Help to build a better sounding world with a postgraduate degree in Acoustics.
Delivered in full and part-time study pathways, either on campus or online, we've designed a course to nurture your specialist knowledge, so you're ready to develop a career as a future leader in audio product development, noise consultancy or sound management.
Recommended for numerate science graduates looking to join the acoustics and audio profession, you will benefit from using world-class facilities learning alongside an academic team at the forefront of industry-focused research.
You will:
- Follow a structured postgraduate training programme in acoustics, with specific focus on the technologies and principles associated with industrial applications
- Gain a detailed knowledge, systematic understanding and critical analysis of acoustical concepts, along with the ability to apply these concepts to practical problems of engineering design and analysis
- Build practical skills in measurement as you develop the ability to critically evaluate new developments within the field and contribute to the development of acoustics through research and project work
- Shape your learning based on your interests or career plan by choosing options that include psychoacoustics, environmental noise measurement, immersive sound reproduction and noise and vibration control
- Learn alongside research-active academics and technicians, using some of the UK’s leading acoustics facilities that are regularly used by major organisations to test and develop audio and acoustics products
THIS IS FOR YOU IF...
You are a technically-skilled, numerate graduate with a degree in an engineering or science discipline
You wish to develop skills for an acoustics and audio engineering career
You are currently working in the audio and acoustic industry and wish to expand your expertise
Course delivery
Our MSc Acoustics postgraduate degree is available in flexible study formats, including full and part-time pathways, delivered on campus or via distance learning.
The MSc award course comprises eight 15-credit taught modules, followed by a 60-credit dissertation project.
- as a full-time student, you will study modules during trimesters one and two, and complete your project module in trimester three
- as a part-time student, you will spread learning over trimesters one and two of the first two years, and complete your project module in year three
Please be advised that the part-time pathway can be intensive. We recommend that part-time students dedicate approximately 19 hours per week to study.
Core modules are complemented by optional choices that enable you to shape your degree to your interests or future career plans. Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
TEACHING
Learning is mainly delivered using tutorial and seminar groups. Interaction is face-to-face wherever practical, but we also use web-based learning support packages (databases of materials, discussion boards etc.). There is a strong focus on guided self-learning.
Distance learning students can stream classes via our Virtual Learning Environment, either to participate live or watch later.
The ‘Measurement, Analysis & Assessment’ and ‘Environmental Noise Measurement and Modelling’ modules both require physical attendance during a lab week. Part-time students will undertake this lab week in their second year.
All modules are centred on a weekly programme of directed reading, supported by a detailed study guide and sets of tutorial questions. On occasion, lecture content may be screencast for watching in advance, following the ‘flipped classroom’ approach.
ASSESSMENT
Each module features one substantial written assignment to test the learning outcomes and cover the syllabus. The assignments are based around ‘open-ended’ design exercises and case studies based on realistic problems.
The ‘Measurement, Analysis and Assessment’ module includes practical group work.
The final project is assessed using a dissertation (weighting 80%) and a presentation (weighting 20%).
CAREER LINKS
- Salford is accredited to perform twelve types of test via our world-class facilities that are maintained by commercially-funded technicians. We also have a UKAS-accredited Calibration Laboratory which provides a full-scale commercial service to industry.
- Our acoustics team holds strong industry links nurtured through collaborative research and projects based at our commercial test laboratories. These connections ensure that the programme is aligned with the latest research findings and developments.
- Recent projects include creating integrated virtual models for acoustic design with Dyson, wind turbine noise auralisation and subjective testing with DELTA and DEFRA, acoustics for auralisation with Arup, the S3A Future Spatial Audio project with the BBC and SALSA (Spatial Automated Live Sports Audio) system with DTS and Fairlight.
- We regularly share research outputs with industry partners and acoustics network. Recent masterclasses include acoustic consultancy with RBA Acoustics, noise mapping software with Cambell Associates, environmental noise with WSP/Parcel, railway noise and vibration with AECOM, NVH infotainment with JaguarLandRover, and measurement microphone technology with GRAS.
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