BEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering with Placement

Program Overview

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Acoustical and Audio Engineering with Placement

Overview

The BEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering with Placement is a four-year undergraduate degree that explores the physics of sound and the psychology of how people react to noise and vibration. The program is designed to prepare students for a rewarding future career in creating a better sounding world.

Introduction

Acoustics explores the physics of sound and the psychology of how people react to noise and vibration. This program prepares students for a rewarding future career where they can create a better sounding world.

Course Details

Attendance

• Full-time
• With placement

Course Duration

• Four years

Next Enrolment

• September 2025

Course Structure

Year One

• Introduction to Acoustics
• Analogue Electronics
• Mathematics (Acoustics)
• Acoustics Laboratory
• Signal Chain Theory
• Studio Production

Year Two

• Digital Signal Processing
• Microphone and Loudspeaker Design
• Principles of Acoustics
• Industrial Studies and Career Management
• Group Design Project
• Electromagnetism

Year Three

• Final Year Project
• Choose two modules from:
  • Room Acoustics (BEng/MEng)
  • Digital Signal Processing and Machine Learning (BEng/MEng)
  • Psychoacoustics and Musical Acoustics (BEng/MEng)
  • Noise and Vibration Control (BEng/MEng)
• Plus two further modules from:
  • Computer Simulation for Acoustics (BEng/MEng)
  • Environmental Noise Measurement and Modelling (BEng/MEng)
  • Measurement Analysis and Assessment (BEng/MEng)
  • Immersive Sound Reproduction (BEng/MEng)

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods include laboratory exercises, case studies, group work, and project work.
• Assessment methods include examinations, assignments, practical tests, and projects.

Facilities

• World-class acoustic laboratories at Peel Park campus
• Industry-standard professional audio-visual suites and production and recording studios at MediaCity campus

Employment and Stats

• Successfully completing this program can put students in a great position to take a leading role in the diverse world of sound, music production, acoustics, and audio.
• Graduates often develop careers as acoustic consultants, product developers, and audio software engineers.

Requirements

• GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent)
• UCAS tariff points: 112-120
• A-Level: 112-120 UCAS points, including grade C in Mathematics, Physics, or a numerate science
• BTEC National Diploma: DMM for Engineering or Science subjects, including Distinctions in Mathematics modules
• Access to HE: Pass with 120-128 UCAS points from a QAA-approved Science or Engineering course

Tuition Fees

• Full-time home: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• Full-time international: £17,650 per year (2025/26)

International Student Scholarships

• High-achieving international students may be eligible for scholarships.

UCAS Information

• Course ID: H347
• Institution: S03

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production
• BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production with Placement
• BEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Program:

BEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering with Professional Experience

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School:

School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford

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Duration:

4 years (full-time) with optional placement year

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Structure:

• Year 1: Focus on basic acoustics, analogue electronics, mathematics, computer programming, basic audio systems, signal chain theory, and studio production.
• Year 2: Delve deeper into digital signal processing, microphone and loudspeaker design, principles of acoustics, industrial studies and career management, group design project, electromagnetism.
• Year 3: Choose two modules from options including Room Acoustics, Digital Signal Processing and Machine Learning, Psychoacoustics and Musical Acoustics, Noise and Vibration Control, and Environmental Noise Measurement and Modelling; followed by the Final Year Project.

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Objectives:

• Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to create a "better sounding world."
• Prepare students for a rewarding career in the acoustics and audio engineering field.
• Provide a strong foundation in the physics of sound and the psychology of human sound perception.
• Develop expertise in designing, analyzing, and controlling sound.

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Distinctive Features:

• Industry-focused approach aligned with professional standards of the UK Institute of Acoustics.
• Opportunities for real-world experience through optional placement year.
• Led by research-active practitioners and access to world-class acoustic facilities in Peel Park and MediaCity campuses.
• Emphasis on developing transferable skills alongside technical expertise through small-group teaching and practical experiments.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Introduction to Acoustics
• Analogue Electronics
• Mathematics (Acoustics)
• Acoustics Laboratory
• Signal Chain Theory
• New: Studio Production

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Year 2:

• Digital Signal Processing
• Microphone and Loudspeaker Design
• Principles of Acoustics
• Industrial Studies and Career Management
• Group Design Project
• New: Electromagnetism

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Year 3:

• Two chosen modules from: Room Acoustics, Digital Signal Processing and Machine Learning, Psychoacoustics and Musical Acoustics, Noise and Vibration Control, Computer Simulation for Acoustics, Environmental Noise Measurement and Modelling, Measurement Analysis and Assessment, Immersive Sound Reproduction.
• Two further chosen modules from the same list above.

• Final Year Project

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Assessment:

• Examinations
• Assignments
• Practical tests in acoustics laboratories
• Projects

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Teaching:

• Blended approach combining theoretical, collaborative, and practical methods.
• Laboratory exercises, case studies, group work, project work.
• Emphasis on building report writing and presentation skills, data interpretation, IT skills, teamwork, and project management abilities.
• Small-group teaching environment fostering individual guidance and interactive learning.

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Careers:

• Diverse job opportunities in areas like broadcast engineering, noise consultancy, acoustics specialist, audio technology design, and more.
• Potential roles in environmental noise measurement, loudspeaker system design, music venues, noise control, and emerging career fields.
• Progression pathways to roles at companies like Arup, BBS, Apple, Dolby, Jaguar Land Rover, and Bang and Olufsen.
• Graduates with professional experience gain a competitive edge in the employment market.

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Other:

• Program accredited by the UK Institute of Acoustics, leading to Chartered Engineer status.
• Graduates enjoy strong industry connections due to the program's collaborative research projects with industry partners.
• Research findings incorporated into international standards used by major engineering companies (e.g., Dyson, Boeing, Bosch).

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| Type of study | Year | Fees | |---|---|---| | Full-time home | 2024/25 | £9,250.00 per year | | Full-time international | 2024/25 | £17,040.00 per year | | Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,250.00 per year | | Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650.00 per year |