Computer Science with Speech and Natural Language ProcessingMSc
Source: https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/2026/computer-science-speech-and-natural-language-processing-msc Parent: https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/2026
2026-27 entry
Computer Science with Speech and Natural Language Processing MSc
School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering\
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.
- Start date \ September 2026
- Duration \ 1 year
-
Attendance \ Full-time
- Course fee
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Apply now for 2026 entry or book a place on our online open day on 29 April 2026 to see where a Sheffield masters could take you.
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).
British Computer Society (BCS)
Modules
A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. As you progress through your course, we'll confirm additional details for the core and optional modules available to you.
MSc modules
Core modules:
Text Processing : This module introduces fundamental concepts and ideas in natural language text processing, covers techniques for handling text corpora, and examines representative systems that require the automated processing of large volumes of text. The module focuses on modern quantitative techniques for text analysis and explores important models for representing and acquiring information from texts.
**15 credits**
Speech Processing : This module aims to demonstrate why computer speech processing is an important and difficult problem, to investigate the representation of speech in the articulatory, acoustic and auditory domains, and to illustrate computational approaches to speech parameter extraction. It examines both the production and perception of speech, taking a multi-disciplinary approach (drawing on linguistics, phonetics, psychoacoustics, etc.). It introduces sufficient digital signal processing (linear systems theory, Fourier transforms) to motivate speech parameter extraction techniques (e.g. pitch and formant tracking).
**15 credits**
Machine Learning and Adaptive Intelligence : The module is about core technologies underpinning modern artificial intelligence. The module will introduce statistical machine learning and probabilistic modelling and their application to describing real-world phenomena. The module will give students a grounding in modern state-of-the-art algorithms that allow modern computer systems to learn from data. It has a considerable focus on the mathematical underpinnings of key ML approaches, requiring some knowledge of linear algebra, differentiation and probability.
**15 credits**
Professional Issues : This module aims to enable students to recognise the legal, social, ethical and professional issues involved in the exploitation of computer technology and be guided by the adoption of appropriate professional, ethical and legal practices. It describes the relationship between technological change, society and the law, including the powerful role that computers and computer professionals play in a technological society. It introduces key legal areas which are specific and relevant to the discipline of computing (e.g., intellectual property, liability for defective software, computer misuse, etc) and aims to provide an understanding of ethical and societal concepts that are important to computer professionals, and experience of considering ethical dilemmas.
**15 credits**
Scalable Machine Learning : This module will focus on technologies and algorithms that can be applied to data at a very large scale (e.g. population level). From a theoretical perspective it will focus on parallelisation of algorithms and algorithmic approaches such as stochastic gradient descent. There will also be a significant practical element to the module that will focus on approaches to deploying scalable ML in practice such as SPARK, programming languages such as Python/Scala and deployment on high performance computing platforms/clusters.
**15 credits**
Team Software Project : This team project aims to provide insights and wider context for the more practical aspects of the taught modules, and to provide students with experience of working in teams to develop a substantial piece of software.\ \ This module has no summer resit. Failure in this module will normally require students to repeat it the following year with attendance.\ \ This module has the explicit objective of developing group teamwork skills. Participation in teamwork is mandatory and failure to participate will result in deduction of marks and eventually loss of credits. Passing this module is essential for being awarded a degree accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS).
**15 credits**
Speech Technology : This module introduces the principles of the emergent field of speech technology, studies typical applications of these principles and assesses the state of the art in this area. You will learn the prevailing techniques of automatic speech recognition (based on statistical modelling); will see how speech synthesis and text-to-speech methods are deployed in spoken language systems; and will discuss the current limitations of such devices. The module will include project work involving the implementation and assessment of a speech technology device.
**15 credits**
Natural Language Processing : This module provides an introduction to the field of computer processing of written natural language, known as Natural Language Processing (NLP). We will cover core concepts, models and algorithms for analysing and processing natural language data, exploring a range of approaches used in contemporary NLP systems, and discussing their strengths, limitations, and applications.
**15 credits**
Dissertation Project : For your individual project, you can choose from a wide range of possibilities in many different environments both within and outside the University. The project is completed during the summer, and you will have a personal academic supervisor to guide you during this period.
**60 credits**
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
Interested in postgraduate taught study?
- Take part in our online open day on Wednesday 29 April
- Join us on a discovery afternoon on Tuesday 12 May
- Register your interest in studying at Sheffield.
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
We use lectures, tutorials and group work.
Assessment
Assessment is by formal examinations, coursework assignments and a dissertation.
Your career
Computer science programmes at the University of Sheffield will empower you to navigate the ever-changing field of computer science. You will develop the skills necessary to push the boundaries of current knowledge and shape the future digital landscape. Your future career is in safe hands with one of our degrees – Sheffield is among the best in the UK for computer science.
Our graduates are highly sought-after across a diverse range of industries: software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, web or mobile development, IT and Digital consultancy and emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing. Roles our alumni have gone on to include software developer, data analyst, full stack software engineer, game programmer, QA developer, Java programmer and technical lead.
Many of our recent graduates are at major companies, including Google, Amazon, IBM, Oracle, Huawei, Cisco Systems, Office for National Statistics, BBC, Barclays and Morgan Stanley. Some decide to undertake further study and others run their own successful business.
We asked one of our graduate employers, IBM, why they value our computer science graduates and the skills they develop:
A computer science degree gives you a deep understanding of systems architecture, how systems integrate with one another, and how code works at a fundamental level. That deep understanding is crucial for working on the enterprise systems that underpin our cities, businesses and financial institutions. Working on these systems requires more than just a surface level understanding of coding.
John McNamara
IBM Master Inventor and IBM UK University Programs Lead
School
School of Computer Science
Our masters courses at the University of Sheffield cover both the strong theoretical foundations and the practical issues involved in developing software systems in a business or industrial context.
Our graduates are highly prized by industry, and provide the opportunity for you to gain an advantage in the job market, whether in the UK or overseas.
Although it is possible to discuss many of the practical issues involved in industrial applications in lectures and seminars, there is no substitute for first-hand experience.
We have a unique track record in developing innovative project-based courses that provide real experience for computing students, and this experience is embodied in our MSc courses.
Our MSc programmes last 12 months, and begin in late September. You will study taught modules during two 15-week semesters. Your work is assessed either by coursework or by formal examination. During the summer you complete an individual dissertation project, which may be based within the University or at the premises of an industrial client.
Student profiles
[It's possible to create something really special
Emily Ip
Graduate , \ Computer Science with Speech and Natural Language Processing MSc](https://sheffield.ac.uk/cs/postgraduate/student-profiles/its-possible-create-something-really-special)
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 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.
If required degree subjects and modules are listed, these 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.
We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent
Other English language qualifications we accept
Other requirements
We will not ask you to provide references or referee details as part of your application.
We do not require a supporting statement for this programme.
Pathway programme for international students
If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.
Fees and funding
Funding for postgraduate taught courses
Save on your course fees
£3,000 scholarships for international students
Overseas fee-paying students joining in September 2026 will automatically receive a £3,000 tuition fee discount (subject to eligibility) - no separate application form required.
Save up to £2,500 on your course fees
Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
More information
Contact
Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.
Contacts for prospective students
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.
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