Audio and Music Technology (MSc)

Program Overview

This one-year, full-time program combines science, technology, and creativity to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become research and development engineers in the creative and cultural industries. Students learn about audio technology, audio analysis, and audio programming, and have the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners such as Google, Abbey Road, and the BBC. Graduates are prepared for careers in various fields within the audio industry, including acoustic analysis and design, audio DSP, acoustic consulting, and audio programming.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Objectives:

• To equip students with the knowledge and skills to become research and development engineers in the creative and cultural industries.
• To provide a thorough grounding in scientific theory and engineering techniques in audio technology, audio analysis, and audio programming.
• To prepare students for further research or employment in the audio technology and digital creative industries.

Description:

• Combines science, technology, and creativity to develop innovative audio applications for music-making, recording, analysis, and reproduction.
• Covers recent advances in digital audio technology, such as surround sound for home entertainment and virtual reality.
• Explores voice recognition and synthesis applications, as well as environmental and architectural acoustics.
• Provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners such as Google, Abbey Road, Native Instruments, and the BBC.

Outline:

Modules:

• Research Project
• Audio Signals and Psychoacoustics
• Audio Application Development and Marketing
• Project Development
• Sound Interactions in the Metaverse
• Musical Signal Analysis (option)
• Sound Models and Systems (option)
• Immersive and Interactive Audio (option)
• Production Techniques for Acoustic Recording (option)

Course Schedule:

• The course is one year long and runs full-time.
• The semester dates will be confirmed after the course begins.

Individual Module Descriptions:

• Research Project: Students undertake a dissertation on an aspect of the course, such as the development of a technical audio solution or the perception of sound within specific audio technologies.
• Audio Signals and Psychoacoustics: Students learn about the science of sound and how humans perceive it.
• Audio Application Development and Marketing: Students learn how to develop and market audio applications.
• Project Development: Students learn how to manage and complete a complex project.
• Sound Interactions in the Metaverse: Students learn about the challenges and opportunities of creating sound for virtual and augmented reality environments.
• Musical Signal Analysis: Students learn how to analyze and manipulate musical signals.
• Sound Models and Systems: Students learn about the different models and systems used to create sound.
• Immersive and Interactive Audio: Students learn how to create immersive and interactive audio experiences.
• Production Techniques for Acoustic Recording: Students learn how to record acoustic music using professional techniques.

Assessment:

• Students are assessed through coursework rather than exams.
• Assignments include producing a piece of software or audio material, with assessments based on competency and technical accuracy.
• Written reports further support the work.

Teaching:

• Students are taught by world-leading academics who challenge them to think independently and excel.
• Teaching methods include lectures, practical lab sessions, studio sessions, and immersive audio environments.
• Facilities include fully-equipped recording studios, a bespoke loudspeaker array, an anechoic chamber, and a state-of-the-art computer suite.

Careers:

• This course equips students for careers in various fields within the audio industry.
• Students develop strong skills in acoustic analysis and design, audio DSP, acoustic consulting, and audio programming.
• Graduates have gone on to work with leading companies such as Abbey Road, Jaguar Land Rover, AECOM, Bowers and Wilkins, Arup, Sony, Meridian, DTS, and Dolby.

Other:

• Students have the opportunity to forge connections with industry professionals right from the start of the course.
• The course is accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).
• The University of York is a leading research institution with a 97% rating for its engineering research.
• York is a beautiful city with a vibrant student life.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25 Study modeUK (home)International and EU Full-time (1 year) £12,480£29,400