UNIVERSITY PROFILE
The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for research and training in acoustics and vibration.
Formed in 1963, the Institute is committed to improving our understanding of acoustics and vibration and their impact on the wellbeing of the community and the quality and performance of engineering products.
The ISVR is renowned for its contributions to reducing noise and vibration in engineering applications – rail and aircraft noise for example – but also for fundamental work on understanding how humans hear sounds and process this information.
ACOUSTICAL ENGINEERING
Southampton University’s acoustical engineering degree courses are taught in the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), one of the world’s leading centres for research, teaching and consultancy in acoustics.
Acoustical engineering demands a remarkable breadth and depth of study, drawing on disciplines such as mechanics, materials, manufacturing, electronics and signal processing. Consequently, acoustical engineering is an excellent degree choice for those who want to open up a broad range of scientific and engineering career options on graduation.
ISVR offers a 3 year BEng and a 4 year MEng in Acoustical Engineering as well as a BSc in Acoustics and Music – a unique sound engineering degree programme taught in leading centres for both music and acoustics.
The MEng Acoustical Engineering degree is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)and the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), and meets the educational requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Practical experience is essential in today’s employment market, the ISVR’s degree programmes provide plenty of opportunities for you to enhance your practical skills and put your theoretical knowledge to the test in our world-class facilities.
In the second year of the acoustics degree programmes you will have the opportunity to design your own loudspeaker and then put it to the test in our anechoic chamber – a room in which the walls, floor and ceiling are lined with sound absorbing material which is an ideal environment for testing loudspeaker frequency responses.
For those considering the MEng degree programme in the 4th year you will complete a Group Design Project, this gives you and your team the opportunity to address a challenge that will put your knowledge to the test.
The project opportunities change from year to year in line with the research activities of the ISVR. Acoustics degree students have worked on projects including the development of Earbot – a robot that can follow the sound of a speaking person and projects looking at virtual stereo to reproduce 3D sound in the home.
COURSES
H722 MENG/BENG (HONS) ACOUSTICAL ENGINEERING (4/3 YEARS)
This is a four year full time integrated Acoustical Engineering masters programme. After successful completion of all four years the degree of MEng is awarded. For those who prefer to graduate after 3 years, the BEng in Acoustical Engineering is an option, with some divergence in the modules taken in the third year; this is also the required route for those who do not achieve the consistent high grades required for the MEng.
Please note that minor adjustments may be made to the programme and module from year to year.
The first two years of this unique programme build a firm grounding in compulsory core disciplines that will enable you to make in-roads into answering questions such as the ones above and solving a wide range of acoustics problems. In years 3 and 4 you can choose advanced options which concern specific applications of acoustics such as electroacoustics, transportation noise, musical instrument acoustics, sound and audio systems and so on. Teaching is generally in small groups and there is a large emphasis on practical and design work.
The teaching is structured on a semester pattern. You study modules comprising 120 credits in each of Parts I (level 4), II (level 5) and III (level 6). You will also be required to undertake an individual project in ISVR worth 40 credits.
KEY FACTS
- ISVR was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its achievements in higher education
- ISVR is one of the leading brand names in acoustics, known and respected Worldwide
ACCREDITATION
BEng (Hons)
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. This course is also accredited by the Institute of Acoustics (IOA).
MEng
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. This course is also accredited by the Institute of Acoustics (IOA).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
GCSEs:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| GCSE | English Language, at Grade C or above |
A Levels:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | AAA including Maths and Physics (A in Maths) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | AAAAB (A in Mathematics and Physics) |
MSC SOUND AND VIBRATION STUDIES
The MSc Sound and Vibration programme is taught by experts from the world-leading Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and the range of subjects offered is linked to our research activities.
The programme has been designed to provide flexibility and allow you to tailor your learning to fit your personal interests and career aspirations. Through the wide choice of modules available in the Sound and Vibration Studies Programme, you have the possibility to specialise in one of the three following areas:
- Applied Digital Signal Processing
- Engineering Acoustics
- Structural Dynamics
Specific aims of this MSc programme are:
- To enable you to acquire some of the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed for a professional career in sound, vibration and signal processing.
- To develop your ability to apply the academic knowledge gained to practical situations in your chosen discipline.
- Through a substantial open-ended research project, to develop your critical and analytical abilities as well as project management skills.
Subsidiary aims are:
- To provide a supply of well-trained and motivated graduates for research positions both in the ISVR and elsewhere.
- To provide career development opportunities in the broad field of sound, vibration and signal processing, for those seeking a change in employment or enhancement of their first degree.
ACCREDITATION
This course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineerson behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.
This course is also accredited by Institute of Acoustics.
PATHWAYS:
Applied Digital Signal Processing
The Applied Digital Signal Processing pathway provides in-depth training on modern signal processing techniques for biomedical applications and audio signal processing.
Engineering Acoustics
The Engineering Acoustics pathway is available to students wishing to specialise in acoustics, including engineering disciplines such as architectural and building acoustics, underwater acoustics and electro-acoustics.
Structural Dynamics
The Structural Dynamics pathway emphasises the advanced techniques to model, measure and control vibration in mechanical systems such as railways and automotive applications.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Honours Degree
First or upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in engineering, science or mathematics.
Applicants with a lower-second class Bachelor’s honours degree are considered only if evidence can be provided for the development of skills and capabilities beyond the degree, such as 2-years of relevant and appropriate work experience and training.
Equivalent Qualifications
Alternative qualifications are considered on individual merit. For example, a portfolio of appropriate work experience underpinned by an academic achievements equivalent to the basic requirements and recent serious and appropriate study, with clear evidence of scientific aptitude. Applicants in this category are interviewed and might be required to sit the admissions assessment. We are always happy to receive applications from candidates with equivalent qualifications. If you are unsure about our entry criteria, please contact our admissions staff who would be happy to provide advice in advance of your application.
CONTACT ISVR
MSC ENQUIRIES AND ADMISSIONS
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8059 4651 / 3262 / 8840 / 3113
Email: pgtfee@soton.ac.uk
Postal address:
Engineering and the Environment PG Admissions
University of Southampton
Building 22
Highfield
Southampton SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
PHD/ENGD ENQUIRIES AND ADMISSIONS
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8059 9296/4185/7387
Email: pgrsofee@soton.ac.uk
Postal address:
Engineering and the Environment PG Admissions
University of Southampton
Building 22
Highfield
Southampton SO17 1BJ
United Kingdom
