Natural Language Processing

Key programme benefits to future students
This programme has been developed for working professionals and is designed to be flexible and accessible. You can take it online, at your own pace, and from anywhere worldwide.

With the growing amount of data in digital form, skills in NLP have become crucial for businesses to extract insights from written and spoken human language.

The Professional Diploma in Natural Language Processing is for those who want to deep dive into this specialist field for the expansive career opportunities it presents

Key Fact: Build Your Master Plan and Stack Your Way to Success. You can take this Professional Diploma as the final 30 ECTS Credits required to stack into your Master of Professional Practice (MPP).

Autumn Modules
• Introduction to Natural Language Processing
• Future Focused Professional Portfolio 1
• Information Retrieval

Spring Modules
• Advanced Natural Language Processing
• Natural Language Understanding
• Future Focused Professional Portfolio 1

The principal entry requirement is a Level 8 honours degree, at minimum second class honours (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent), in a relevant engineering, computing, mathematics, science or technology discipline.

Alternative Entry Route:
In accordance with the University's policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning, candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria may be considered. Applicants from other disciplines who have a relevant mathematics and computing element in their primary degree will also be considered. Applicants who possess an honours u/g degree, minimum second-class, or equivalent in a non-numerate discipline and have a minimum of 3 years experiential learning in an appropriate computing discipline will be considered. English Language Requirements, right to shortlist, interview, and RPL policy will apply.

What to include with your application:

Qualification transcripts and certificates
A copy of your birth certificate or passport
A copy of your CV
If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
AND
• English language competency certificate

Preparing your Application:
1. Research your programme: Each postgraduate programme at University of Limerick is unique. Explore your course content, duration, fees, and entry requirements on ul.ie.

2. Check Eligibility: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the course you are interested in. This usually includes your undergraduate degree award, subject specialities, English language proficiency (for non-native speakers), and any specific requirements for the course.

3. Prepare Documents: Gather all the necessary documents. This typically includes your academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, and references. If English is not your first language, you’ll also need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

4. Online Application: Once you are ready to apply, visit your postgraduate programme page on ul.ie/gps and use the Apply Now button to access UL’s online application system. You will need to create an account if you are a new user.

5. Complete the Application: Fill in the application form with all the required details. This will include personal information and academic history.

6. Upload Documents: Upload all the necessary documents that you prepared earlier. Make sure they are clear and legible.

7. Submit Application: Review your application thoroughly to ensure all information is correct and then submit your application. The application fee for your postgraduate application is €50. This includes an option to choose a second choice.

8. Track Your Application: After submission, you can track the status of your application through the online application system.

9. Interview: Depending on the programme, you may be invited for an interview. This could be in person or online.

10. Acceptance: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer email from the university. You will need to accept this offer to secure your place.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and places offered to successful candidates. This means that it’s a good idea to apply as early as possible to increase your chances of securing a place.

Please note that these steps are a general guide and the exact process may vary depending on the specific programme and your individual circumstances. Always check the University of Limerick website or contact the postgraduate admissions department for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

1 year part-time, online.

Autumn

Graduate careers
The skills you’ll acquire from this Professional Diploma in NLP are transferable to various job roles. For example: Data Scientist - In this role, you’ll use NLP to extract insights from text data and build predictive models. You’ll work with large datasets and use statistical methods to find patterns in the data. Machine Learning Engineer - As a machine learning engineer, you’ll work on developing algorithms that enable machines to learn from text data. You’ll collaborate with data scientists and software engineers to build and deploy NLP models. Computational Linguist - In this role, you’ll work on developing and improving NLP algorithms. You’ll use your understanding of human language to improve the accuracy of NLP models and make them more efficient.