (e.g. philosophy) will be considered.

The application form includes a personal statement section in which you must demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in the subject. Please be explicit as to how your academic background and experience to date prepare you for this course.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc Computational and Corpus Linguistics provides a thorough training in natural language processing technologies and the data-driven study of language.

You will learn about areas such as:

• Machine learning models for the classification, understanding and generation of texts.
• Natural language applications such as dialogue systems and machine translation.
• Corpus-driven approaches to linguistic questions in areas such as syntax, semantics and pragmatics, phonology and phonetics, historical, socio and psycholinguistics.

You will acquire programming skills in Python and statistical analysis skills in R. You will learn how to use high performance computing facilities, and how to document and present your work.

Aims

The programme offers a comprehensive training in computational linguistics - the study of the processing of human languages by machines - and corpus linguistics - the scientific study of human languages via databases of texts.

Students will learn the theoretical foundations of computer natural language processing, a field of artificial intelligence, and of the data-intensive study of language. They will also acquire constitutive techniques in computer programming, statistics, and research design, and reflect on the ethical implications of these applications.

The course will particularly suit those with undergraduate degrees in Linguistics (or related disciplines) who want to develop quantitative and computational skills, and those with some quantitative skills who are seeking training in linguistics and computation.