This Master’s programme is recognised as one of Germany’s leading degrees in computational linguistics and is delivered in English. It combines current research themes with hands-on skills, giving students a solid grounding in both theoretical and applied aspects of the field. The course places strong emphasis on academically rigorous, project-based learning so students develop practical problem‑solving abilities alongside their research knowledge.
You can build a tailored study plan by choosing from a wide selection of modules offered within the computational linguistics department and across other faculties at the university. Sample course topics include grammar formalisms, machine learning, information retrieval, dialectometry, and computer‑aided language learning. Assessment typically involves project work and term papers, which train students to tackle real problems using sound scientific methods.
This programme is well suited for students aiming for careers in research or industry (e.g., NLP engineering, language technology, or further doctoral study). International applicants will benefit from the programme’s English instruction and the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment that links linguistics, computer science, and related areas.
Application notes — check the programme’s official webpage for precise rules and deadlines. Typical documents and criteria to prepare or confirm include:
This MA programme places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary training and lets students tailor their coursework to their background and goals. If you already hold a BA in computational linguistics, you can choose most of your classes fairly freely and design a focused study plan. Students coming from a pure linguistics or a pure computer science undergraduate degree are expected to take additional catch-up coursework to build the missing side of the interdisciplinary skillset.
Many departmental classes include practical, hands-on components, giving you experience applying computational methods to linguistic problems. You may also incorporate relevant modules from other university departments (for example, computer science or general linguistics) into your MA curriculum. Any course taken outside the department must be approved by your academic adviser at the beginning of the semester to count toward the degree.
Typical learning outcomes include the ability to integrate linguistic theory with computational techniques, develop practical skills through laboratory or project work, and assemble a personalised programme of study that supports academic research or applied careers. Because of the programme’s flexibility, students can emphasise theory, practical tool-building, or an application-focused pathway depending on prior training and professional aims.
Requirements and important notes
Applicants must hold a completed university degree with strong academic results. On the German grading scale this means a final grade better than 2.5. The prior degree should have a clear orientation towards computational linguistics, or a major emphasis in linguistics or computer science.
You must have covered the equivalent of at least half of the material taught in the Bachelor’s program in Computational Linguistics at Tübingen. Good English skills are also required — at least CEFR level B2. In addition, a motivation letter is compulsory: it should explain your background related to computational linguistics and your reasons for applying to the master’s program.
For international applicants, the motivation letter is an important opportunity to describe relevant coursework, projects, programming or linguistics experience, and how the master’s will fit your academic and career goals.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 September 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 March 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles in both industry and research that involve language technology and natural language processing — for example at tech companies, research labs, or organisations developing machine translation, information retrieval, or language-learning systems. The programme’s practical, project-driven training supports employability in technical positions that require linguistic insight and computational skills.
The MA also provides a solid foundation for further academic work, including doctoral studies in computational linguistics, NLP, or related fields, for students wishing to pursue a research career.