Master in Advanced Studies in Linguistics (Natural Language Processing)
We regret to inform you that the Manama in Advanced Studies in Linguistics (Natural Language Processing) will not be offered. If you have registered or were planning to register, we understand this may be disappointing news.
However, we are pleased to inform you that all core NLP courses from the MaNaMa Advanced Studies in Linguistics are also offered in the Postgraduate Certificate Programme in Computer-Assisted Language Mediation (CALM) at Ghent University. This program provides a valuable alternative and is open to both local and international students.
Key points about the CALM postgraduate program:
- It offers the same NLP courses as the MaNaMa Advanced Studies in Linguistics program.
- The tuition fee is the same.
- The CALM program offers an internship component, which may be a research internship.
- International students from outside the EU are eligible to apply for a visa (the CALM program exceeds the 54 ECTS minimum requirement for visa eligibility).
We encourage interested students to explore the CALM program as an excellent opportunity to gain advanced skills in language and AI. For more information and application details, please visit www.ugent.be/lw/vtc/en/education/postgraduate/calm
If you have any questions about your pending registration or study options, feel free to contact Arda Tezcan (arda.tezcan@ugent.be).
Why LinguisticsNLP?
Future-oriented
In a world increasingly driven by data and automation, understanding how language works and how it can be processed computationally has never been more crucial. The Master in Advanced Studies in Linguistics: Natural Language Processing – Theory & Practice is a one-year master’s program designed to equip students with the theoretical insights and practical skills needed to analyze and process language automatically.
Research-driven
The curriculum integrates foundational courses in corpus linguistics, psycholinguistics, and language variation with specialized training in programming, machine learning, and neural networks for NLP. With a strong research focus, students design their own projects and complete a master’s dissertation, equipping them for careers in academia or the language technology industry. At the same time, the program balances theoretical and research-based concepts with practical, hands-on experience.
Personalized curriculum
In addition to the core curriculum, students can tailor their studies by selecting courses that align with their chosen scientific focus. These may come from the NLP specialization within this program or from master’s programs at Belgian or international universities.
Human-centered
Whether you are particularly drawn to corpus linguistics, cutting-edge natural language processing (NLP) applications or the ethical challenges of AI, this program equips you with the skills to innovate and make an impact in the rapidly evolving world of language technology and human-centered AI.
Target group
This master’s program is intended for students with a special interest in the (automated) analysis of language data and targets students with a Master’s degree in (Applied) Linguistics, History, Communication Sciences, Political Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, Pedagogy, Law, Economics, Archaeology, Literary Studies, Art History, Languages and Cultures, Gender and Diversity, Global Studies, Criminology, Social Work, Social Welfare Studies, and Conflict and Development Studies. Students are admitted upon file review and an interview.
Given its focus on research, this master’s program is also an excellent preparation for students who aim to start a research project (PhD) in the field of linguistics or other fields that make use of NLP techniques.
Course structure
This master’s program is a one-year, 60-credit academic program comprising four course types:
- General courses and free elective courses (15 credits)
- Research project (5 credits)
- Four courses from the NLP specialisation module (20 credits)
- Master’s dissertation (20 credits)
Modules
Read a short description of the modules offered here. A more detailed programme summary will soon be available in the study guide.
Brochure
Everything you want to know (and more) in the brochure.
Testimonial
“After completing my Master’s in Literature and Linguistics at Ghent University in 2022, I found myself interested in language processing questions that required AI knowledge I didn’t have. This led me to enroll in the Master in Advanced Linguistics with a focus on Natural Language Processing, a program that provided me with the skills to address linguistic questions using computational methods. While the two-semester program couldn’t cover everything about NLP, it provided me with a strong foundation to learn and adapt in an academic setting.
For anyone interested in applying computers to linguistics research but unsure where to start, the Master in Advanced Linguistics program at Ghent University is a practical entry point into the field of NLP.” - Thomas Moerman (2022 - 2023)