New Master's Programme in AI and language shows strong results - entire first cohort graduated on time

“We wanted to create a broad programme that brings together different perspectives on language and AI. I think we have achieved that,” says Beáta Megyesi, Professor of Computational Linguistics and Director of Studies.

A unique combination of language and AI

The programme is offered by the Faculty of Humanities, which makes it unusual in an international context.

“Computational linguistics – the automatic analysis and generation of language – is often housed within computer science departments. Here, it is part of the humanities, which allows us to combine technical methods with deep expertise in language,” says Beáta Megyesi.

The subject has a long tradition at Stockholm University and has been taught since the 1970s. What is new is the way different perspectives are brought together within a single programme. Students work with various types of data and modalities, including text, speech and brain imaging.

“We cover everything from speech and text to handwriting recognition and how language is processed in the brain. That breadth is unusual. Other programmes tend to focus on only text, speech or images,” she says.

An intensive programme for students from different backgrounds

One of the programme's main challenges has been creating a curriculum that works for students with different academic backgrounds, such as computer science, linguistics and cognitive science.

“We begin with four intensive courses to give everyone a common foundation. This allows students to engage with the rest of the programme quickly, regardless of their previous experience,” says Beáta Megyesi.

The programme is demanding and requires full-time study, but its structure, with clear deadlines and continuous supervision, helps students keep up with the pace.

Every student graduated on time

The first cohort to reach the master's thesis stage consisted of 22 students – and every one of them completed the programme on schedule.

“It is the first time in many years that all students who started the thesis course completed it on time. The students are highly motivated and support one another,” says Beáta Megyesi.

The theses were presented over three days at the beginning of June and covered a wide range of topics within AI and language.

Strong opportunities for jobs and internships

Many students gained valuable experience in the labour market during or shortly after their studies. One student secured an internship with H&M, while another has taken up a position as an AI Developer at the Swedish Research Council.

Maoxuan Sha (Sean), who recently began an internship as a Data Engineer at H&M Group, describes how the programme provided both knowledge and professional opportunities.

“The programme gave me the foundation I needed in AI and natural language processing, but it also opened the door to further studies and internship opportunities. Without the experience I gained from the programme, I do not think I would have been as well prepared for my current internship,” he says.

According to Beáta Megyesi, demand from employers is growing rapidly.

“There is a strong need for expertise in developing in-house AI solutions, particularly those that handle language and data within organisations,” she says.

Robin adds:

“The programme provided a solid grounding in the field and a broader perspective on how AI solutions can be used in a sustainable and well-considered way. Large language models are powerful tools, but the programme also emphasised that they are not always the best solution to every problem,” says Robin Lindqvist.

Students also have opportunities to build professional networks through internships and collaborations with external organisations. The department works with partners who offer projects and placements.

“The most valuable aspect was the combination of a strong academic foundation and opportunities beyond a single university. Through the programme, I was able to take courses at both KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Uppsala University, which helped me broaden both my knowledge and my professional network,” says Maoxuan Sha.

This reflects one of the programme's central aims.

“Students gain both knowledge and a professional network, as well as contact with working life during their studies,” says Beáta Megyesi.

Skills in demand across many sectors

The demand for language-related AI expertise is growing rapidly. Organisations are increasingly looking to develop their own models, analyse customer data and automate language-related processes.

“Many organisations do not want to send their data to external providers but instead want to build their own solutions. This applies to customer service, product development and analytics, among other areas,” says Beáta Megyesi.

Collaboration and future development

Looking ahead, the programme aims to strengthen collaboration with other universities and expand the range of elective courses available to students.

“Students are interested in taking courses at other universities, but making that work in practice is challenging. Better structures are needed across institutional boundaries,” says Beáta Megyesi.

There are also ambitions to grow the programme.

“We would very much like to double the number of students. At present, however, our resources limit expansion. At the same time, we see strong interest and a clear demand,” she says.

High demand and ambitious students

Only a small proportion of applicants are admitted to the programme – around 5–8 per cent – contributing to a highly motivated student body.

“The students are extremely ambitious. They find the pace demanding, but they rise to the challenge and develop quickly,” says Beáta Megyesi.

Robin Lindqvist highlights who the programme is particularly well suited for:

“If you are interested in programming and language, this is an excellent programme. The combination of technical and linguistic perspectives provides a strong foundation, and the department offers a very welcoming and supportive environment where students have the opportunity to grow and develop,” says Robin Lindqvist.

The strong results achieved by the first cohort suggest that the Master's Programme in AI and Language has found a successful formula. Its lecturers are experts in their fields, active researchers and dedicated educators.

“It is immensely rewarding to see how well it has worked,” says Beáta Megyesi.