What qualifications could I study for?

PhD in Acoustics by Research

Getting a PhD or doctorate is hard work and requires great commitment. But it is a unique opportunity to explore an area in great depth. It takes at least 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time. It is intensive study which requires you to have a high amount of self-motivation and strong desire to understand and learn. Normally you will need to have obtained a first class degree or equivalent in an engineering, science or mathematical subject. (Although some who research into human response to sound start with a first degree is in social science or similar.) You get to study one particular subject in great depth. At the end, you produce a thesis which must demonstrate understanding of one area of acoustics, work of sufficient technical difficulty and an original contribution to the subject. Assessment is done via the thesis and an oral examination. During your time at Salford you will work under the guidance of one or two academic supervisors, but you should also draw upon the wider expertise of staff in acoustic engineering and other postgraduate students.

MSc by Research

This is similar to a PhD except the study time is shorter, and so the amount you will achieve will be less. (Some institutions call this MRes or MPhil). This takes at least 12 months full-time or 2 years part-time. Normally, you will need to have obtained a first class or upper second degree or equivalent in an engineering, science or mathematical subject (or maybe social science if you are studying subjective response). Like a PhD, it requires self-motivation and technical ability to succeed. During your time in the Acoustics Research Centre, you will work under the guidance of an academic supervisor, but you should also draw upon the wider expertise of other staff and postgraduate students.

Can I studying away from Salford?

Split site programmes

This programme is 100% research based - there are no taught modules. Duration is normally 4 years plus 1 year writing up. The student’s main supervisor is an appointee from Salford University who retains overall control and direction of the student’s study programme; By mutual agreement an advisor for each student will be appointed from an external institution. The Adviser(s) must normally have a PhD but more importantly will be active in the proposed area of research; The external Institution must agree to provide the facilities necessary for that part of the research to be carried out. The Salford supervisor may visit the external institution for quality assurance purposes. Continuous progress monitoring through learning agreements, Interim assessment, annual progress reports, annual self evaluation reports, internal evaluation and the final viva voce.

We ask that you come to the UK for the first 3 months and last 6 months of your PhD. We structure the programme according the individual needs and circumstances of students. In the first 3 months you become a member of our Doctoral School, participate in various workshops on topics including academic writing, research ethics, data analysis techniques and presentation skills. During the last 6 months you will work closely with your UK supervisor to ensure a successful thesis is delivered

On-line PhD

You can now study for a doctorate via a new distance learning route. More details here

Taught MSc

We teach several MSc courses including the MSc Audio Acoustics and MSc Environmental Acoustics. A taught MSc gives a broader education than a PhD or an MSc by research. One third of the Masters course is a project, so there is still scope for self-motivated study in a single subject. It takes 12 months full-time.