Postgraduate research in sound recording / psychoacoustic engineering
The Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) is responsible for world-class research in psychoacoustic engineering and offers postgraduate research-based MPhil and PhD programmes in this area, as well as being home to the world-famous Tonmeister™ BMus undergraduate degree course in Music and Sound Recording.
PhD Programme
Typically, a project will begin with a thorough review of previously published academic literature in relevant areas, leading to a critical/ analytical report. The conclusions to this report will suggest an appropriate next step which will normally be some sort of experimental study, designed to test a hypothesis formulated from the literature review. The study might involve software design, acoustic measurements, listening tests, and so on. The results of this study willbe written up in another report (and possibly as a conference paper) which will include a discussion of their significance to the project. The literature review and experimental study, perhaps together with some additional reading and/or experimentation, will lead to a full progress report drawing appropriate conclusions, refining research questions and detailing a research plan to allow these questions to be answered, together with a viva voce examination.
Subject to a satisfactory progress report and viva voce examination, the research plan defined in the progress report will then be executed. This will lead to further literature-based and experimental research, conference (and possibly journal) publications, and the final PhD thesis (ca. 70,000 words) and viva voce examination. Throughout the project, regular guidance will be given by way of meetings with the designated supervisor(s), progress will be reviewed formally twice a year, internal seminars will be used to share and discuss findings with other research students and training needs will be identified and met by the University’s internal postgraduate research courses, modules from the University’s taught degree programmes, external courses or guided reading.
Entry Standards
A high level of academic achievement in relevant subject areas and a clear aptitude for research are required. Typically this will mean a First or high Upper-Second class Bachelors degree with a significant final-year project or dissertation, or a Masters degree achieving or approaching distinction, with a significant research project element.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7.0 or above (or equivalent).
Funding
Studentships are sometimes available. For current details, please visit: www.surrey.ac.uk/soundrec/studentship
Other potential funding sources are outlined at www.surrey.ac.uk/soundrec/phd
Fees
UK/EU students - £3,828
Overseas students 2011/12 entrants onwards - £11,550
Overseas students pre 2011/12 entrants - £11,025
Find out more about our fees and funding policies.
Programme length
33–48 months full-time
45–96 months part-time
Start date
1 October, 1 January, 1 April, 1 July
Research director
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 683137
E: soundrecresearch@surrey.ac.uk