The demand for NLP practitioners in industry, science, commerce and the public sector outstrips supply.

A wide range of companies are aggressively recruiting well-trained NLP experts because there are relatively few available. The CDT is designed to meet this training need.

Graduates will be part of a new generation of researchers with the technical skills and interdisciplinary awareness to become leaders in NLP.

Our existing research groups have produced graduates who now:

• occupy academic positions in some of the best universities in the world
• work for global leaders in the IT industry
• have jobs with a wide variety of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and start-ups, some of which they have founded

• 2 years

A minimum UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in computer science, linguistics, cognitive science, AI, or a related discipline.Most students accepted to the programme hold a first class degree.

Applicants coming directly from a bachelors or masters degree are welcome.

We particularly welcome applications from members of communities under-represented in computer science.

Minimum academic requirements

For entry to the Ph.D. program, applicants must meet the following minimum academic qualifications.

A postgraduate master's degree from an accredited institution in the UK or overseas showing evidence of above-average academic achievement. This includes:

a degree classification with a mark of 65% or more overall (University of Edinburgh level, or overseas equivalent)
normally a masters dissertation at the distinction level (University of Edinburgh level, or overseas equivalent) in accounting, finance, or related disciplines
Degrees in quantitative disciplines (e.g. economics or mathematics) or business studies will be considered if you can demonstrate a strong background in accounting and finance throughout your degree.

Applications may be accepted from those still currently studying for a master's degree; however, any offer will be conditional on the successful completion of the degree at the required standard.

Applicants with significant industry experience in the accounting sector, or with relevant professional qualifications will be given due consideration on a case-by-case basis. However, these applicants must also have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related discipline.

English language tests

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

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 20 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.