Outline:

The BSc is a 3-year, 4-year including placement year, full-time program designed for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering within the audio and digital media industries. The program is delivered jointly by the School of Music and the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEECS).

Year 1:

Focus on foundational skills in electronics, embedded systems, computer programming, and mathematics.
Students also gain knowledge of sound recording principles and practical audio mixing experience.

Year 2:

Focus on electronics, embedded systems, and computer programming with a specific emphasis on the development of audio software applications.
Students also learn about audio engineering practice through collaborative projects with student ensembles and design new musical instruments and musical interfaces.

Year 3:

Introduce students to the principles of auditory perception and the architecture of digital audio effects.
Students choose from modules on spatial audio mixing, further sound recording practice, musical interaction design, or work placement.

Year 4 (Optional Placement Year):

Students undertake a work placement in a relevant industry to gain real-world experience.

Modules:

Embedded Systems (20 credits):Introduces the fundamental concepts of embedded systems, including hardware and software design, programming, and interfacing.
Signals and Communications (20 credits):Covers the basic principles of signals and systems, including Fourier analysis, sampling, and filtering.
Audio Mixing I (20 credits):Introduces the principles of audio mixing, including signal processing, equalization, and compression.
Mathematics 1 (20 credits):Provides a foundation in mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits (20 credits):Introduces the basic principles of electric circuits, including voltage, current, resistance, and impedance.
Sound Recording and Production 1 (20 credits):Introduces the principles of sound recording and production, including microphone techniques, recording equipment, and digital audio editing.
Audio Programming (20 credits):Introduces the principles of audio programming, including digital signal processing, audio synthesis, and audio effects.
Electronics and Circuits (20 credits):Provides a deeper understanding of electronics and circuits, including transistors, operational amplifiers, and filters.
Signals and Control (20 credits):Covers the principles of signals and control systems, including Laplace transforms, frequency response, and stability analysis.
Instrument and Installation Design (20 credits):Introduces the principles of instrument and installation design for artistic applications.
Embedded Systems 2 (20 credits):Provides a more advanced understanding of embedded systems, including microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators.
Sound Design for Screen (20 credits):Introduces the principles of sound design for film and television.
Sound Recording and Production 2 (20 credits):Provides a more advanced understanding of sound recording and production, including multitrack recording, mixing, and mastering.
Auditory Perception (20 credits):Explores the principles of auditory perception, including psychoacoustics, sound localization, and speech perception.
Audio Engineering Project (40 credits):Provides an opportunity for students to undertake a substantial project in audio engineering.
Digital Audio Effects (20 credits):Introduces the principles of digital audio effects, including filtering, delay, and modulation.
Work-based Learning (20 credits):Provides an opportunity for students to undertake a work placement in a relevant industry.
Audio Post Production (20 credits):Introduces the principles of audio post production, including dialogue editing, ADR, Foley, and mixing to picture.
Sound Recording and Production 3 (20 credits):Explores advanced topics in sound recording and production, including stereo microphone techniques, surround sound mixing, and audio formats.

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

Examinations: Some modules will be assessed by written examinations.
Coursework: Some modules will be assessed by coursework assignments, such as essays, reports, and projects.
Practical work: Some modules will be assessed by practical work, such as laboratory experiments and design projects.
Presentations: Some modules will be assessed by presentations, where students will present their work to their classmates and/or staff.
Group work: Some modules will involve group work, where students will work together to complete a task.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced staff from the School of Music and the School of EEECS. The staff have a variety of expertise in audio engineering, electronics, computer programming, and music. Teaching methods include:

Lectures
Tutorials
Practical classes
Workshops
Seminars
Project supervision
Online learning materials
Library resources
Computer labs
Studio facilities

Careers:

The BSc Audio Engineering program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the audio and digital media industries. Some potential career paths include:

Studio engineer: Recording, mixing, and mastering audio for music, film, television, and other media.
Live sound engineer: Setting up and operating sound systems for live events.
Broadcast engineer: Maintaining and operating audio equipment for radio and television stations.
Audio software developer: Developing software for audio editing, mixing, and mastering.
Audio hardware developer: Designing and developing audio equipment.
Audio researcher: Conducting research into audio technologies and applications.
Music technologist: Applying technology to music production, performance, and education.
Acoustician: Designing and optimizing the acoustics of buildings and spaces.

Other:

The program is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
The program has strong links with the audio and digital media industries.
The program provides students with the opportunity to work on real-world projects.
The program is based in the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC), which is a world-leading research center in the field of music and sound.

Additional Information:

The program is offered full-time over 3 years, or 4 years including a placement year. The program starts in September each year. The entry requirements for the program are:

A level requirements: ABB including Mathematics and at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Digital Technology, Electronics, Further Mathematics, ICT [not Applied ICT], Physics, Software Systems Development, Technology and Design, or Double Award Life & Health Sciences.
Northern Ireland (NI): £4,750 per year
Republic of Ireland (ROI): £4,750 per year
England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,250 per year
EU Other: £25,300 per year
International: £25,300 per year

Conclusion:

The BSc Audio Engineering program is a comprehensive and challenging program that will prepare students for a successful career in the audio and digital media industries. The program is taught by experienced staff, uses a variety of teaching methods, and provides students with the opportunity to work on real-world projects.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

General Information:

EU Other: EU students who are ROI nationals resident in GB, NI or ROI are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
NI: Northern Ireland residents are charged £4,750 per year.
ROI: Republic of Ireland residents are charged £4,750 per year.
GB: England, Scotland, or Wales residents are charged £9,250 per year.
International: Non-EU students are charged £25,300 per year.

Additional Course Costs:

Avid Certification: Optional courses providing Avid certification in ProTools are available as part of the programme.
Stationery: Students may need to purchase an additional £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Materials: There may be additional costs for materials associated with major projects or dissertations.
Electronic Device: Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

Payment Information:

Tuition fees are quoted for a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library.
Students can fund their studies through different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements depending on their residency status.

Additional Resources:

Funding Options and Financial Assistance: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/
International Scholarships: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships

Note:

Tuition fee rates are a guide only and may change.
All tuition fees are subject to annual inflation.
Additional fees may apply for specific courses or programs.
Contact the university for the most up-to-date information on tuition fees and payment options.

Program start date	Application deadline
2024-09-01	-
2025-02-01	-