Speech and Language Processing MSc

This intensive programme covers all areas of speech and language processing, from phonetics, speech synthesis and speech recognition to natural language generation, machine translation and generative AI. You will have an exciting opportunity to learn from world leaders in both informatics and linguistics.

The programme provides research and vocational training and can be either freestanding or used as preparation for a PhD. The modular nature allows you to tailor it to your own interests.

Key research areas

This programme combines elements of linguistics, artificial intelligence, computer science, and engineering and is taught by leading researchers from Linguistics & English Language, the Centre for Speech Technology Research, and the School of Informatics.

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), Linguistics research at Edinburgh is ranked 3rd in the UK (Times Higher Education, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Rank order by GPA).

What will I learn

You will develop up-to-date knowledge of a broad range of areas in speech and language processing and gain the technical expertise and hands-on skills required to carry out research and development in this challenging interdisciplinary area.

This programme covers all areas of speech and language processing, from the foundations of phonetics, speech technology and natural language understanding, to the latest methods using large generative speech and language models.

The flexible nature of the programme allows students to take courses ranging across other areas of linguistics, informatics, and cognitive science.

Is this MSc for me

This programme is best suited to applicants whose academic background is in:

• linguistics
• computer science
• engineering
• cognitive science

It provides specialist knowledge and is an excellent preparation for subsequent research, whether you choose to pursue this in academia or in a professional career.

Reputation, relevance and employability

Edinburgh has a proud and distinguished history of teaching in speech and language processing and you will be taught by world-leading experts.

You will benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, having the opportunity to select option courses and attend research seminars across different disciplines.

Our students’ dissertation projects are sometimes published in academic conferences or journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation amongst employers. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training, either directly or after a period in industry.

Find out what our graduates have to say

(Revised 21 January 2025 to add link to testimonials)

Find out more about our community

The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences is home to a large, supportive and active student community, hosting events and activities throughout the year which you can join. As a postgraduate student, you will have access to a range of research resources, state-of-the-art facilities research, seminars, and reading groups.

Find out more about our community

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in linguistics, computer science, engineering, psychology, philosophy, mathematics or a related subject. Your application should show evidence of a basic understanding of linguistics, mathematics and computer science and you must be willing to undertake further study to prepare you for the programme.

You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online..
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

This programme is ideal preparation for a PhD or for working in industry and teaches a broad range of transferable skills applicable to a wide range of modern jobs as well as further academic research and training.

Our graduates

The analytical skills you develop and the research training you receive will be valuable in a wide range of careers. In addition to a number of our graduates going onto further academic research opportunities, some recent examples of positions they have gone on to work for companies including:

• Amazon
• Apple
• British Telecom
• EF Education First
• Ericsson
• Google
• Gracenote
• IBM
• Jibo
• Microsoft
• Nuance
• Papercup
• Phonetic Arts
• Sensory Inc.
• Speechmatics
• Spotify
• Symantec
• Trafsys

Several have started up companies, some directly after the MSc, including:

• LEXILAB
• Nested
• Openhearted
• Alivox

Many graduates will go on to study for a PhD, some examples of where they have gone on to study are:

• KTH
• MIT
• NTNU
• Northwestern University
• Technische Universität München
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Padua

Former students have research or faculty positions at universities including:

• KU Leuven
• Macquarie University
• Pennsylvania State University
• RIKEN Brain Science Institute
• Stanford University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester
• University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Careers Service