Language Science and Technology (M.Sc.)

Students receive close personal supervision in small learning groups and the teaching staff introduce students to their respective fields of research early on in the programme. Graduates from the programme are therefore well prepared for a research or development role in the computational linguistics sector.

A notable feature of the M.Sc. programme in Saarbrücken is the close proximity of university institutes to a number of highly respected external research institutions that are located on campus. The department collaborates closely with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) as well as with the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPII) and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS).

Parts of the programme can be studied on a part-time basis, however, students must study full-time in the semester in which their final Master's thesis is written. The department maintains excellent ties to the international language science community and can help to arrange study-abroad periods in Europe or worldwide. Students on the Master's programme come from around the world.

The four-semester consecutive Master's programme 'Language Science and Technology' builds on the foundations established in a B.Sc. programme on computational linguistics or a closely related subject such as computer science or (theoretical) linguistics.

Students on the Master's programme must acquire 120 ECTS credits (120 CP). Students select at least four core or foundation lectures (24 CP) from the following categories:

• Foundations
• Computational Linguistics
• Computational Psycholinguistics
• Linguistics
• Machine Translation
• Speech Science and Speech Technology

The subsequent advanced study stage offers a range of seminars, software projects and advanced  lectures from the categories listed above and also includes the compulsory Master's seminar, which prepares for the final thesis. In addition, students also need to attain between 6 and 18 CP from courses in the fields of Computer Science or Cognitive Psychology.

In the fourth and final semester, students complete their Master's thesis (30 CP). Students successfully completing the programme will be awarded a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree.

A European Master's degree programme in Language and Communication Technologies is offered within the framework of the European Erasmus Mundus cooperation and mobility scheme.

Admission requirements

1. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from a German or foreign university in computational linguistics or a related field, or proof of equivalent academic achievement.

2. Proof of advanced proficiency in English.

3. Applicants must demonstrate special aptitude by providing:

• proof of sufficient merit in their previous academic track record
• evidence supporting their particular interest in the subject by submitting a personal statement written by the applicant and letters of recommendation written by referees who know the applicant academically.

Language requirements

The programme is taught entirely in English. Proficiency in English (for non-native speakers) must be certified by:

• TOEFL internet-based test: at least 79
• TOEFL computer-based test: at least 213
• TOEFL paper-based test: at least 550
• Cambridge Proficiency Exam: pass
• Cambridge CAE Advanced: A or B
• IELTS Academic: at least 6.5

If you certifiy the language requirements using TOEFL internet-based test: Enter the TOEFL code number 8497 on your answer sheets when you sit for the examination. Please do not upload or send us a copy of the student's score report for the TOEFL. We can only accept official score reports sent to us directly by the TOEFL organization.

Graduates from German schools: Certification of at least five years of English at school with an average mark of at least 3.5 in the German marking system from the two final years will also fill the language requirement.

Native speakers of English and those who hold a degree of a University in a country where English is the mother tongue don't have to certify the language requirements. This exception does not extent to universities in countries where English is not the mother tongue, even if it is the language of instruction.

Knowledge of German is not needed for your studies but is of course helpful for everyday life.

How to apply

The Language Science and Technology programme starts each winter semester. It is not possible to join the programme at the beginning of the summer semester. The application deadline is 15 February for admissions in the following winter semester. You will be informed of the result of your application in April. Applications must be submitted via the online application portal of the department of Computer Science.

Documents for your application

Please submit digital copies of the following documents:

• Personal statement of interest and letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Certificates attesting to the fulfillment of the language requirements

Aditionally, you have to upload the following documents as a single PDF document:

• School-leaving certificate giving you the right of entry to higher education in your home country with individual grades
• Bachelor's degree (If you are not finished with your bachelor's degree yet, you should upload preliminary documents instead)
• Transcript of academic records

Once uploaded, you cannot upload updated versions, so please make sure that your documents are complete when you submit them!

If your original documents are in a language other than English or German, please also submit certified translations.

Native speakers of English: Please write a short note quoting that you are a native speaker of English and that all your studies have been in English, sign this and upload it in the field 'Language Certification'.

Additional certifications

Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: Please have your documents certified by the Academic Evaluation Center (APS) of the German Embassy.

• Study regulations: [English][German]
• Examination regulations: [English][German]
• Discontinued regulations
• Module catalogue
• Study guide
• Guidance for prospective international students