Course summary
Speech and natural language processing is a rapidly evolving field at the cutting edge of AI and computer science. This course presents the core theories, models and algorithms to enable the exploration of human language and speech, preparing graduates for impactful future careers. Course description Our programme bridges computer science, machine learning, linguistics and signal processing, driving transformative technologies such as chat/voice assistants, real-time machine translation, sentiment analysis and speech recognition. Modules in natural language processing will introduce you to the core technologies underpinning state-of-the-art AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek. This course is ideal for students with a keen interest in machine learning, linguistics, phonetics, and computational techniques with a background in computer science and engineering, or a related field. A third of your study time will be devoted to an individual dissertation, where you will collaborate closely with a member of staff to research topics such as machine learning, natural language processing, or speech recognition. These capabilities will prepare you for dynamic careers in AI development, speech and language technology, or academic research, making you a sought-after professional in these cutting-edge fields. By the end of the course, you will have mastered key skills in machine learning, natural language processing, speech production and perception analysis, and digital signal processing on real-world data. This course blends engaging lectures with hands-on lab classes and computational exercises, fostering both theoretical understanding and practical expertise. Applying for this course We are no longer using a staged admissions process for this course. You can apply for this course in the usual way using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. Accreditation This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS). The course partially meets the requirements for Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and partially meets the requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng). Please see our University website for the most up-to-date course information.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT
How to apply
International applicants
English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject. Subject requirements We accept degrees in the following subject areas: Computer Science Computing Mathematics Software Engineering Other degree titles containing 'Engineering'. We may also consider degrees in Linguistics or Psychology. We also consider a wide range of international qualifications. We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course. The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only. Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/2026/computer-science-speech-and-natural-language-processing-msc#feesfunding
Provider information
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN