Acoustical and Vibration Engineering

Program Overview

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Acoustical and Vibration Engineering (MSc)

About this course

On this MSc in Acoustical Engineering you'll learn how to apply acoustics to technology. Our master's in acoustics will give you expert knowledge of the latest modern developments in sound, vibration and signal processing. You’ll graduate with the skills you need for a career in acoustical engineering or for continued study at PhD level.

This acoustic engineering course combines an understanding of engineering fundamentals with specialist knowledge of sound and vibration. We’ll develop your practical and problem-solving skills to apply them in fields including:

• noise control
• audio engineering
• architectural acoustics
• biomedical ultrasounds

You’ll study at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) - a world-leading centre for acoustical engineering.

You can choose to study acoustic engineering as a general topic, but may also decide to specialise in signal processing or structural vibration:

• Signal processing provides in-depth training on modern signal processing techniques for biomedical applications and audio signal processing.
• Structural vibration emphasises the advanced techniques to model, measure and control vibration in mechanical systems such as railways and automotive applications.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in:

• an engineering subject, such as mechanical engineering
• a science subject, such as physics
• mathematics

You'll also need to have studied at least 3 maths or physics modules, such as:

• calculus
• mechanics
• dynamics
• linear algebra
• matrices
• complex numbers

We may consider music technology graduates, dependent on the maths content of the degree, but we do not consider pure music graduates.

Course structure

The programme is split into 2 components: a taught component (October to June) and a research component (February to September).

The taught component will consist of a range of modules based on lectures, hands-on demonstrations, laboratory teaching and exercises in small groups.

Semester 1 consists of 12 weeks of lectures with a break at Christmas, followed by exams at the end of January.

Semester 2 consists of 12 weeks of lectures with a break at Easter, followed by exams in early June. You normally take 3 modules.

The research project offers an opportunity to perform advanced research supervised by a member of academic staff. Our teaching staff will post a list of projects offered during the first semester. You may also propose your own project.

You’ll submit a planning and literature review report at an early stage in the project, and later, there’ll be an interview with the internal examiner. After this you’ll write your dissertation before the start of the new academic year.

Modules

• Fundamentals of Acoustics
• MSc Research Project
• Professional Aspects of Engineering
• Active Control of Sound and Vibration
• Aeroacoustics
• Architectural and Building Acoustics
• Biomedical Application of Signal and Image Processing
• Electroacoustics
• Fundamentals of Vibration
• Human Responses to Sound and Vibration
• Introduction to Machine Learning
• Noise Control Engineering
• Ocean Acoustics & Biomedical Ultrasound
• Signal Processing
• Theoretical and Computational Acoustics
• Vibration Engineering Practice

Careers and employability

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Information and Communication
• Education
• Finance and Insurance
• Public Administration and Defence
• Scientific and Technical
• Arts and Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Transport

Careers directly related to this course:

• Acoustic consultant
• Sound engineer
• Broadcast engineer
• Acoustic scientist
• Noise and vibration consultant
• Acoustician
• Acoustic engineer
• Environmental consultant
• Speech technologist
• Audio technologist

Wider career opportunities:

• Data analyst
• University lecturer
• Software engineer
• Financial analyst
• Management consultant
• Secondary school teacher

Fees, costs and funding

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

A 10% alumni discount is available to University of Southampton graduates.

A Southampton Engineering Deans Postgraduate International Scholarship of £5,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Engineering.

Other postgraduate funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

How to apply

Use the online application system to apply for this course.

Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.

Search for the course you want to apply for.

Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.

Pay the £50 application assessment fee.

Submit your application.

Application deadlines:

• International students who require an ATAS: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• International students who do not require an ATAS: Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

A personal statement explaining why you want to take the course is required.

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.