Program Overview

Acoustical and Audio Engineering

Overview

The MEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering degree course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the physics of sound and the psychology of how people react to noise and vibration. The course focuses on solving real-world problems and prepares students for a rewarding future career in creating a better sounding world.

Course Details

Attendance

• Full-time
• With placement
• Four-year or five-year course

Next Enrolment

• September 2025

Introduction

The course is led by research-active practitioners and involves practical experiments in world-class acoustic facilities. Students will discover the amazing ways that sound and acoustics impact our everyday lives and develop transferable skills to become a world-class acoustic and audio professional.

Course Structure

Year One

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

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)

Year Four (Integrated Masters)

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

Teaching and Assessment

• Laboratory exercises
• Case studies
• Group work
• Project work
• Examinations
• Assignments
• Practical tests
• Projects

Facilities

• World-class acoustic laboratories
• Anechoic chambers
• Transmission suites
• Reverberation chambers
• Listening rooms
• Audiometric test facilities
• Industry-standard professional audio-visual suites
• Production and recording studios

Industry Collaboration and Research

• Collaborative R&D projects
• Acoustics Research Centre
• Commercial test laboratories
• Industry connections

Employment and Stats

• 90% of students in work or doing further study 15 months after the course
• Career opportunities in acoustics, audio, and related fields
• Graduates have progressed to roles in companies such as Arup, Apple, Dolby, Jaguar Land Rover, Thales, NHS, and Sandy Brown Associates

Requirements

• GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C/level 4 or above
• UCAS tariff points: 128
• A-Level: 128 UCAS points, including grade C in mathematics, physics, or a numerate science
• BTEC National Diploma: DDM for Engineering or Science subjects, including Distinctions in mathematics modules
• Access to HE: Pass with 128 UCAS points from a QAA-approved science or engineering course
• International students: qualifications from around the world are accepted

Tuition Fees

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

Scholarships

• International student scholarships available

Related Courses

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