Computational linguistics (LI)

Computational linguistics or "natural language processing" (NLP) refers to the design of computer programs dealing with all aspects of human language, from speech recognition to the analysis of the meaning of a text. Famous NLP applications are for example machine translation, information retrieval, text generation, chatbots…

NLP algorithms can also be used to answer research questions about human languages.

The computational linguistics master's program is a multidisciplinary program combining linguistics, mathematics and computer science.

It has both a research-oriented and an industry-oriented track. It is designed to provide in-depth skills in symbolic and machine-learning NLP algorithms. Our master's program is characterized by an emphasis on team work and computer work sessions, and by providing students the ability to continue training in this rapidly evolving field.

The program is taught by NLP researchers belonging to the computational linguistics strand (LLF research laboratory), who also maintain close ties with industrial natural language processing work in Paris area.

Supervisors of the Computational linguistics specialty : Benoit Crabbé and Guillaume Wisniewski.

For French presentation

The computational linguistics program enables students to master the techniques of natural language processing and their applications.

The professional orientation opens up to positions as computer linguists in artificial intelligence companies oriented towards the processing of written texts.

The research orientation may allow to pursue a PhD in computational linguistics.

  • Know how to explore and computerize large and varied corpora of texts.
  • Know up-to-date algorithms for natural language processing and machine learning and how to implement them in practice to solve a given task.
  • Be able to use deep learning libraries.
  • Know modern linguistic concepts allowing the description of various languages.

The master's program consists of two years of two semesters each.

  • The first year focuses on the formal foundations of NLP, machine learning and the articulation with the formal description of languages. The courses are complemented by practical work on the computer.
  • In the second year, the first semester includes in-depth courses, in particular for the research track, and application courses for the industrial track.  The second semester is a research internship in a laboratory or an internship in a company, with the writing of a dissertation and defense.

Target audience
Degrees required for registration in first year

3rd year Bachelor's degree either:

  • in Language Sciences or Humanities, but with skills in computer programming (python, java), and basic mathematical training (linear algebra, probability theory);
  • or in computer science, with a strong interest in languages and linguistic formalization (beginners in linguistics may apply).
Admission requirements

The application should contain a copy of the student's diploma, a CV and a cover letter.

Admission is conditional on a level of English sufficient to read an article and understand a discussion in English. No minimum level of French is required, but basic skills in reading French would definitely help.

Continuation into a Ph. D program in computational linguistics, at the Doctoral School of Language Sciences (University of Paris) or elsewhere in France or abroad.