Data Science of Human Multimodal Communication (MA) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

MULTICOM is the first Master’s degree programme in the data science of human multimodal communication. The programme focuses on the connection between language, thought, and the different modalities of communicative behaviour: gesture, gaze, facial expression, pose, speech articulation, prosody, and more. MULTICOM is an Erasmus Mundus joint degree, co-funded by the European Union and co-awarded by the universities of Murcia (Daedalus Lab) in Spain, Lund (Centre for Languages and Literature) in Sweden, and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Big Data Linguistics) in Germany.

MULTICOM integrates humanities, multimodality, data science, and technology. Along with the relevant theories, methods, and statistical and computational techniques, students are trained to combine and influence the key technologies in multimodal data science, such as large language models, body pose detection, automatic speech analysis, eye tracking, motion capture, or articulography. While candidates are expected to have a strong background in language and related disciplines, only basic quantitative skills are required for admission.

Capturing the intricacies of human communication requires integrating complex data into research questions about language, cognition, communication, emotion, social interaction, or culture. But profiles in those areas seldom have the necessary data-science training. They also tend to be unfamiliar with the sophisticated technologies required to analyse video and audio input from communicative exchanges. Moreover, it is quite rare for anyone, from either the sciences or the humanities, to possess language-related training beyond text or the analysis of a single modality, such as speech or gesture.

MULTICOM bridges all three gaps because students are trained in a comprehensive approach to multimodal communication and are required to work in more than one modality, enabling them to engage rigorously with multiple communicative channels. Also, they will receive intensive training in statistics and computing tailored to their needs as multimodal data scientists. Finally, they get hands-on training in all key technologies for the study of multimodal communication, along with the opportunity to influence their development through collaboration with top players across industry and academia.

Semester 1: Introduction to multimodal data science

September to December at the University of Murcia, Spain

• Welcome week, inauguration, social programme
• Thorough overview of multimodal data science
• Intensive training in basic or intermediate quantitative skills
• Basic professional skills
• Opportunities to pursue key topics in the field, participate in hands-on research, fill in any gaps on language and cognition, or develop further professional and entrepreneurial skills.

Semester 2: The multimodality lab: cognition and learning

January to June at Lund University, Sweden

• Welcome week, social programme
• Specialised training in laboratory-based methods and on theoretical background for research on multimodality in language, cognition, and learning
• Intermediate or advanced training in quantitative skills
• Data management, property rights, and ethics
• Opportunity to gain further expertise in hands-on experimental research projects, to delve into the connections between multimodality and natural and artificial intelligence, or pursue a key topic in the field
• Professional fair

Semester 3: Machine learning and multimodal corpora

September to January at FAU, Erlangen Campus, Germany

• Professional project (internship) of at least six weeks between June and October
• Specialised training in multimodal corpus linguistics, multimodal language models, and the creation, curation, analysis, and management of large-scale audiovisual data sets
• Advanced professional skills
• Opportunities to further master key technologies: machine-learning techniques, computer vision, speech analysis, and natural language understanding, or to pursue key topics in the field
• Conference at the end of term, co-organised by students and faculty

Semester 4: Research and professional development

January to August at location(s) of choice

• Students work on the MA thesis at one or two organisations, beneficiaries or associated partners, chosen by the student and the main supervisor, who must be from one of the three universities. Stays at non-academic partners, as well as professional training related to the thesis research, will be encouraged.
• Further professional training for both academic and industry careers
• Thesis defence (virtual)
• Graduation ceremony 

To get more detailed information about the modules taught, please visit https://multicom-em.eu/program/.

University of Murcia (Spain), Lund University (Sweden)

For information about the application period, please visit https://multicom-em.eu/faq/.

1. Leadership, commitment, autonomy and motivation

You should be intrinsically motivated and have a sufficiently mature understanding of what the programme can offer you and of what you can contribute to the MULTICOM community. Through achievements commensurate with your age and career stage, you show leadership, commitment, autonomy, and the ability to thrive in a multidisciplinary and international environment.

2. Language, communication, and thought background

Courses directly related to multimodal communication will be appreciated, but no previous multimodality-related training is required to be considered an excellent candidate, provided that the applicant has an outstanding background in the study of language and thought. Professional experience of demonstrable quality and of specific relevance to the area background will be assessed on an individual basis. 

3. Academic/professional excellence

Overall grades and other standard indicators of academic distinction, beyond the specific grades in the relevant areas, should be proven: class valedictorian, top tier of promotion, graduation from prestigious programmes, and similar distinctions, depending on the university system. For candidates with substantial professional experience, indicators of overall quality and distinction include a highly competitive selection process, certified top performance, or any other significant achievements commensurate with their career stage, beyond their experience in relevant areas for multimodal data science. 

4. Quantitative background

Excellence in quantitative skills will be rewarded, but training beyond the equivalent of two undergraduate courses will not be considered for applicant selection. While applicants with a stronger quantitative background are encouraged to apply, they should bear in mind that MULTICOM is designed to provide training on multimodality and its related data science to strong profiles in language, communication, and thought.

5. International experience

Although not required, international mobility and intercultural collaboration will be regarded as a factor increasing the likelihood of success in the MULTICOM environment. 

FAU does charge tuition fees for students from non-EU states. Using the fee finder, you can quickly check whether you are required to pay tuition fees. Irrespective of tuition fees, all students are required to pay a semester contribution of 82 EUR per semester. As of winter semester 2026/27, FAU will be charging a processing fee of 100 EUR per application for applicants from non-EU states. 

General guidelines on the average costs that can be expected are provided by the results of the social survey undertaken by the German National Association for Student Affairs in 2021 (prices may vary):

According to this study, students who no longer live with their parents should have an average amount of 1,106 EUR per month at their disposal. However, monthly expenditures for personal lifestyle vary a lot. For former West Germany, the study revealed the following details on average expenditure:

• Rent, including ancillary costs (in Erlangen, Nuremberg and surrounding areas): 410 EUR
• Food: 198 EUR
• Clothing: 46 EUR
• Travel costs (public transport and/or car): 89 EUR
• Study materials (depending on subject): 31 EUR
• Health insurance, doctors, medicine: 100 EUR
• Telecommunications: 31 EUR
• Leisure, culture, sports: 65 EUR

According to a study by the German National Association for Student Affairs, around 63 percent of all "first-time students" have a regular job — and not just during the holidays. On average, they work around eight hours a week for an average wage of 13 to 16 EUR per hour. Students can have a "600 EUR job" or work as a student trainee in a company or as a student assistant in the university — both during and outside the lecture period. Information on the legal conditions relating to part-time jobs for students is available in the brochure "Jobben" (part-time jobs) published by the German National Association for Student Affairs. FAU’s job portal is also updated regularly with new advertisements for part-time jobs.

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

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Our diverse range of professional events and consultation services for members of all of FAU’s faculties are designed to support students, graduates and doctoral candidates when planning and starting their careers. This service is available for up to one year after graduation.

The services we offer include career guidance and advice on applying for jobs, job application training, and seminars as well as presentations and information on specific careers.

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 39,865 students and 278 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines — from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

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