Computational Linguistics

The follow-up master program in computational linguistics is designed especially for graduates of bachelor program, however the graduates of related programs (mostly philological, or computer science) are also welcomed. The aim of the study is to deepen the knowledge of the computational and corpus linguistics, to extend the skills in algorithmic description of different language levels, a wider view on the traditional and computational linguistics and its development and context. Focus is on strengthening the programming skills, especially in the area of advanced natural language processing techniques. Courses are realized with the cooperation of the Institute of the Czech language of the Faculty of Arts, (the guarantor of the program), and the departments of the Faculty of Informatics MU.

“My computers understand me”

The goal of the program is not only to educate professionals with a comprehensive education, but also prepare the students for both practice and for academic career. Thus the master program emphasizes the involvement of students in research projects (participation in the projects, participation in conferences, publication). The students are supported to cooperate with organizations and companies focusing on relevant topics and participate in these organizations (especially in South Moravian region) during their studies as interns. The students are encouraged to participate in foreign mobility programs (Erasmus+, CEEPUS). Much attention is aimed on the preparation of high-quality thesis, often focusing on solutions applicable in practice. Education of master students seeks to ensure that the graduates have a good knowledge of linguistics, computational linguistics and corpus linguistics, good orientation in computer technology, competence to communicate in literary Czech and in English, and ability to work in a team, and thus they are equipped for utilization at the labour market. The knowledge of other foreign languages, supported by studies in combination with another philological program, is also an asset.

Practical training

Students commonly engage in practice already during their studies in the form of both internal and external internships. The internship can be recognised and valued 5 credits as the PLIN061 - Internship for Master's Degree after confirmation of at least 40 hours worked in a given calendar year, with one or more employers.

Further information

http://cestina.phil.muni.cz/

https://www.facebook.com/lingvistika/

Graduates of the master program are valued for their very good knowledge of the Czech language, experience from the field of natural language processing and high-quality insight into IT. They can find a job using Czech, English or other languages (proofreading, copywriting, technical writing, localization). An ideal place for the computational linguistics graduates are companies from the field of information technology focused on using natural language and obtaining information from the text, for example Google, Seznam, Red Hat, or Moravia. Follow-up master program provides its students a deeper knowledge of the studied subject, more contacts with the application sphere and obtaining a number of other experiences from foreign study visits. All this allows for more varied selection of jobs on the labour market with the potential to work in higher positions. Gifted students interested in further education obtain theoretically-methodological background for doctoral studies in the field of linguistics and computer science.

Deadline for submitting applications: January 1 - April 30

Who the programme is intended for: The programme is intended for graduates of the same or related Bachelor’s degree programme (the similarity of the fields will be assessed based on the application).

Subject matter of the entrance examination: The entrance examination consists of an oral interview and a written test. An interview focused on the student’s previous knowledge and motivation to study computational linguistics is a condition for admission to the test. The written test requires knowledge in the range of the thematic areas for the Bachelor’s state examination from the Computational Linguistics programme (see the website of the Department of Czech Language). The length of the written test is 90 minutes.

Waiver of the entrance examination: The entrance examination will be waived for graduates of Bachelor’s studies in the same field/programme at FA MU. Applicants can ask for a waiver for the entrance examination via the e-application form, section "Application for waiver of the entrance examination".

Applicants whose mother tongue is not Czech are expected to have knowledge of the Czech language at least at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Website of the programme Computational Linguistics.

General information on the course of the admission procedure to the follow-up Master’s degree programmes at FA MU can be found here. Documents for the current admission procedure are kept in Materials for Applicants.

Criteria for evaluation

Pass/fail line of the entrance examination: 50 points (out of 100).

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Minimum score and numbers of accepted applicants in past years

After graduating from the computational linguistics master program students can continue to relevant PhD programs (philology, computer science) at the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Informatics MU or at other universities.