Level 7 Single Module Psychoacoustics and Human Response, Level 7 (15 credits)
- Course type
- Single Module
- Course qualification
- Level 7
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
How long will I study?
One semester
Overview
Psychoacoustics and Human Response will allow you to study in depth how the human auditory system works. Starting with the physiology and physics of the ear, you will develop a solid grasp of how loudness, pitch and the ear鈥檚 frequency bands really work. You will grapple with the fundamental difficulties of psychophysics 鈥 we cannot have direct access to any human鈥檚 perception, and you鈥檒l discover how we get round this with clever experimental design. As the module progresses, we move up the chain of auditory perception, ending up with contemporary topics such as soundscape perception. You鈥檒l apply your new knowledge and skills in coursework.
This single module is drawn from our MSc/PgDip Acoustics programme. It is offered standalone to cater for the needs of those who only require training in one specialist area, e.g., for CPD purposes in relevant industries. Please search for 鈥single module鈥 to find the other modules that are available.
You will:
- Gain a detailed and systemic understanding of the human auditory system, and how this allows humans to perceive the surrounding acoustic environment, thorough percepts such as pitch, loudness, and localisation
- Develop a critical understanding of soundscape and psychoacoustic methods applied to perception-driven engineering
- Develop an understanding of the state-of-the-art methods of synthesis and analysis of auditory scenes
- Understand the crucial role of good experimental design in obtaining psychoacoustic data
This module is for you if...
You want IoA-approved, industry鈥慳ligned fundamental acoustics training drawn from a respected MSc/PgDip programme
You need practical experience to build confidence with real psychoacoustic measurements and equipment
You aim to progress into careers in acoustics, audio engineering, environmental noise control or building acoustics
You want to develop skills valued by employers, from audio scene analysis and synthesis to experimental analysis
How you'll learn
Future careers
EMPLOYMENT
Acousticians with engineering, science and mathematical skills are in short supply, which puts you in a strong position to build a career once you鈥痝raduate.
Our Single-module Masters in Psychoacoustics and Human Response can open up careers where you can lead and influence鈥痑coustics and audio engineering research,鈥痓roadcast engineering,鈥痩oudspeaker and audio system design, sound innovation and consumer audio product development.鈥
In our increasingly busy world, managing unwanted noise鈥痠s a growing and significant problem. You might choose to use the knowledge and skills developed on the course in a consultancy context, by working with organisations to solve environmental noise challenges.鈥
Many of our acoustics graduates have progressed into senior roles in acoustics consultancy, research, development, and audio design. Today, you will find our alumni working at鈥疉pple, Dolby, BBC, plus every major acoustic consultancy in the world.
FURTHER STUDY
This module can be taken as a stand-alone for the purposes of continuing professional development or as part of our MSc Acoustics programme.
You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. Our is home to PhD and Research Master鈥檚鈥痮pportunities exploring a range of topics, including noise and soundscapes, sound modelling, psychoacoustics, vibro-acoustics, building acoustics, acoustic materials鈥痑nd audio engineering. Our Acoustics research was recognised in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. The鈥痯anel highlighted our鈥渙utstanding impact demonstrated 鈥 live sports audio鈥.
Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.
Career Links
Acoustics has been taught at 海角乱伦 for over 60 years, with an MSc course first being offered during the late 1970s (this current course has run continually since 1999). As a result, you will find our alumni at the heart of a large proportion of acoustics and audio companies and departments. These professionals know the quality of our courses and the calibre of the graduates we produce and hold them in high regard. This is demonstrated by the number of companies that regularly approach us to advertise their jobs to our graduates (evidence of this can be seen on our social media feeds)
Modules
In this single module, you'll learn the fundamentals of psychoacoustics and human response, which will inform your other learning throughout your time on the MSc Acoustics programme. You will learn key concepts within the principles of acoustics and develop systematic understandings which will support your learning on other taught modules and other parts of the course.
Entry requirements
APPLICANT PROFILE
Designed to build solid subject knowledge, the course is recommended for numerate science graduates and professionals looking to move into the exciting field of Acoustics or Audio and sound engineering.
Applicants needing a general grounding covering all of Acoustics should consider applying to the full MSc/PgDip Acoustics programme from which these modules are drawn.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS)
International students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an before they begin their studies. You need to obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK to comply with Home Office regulations. Please refer to your offer conditions.
If you have a query relating to ATAS, please contact: 海角乱伦-ATAS@salford.ac.uk
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
Entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
- An undergraduate award at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in science, engineering or mathematics.
- An undergraduate award at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in another discipline, together with an appropriate engineering mathematics foundation qualification.
All applicants must have a solid grounding in engineering mathematics:
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Physics
- Production Engineering
- Informatics and Computer Technology
- Sound and Broadcast Technology
Applicants studying BEng will have the necessary Engineering Mathematics knowledge for entry onto this course, as many modules that you study on your undergraduate degree will involve a substantial amount of mathematical background. Applicants from other backgrounds may need to take independent mathematics study specifically in preparation for entry to this course.
Qualifications that are not usually suitable on their own include:
- Music Technology
- Audio Production
Applicants must also have the equivalent of grade C or higher, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English.
The Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Diploma in Acoustics may be suitable depending on your previous study.
International entry requirements
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: AdmissionsSEE-PGT@salford.ac.uk
海角乱伦 Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to successfully pursue a programme of study in higher education. Students who do not have the traditional entry requirements may be able to apply through the 海角乱伦 Alternative Entry Scheme. Support in preparing for the written assessment is available from the University.
Fees and funding
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning UK | 2026/27 | 拢885 for 15 credits |
| Part-time UK | 2026/27 | 拢885 for 15 credits |
| Distance learning International | 2026/27 | 拢1,106 per 15 credits |
| Part-time International | 2026/27 | 拢1,106 per 15 credits |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.