Single Module Room Acoustics, Level 7 (15 Credits)
Part-time
Distance Learning
One semester
September 2025
In a nutshell
The Room Acoustics module aims to provide you with a thorough grasp of room acoustics principles, including theoretical models for both low and high frequencies, developing your ability to apply these in order to analyse existing rooms or design new ones.
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 “single module” to find the other modules that are available.
You will:
- Develop a systematic understanding of room acoustics modelling and design principles, e.g., for both low and high frequencies
- Apply room acoustic theory to solve practical acoustic problems with specific application to enclosed spaces, for example, the design of a critical listening space
- Build an understanding of how sound in rooms is perceived and how this affects how room acoustics is assessed
students accepted
All about the course
During the module, you will study wave theory and statistical theory for acoustic enclosures, including objective descriptions of and how these tally with listeners' perceptions. Techniques for designing and applying sound absorbing and scattering treatments will be covered, and you will consider the effectiveness and limitations of these in important application areas such as musical performances spaces and critical listening rooms.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and leaders.
Driven by industry and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.
Facilities
Campus-based students will experience a modern learning environment, featuring accessible lecture theatres, AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries. Distance learners will experience our Collaborate Ultra platform, with real-time and on-demand materials.
As an acoustics student, you will interact with world-class facilities, including full and semi-anechoic chambers, a transmission suite, large and small reverberation chambers, an ITU standard listening room, audiometric test facilities and a range of advanced instrumentation and equipment.
Industry Collaboration & Research
When you study acoustics at Salford, you are also joining a community making a difference in industry, our local region and in our wider society.
Many of our academics and technicians who support your course also deliver collaborative, interdisciplinary, high-impact work in a range of local and global issues and challenges with noise, sound and vibration.
Read on and discover how you are part of something bigger.
What about after uni?
Employment
Acousticians with engineering, science and mathematical skills are in short supply, which puts you in a strong position to build a career. Our Acoustics postgraduate single modules can help you specialise your knowledge in the areas of acoustics that you're most interested in to help your career development, e.g. for CPD in a specific area that you are currently employed in or are seeking a job in.
In our increasingly busy world, managing unwanted noise is a growing and significant problem. Depending on the module, you might choose to use the knowledge and skills developed in a consultancy context – working with organisations to solve environmental noise challenges – or in audio engineering research – undertaking loudspeaker and audio system design, and/or consumer audio product development.
Many of the graduates of the acoustics programmes these modules are drawn from have progressed into senior roles in acoustics consultancy, research, development, and audio design. Today, you will find our alumni working at Apple, 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 Acoustics Research Centre is home to PhD and Research Master’s opportunities exploring a range of topics, including noise and soundscapes, sound modelling, psychoacoustics, vibro-acoustics, building acoustics, acoustic materials and audio engineering.
Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.
Career Links
- Salford is accredited to perform twelve types of test via our world-class facilities that are maintained by commercially-funded technicians. We also have a UKAS-accredited Calibration Laboratory which provides a full-scale commercial service to industry.
- Our acoustics team holds strong industry links nurtured through collaborative research and projects based at our commercial test laboratories. These connections ensure that the programme is aligned with the latest research findings and developments.
- Recent projects include creating integrated virtual models for acoustic design with Dyson, wind turbine noise auralisation and subjective testing with DELTA and DEFRA, acoustics for auralisation with Arup, the S3A Future Spatial Audio project with the BBC and SALSA (Spatial Automated Live Sports Audio) system with DTS and Fairlight.
- We regularly share research outputs with industry partners and acoustics network. Recent masterclasses include acoustic consultancy with RBA Acoustics, noise mapping software with Cambell Associates, environmental noise with WSP/Parcel, railway noise and vibration with AECOM, NVH infotainment with Jaguar Land Rover, and measurement microphone technology with GRAS.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
Our Acoustics postgraduate modules are recommended for numerate science graduates and professionals who require education in specific areas of Acoustics. These might include:
- Graduates from our own courses wanting to take specific optional modules they didn’t select during their degree;
- Graduates from related degrees at other institutions wanting to take one of our modules;
- Employees in industry wanting to undertake modules as CPD;
- PhD students wanting Training in specific areas of Acoustics.
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 Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate 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: Salford-ATAS@salford.ac.uk
International applications
Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
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.
Applicants must also have the equivalent of grade C or higher, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English.
International entry requirements
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of 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
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning UK | 2025/26 | £1,730 per 30 credits |
| Part-time UK | 2025/26 | £885 per 15 credits |
| Distance learning International | 2025/26 | £2,840 per 30 credits |
| Part-time International | 2025/26 | £1,420 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.