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%).
There is a large and growing industrial need for engineers to control and mitigate noise and its effects, providing a healthy job market for appropriately trained graduates. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work in environmental acoustics, whether in consultancy, local / central government or in research.
This MSc is aimed at graduates of numerate science and technology disciplines, either fresh from undergraduate study or as Continual Professional Development for persons already in service.The University of Salford has a long history of research and teaching in environmental 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 internationally.
You will study core topics including architectural acoustics, psychoacoustics, dynamics and vibration, computer modelling and measurement. Beyond this, the course provides specialist modules in environmental noise monitoring and noise control. 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’ and ‘Environmental Noise Measurement’ modules also include 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 Environmental Acoustics meets the needs of people wanting a career dealing with building design, noise and its control. With noise being a significant problem worldwide, there is increasing demand from companies wanting to employ graduates understanding acoustics. 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. Many other businesses employ specialists in acoustics from Salford: Apple, Bentley and JLR to name a few. Our reputation in acoustics means that our graduates have an excellent chance of quickly finding a job, and many employers come directly to Salford to recruit graduates from our courses.
Acoustic consultancy offers the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of projects and clients, and consultancy practices who recruit our graduates are spread widely throughout the UK, the EU, Canada, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. 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 Acoustics graduates are in a very strong position in the jobs market. Salford University 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:
Staff have strong links with industry either through collaborative R&D projects with industry through the Acoustics Research Centre and our commercial test laboratories. These all help to keep the MSc Acoustics up to date with the current needs of industry, including the latest research findings. This course is an exemplar of the University’s Industry Collaboration Zones (ICZs) strategy- our single strategic priority.
Develop and enhance your understanding of electronic engineering to an advanced level, setting you apart in your career. You will engage with technology that goes beyond silicon based electronics to develop specialist knowledge and skills for emerging markets.
You may already have a firm grasp of the essentials of the discipline; however, this programme will provide you with a practical understanding of key areas of advanced electronic engineering. With links into a research portfolio that has been rated as internationally excellent, this programme is guided by leading experts, including industry specialists. You will work with familiar technology like WiFi, and explore new innovative landscapes such as micro and nanostructures in sensory equipment and self-healing electronics for safety critical systems.
The programme has been developed to meet the demands of the contemporary electronic engineering landscape. Emerging markets such as smart grid, healthcare and medicine, energy and environment are set to join established industrial sectors including security, transport and aerospace and as such, skilled Masters graduates are highly sought after.
Over the year you will explore a range of high-level topics, which will test your previous understanding while allowing you to develop a deeper understanding of electronics. The skills gained during these modules will be invaluable as you progress in your career.
The technical element of the degree will involve you engaging with a range of technologies and topics, such as: system-on-chip engineering; micro engineering; RF engineering; control and instrumentation; and communications and embedded systems. You will also benefit from the programme’s practical element, which will enable you to gain a wealth of valuable experience. You will become adept at digital design; the design of microstructures; programming of embedded microcontrollers; RF circuits; and methods of building control loops and associated software. The robust and comprehensive skill set and knowledge you gain will open up a range of opportunities and support your progression as a professional.
During the year, you will also complete a project provided by one of our industry partners. This will allow you to bring together everything you have learnt and gain valuable real-world experience of working as a professional electronic engineer. As part of this project, you will structure and break down a problem; develop team organisation, project management and technical skills; and use background sources and research. You will also gain career experience by presenting your results and writing a customer report. Examples of previous projects include:
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Core
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research.
Engineering is more than just theory and, as a result, you will experience labs/practical sessions, workshops and group tutorials, alongside lectures. This contact is with academic staff that are internationally recognised and work alongside global electronics companies.
In addition, our technicians and admin support team are very approachable and have many years of experience in helping students achieve success.
Assessment varies between modules, allowing students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typically you can expect assignments such as coursework, presentations and formal examinations.
As a department, we prioritise delivering high-quality, rigorous programmes that prepare and equip our graduates for a rewarding career. The Department provides an interdisciplinary approach that reflects the dynamic nature of professional engineering.
Our Department is an internationally recognised leader in research and innovation and, as such, you will join a thriving and supportive academic community. Staff and students alike will welcome and support you both academically and socially.
You will be encouraged throughout your programme in a friendly, vibrant environment that is conducive to excellent research and learning.
Our MSc in Electronic Engineering is designed to support your career ambitions and progression. By enabling you to develop your technical and professional skills to an advanced level, and allowing you to apply what you have previously learnt to real-world problems, this programme equips you with the knowledge and experience for a range of electronic engineering careers, and will put you ahead of the competition.
There is a wide range of sectors where electronic engineering is relevant, such as Aerospace, Energy, Environment, Health, IT and Telecommunications, and Security. Roles in these sectors come with highly competitive starting salaries, and include, but are not limited to:
In addition, studying at Masters level will further enhance your prospects, opening up opportunities to progress further in your career.
Alternatively, our programme will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to take up further study at PhD level and begin a career in research, exploring innovative, cutting-edge areas of the engineering discipline.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a standard project.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
To support your learning, we hold regular MSc group meetings where any aspect of the programme, technical or non-technical, can be discussed in an informal atmosphere. This allows you to raise any problems that you would like to have addressed and encourages peer-based learning and general group discussion.
We provide computing support with any specialised software required during the programme, for example, Matlab. The Faculty’s student common room is also covered by the University’s open-access wireless network, which makes it a very popular location for individual and group work using laptops and mobile devices.
Specialist experimental and research facilities, for computationally demanding projects or those requiring specialist equipment, are provided by CVSSP.
The taught postgraduate Degree Programmes of the Department are intended both to assist with professional career development within the relevant industry and, for a small number of students, to serve as a precursor to academic research.
Our philosophy is to integrate the acquisition of core engineering and scientific knowledge with the development of key practical skills (where relevant).
To fulfil these objectives, the programme aims to:
Intended capabilities for MSc graduates:
This programme in Mobile Media Communications aims to provide a high-quality advanced training in aspects of multimedia signal processing for audio and video content production, processing and transmission.
The programme examines ways that relevant digital data can be captured or generated, and the digital streams processed, compressed, analysed and communicated over broadcast channels, mobile networks or internet.
Along with a basis of image, video and audio processing, it provides a grounding in communications related elements that include, for example, coding, networking and data transmission. Students will be able to tailor their learning experience through selection of elective modules to suit their career aspiration.
Key to the programme is cross-linking between signals, and delivery of audio and video content. The Programme has strong links to current research in the Department of Electronic Engineering’s Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing.
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
On this course, you’ll gain practical, theoretical and creative experience of sound engineering, music production and audio technology.
You’ll explore the design, manipulation and production of audio across many platforms, using our state-of-the-art audio-post recording, radio and TV studios to study a mix of sound engineering and theory modules.
The aim of the course is to develop the skills that you’ll need to create and deliver professional audio, whilst under pinning these skills with a sound theoretical background.
94% of our postgraduates go on to employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.DLHE 2009 and 2010
This course entails both practical based and theory modules. The modules are delivered in the recording studios, the audio technology suite, audio post production suite and lecture theatres.
DURATION
September start
MSc (one year full-time or up to three years part-time)
PgDip (nine months full-time or 18 months part-time)
January start
MSc (16 months full-time)
PgDip (one year full-time or up to two years part-time)
Teaching and learning involves a mix of lectures and practical sound engineering work, involving individual and group learning, There is an emphasis on motivated students' self-study.
Assessment involves a mixture of practical work, report writing and project work. By the end of the course students will have built up a substantial portfolio of audio, video and new media work.
Assessment is approximately divided across the course as follows:
This degree is based in MediaCityUK,the new home for the BBC, ITV, Coronation Street and parts of the University of Salford. MediaCityUK is located at Salford Quays on the banks of Manchester's historic ship canal. The University has the first four floors of a new, purpose built facility that looks over the water to The Lowry theatre, Imperial War Museum North and the new Coronation Street set. ITV occupy the floors above us, with the three BBC buildings on one side of us and Peel Media Studios on the other.
A number of BBC departments are based at MediaCityUK, having moved from London, including BBC Breakfast, BBC Children's, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Future Media and Technology, BBC Learning, BBC Sport and BBC Academy. All of the BBC Manchester operations have also moved to MediaCityUK, including BBC Religion and Ethics, Current Affairs and the BBC Philharmonic.
For more information, check out the Salford MediaCityUK site and the main MediaCityUK site.
Here is a summary of our relevant facilities at MediaCityUK:
On the main campus, we also have a Pro Tools equipped studio recording complex consisting of four control rooms and recording areas. Please see this brochure for more detailed information brochure.
The wide range of skills provided on this course will enhance your employability. Possible career paths include: audio manufacturer research and design, broadcast engineer in audio for radio or TV, audio and visual design and installation, education, interactive media and sonic arts.
Possible career paths include:
Staff have strong links with industry either through collaborative R&D projects with industry through the Acoustics Research Centre and our commercial test laboratories. Our research department is a Centre of Excellence for BBC Research.
Some students could go on to study a PhD at our world-class Acoustics Research Centre. We have been carrying out acoustics and audio research for over 30 years. Our research is funded by research councils, government bodies, and industry. It has fed into audio products that companies make and sell worldwide, as well as regulations and standards used in the UK, Europe and beyond. We are also involved in public engagement - getting more people aware of and interested in acoustic science and engineering.
Develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a sports journalist or public relations professional. Sports journalism is one of the fastest growing areas in online media, and a major component of print and broadcast media. Print Journalists are also in demand for the publicity departments of major sports clubs and organisations, which are also expanding rapidly. This is leading to an increasing demand for graduates with good journalistic and media skills and a sport-focused portfolio.
On this course, you learn how
You also gain public relations and media liaison techniques, such as how to devise and organise media opportunities and how to write • web pages • press releases • news items • personality features • promotional material.
We teach you the skills and knowledge required by employers. This involves a mix of traditional reporting skills and an understanding of the emerging technologies in the media industries that affect the way journalists record and report the latest stories. You learn about a range of technical and journalistic skills such as
You learn how to manage the print and broadcast media at sports matches and events and how sports publicity and marketing departments are organised and run.
You produce and process sports publicity material for media use and discuss the major issues affecting sports worldwide including • commercialism • globalisation • racism • hooliganism • political regulation and interference • sponsorship • match fixing.
We offer you regular one-to-one feedback, given by practising sports journalists and public relations professionals. We can also offer you opportunities to gain experience and insight through our links to major broadcasting, newspaper and sports organisations, such as professional football clubs.
There may also be opportunities to further your learning through work placements, working with sports publications, the sports departments of newspapers, or in the media departments of sports clubs and organisations.
Read about opportunities and experiences available to our students on our Journalism blog.
Modules
Gain the relevant skills and knowledge for a career in
Sports journalism is an extremely competitive field. The industry relies heavily on freelance sports journalists, and the course equips you with the skills necessary to enter the freelance market.
It also provides the publicity skills and understanding of the media which are increasingly sought after by clubs and organisations.
This is an integrated multimedia journalism course that prepares you for a career in the global journalism industry by providing you with the core skills for print, broadcast, magazine and online platforms.
During the course you learn how to gather, organise, write and present information to a professional standard across a variety of platforms and to different audiences.
Key areas of study include • print • broadcast • digital/online journalism • writing and presentation skills • interviewing • TV and radio presentation skills • professional practice • global journalism • shorthand.
By selecting options to meet your own interests you are able to specialise in print journalism, magazine journalism, radio journalism and television journalism.
Throughout the course you gain an understanding of how your chosen area operates in Britain and internationally by examining different examples of journalistic practice. You are able to bring your own experience of journalism in your home country and gain insight into practices in Britain, Europe and the wider world. You study case-studies from regions of the world that interest you in order to compare different approaches to journalism.
Print and online journalism modules prepare you to develop the multiplatform skills to operate effectively as a news and feature journalist in any global newsroom. This means learning to develop a strong news sense, an ability to select and prioritise key facts and quotes, and writing skills for different platforms.
You also
Broadcast journalism modules develop your skills in radio and TV broadcasting, and in interviewing and presenting. You produce radio and TV packages in a dedicated TV and radio studio and two dedicated newsrooms.
Alongside practical skills, the course gives you the opportunity to study the ethical, legal and regulatory context in which journalism is practised. Theoretical content deepens your understanding and critical awareness of on-going debates about the economic and political role played by journalists and global news organisations in modern societies.
Read about opportunities and experiences available to our students on our Journalism blog.
Sheffield Hallam University acts as a centre for the NCTJ national examinations.
Semester one core modules
Semester one optional modules
Semester two core modules
Semester two optional modules
Semester three core modules
Journalism is a global industry and this course prepares you for a career in your home country or elsewhere in • print journalism • magazine journalism • sports journalism • online journalism • broadcast journalism (TV and radio) • public relations.
Journalism is a broad term and you could pursue a very rewarding career in any of its many forms.
A career in journalism suits those who are flexible and enjoy team work as you may be dealing with breaking news and a tight deadline. In today’s newsrooms journalists require skills across a range of media-platforms and need to be able to communicate news and information to a range of audiences.
There are opportunities to work on regional newspapers, television and radio throughout the world, but some choose to pursue a career in a national media industry and may therefore be based in a capital city. Many journalists work on a freelance basis and the demand for experienced freelancers is increasing, making this an attractive option, especially for feature writing.
In the UK salaries vary considerably depending on whether the post is a regional or national one. A regional journalist just starting out on a career in the UK can expect to earn £12,000 – £15,000 as a trainee, whereas an experienced person working for a national newspaper can expect up to around £35,000 – £40,000.
This course will provide you with in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of theoretical and practical solutions to problems at the forefront of communications and the processing of signals.
Communications and signal processing are closely intertwined, and together provide the basis of modern information engineering.
Areas of application include:
For full information on this course, including how to apply, see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/electrical-engineering/communications-signal-processing/
If you have any enquiries you can contact our team at: [email protected]
