About

Introduction

In a nutshell

Help to build a better sounding world with a postgraduate MSc Acoustics degree.

Delivered in full and part-time study pathways, either on campus or online, we've designed a course to nurture your specialist knowledge, so you're ready to develop a career as a future leader in audio product development, noise consultancy, sound innovation or sound management.

Recommended for numerate science graduates looking to join the acoustics and audio profession, you will benefit from using world-class facilities learning alongside an academic team at the forefront of industry-focused research.

International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Start your MSc Acoustics study journey

Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our impressive facilities and meet the tutors.

You will:

Follow a structured postgraduate training programme in acoustics, with specific focus on the technologies and principles associated with industrial applications
Gain a detailed knowledge, systematic understanding and critical analysis of acoustical concepts, along with the ability to apply these concepts to practical problems of engineering design and analysis
Build practical skills in measurement as you develop the ability to critically evaluate new developments within the field and contribute to the development of acoustics through research and project work
Shape your learning based on your interests or career plan by choosing options that include psychoacoustics, environmental noise measurement, immersive sound reproduction, sound innovation and noise and vibration control
Learn alongside research-active academics and technicians, using some of the UK’s leading acoustics facilities that are regularly used by major organisations to test and develop audio and acoustics products

International

students accepted

Hands on learning in our acoustics facilities

Acoustics graduates revisit the Anechoic Chamber

Acoustics students test out the Anechoic Chamber

This is for you if...

1.

You are a technically-skilled, numerate graduate with a degree in an engineering or science discipline

2.

You wish to develop skills for an acoustics and audio engineering career

3.

You are currently working in the audio and acoustic industry and wish to expand your expertise

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

How to get accepted onto the MSc/PGDIP acoustics course

APPLICANT PROFILE

Our Acoustics postgraduate degree is recommended for numerate science graduates and professionals looking to move into the exciting field of acoustics. It is also a solid route for gaining an advanced level of knowledge to support career progression or as preparation for research.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS)

International students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before they begin their studies. You need to obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK to comply with Home Office regulations. Please refer to your offer conditions.

If you have a query relating to ATAS, please contact: [email protected]

DISTANCE LEARNING PATHWAY - MANDATORY ATTENDANCE

The ‘Measurement, Analysis and Assessment’ module includes a lab week, which requires mandatory attendance for distance learning students. Depending on your nationality, you may require an ATAS certificate and Short Term Study Visa.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS

Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

An undergraduate award at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in computer science, science, engineering or mathematics.
An undergraduate award at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in another discipline, together with an appropriate engineering mathematics foundation qualification.

Applicants must also have the equivalent of grade C or higher, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English.

International student entry requirements

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

Alternative entry requirements

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: [email protected]

Learn more about the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme.

The cost of studying MSc/PGDIP Acoustics

Type of study	Year	Fees
Full-time home	2025/26	£10,350.00per year
Full-time international	2025/26	£17,000.00per year
Part-time	2025/26	Calculated on a pro rata basis
Distance learning	2025/26	£1,730 per 30 credits

Additional costs

You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

International student scholarships

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

After your MSc/PGDIP in acoustics

EMPLOYMENT

Acousticians with engineering, science and mathematical skills are in short supply, which puts you in a strong position to build a career once you graduate.

Our MSc/PgDip Acoustics postgraduate degree can up careers where you can lead and influence acoustics and audio engineering research, broadcast engineering, loudspeaker and audio system design, sound innovation and consumer audio product development. 

In our increasingly busy world, managing unwanted noise is a growing and significant problem. You might choose to use the knowledge and skills developed on the course in a consultancy context, by working with organisations to solve environmental noise challenges. 

Many of our acoustics graduates have progressed into senior roles in acoustics consultancy, research, development, and audio design. Today, you will find our alumni working at Apple, Dolby, BBC, plus every major acoustic consultancy in the world.

FURTHER STUDY

You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. Our Acoustics Research Centre is home to PhD and Research Master’s opportunities exploring a range of topics, including noise and soundscapes, sound modelling, psychoacoustics, vibro-acoustics, building acoustics, acoustic materials and audio engineering.

Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.

A taste of what you could become

An acoustics and audio engineer

A broadcast engineer

A noise consultant

A speaker system designer

And more...

Career Links

Salford is accredited to perform twelve types of test via our world-class facilities that are maintained by commercially-funded technicians. We also have a UKAS-accredited Calibration Laboratory which provides a full-scale commercial service to industry.
Our acoustics team holds strong industry links nurtured through collaborative research and projects based at our commercial test laboratories. These connections ensure that the programme is aligned with the latest research findings and developments.
Recent projects include creating integrated virtual models for acoustic design with Dyson, wind turbine noise auralisation and subjective testing with DELTA and DEFRA, acoustics for auralisation with Arup, the S3A Future Spatial Audio project with the BBC and SALSA (Spatial Automated Live Sports Audio) system with DTS and Fairlight.
We regularly share research outputs with industry partners and acoustics network. Recent masterclasses include acoustic consultancy with RBA Acoustics, noise mapping software with Cambell Associates, environmental noise with WSP/Parcel, railway noise and vibration with AECOM, NVH infotainment with JaguarLandRover, and measurement microphone technology with GRAS.

Dentist

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

23,281 / years