Sound Design MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Music

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
Part-time
  • MSc | 2 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme website
Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

If you've studied sound or music technology at university, been working in sound professionally, or if you've been experimenting with sound as a composer, designer, sound artist or engineer and are looking for a way to develop your voice, this programme may be for you.

We offer an interdisciplinary taught masters programme at the forefront of the University of Edinburgh’s rich expertise in the creative arts, music and digital media design. This programme will provide you with knowledge, skill and understanding to enable you to thrive in a range of sound design situations, both commercial and experimental.

Our programme assumes you have some aptitude for and experience of working with sound in creative ways and are prepared to advance quickly. Our students are curious, open-minded, adaptable and highly creative individuals who are keen to acquire new skills and consolidate their existing knowledge across all areas of sound design.

You may have experience of sound production for film and want to unlock those skills for game sound design, or you might be making music through creative coding and want to explore more acoustic and physical aspects of sound.

This programme will help you learn a great deal more about the craft of sound design and to expand your potential as a creative sound professional. We balance challenging practical project work with theoretical study which creates an inspiring, lively and motivating work environment.

Our programme is practice-led and strongly interdisciplinary and you will learn to create innovative and expressive sound media including the study of:

  • film sound
  • interactive game-audio design
  • sound installation and sonic art
  • sound software design
  • creative music and compositional practices

Thinking about studying MSc Sound Design at Edinburgh College of Art? Discover the programme, how you'll be taught, and hear from our students about their study experiences with us.

Study options

Part-time study

The programme can be studied part-time over two years, taking two taught courses per semester in the first year, and one taught course per semester in the second year. You will finish with the final sound design project over the summer period of the second year.

Part-time study will typically require 25 hours per week across learning and teaching activities and coursework.

Programme benefits

  • Produce creative work across the spectrum of sound design and develop the artistic and expressive range of your sound making
  • Make contact with an international cohort of sound enthusiasts, working in a stimulating practical context
  • Make use of a wide-range of production studios, software and hardware in a lively university environment
  • Gain the confidence and skills to cope in any audio-related environment upon graduation, and feel able to survive as your portfolio develops
  • Join a programme that has over 20 years’ experience of teaching, learning and exploring the limits of sound design as a creative practice, academic discipline and career training

I have very much enjoyed my time in the Sound Design programme. The coursework consistently encouraged me to use "out-of-the-box" thinking when creating my sonic projects, and by doing so, has made me a much more creative and well-rounded sound designer. 

The course electives offered in the programme also opened my eyes to applications of sound that I was previously unaware of and added numerous new methods of sonic creation to my professional toolbelt. 

The tutors within the programme are also excellent. Whether I had a question about something that was discussed in a lecture or needed some advice on how to complete an assignment, they were always happy to offer their help.

Bella Quercia MSc Sound Design, graduated 2025

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

This programme has no compulsory additional costs, but you may incur some optional costs on top of the tuition fee related to your final project.

ECA provides a wide range of technical sound equipment, sound studios and software, to support your learning and research. There is also bookable access to good quality open-access computers, and a smaller number of laptops are available for loan through central University services. The core software we use in teaching comes without the requirement to purchase a license to use it in an educational context.

You may prefer to use a personal laptop computer for writing and other computer-based activities (Mac or Windows, according to personal preference, for example Macbook Air/Pro, Dell XPS) and wired closed-back headphones (for example Audio-Technica M40x/M50x, Beyerdynamic DT770). However, this is not a compulsory requirement, and it is possible to complete the degree without incurring such additional costs.

Depending on your research interests, you may optionally choose to incur costs associated with realising aspects of your final project. Such costs are not compulsory, would depend on the nature of your project, and are unlikely to exceed £100 in value.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject such as music, sound design, media arts, sound engineering, acoustics, film, animation, and art and design subjects.

We also welcome applicants who do not meet academic entry requirements but demonstrate relevant professional experience.

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. Your portfolio should include at least three pieces of work and can include a range of items such as a small collection of sound design examples covering films, games and animations, an essay on sound or sound recordings and other documentation of sound-based projects such as an installation or creative work with sound software development.

Your portfolio can include examples of music compositions, but as the programme focus is on sound design, it's desirable for portfolio examples to reflect a commitment to work in this area, e.g., by including examples of creative work using experimental sound processing. Applicants who have primarily more music composition experience may be more suitable for our MMus in Composition.

Whatever you include, it should be your own work. A short explanation of your role in collaborative projects is required. Your portfolio is best uploaded with the application as a PDF file with explanations about the projects and links to the work hosted on a reliable space online.

When we review portfolio examples, we consider how the work samples demonstrate existing skill, imagination, curiosity and aptitude for working with sound in terms of competency, creativity, originality and ambition, and how the programme may be able to help develop further your knowledge and experience.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

You will study a broad, flexible and integrated range of key and emerging sound design practices. The programme is designed to allow you to develop according to your skills and interests.

In the first semester, the programme focuses on:

  • developing sound design skills
  • exploring the potential for sound recording
  • editing in the digital domain
  • processing sound to create new sonic structures
  • considering relationships between code and sound that allow sound designers and music makers to develop sound work that changes according to context.

In the second semester, you will consolidate your knowledge. You will work with game audio technologies and sound for screen to explore how sound can be used to tell stories, create spaces and support interactions. There will be opportunities to develop competency in programming creative audio applications.

Across the taught semesters you can tailor your studies to your interests by exploring suitable elective options.

The programme ends with a self-directed but supervised research-led sound design project over the summer period in an appropriate area of sound design.

Our overall objective across the year is to support the development of personal skills, insights and experience while encouraging a rounded, outlook that has a wide appreciation of the issues of sound design in a range of creative contexts.

Graduates of the programme will be armed with professional, practical, analytical and intellectual skills to take into sound-related industries or on towards further academic study, such as a PhD. 

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • practical sessions
  • critique

This is supported by occasional input from external professionals in the field of sound design and related areas, and by peer learning and collaborative practice.

Students will receive technical training in a wide range of sound design areas. The specific content will vary but typically will include:

  • advanced work with digital audio workstations
  • microphones and other recording equipment
  • mixing and spatialisation
  • creative coding for sound and music design
  • game audio software (depending on course electives)

Assessment

Each taught course provides advanced tuition in a specialised aspect of the subject. In common with general design education practice, the main assessment of progress is by means of project-work (some of it group project-work) complemented by a relatively short written report. 

Typically, project briefs emphasise creative production projects which develop and integrate practical skills in Sound Design with critical reflection. 

Depending on course electives there may be more substantial essay type submissions, and/or other forms of work such as a video essay, presentation and so on.

Learning outcomes

Students who follow this programme will:

  • Obtain a broad foundation in sound design and related technologies.
  • Explore the use of existing computer-aided sound design techniques in a creative way.
  • Be able to analyse and think deeply about sound and its role in a wider creative arts environment.
  • Develop understanding of the scope and limitations of applications of sound design.
  • Engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration in the context of audio-visual practice.
  • Discover new creative uses of advanced technologies for sound design.
  • Foster the ability to work cooperatively in groups in the context of sound design.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

ECA’s Student and Academic Support Service (SASS) supports students throughout their studies in all degree programmes at ECA.

You will have a dedicated Student Adviser, based within SASS, who is specially trained to support you during your studies. Your Student Adviser will be your first point of contact for any support, including questions about your studies or your well-being. Your Student Adviser can support you with:

  • personal or wellbeing issues that you are facing, including how to access specialist support
  • queries related to your programme, such as course enrolments, programme transfers and academic progression
  • applying for extensions and special circumstances
  • advice about how to take a break from your studies
  • registering with the Disability and Learning Support Service 

Where you will study

Study location

Much of your teaching will take place in the University's Central Area. You will be based at the Reid School of Music at Alison House.

In addition to a large number of university venues, ECA boasts several performance spaces: the Reid Concert Hall, St Cecilia’s Hall and ECA West Court, among the most prestigious spaces in town.

The Atrium of the Graduate School has been developed into a hybrid performance and presentation space with high quality loudspeakers and several large screens, curtains and truss for spatial audio and lighting. 

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston Campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus | Edinburgh College of Art

Academic facilities

ECA is well-stocked with technical sound equipment and a wide range of hardware and software to assist the development of your learning and research.

The Reid School has six production studios in stereo or 5.1 configurations. There are numerous labs and maker spaces across the campus and various venues available to be booked for live performances, recording experiments and installations. There is also a bank of music practice rooms available in the basement of the Reid School of Music.

We have developed two new 360 audio mixing spaces which are available for experiments in VR, AR, Dolby Atmos and ambisonics. Our studio cupboard is stocked with a wealth of microphones, location recorders, cameras, speakers, cables and VR equipment available to be booked and used flexibly.

Since 2019, the Reid School of Music has enjoyed the benefits of being an All-Steinway School with 28 pianos available for performance and rehearsal across the campus.

Career opportunities

The rich, cross-disciplinary programme of study we offer provides graduates with advanced skills in:

  • game sound
  • audio programming
  • audio production
  • post-production and other digital technologies relevant to sound design and the crafts of sonic art

These skills will allow you to take on commissions in professional sound design areas or pursue your own creative path.

Our graduates are now working for major theatre, TV and video games companies.

Graduates work as freelance sonic artists and composers, and for various sound post-production studios across the world.

Many are running successful sound-related businesses and several have PhDs and are pursuing academic careers.

You will gain a wide variety of transferable skills, such as the ability to:

  • research and analyse sound
  • structure and manage your time
  • work and communicate effectively in teams

These skills will increase your employability across the arts and further afield. 

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Due to high demand, this programme operates a gathered field approach to admissions, with two application deadlines as noted below.

Each application round has a decision deadline, also listed below, but note that we will make as many offers as possible to the strongest candidates on an ongoing basis, in advance of the published decision deadline.

We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible, especially if you intend to apply for funding or a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. If you are considering applying for our pre-sessional English Language programme, please make sure you apply in Round 1.

Please note that for an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts. If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete.

Selection deadlines

RoundApply byReceive decision by
1Monday 15 December 2025Thursday 19 March 2026
2Monday 4 May 2026Tuesday 30 June 2026

After Round 2, if there are still places available, applications will remain open. As this is not guaranteed, however, you are advised to apply by the application deadlines above.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.

There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference.

Portfolio

If you do not have a sound-related degree you must submit a portfolio as part of your application. You will not be able to upload your portfolio immediately; you must wait for an email prompt, which you'll receive within a few days of submitting your application and will explain how to upload your portfolio.

If you plan to submit audio or video files, please upload these to an online sharing website and add the link to the portfolio upload section of your online application.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

What is it really like to study here? Our students share their experiences on our social media. 

You can find out what a day in the life is like for an Edinburgh College of Art student, from late nights in the library to their favourite walks around the city. 

Instagram: Edinburgh College of Art 

Our community

At Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) we bring together creative practices that shape the world around us.

We deliver innovative teaching, research and public engagement in an inclusive and sustainable environment with outstanding services and facilities to support your ambitions.  

With degrees in Art, History of Art, Music, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and Design, you’ll be joining a diverse community of artists, art historians, designers, academics, researchers, architects, landscape architects and musicians.  

ECA is a rich, textured, and inclusive learning environment. Diverse practices co-exist as the embodiments of an individual and collective pursuit of knowledge, for the betterment of humankind and our planet.   

Our approach is explicitly inclusive, future facing and interdisciplinary, embracing of bold innovation and continuous enhancement.  

Find out more about the Edinburgh College of Art community

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland.

The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:

  • the Talbot Rice Gallery
  • the Centre for Research Collections
  • St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum

Edinburgh is home to several major annual festivals, each bringing talent from around the world to our streets and stages, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. These include the:

  • Festival Fringe
  • Film Festival
  • Art Festival
  • Book Festival
  • Jazz and Blues Festival

Some of our students even participate in our annual festivals.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office

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