The generation, manipulation and reproduction of high quality audio are core elements of the rapidly expanding communication, entertainment, music and sound engineering industries. This course is aimed at graduates of numerate science disciplines, who wish to make the transfer into this exciting and growing sector. Building on the engineering fundamentals you already know, it will provide you with the specialist expert knowledge required to become a future leader in audio technology. The University of Salford has a long history of research and teaching in audio and acoustics - by taking this course you will be joining a community of alumni who can be found at the heart of many leading organisations both in the UK and abroad.
You will study core topics including architectural acoustics, psychoacoustics, dynamics and vibration, computer modelling and measurement. Beyond this, the course provides specialist modules in digital signal processing and advanced loudspeaker and microphone design. Further specialisation is then developed in the Project module.
You will be based in the university’s internationally-renowned Acoustics Research Group. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework panel praised our outputs, saying that the Salford submission showed “particular strengths in acoustics”, and our industrial links led our REF impact case study to be singled out by the EPSRC and Royal Academy of Engineering for highlight the economic benefits of engineering and training.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Acoustics for the purposes of meeting the educational requirements for Corporate Membership of the Institute. Graduates may attain Engineering Council registration via the Institute of Acoustics.
This course offers a variety of flexible study formats, including full and part-time modes, either on campus or via distance learning. Those considering part-time study should bear in mind that the programme is intensive, and that generally, we advise that part-time means half time, i.e. you would need to allocate half the week to you studies ≈ 19 working hours.
This course comprises eight 15 credit taught modules, followed by a 60 credit project module leading to the dissertation. For full-time students, the taught modules all take place in trimesters one and two, followed by the project module in trimester three. For part-time students, the taught modules are spread over trimesters one and two of two years, followed by the project module in year three.
The majority of teaching and learning takes place through tutorial and seminar groups. There is a strong focus on guided self-learning. Assessment is generally in the form of assignments, which improve problem solving and other skills as well as providing a strong background in the subject area. The ‘Measurement, Analysis and Assessment’ module also includes practical group work.
All students benefit from the supply of a range of high-quality teaching materials, text books and software. Interaction with students is face-to-face wherever practical, but we also use web-based learning support packages (databases of materials, discussion boards etc.) to support the cohorts. Distance learning students are able to stream classes via our Virtual Learning Environment, either to participate live or watch back later.
Our MSc Audio Acoustics course is designed to train graduates to meet a growing demand for audio skills in industry, and also to enable employees to reach their full potential. This postgraduate course has been used as in-service training by a number of UK and global companies (e.g. mobile telecoms). While one naturally thinks of mobile phone design as belonging to 'telecommunications', there are considerable audio engineering challenges in designing good quality sound from the small transducers used in confined spaces, often in the presence of considerable background noise. Also, increasing markets exist for sophisticated audio systems in the home (smart speakers), at work (virtual and augmented environments) and in transport (car audio or ‘infotainment’).
The audio acoustics industry is diverse. It includes major firms with 'core' audio-related market share such as Philips, Sony, Dolby, B&O and KEF. Many other businesses employ specialists in acoustics from Salford: Apple, Bentley, JLR to name a few. Building design and architectural acoustics needs specialist engineering consultants looking at room configurations and surface treatments, noise ingress and egress, sound reinforcement system design and so on, and a very wide variety of companies (Arup Acoustics are one large example in our area) employ graduates from our courses. Students also go on to study for a higher degree by research, here at Salford or elsewhere.
Acousticians with engineering, science and mathematical skills are currently in short supply, and Salford MSc Audio Acoustics graduates are in a very strong position in the jobs market. The University of Salford has over 25 years’ experience of placing graduates in key audio and acoustic industries carrying out consultancy, research, development and design. These include well-known companies such as Apple, Dolby and the BBC, and with almost every major acoustic consultancy in the world.
Typically our graduates go into:
In 2013, A survey of 500 of our acoustic and audio alumni found 1 in 5 of our graduates live outside the UK and 45% are in Senior jobs or are Directors. The 6 most popular industries were: research (15%), environmental (11%), university (10%), construction (9%), architecture (9%) and consumer electronics (6%).
In this master's programme you learn to correctly assess the workings and impact of various electronic technologies. You learn to design and implement existing analogue and digital electronic systems and leverage this knowledge to complex information and communication systems.
Intelligent Electronics option
Intelligent Electronics refers to the combination of hardware and software used to develop and implement so-called embedded systems (cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, etc.). You learn to take into consideration limitations in the areas of I/O possibilities, memory, speed and energy consumption.
Internet Computing option
Internet Computing follows the trend of a more broadly distributed approach to developing computer applications. The advantages to this are high reliability, scalability, high performance, easy maintenance, low cost price, etc. Examples of applications based on this approach include web-based and internet applications like search robots and voice-over IP, as well as e-commerce, enterprise resource management, and user applications in the area of info-/edu-/entertainment.
Add an in-company or project-based learning experience to your master's programme
You can augment your master's programme with the Postgraduate Programme Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering. This programme is made up by a multifaceted learning experience in and with a company, with an innovative engineering challenge as the central assignment. It is carried out in a team setting, has a distinct international dimension, and usually requires a multidisciplinary approach. Entrepreneurs and students alike are encouraged to innovate, transfer knowledge and grow. It is a unique cross-fertilisation between company and classroom.
The Faculty of Engineering Technology maintains close ties with universities around the world. At Campus Group T, more than 20% of the engineering students are international students. They represent 65 different nationalities from all over the world. This international network extends not just to Europe, but also to China, Southeast Asia, India, Ethiopia and beyond.
Campus Group T is the only campus of the faculty who offers all the degree programmes in the business language par excellence: English. The language is ubiquitous both inside and outside the classroom. If you've mastered English, you feel right at home. And if you want to explore more of the world, you can do part of your training at a university outside Belgium as an exchange student.
This master's programme brings students to the advanced level of knowledge and skills that is associated with scientific work in the broad sense, and more particularly to those areas of the engineering sciences that are related to electronics and IT/communications systems. This programme offers a broad academic training in the analysis, modelling and design of electronics and IT systems. The Electronics major focuses on the hardware of digital and analog systems. In the IT major, the emphasis is on computer systems, application software and communication networks.
Degree holders are able to apply the acquired scientific knowledge autonomously and in a broad social context. They possess the necessary organisational skills to hold executive positions.
On completion of the programme, you will be an industrial engineer with a broad foundation of general skills and technical knowledge. At the same time, you will be familiar with the fascinating world of information processing, which plays a crucial role in many social sectors. Often, you will also play a key role in the development of a variety of digital media applications ranging from modern consumer products (positioning and navigation systems; smartphones; digital audio and video) to custom stand-alone or networked applications.
KU Leuven is already preparing the next generation of integrated systems - will you be involved? The Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT) is the largest department within the university and was the starting point of imec and many spin-off companies. With such an excellent reputation within an innovative industry, the programme exemplifies the link between education, research and valorisation. The Master in Electrical Engineering programme gives you in-depth training in the software and hardware design of electronic systems, with an emphasis either on circuit design or the design of applications. Your Master's thesis, carried out in close co-operation with the department's on-going research, will expose you to cutting-edge research.
Core education
The core education consists of courses which provide the common hardware and software basis for electronic platforms, analogue and digital circuits, signal processing and telecommunications. It also comprises the finalizing Master’s thesis.
Options
The choice of an option gives you the opportunity to specialise in one of the two approaches to create electronic systems.
Elective courses
The remaining 24 credits are available for elective courses to allow you to personalise your programme. A student can make a programme ranging from much specialised (e.g. following courses from both options) over interdisciplinary (e.g. following courses from other engineering masters) to rather broad (e.g. including many non-engineering courses). It also allows for internships and international courses.
At the Faculty of Engineering Science, students are given the opportunity to complete one or two semesters of their degree within the Erasmus+ programme at a European university, or a university outside Europe.
Students are also encouraged to carry out industrial and research internships abroad under supervision of the departmental Internship Coordinator. These internships take place between the third Bachelor’s year and the first Master’s year, or between the two Master’s years.
Other study abroad opportunities are short summer courses organised by the Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)network or by universities all over the world.
The Faculty of Engineering Science is also member of the international networks CESAER, CLUSTER and ATHENS, offering international opportunities as well.
More information on the international opportunities at the faculty is available on the website.
The Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) is the university's largest department and was the starting point of imec (a world leader in nanotech research and products) and many spin-off companies. The faculty also has excellent professional connections with industry leaders. Thanks in part to the programme's strong link between education and research, employment perspectives for programme graduates are excellent - not only in Belgium, but also in Europe and the rest of the world. Our graduates are in great demand.
IED is set within the vibrant mixed studios of the RCA’s School of Communication, each of its pathways with a specialist Lab as its hub. Professor Neville Brody, who provides inspiration and instigation, calls IED an interface between information and experience, and a platform for exploring post-screen, post-digital and post-disciplinary practice. Our students and researchers work alongside the School’s graphic designers, animators and illustrators, and in interdisciplinary teams with other RCA programmes as well as external scientists, companies, architects and academics.
IED develops a mindset as well as a skillset. No specific technical skills are required; applicants come from diverse backgrounds in design, science, fine art, engineering and technology, with a common critical interest in data, design and making. Graduates may go on to work in visualisation, data science, advanced design practice, cultural and educational institutions, research labs or studio practice.
The three distinct pathways offered by the IED programme of Sound Design, Moving Image Design, and Experimental Design, one of which students select as part of their application, are interrelated, focused around different ways of approaching IED’s core aim of transforming information into experiences.
IED offers:
