Master of Science in Natural Language Processing Trier University

English

Automation is bringing about profound changes in all areas of social and professional life, including science. Core technologies that are driving this revolution are artificial intelligence and natural language processing. The degree programme in “Natural Language Processing” enables students to accompany and shape these changes. It is interdisciplinary, and it deals with digitally-mediated language in its entire breadth – from written texts to audiovisual and social media. With NLP, the CLDH department offers a modern Master's degree programme that provides a specialisation in artificial intelligence, specifically in machine learning and semantic technologies as well as methods for the analysis, management and generation of text and media. It is interdisciplinary, combining studies in linguistics with artificial intelligence, and it offers a wide range of elective modules such as Digital Humanities and Digital Libraries. In addition to central theoretical foundations, courses on mathematics and computer science, the programme imparts problem-solving and practical competence.

For whom is NLP?

Do you have a Bachelor’s degree from a computer science, data science, communication science, linguistics, or artificial intelligence-related course of studies? Are you interested in digital media and communication, especially in how textual content can be managed, analysed and generated using computational methods? Do you want to automatically access, analyse and understand large amounts of textual and multimodal content and make it usable for humans and machines? Do you want to use the latest digital methods from artificial intelligence, knowledge graphs, machine learning and deep learning? Do you want a course of study that teaches practical skills and involves working with real data? Do you want not only to acquire technical skills but also to work in an application-oriented manner in interdisciplinary, international teams right from the start?

What is taught in NLP?

The Master of Science programme in “Natural Language Processing” with a focus on artificial intelligence and computational linguistics at the University of Trier provides skills that are in high demand in the modern job market:

Interdisciplinarity: Understanding of modern technical methods of artificial intelligence for the interdisciplinary analysis and generation of language and media as well as annotation of documents and their content integration beyond document collections

Practicality: Ability to develop, implement and use computer science methods using existing software libraries, and to experimentally and theoretically evaluate these methods in various language and media-based application scenarios

Reflectability: Ability to evaluate these methods and their use in relation to industry, society, politics and science. The NLP degree programme is particularly suitable for those who are interested in language, communication and media as well as in technical and scientific methods.

Research-orientation: The understanding and skills of the programme graduates go beyond well-established applications towards researching new methods and conducting novel experiments in a fast growing research area.

We highly recommend to start the programme in the winter semester. Although a start in the summer semester is possible, the programme is optimised for a start in the winter semester.

Non-EU citizens:

• 15 January 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 31 May 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

German citizens, EU citizens, and applicants with a BA or MA degree from a German university:

• 15 March 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 15 September 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

Admission is generally valid for two subsequent semesters. Applicants from countries requiring a visa for entering Germany should consider applying by 15 January for beginning their studies in the winter semester of the same year, giving them more time to complete the visa process and to prepare their stay.

The Master's programme covers the following module types:

• Compulsory modules:
  • Introductory courses as well as propaedeutic courses
• Elective modules covering topics in artificial intelligence & machine learning, computational linguistics & natural language processing, digital humanities and data science
• Research case studies
• Master's thesis

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International student body

No tuition fees

Trier University does not charge tuition fees. Students only have to pay a semester contribution of approx. 380 EUR for the first semester and 360 EUR from the second semester onwards. This includes the "Deutschlandticket", which covers public transport and local trains all over Germany. The contribution also benefits Trier Student Services and the student union. It also enables students to buy meals at reduced prices at the university's canteens.

Students should expect expenses of approx. 1,000 EUR per month. For instance, monthly housing costs are approx. 290 to 400 EUR (in a students' dormitory or a room in a shared flat) and 450 to 650 EUR (for a single apartment on the private market). A meal in the student cafeteria costs approx. 3.50 to 5 EUR.

https://www.uni-trier.de/universitaet/fachbereiche-faecher/fachbereich-ii/faecher/computerlinguistik-und-digital-humanities/studium/studienangebot/natural-language-processing-master

Applicants must prove their English language proficiency at level C1, based on the Common European Framework through one of the following tests. The test must have been taken within the last three years:

• TOEFL (Code 9208): at least 215 points (computer-based) or 550 points (paper-based) or 80 points (Internet-based)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) / C1 Advanced
• IELTS (at least 6.5 points)
• UNIcert III

Applicants are exempt from providing above proof of English language proficiency if at least one of the following conditions is met:

• Native speaker coming from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Malta
• Two years of full-time study in an English taught programme, undertaken within the past two years, in one of these countries: Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Malta.
• At least five school years of English in secondary education and at least five points in English at "Abitur" level (only Germany and Luxembourg)

Non-EU citizens:

• 15 January 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 31 May 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

German citizens, EU citizens, and applicants with a BA or MA degree from a German university:

• 15 March 2026 for the summer semester 2026 (admission also valid for the winter semester 2026/27)
• 15 September 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 (admission also valid for the summer semester 2027)

Admission is generally valid for two subsequent semesters. Applicants from countries requiring a visa for entering Germany should consider applying by 15 January for beginning their studies in the winter semester of the same year, giving them more time to complete the visa process and to prepare their stay.

Trier University offers some funding opportunities for international students in the final stage of their degree programmes (maximum duration: six months). However, there are no funding opportunities within the university for the whole course of study or the first three semesters of the programme.

Students from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland enjoy unrestricted access to the German labour market. International students from other countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year.

The Career Service of Trier University and the "Agentur für Arbeit" provide an online database for student jobs. Jobs offers can also be found on the website of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit": https://jobboerse.arbeitsagentur.de.

Additionally, some temporary student jobs can be found on the university's bulletin boards. However, many job offers will require at least some knowledge of German.

Accommodation is available in student halls of residence through the Student Services Office (Studierendenwerk Trier: http://www.studiwerk.de) or on the private market (e.g. http://www.hunderttausend.de). Monthly housing costs are approx. 290 to 400 EUR (for a basic dorm room with a shared bathroom) and 450 to 650 EUR (for a single apartment on the private market).

Trier University’s career service offers a broad range of advisory services, seminars and events to assist students with planning their career: www.career-service.uni-trier.de

Additionally, Trier University’s International Office offers a programme specifically targeted at international students: www.career-international.de

German language courses at all levels A1 – C1 (free of charge)

“Quick Start” orientation seminar (free of charge):

• Support with all formalities at the start of your studies
• Information concerning work and residence permit in Germany, financing your studies/scholarships, health insurance and healthcare system in Germany
• Networking opportunities: overview of organisations and useful contacts for international students at Trier University, meeting with other students during social/cultural events
• Orientation on campus and in the city: guided tour on campus and in the city centre
• Workshops: Intercultural Living and Studying in Germany, Understanding Cultural Similarities and Differences, Academic Writing, Studying Successfully, Presenting Successfully, Digital Learning and Communication

With an open eye for individual and society...

... we create innovation.

... we share knowledge.

... we bridge borders.

Trier University was founded in 1473, and it reopened in 1970 as a modern campus university. Built on a high plateau overlooking the Moselle River and surrounded by luscious green nature, it is said to be one of Germany's most beautiful campuses. Faculty and departmental buildings are connected by bridges and grouped around the forum and the central library.
Trier University has a strong focus on the humanities, social sciences, and economics, but it is also steadily strengthening its information science and environmental science programmes. There are six faculties that together cover more than 30 subject areas. Many research projects are interdisciplinary in nature and embedded in global networks.
With its roughly 1,200 employees and 10,500 students (including about 14% international students), Trier University embraces contrast: young yet true to tradition, internationally oriented yet regionally rooted, and at the geographic edge of Germany but in the heart of Europe.

http://www.uni-trier.de

Mission statement: https://www.uni-trier.de/en/university/about-trier-university/translate-to-englisch-leitbild

Trier is situated in the western part of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Moselle Valley. The city is proud of its rich history, which is reflected in its museums and its many historical sites. Thanks to its landmarks, the Porta Nigra, the Trier Cathedral, and other significant architectural monuments, Germany's oldest city was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Today's cityscape is a fusion of history and modern lifestyle, not least characterised by a vibrant student life. With bars, cafés, and a colourful range of cultural offerings and festivals, Trier is a tourist attraction with international appeal and a beautiful place for the city's 110,000 residents to live.
The economy of the city is characterised by a few major enterprises and many medium-sized businesses. Trier is in the heart of Europe, as evidenced by its proximity to Luxembourg, which is an important financial centre and the site of several EU institutions, as well as its proximity to France and Belgium. Nine twin towns and cities across Europe, Asia, and the USA attest to Trier's international orientation.

http://www.trier.de