• Postgraduate

Digital Audio Engineering MSc

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Overview

Overview

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 a wide array of 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.

Accreditation

This degree has been accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.  Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

A student practises his digital audio engineering on a laptop

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Digital Audio Engineering with us?

Why study Digital Audio Engineering with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

The course content was arranged well and the modules blended nicely. I went from having only a small amount of experience with DSP to writing my own plugins and embedded applications in 6 months. The lecturers were fantastic. I would thoroughly recommend this course. It has given me a broader knowledge of sound engineering, electronics, software engineering and mathematics.

Craig Wall
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£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
Tile: Mac and PC Labs
Accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology
Industry focused teaching
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

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 the 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.

Compulsory modules

  • Mathematics of Signal Processing

    The Mathematics of Signal Processing module introduces you to advanced mathematical methods for analysing and processing signals and systems.

    The module will provide the basics of signal and systems theory, including the concepts of signal dimensionality, analogue and digital domains, main properties and applications. Matlab software will be introduced and taught as a tool for exploring the various theoretical, analytical and experimental aspects of the syllabus.

  • Digital Signal Processing for Audio Applications

    This module provides essential knowledge and the mathematical tools needed for the study of digital signals and systems. Advanced mathematical transformations and design principles will provide a solid background for you to proceed on to more specific applications in audio engineering, music technology, acoustics and communication engineering.

  • Audio Programming One

    This module aims to allow you to develop advanced skills in computer programming and software development. The module introduces the fundamentals of computer science and software engineering and investigates in-depth the concept of object-oriented programming. You will implement these skills in the C/C++ programming language and apply them to digital audio. The module also provides an overview of the available programming languages and investigates their characteristics and advantages when it comes to digital audio applications

  • Audio Programming Two

    The aim of this module is to allow you to apply advanced programming techniques and knowledge in digital signal processing in real-world audio engineering applications and scenarios. The module introduces a variety of known problems related to the digital audio industry and outlines the methods and practices for their solutions.

  • Emerging Audio Technologies

    On this module you will discover how to apply advanced theoretical thinking and investigative skills to identify, discuss, and analyse new and emerging types of digital audio control and transmission within the professional world.

  • Engineering Research Methods

    To successfully conceive, plan, execute and evaluate any task or project in an engineering context, it is necessary to be able to initiate research in a far-reaching manner. Being able to identify and evaluate sources, extract relevant information and present a critical stance and develop a critical commentary as well as identify significant questions, interesting topics and original ideas should be an outcome of any research process.

    The module will help you identify and practice academic styles and processes related to engineering and provide models for research through the exploration of case studies.  You will also be provided with an overview of professional institutions, publications and the skills needed for publication.

  • Audio Engineering Dissertation

    This module aims to give you the opportunity to investigate an engineering problem within the audio engineering discipline. You will have the opportunity to devise, design and implement a solution to the given engineering problem based on innovative thought and careful planning, within time, sustainability, budgetary and legal constraints. Additionally, you will have to build upon your project management and communication skills when dealing with known and unpredicted stakeholders. Your project will be expected to cover an appropriate area of audio engineering, which could include the following topic areas:

    • Transmission and Broadcasting
    • Archiving, restoration, and digital libraries
    • Audio for games
    • Audio for telecommunications
    • Audio forensics
    • Audio recording and mastering systems
    • Audio electronics
    • Psychoacoustics and audio perception
    • Active noise control
    • Automotive audio
    • Coding of audio signals
    • Fibre optics for audio
    • Hearing and hearing loss prevention
    • High resolution audio for music and server-based audio
    • Network audio systems
    • Semantic audio analysis
    • Signal processing for audio
    • Spatial audio (3D)
Entry requirements

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.

Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience.

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 6.5, with 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need Level 6 qualifications at the same level as UK applicants, and to be able to demonstrate a clear interest in digital audio. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for computing and engineering students are also on offer.

Help with funding
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year*

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Gerard Roma has short brown hair, black rimmed glasses and is wearing a green top.

Dr Gerard Roma

Gerard Roma has extensive experience in research and development in the field of sound and music computing. He is also a practitioner in electronic and computer music. His research interests include audio analysis and synthesis, digital musical instruments, intelligent audio processing, audio source separation and environmental sound recognition.

Gerard Roma has extensive experience in research and development in the field of sound and music computing. He is also a practitioner in electronic and computer music. His research interests include audio analysis and synthesis, digital musical instruments, intelligent audio processing, audio source separation and environmental sound recognition.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A man listening on headphones in a sound studio

There are many industry and research sectors where there are opportunities for employment and career progression. With a qualification in digital audio engineering, you could work in: 

  • archiving, restoration and digital libraries 
  • audio for games 
  • audio for telecommunications  
  • audio forensics 
  • audio recording and mastering systems 
  • automotive audio  
  • coding of audio signals  
  • fibre optics for audio  
  • hearing and hearing loss prevention  
  • high-resolution audio for music and server-based audio 
  • network audio systems 
  • semantic audio analysis 
  • signal processing for audio  
  • spatial audio (3D) 
  • transmission and broadcasting.

You may also decide to further a particular interest via practice as research or a research degree.

How to apply

How to apply

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Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.