Acoustics and Music Technology BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Music

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

W380

Award

BSc (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Multiple campuses

Start date

September 2026

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

If you're fascinated by the interplay of science, technology and music, BSc Acoustics and Music Technology is for you. 

Equipping you to invent the future of acoustics, audio and music technology, our interdisciplinary programme brings together:

  • maths
  • physics
  • music

Our acoustics and music technology programme supports you in designing the music tools, spaces and software of tomorrow, developing your scientific skills and creative mindset. 

Throughout the programme, you will explore how modern technologies are driving a revolution in the way that sound is: 

  • created 
  • manipulated 
  • transmitted 

Acoustics and music technology has an expanding range of creative applications, including:

  • music production
  • the design of concert halls
  • the emerging field of immersive virtual reality

You learn how innovation in the sector is allowing for rapid development in next generation methods for:

  • sound synthesis
  • transformation in the way we design and experience the built environment
  • the emergence of wholly new forms of media

Discover what it's like to study BSc Acoustics and Music Technology from our staff and students.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme rankings

  • 2nd in the UK for Acoustics and Music Technology in the Complete University Guide 2024

Programme benefits

  • You will gain a thorough understanding of acoustics and music technology. 
  • This degree places you in a very strong position for a high-level career in acoustics, audio, music technology, or game sound.
  • You will also be equipped for a career in science and technology or computer science more generally. 
  • We offer a unique blend of science and music, producing scholars who are able to bring scientific and technical insights into music, and musical insights into science and technology. 
  • You will have a fun and practical engagement with physics and mathematics, which you will be able to apply to your music studies.
  • You will join a rich community of practising musicians in the Reid School of Music and of creative artists, designers, filmmakers, animators and many more in the wider Edinburgh College of Art. 

I absolutely loved the combination of mathematics, physics, and music technology offered in the degree. The Reid School of Music has been a fantastic place to study, with incredibly friendly and interesting students and staff, and tons of extra-curricular opportunities that we could take part in.

Mick Zijdel BSc Acoustics and Music Technology, graduated 2024.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Acoustics and Music Technology

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Acoustics and Music Technology.

Tuition fees for this programme

Accommodation and living costs

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

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

This programme offers a unique opportunity to study sound and music technologies using science and engineering methodologies. 

Acoustics and music technology emphasises excellence in subjects including: 

  • physics 
  • computer programming 
  • audio signal processing 

These are not only the basis of our field but are also useful in many other disciplines. 

You will combine this learning with studies in: 

  • sound recording 
  • audio machine learning 
  • architectural acoustics 
  • creative music technology 
  • sound design 
  • further options in music and beyond

You will study compulsory courses in:

  • physics
  • acoustics
  • mathematics
  • music technology

You will take:

  • courses covering the basic pillars of physics and developing your problem-solving and study skills
  • mathematics courses equipping you with the core skills you need in algebra and calculus
  • a course in musical acoustics, exploring:
    • musical instruments
    • architectural acoustics
    • electronic instruments
  • a course in sound recording, examining the history and practice of recorded sound

You will be introduced to:

  • microphone techniques
  • room acoustics
  • field recording

You will also complete project work, which ends with the production of recorded music.

Option courses

You can choose further courses from:

  • music
  • physics
  • engineering
  • informatics
  • a range of options from across the University
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 2 you will take two courses that build on the themes of Year 1:

  • Architectural Acoustics and Spatial Audio
  • Creative Music Technology

Your mathematics courses will cover:

  • advanced algebra
  • calculus
  • dynamics

You will also be introduced to:

  • computer programming
  • data analysis
  • experimental techniques for physics and acoustics
Option courses

You will have the opportunity to take:

  • further courses in music
  • relevant courses from
    • physics
    • engineering
    • other subjects across the University

These help you to make the most of the many subjects taught across the University.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Compulsory courses include:

  • Audio Signal Processing
  • Audio Programming

Together, these form the basis for developing music technology software and hardware for audio processing and live performance.

You will also learn:

  • how physics can be used to understand musical sound
  • to design cutting-edge software that provides the very highest sound quality in musical instrument and audio effects
Other courses

We encourage you to complement these subjects by taking courses in:

  • audio machine learning
  • sound design
  • Fourier analysis
  • fluid mechanics
  • physics
Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

In Year 4, the programme centers around a year-long, final project in acoustics and music technology.

You can choose your topic, drawing on the skills you have obtained up to this point. It is a chance to move in the direction you’d like to your career to take once you graduate.

You will also study advanced acoustics.

Option courses

You can choose courses from:

  • music
  • physics
  • engineering
  • informatics

Typically, at the end of Year 4 you will have the opportunity to take part in our Graduate Show. This is a chance to exhibit your work. You can see work submitted by previous graduates on our 2024 Graduate Show page.

BSc Acoustics and Music Technology Graduate Show

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of: 

  • lectures 
  • tutorials 
  • practical workshops

We use the latest teaching technology, helping you to develop your problem-solving skills and creative thinking. 

From Year 3, you can specialise in the areas of acoustics and music technology that most interest you.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of: 

  • continuous assessment
  • project work 
  • presentations 
  • peer assessment 
  • exams

Practical and computing courses involve the creation and documentation of computer software for a range of exciting music technology applications. 

Creative music technology and sound design courses include portfolio submissions.

Monday 
  • 10am – Physics lecture (1 hour) 
  • 12:10pm – Mathematics lecture (1 hour) 
  • 2:10pm – Physics workshop (2 hours) 
Tuesday 
  • 10am – Mathematics workshop (2 hours) 
  • 2:10pm – Sound Recording lecture (2 hours) 
Wednesday 
  • 10am – Physics lecture (1 hour) 
Thursday 
  • 9am – Mathematics workshop (2 hours) 
  • 2:10pm – Sound Recording tutorial (1 hour) 
Friday 
  • 10am – Physics lecture (1 hour) 
  • 12:10pm – Mathematics lecture (1 hour) 

Support for your studies

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

If you’re unsure who to ask, you can contact your Student Adviser as a first point of contact.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

Our staff are world leaders in a wide range of musical areas, including:

  • musicology
  • acoustics and music technology
  • composition
  • improvisation
  • music psychology
  • community music

You can find out more about the staff who will teach by reading their profiles.

Dr Tom Mudd

  • Lecturer in Creative Audio Programming and Computer Music Systems, Music
  • Programme Director for BSc (Hons) Acoustics & Music Technology 

Dr Michael Newton

  • Lecturer
  • Research expertise in acoustics, audio signal processing, musical instrument design and analysis, sensor design, fabrication, testing, and machine learning in acoustics and audio

Professor Stefan Bilbao

  • Personal Chair of Acoustics and Audio Signal Processing 

Roderick Buchanan-Dunlop

  • Teaching Fellow in Sound and Music Technology

Dr Thomas McKenzie

  • Lecturer in Acoustics and Architectural Acoustics

Dr Alec Wright

  • Chancellor’s Fellow in Audio Machine Learning

Dr Jules Rawlinson

  • Senior Lecturer in Digital Design
  • Programme Director for MSc Sound Design

Dr Martin Parker

  • Senior Lecturer in Sound Design
  • Expertise in electronic composition, sonic art and computer programming for music and performance

Where you will study

Study location

Teaching takes place at several locations across the University:

  • Courses in physics and sound recording take place in the University's Central Area.
  • Other courses, such as those in mathematics in Years 1 and 2, take place at the King's Buildings campus.

You will have access to the University’s free shuttle bus which transports students between King’s Buildings and the Central Area.

Academic facilities

As an acoustics and music technology student, you will have access to a wide range of facilities including:

  • music practice rooms
  • recording studios
  • the University's extensive computing facilities and libraries

The University also has many beautiful concert halls, which feature in a number of your courses. 

Reid School of Music

The University's Reid School of Music is an exciting place to study. You will have numerous opportunities to make music and perform in University ensembles, including by joining:

  • orchestras
  • choirs
  • a big band
  • wind band
  • composers' orchestra
  • opera group

Our lively concert calendar and central Edinburgh location let you immerse yourself in the city's rich cultural scene.

Investing in our learning environment 

Edinburgh College of Art is excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next three 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

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the Edinburgh College of Art and explore our facilities and campus with our virtual tour.

Take a virtual tour of Edinburgh College of Art

Career paths

You will develop a unique and marketable combination of:

  • creative-thinking
  • technical skills
  • mathematical skills

Where graduates work 

Our graduates play a prominent role in the acoustics, audio, and music technology industries. 

They go on to work for leading companies, including: 

  • Arturia 
  • Arup 
  • AudioKinnetic 
  • the BBC 
  • Facebook 
  • Hann Tucker Associates 
  • LG Electronics 
  • Moog 
  • Native Instruments

Many also work for organisations involved in:

  • commercial acoustic design
  • audiology
  • music technology
  • software engineering

Forming start-ups 

We have recently seen an exciting new stream of innovative start-up companies being formed by our graduates. 

One of these, TwoBigEars, was recently acquired by Facebook to form the basis of a new online virtual reality platform.

Transferable skills 

A wide range of employers recognise our graduates' skills in: 

  • physics 
  • mathematics 
  • software engineering 
  • general problem-solving

These are sought after by sectors including: 

  • engineering 
  • manufacturing 
  • energy 
  • finance 
  • medicine 
  • the space industries

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

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study

You might be interested in exploring further study in one of the following areas:

Graduate profiles

Lily Hart

Degree: BSc (Hons) Acoustics and Music Technology

Year of graduation: 2023

Current work: Environmental Consultant

Alumni Profile: Lily Hart - Edinburgh College of Art

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

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

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

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

The University hosts more than 25 musical societies and a packed schedule of concerts during the year, ranging from classical and jazz to contemporary and electronic.

You could become a part of:

  • Music Technology Society 
  • Electronic Music Society 
  • Independent Music Society 
  • Hip Hop Society 
  • Rock and Metal Society 
  • FreshAir Radio 
  • Taylor Swift Society 
  • Music Society (Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Chorus) 
  • Programming Society 
  • Folk and Traditional Music Society 
  • West African Drum and Dance Society 
  • Wind Band, Brass Band 
  • Composers Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra 
  • A Cappella Society, Chamber Choir, Female Voice Choir, Edinburgh University Singers 

Our societies are not only subject-specific. You could join a society or sports club based on your interests, a charity or cause, or a hobby.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Our vibrant capital is a blend of culture, history, nature and modern city life. A fantastic place to live, it is also the perfect location to study acoustics and music technology.

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
  • 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 & 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 adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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