University of Surrey

PhD Audio Engineering

University of Surrey

Course overview

The PhD in Audio Engineering at the University of Surrey offers intensive graduate preparation for a future career in research or academia. This programme is suitable for either part-time or full-time candidates. Your research will combine elements of acoustics, digital signal processing, psychoacoustics, psychology, sound synthesis, software engineering, statistical analysis, and user-interface design, along with an understanding of the aesthetics of sound and music.

The programme is carefully structured to guide you successfully through each stage of your project. You will begin by conducting a thorough review of published academic literature. This leads to a critical report whose conclusions help you form a hypothesis for testing. After a satisfactory progress report and viva, you will carry out the full research plan. This involves further literature and experimental work, leading to conference (and possibly journal) publications, and your final PhD thesis (around 70,000 words).

Your final assessment is based on the presentation of your research in your written thesis. This thesis will be discussed and defended in a viva examination with at least two examiners. The PhD in Audio Engineering from the University of Surrey is a structured path to becoming an expert in audio research.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements:

  • Applicants are expected to hold a high level of academic achievement in relevant science/engineering subject areas and a clear aptitude for research is required.
  • Typically, this will mean a first or upper second-class (2:1) bachelor's degree with a significant final-year project or dissertation, or a masters degree achieving or approaching distinction, with a significant research project element.

English Proficiency:

  • Non-native speakers of English are to show proficiency in English by having an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each of the four components.

Scholarships

  • Discounts for Surrey Graduates

    As graduate of Surrey you may be eligible for a 20 per cent discount on our taught masters programme fees.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • Early Payment Discount

    The discount is awarded as a £2,000 fee waiver for eligible students in the first year of their studies.

    Up to £2,000
  • ICAEW Foundation Bursary

    The ICAEW Foundation Bursary will be given as a one-off payment of £5,000 for one year of postgraduate study.

    Up to £5,000
  • International Alumni Discount for Medicine (Graduate Entry) BMBS

    The discount of 20% only applies to the first year of the Medicine (Graduate Entry) BMBS programme.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • International Excellence Award (Postgraduate)

    This prestigious £5,000 award recognises academic excellence and is awarded to selected students starting a masters degree at Surrey.

    Up to £5,000
  • International Excellence Award (Undergraduate)

    The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 fee waiver.

    Up to £5,000
  • ISTAT Foundation Scholarship Program

    Contributing to the development of future aviation professionals by providing funds and avenues for students with a keen interest in commercial aviation.

  • Surrey MBA AI Pathfinders Scholarship

    This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance.

  • Surrey MBA Eastern Europe Bridge Scholarship

    This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance.

  • Surrey MBA Employer Partnership Scholarship

    This scholarship allows the Surrey MBA to match employer contributions towards the tuition fee up to 40%.

  • Surrey MBA Enterprise Trailblazer Scholarship

    This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance.

  • Surrey MBA Service Stewardship Scholarship

    This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance.

  • Surrey MBA Women in Leadership

    This is a partial scholarship that covers 10 – 50% of the tuition fee.

  • The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

    The total value of the award is £30,000 (£10,000 x 3 years).

    Up to £30,000

Career opportunities

Graduates of the PhD in Audio Engineering from the University of Surrey can pursue various careers in roles such as the following:

  • Audio DSP Engineer
  • Acoustic Engineer
  • R&D Audio Scientist
  • Advanced Sound Engineer
  • Audio Software Developer

Cost of study

The tuition fee to study a PhD in Audio Engineering at the University of Surrey is £21,000 per year. Please note that fees are subject to a yearly increase.

Admission

To apply for this course, you need to use the online application platform of the university. You can reach out to our counsellors at AHZ for guidance on the process.

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