Acoustical Engineering (BEng) at University of Southampton

About

Learn how to make the world sound better, with a specialist knowledge of acoustics, vibration and how they affect us. This acoustical engineering degree specialises in sound and our response to it. You'll study at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, a leading centre for Acoustical Engineering.

This acoustical engineering course looks at how acoustics - the science of sound and vibration - is applied in technology. It has many applications, including:

design of cars
3D-audio systems
designing concert halls
reducing aircraft noise
using ultrasound to fight antimicrobial resistance

This UK acoustic engineering degree includes practical work throughout, including lab work. Our projects will allow you to design, build and test components and systems with enhanced acoustic properties. You'll gain the confidence to creatively solve engineering problems.

You'll have access to our world-class acoustic and engineering facilities, which include:

dedicated design studios and workshops
anechoic and reverberation chambers
an aeroacoustic wind tunnel
a listening room
a virtual acoustics laboratory
a professional manufacturing centre

Year in industry

Enhance your employability by taking this course with a paid industrial placement year.

Apply using:

Course name: Acoustical Engineering with Industrial Placement Year
UCAS code: H34P

You'll spend this extra year at an engineering firm, applying the skills and knowledge you've learned so far.

The fee is 20% of the standard annual tuition fee.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

AAB including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics

A-levels additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics, plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), and 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry or Physics

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA from two A-levels including mathematics and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering if studied alongside A-level mathematics

We will consider the BTEC Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and either chemistry, physics or physics-chemistry

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and either chemistry, physics or physics-chemistry

Irish certificate additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subject can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including mathematics (minimum grade D3) and either chemistry, further mathematics or physics

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D2 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A* or grade D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A. Applicants who have not studied the required Principal subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAB from 3 A levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics
or
AA from two A levels including mathematics and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
or
AA from two A levels including mathematics and either chemistry, electronics, further mathematics or physics and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

T level in Science at Distinction overall with A in Core and Distinction in the Occupational Specialism, and grade A in A-level Mathematics

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

Acoustical engineers are in great demand in almost every field of engineering. You could work on:

better-sounding concert halls
superior sound reproduction systems
clearer ultrasound scans
quieter aeroplanes

As an acoustical engineering graduate, you can expect to secure roles such as:

acoustic engineer
audio engineer (R&D)
acoustic scientist
acoustic technician
noise engineer
bioengineer
sound engineer
acoustician

The transferable skills you gain from audio engineering courses, will be welcome in a range of other sectors. This degree also provides a firm foundation for further study at Masters or PhD level.

Many of our graduates work in leading high-tech companies including:

Bentley
Jaguar Land Rover
Arup
Mott MacDonald
Dyson

We can help you get placements and employment with local, national and international employers. Taking an industrial placement year will also give you valuable work experience.

Find out more about careers in acoustic engineering.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You can choose to take a year-long paid placement in an engineering organisation to get a head start after graduation. During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve developed during your degree, and gain vital professional engineering experience.

Our students have recently had placements at:

Airbus Space and Defence
Dstl
Jaguar Land Rover
Leonardo
Rolls-Royce
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Williams F1
WSP

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,000

Application Fee

GBP

Acoustical Engineering (BEng)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines