EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Institute of Acoustics (IOA) offers a range of professionally recognized courses for those interested working in any aspect of acoustics. They cover general principles and specific applications including building acoustics and the management, regulation and control of noise and vibration in the workplace and environment.
COURSES
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT 2004 – NOISE MEASUREMENTS
The ASBA course is approved by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) and the Institute of Acoustics and relates to the implementation of the noise provisions of Anti-Social Behaviour Act in Scotland. It is designed to enable successful candidates to make and report the required noise measurements in a competent manner. For those without a prior qualification in acoustics and noise measurement recognised by REHIS and the IOA it is a five-day course. For those with such a qualification it is available as a one day refresher course (corresponding to the final day of the longer course).
The five-day version of the course seeks to provide delegates with a basic knowledge of the principles, terminology and methodology of neighbourhood noise measurements, including the use, calibration and accuracy requirements of sound level meters and to make them aware of the significance of resulting data in the context of the legislation.
Students take the certificate at either of two accredited centres in Scotland (Bel Noise Courses in Hamilton and Strathclyde University in Glasgow which offer courses in the autumn and spring each year respectively subject to recruitment). There is a written examination (Parts 1 and 2; only Part 2 is taken by candidates on the one-day course) and a practical test.
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Bel Education Noise
Contact: Dr C D Procter, MIOA
4 Rowan Grove, Quarter, Hamilton ML3 7TT
Tel: 01698 420422 Mobile: -7976045822
Email: belnoisecourses@sky.com
University of Strathclyde
Contact: Beth Stewart
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, James Weir Building, Glasgow G1 1XJ
Tel: 0141 548 3200
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Bel Education Noise
Contact: Dr C D Procter, MIOA
4 Rowan Grove, Quarter, Hamilton ML3 7TT
Tel: 01698 420422 Mobile: -7976045822
Email: belnoisecourses@sky.com
University of Strathclyde
Contact: Beth Stewart
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, James Weir Building, Glasgow G1 1XJ
Tel: 0141 548 3200
CERTIFICATE COURSE IN BUILDING ACOUSTICS MEASUREMENTS
This five-day course provides a basic knowledge of the methodology for measuring and reporting sound insulation and aspects of room acoustics, together with relevant provisions of key standards and guidance. There is an examination on the final day of the course.
Students take the certificate at an accredited centre. Usually attendance at the centre is required for the four days preceding the examination and on the examination day which includes a practical test.
Information on accredited centres and the syllabus is available through the links below.
For further information on the Institute’s educational programme please contact education@ioa.org.uk
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Southampton Solent University
Contact: Juan Battaner-Moro, MIOA, Senior Research Fellow in Acoustics
Maritime and Technology Faculty, East Park Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0RD
Tel: 02382 01 3833
CERTIFICATE COURSE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HAND ARM VIBRATION
This five-day course seeks to enable course delegates to appreciate the nature of Hand-Arm Vibration hazards in the workplace and the need to protect employees from hand-arm vibration syndrome and to advise and assist employers to meet their legal duties under relevant health and safety law, in accordance with current guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. After completing the course delegates should be able to explain the requirements of current legislation, identify situations where hazards exist and assess the risk, discuss basic techniques for control of vibration exposure and identify areas where vibration reduction is required, assess the effectiveness of vibration control measures, evaluate the daily vibration exposures of employees from information about measured vibration magnitudes and work patterns and explain the uses and limitations of personal protective equipment.
Students take the Certificate course at an Accredited Centre. Attendance is usually for four days, plus the examination day. Examinations are currently held at the Centres twice per year, in Spring and in Autumn. Most Centres run the course for the four days preceding the examination date.
Information on accredited centres and the syllabus is available through the links below.
For further information on the Institute’s educational programmes please contact education@ioa.org.uk
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Shorcontrol Safety Ltd
Contact: Mr S Magee, MIOA
Naas Industrial Estate, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland
Tel: 00353 45898198 – Email: Stephen@safety.ie
website: www.safety.ie
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Leeds Beckett University
Faculty of Health , Civic Quarter, Leeds LS1 3HE
Contact: Mr T South, MIOA Tel: 0113 812 3125
Email: t.m.south@leedsbeckett.ac.uk / s.rooke@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Website: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Institute of Naval Medicine
Contact: Dr G S Paddan, FIOA
Acoustics and Vibration, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2DL
Tel: 023 9276 8080
Email: NAVYINM-EMSAVHead@mod.uk
EEF Sheffield
Contact: Helen Deyes
Advantage House, Poplar Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5TR
Tel: 01709 782930 – Email: hdeyes@eef.org.uk
website: www.eeftraining.org.uk
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE WORKPLACE NOISE RISK ASSESSMENT
This Certificate course aims to provide a recognised course of education and training to enable persons to carry out workplace noise risk assessments in a competent manner, as required by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Since the course was first run in 1989, more than 2000 people have gained the Certificate. With the introduction of the new Regulations in 2005, demand for competent noise exposure assessments is increasing and this course provides those registering with the latest information and training to meet the demands of this new legislation. It is designed to provide a background of basic acoustics combined with `hands on’ practical experience of industrial noise measurements and associated assessment of workplace noise exposure.
Students take the Certificate at an Accredited Centre. Attendance at the Centre is usually for four days, plus the examination day, which includes a practical test. Examinations are currently held at the Centres twice per year, in Spring and Autumn. Most Centres run the course for the four days preceding the examination date.
Information on accredited centres and the syllabus is available through the links below.
For further information on the Institute’s educational programmes please contact education@ioa.org.uk
ACCREDITED CENTRES
EEF Sheffield
Contact: Helen Deyes
Advantage House, Poplar Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5TR Tel: 01709 782930
Email: hdeyes@eef.org.uk – website: www.eeftraining.org.uk
Shorcontrol Safety Ltd
Contact: Mr S Magee, MIOA
Naas Industrial Estate, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland
Tel: 00353 45898198 – Email: Stephen@safety.ie
website: www.safety.ie
Moloney & Associates – Acoustic & Environmental Consultants
Contact: Mr D Moloney, MIOA
Greenhills House, Carrigaline, Co Cork, Ireland
Tel: 00 353 21 4374333 – Email: info@env.ie
website: www.env.ie
Leeds Beckett University
Faculty of Health , Civic Quarter, Leeds LS1 3HE
Contact: Mr T South, MIOA Tel: 0113 812 3125
Email: t.m.south@leedsbeckett.ac.uk / s.rooke@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Website: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
ACCREDITED CENTRES
EEF
Contact: Mrs Pauline Dennis
Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0PB
Tel: 01664 484270 – Email: pdennis@eef.org.uk
website: www.eef.org.uk
Citrus Training Ltd
Contact: Justin Spencer
Southern UK Training Site, Unit 32, Childerditch Industrial Estate, Childerditch Hall Drive, Brentwood CM13 3HD
Tel: 08448 00 77 55 – Email: justins@citrustraining.co.uk
website: www.citrustraining.co.uk
RRC International: Run: in-house on request
Contact: April Chaplin
27-37 St George’s Road, London, SW19 4DS
Tel: 020 8944 3100 – Email: april.chaplin@rrc.co.uk
website: www.rrc.co.uk
University of Derby
Contact: Dr J Pritchard, MIOA
College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB
Tel: 01332 591745 – Email: j.pritchard@derby.ac.uk
website: www.derby.ac.uk
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE MEASUREMENT
This five-day course seeks to provide delegates with a basic knowledge of the methodology of environmental noise measurement, including the use and accuracy requirements of sound level meters and analysers and to enable them be aware of the significance of measurement data against the framework of standards and legislation for environmental noise.
Students take the Certificate at an Accredited Centre. Attendance at the Centre is usually for four days, plus the examination day, which includes a practical test. Examinations are currently held at the Centres twice per year, in Spring and in Autumn. Most Centres run the course for the four days preceding the examination date.
Information on accredited centres and the syllabus is available through the links below.
For further information on the Institute’s educational programmes please contact education@ioa.org.uk
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Southampton Solent University
Contact: Juan Battaner-Moro ,MIOA, Senior Research Fellow in Acoustics
Maritime and Technology Faculty, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0RD
Tel: 02382 01 3833
ACCREDITED CENTRES
Bel Education Noise
Contact: Dr C D Procter, MIOA
4 Rowan Grove, Quarter, Hamilton ML3 7TT
Tel: 01698 420422 Mobile: -7976045822
Email: belnoisecourses@sky.com
University of Birmingham
Course Leader: Mr A Whitfield MIOA – Contact: Val Walker
Division of Env. Health & Risk Management, Public Health Bldg, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 414 3077 – Email: v.c.walker@bham.ac.uk
University of the West of England
Contact: Mr S Simpson, MIOA
Faculty of Environment and Technology, Department of Construction & Property, Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1QY
Tel: 0117 328 3192 – Email: stan.simpson@uwe.ac.uk
Colchester Institute
Contact: Mrs F Stancombe – Tutor: Mr G Brown FIOA
Professional Training Centre, Sheepen House, Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3LL
Tel: 01206 712727 – Email: info@theptc.co.uk
website: www.theptc.co.uk
University of Derby
Contact: Dr J Pritchard, MIOA
College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB
Tel: 01332 591745 – Email: j.pritchard@derby.ac.uk
website: www.derby.ac.uk
University of Liverpool
Contact: Dr Gary Seiffert, MIOA
Acoustics Research Unit, School of Architecture, Liverpool, L69 3GH
Tel: 0151 794 4939 – Email: aru@liverpool.ac.uk
website: http://www.liv.ac.uk/architecture/research/acoustics-research-unit/about/
ACCREDITED CENTRES
London South Bank University
Contact: Dr Luis Gomez-Agustina MIOA
School of Built Environment and Architecture (Acoustics Group), 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA
Email: gomezagl@lsbu.ac.uk
website: https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/
EEF Sheffield
Contact: Helen Deyes
Advantage House, Poplar Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5TR
Tel: 01709 782930 – Email: hdeyes@eef.org.uk
website: www.eeftraining.org,uk
Leeds Beckett University
Contact: Mr T South, MIOA
Faculty of Health , Civic Quarter, Leeds LS1 3HE
Tel: 0113 812 3125 – Email: t.m.south@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
website: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Moloney & Associates – Acoustic & Environmental Consultants
Contact: Mr D Moloney, MIOA
Greenhills House, Carrigaline, Co Cork, Ireland
Tel: 00 353 21 4374333 – Email: info@env.ie
website: www.env.ie
NESCOT
Contact: Dr R Vasudevan, MIOA
Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey KT17 3DS
Tel: 0208 394 3204 – Email: rnvasudevan@nescot.ac.uk
Shorcontrol Safety Ltd
Contact: Mr S Magee, MIOA
Naas Industrial Estate, Naas, Co Kildare, Ireland
Tel: 00353 45898198 – Email: Stephen@safety.ie
website: www.safety.ie
University of Strathclyde
Contact: Beth Stewart
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, James Weir Building, Glasgow G1 1XJ – Tel: 0141 548 3200
DIPLOMA IN ACOUSTICS AND NOISE CONTROL
The Institute of Acoustics’ graduate entry Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control has been run since 1975. It is usually studied on a part-time basis, over one year. The Diploma course was set up to provide specialist academic training to meet the educational requirements for Corporate Membership of the Institute of Acoustics. Over the years the course has become well established as providing high level training in real-world practical acoustics. As a result, the Diploma is widely recognised as the leading specialist qualification for the professional practitioner in acoustics. It is recognised by a number of UK universities as providing partial exemption from their requirements for the award of MSc degrees. Since 2008/9 the presentations have been based on an updated syllabus (see link below).
The normal minimum requirement for admission to the Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control is a degree in a science, engineering or construction-related subject or an Environmental Health Officer’s Diploma. Alternative qualifications, with related professional experience, may be acceptable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Also it should be noted that, to ensure the currency of the Diploma as a professional qualification, Education Committee has approved the requirement that the Diploma must be completed within five years from first registration.
See below for Information on Accredited Centres and Course Tutors. For further information or queries on the Distance Learning option and the Institute’s other educational programmes please contact education@ioa.org.uk.
Requirements for completing the Diploma
To complete the Diploma, candidates must pass the following Modules:
General Principles of Acoustics
Laboratory (execution and reporting of Centre-dependent laboratory exercises)
Project (intended to demonstrate the ability to use and apply the skills and knowledge gained in the other modules of the Diploma to define and solve an acoustics problem including a research element as appropriate)
and two Specialist Modules selected from:
Building Acoustics
Regulation and Assessment of Noise
Environmental Noise: Measurement, Prediction and Control
Noise and Vibration Control Engineering
For prospective candidates in regions where Centre-based courses are not available, or, in principle, for any candidate who can show due reason why he or she is unable to make use of an Accredited Centre in the usual way, there is a Tutored Distance Learning Scheme that involves the distribution, to a timetable, of learning-support material and assessments. This is supported by a programme of group tutorials at a small number of venues throughout the UK and two residential laboratory-work sessions. Distance learning candidates face the same requirements for the award of the Diploma as all others.
Distance Learning Information:
Institute of Acoustics, St Peter’s House, 3rd Floor, 45-49 Victoria Street, St Albans, Herts – AL1 3WZ
Tel: 01727 848195
e-mail: education@ioa.org.uk
CCREDITED CENTRES
University of Derby
Contact: Dr J Pritchard, MIOA
College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB
Tel: 01332 591745 – Email: j.pritchard@derby.ac.uk
website: www.derby.ac.uk
Leeds Beckett University
Contact: Mr T South, MIOA
Faculty of Health , Civic Quarter, Leeds LS1 3HE
Tel: 0113 812 3125 – Email: t.m.south@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
website: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Colchester Institute
Contact: Mrs F Stancombe – Tutor: Mr G Brown FIOA
Professional Training Centre, Sheepen House, Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3LL
Tel: 01206 712727 – Email: info@theptc.co.uk
website: www.theptc.co.uk
London South Bank University
Contact: Dr Luis Gomez-Agustina MIOA
School of Built Environment and Architecture (Acoustics Group), 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA
Email: gomezagl@lsbu.ac.uk
website: https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/
Southampton Solent University
Contact: Juan Battaner-Moro ,MIOA, Senior Research Fellow in Acoustics
Maritime and Technology Faculty, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0RD
Tel: 02382 01 3833
Email: juan.battaner-moro@solent.ac.uk
NESCOT
Contact: Dr R Vasudevan, MIOA
Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey KT17 3DS
Tel: 0208 394 3204 – Email: rnvasudevan@nescot.ac.uk
Distance Learning course will run at:
- St Albans
- Edinburgh (Napier)
- Bristol
- Dublin (TCD)
- Ulster
