Taught course

Digital Audio Engineering

Institution
University of West London · School of Computing and Engineering
Qualifications
MSc

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university or equivalent. You must demonstrate a clear interest in digital audio, either from a utilitarian or creative stand point.

We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications are considered individually.

Months of entry

January, May, September

Course content

On our MSc in Digital Audio Engineering, you will explore the varied uses of technology in the delivery and creation of digital audio systems. With access to many useful resources, including both hardware and software, you will be able to develop real-world technical expertise to design, develop and operate a range of innovative solutions.

Digital audio is part of all aspects of modern life. It is used in music and sound production, media and gaming, 3D spatial audio, mobile devices, streaming, online media and the internet of things (IoT), plus many others. There is a growing demand for people who have the necessary technical and creative abilities to enable and progress how digital audio is embedded in these areas.

As such, this course is designed for graduates from a range of engineering, music technology and computer science backgrounds.

The focus of the course is on the analysis and design of systems and tools within the context of business needs.

A mix of teaching methods are used to give you a balance of theory and the practical application of skills, ranging from lectures, tutorials and workshops to the examination of case studies and practical programming projects.

Field trips, a programme of invited industry professionals and collaborative projects with other postgraduate students within the school and elsewhere will give you further insight into the real-world applications of your work.

On graduating, you should have an informed and critical understanding of the use of technology within industry. You should also have sufficient creative, investigative and critical thinking abilities to apply your knowledge and skills to practical situations and problems. This will allow you to play a strategic role in the use of technology and the delivery of digital audio systems and processes, including audio analysis, effects and synthesis plug-ins, digital controllers, installation and embedded systems for public spaces.

Some of the coursework and project work you may engage with include:

  • audio pattern recognition, such as speech analysis
  • noise-cancellation algorithms
  • audio software plug-ins such as EQ, dynamics, spectral morphing and delay/reverb
  • virtual synthesiser and sample instruments
  • real-time audio and MIDI controllers
  • audiology
  • acoustic and psychoacoustic control algorithms and devices
  • audio and A/V installations
  • gesture- and motion-based music performance software/controllers
  • multi-channel speaker configuration and control.

Resources and opportunities
While studying, you will have access to a range of useful resources and equipment, including:

  • multiple PC labs on campus with course-relevant software installed on all machines
  • two Mac Labs with audio production and programming software
  • electronics labs for hardware development, simulation, building and testing.

The software and hardware made available and used on the course include:

  • Prism Sound dScope Series III hardware analyser
  • MATLAB/SIMULINK
  • LabVIEW
  • OrCAD
  • SIMetrix
  • C/C++
  • Bela development kit
  • Arduino boards
  • Cycling ‘74 Max
  • SuperCollider.

Extended Masters option

If you have an undergraduate degree, but do not quite meet the entry criteria for this course, you may qualify for our Extended Masters. You will take two extra modules to prepare you for the course and you must study full time. We also provide English-language support if you need it. Once you complete these two modules, you can progress directly onto the regular Masters course.

Modules

  • Mathematics of Signal Processing
  • Audio Programming One
  • Audio Programming Two
  • Digital Signal Processing for Audio Applications
  • Emerging Audio Technologies
  • Engineering Research Methods
  • Audio Engineering Dissertation.

Information for international students

For more information, please visit the UWL website.

Fees and funding

For information please visit the UWL website.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MSc
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    12-15 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Course Information
Email
courses@uwl.ac.uk
Phone
0800 036 8888