Overview
Why choose this programme
Our world-class facilities include industry-specification sound-recording studios and edit suites, and an ITU-R BS.1116 standard critical listening room equipped with a 22.2-channel reproduction system.
Our research aims to provide tools to assist in any area where assessment of the quality of audio as perceived by human listeners (either overall or in terms of specific timbral or spatial attributes) is desirable but, for one reason or another, potentially problematic; and to provide complementary tools to allow appropriate adjustment where the assessed quality is not as it should be. More generally, we aim to engineer perceptually-motivated signal analysis, processing and control systems. If we have a single over-arching goal then it is simply this: to make sound better.
What you will study
The Sound Recording programme at the University of Surrey will prepare you for success at each stage of your project. The structure is designed to provide intensive graduate preparation for a future career and is suitable for either part-time or full-time candidates.
Completion of the programme requires submission of a thesis and an oral viva with external examiners.
The normal length of study leading to a PhD is three years full-time (or around 33 months to 48 months). Part-time PhD study normally takes six years (45 months to 96 months). The normal length of study leading to a MPhil is two years full-time (21 months to 36 months). Part-time MPhil normally takes four years (33 months to 72 months). The differences between an MPhil and PhD is in the volume, originality and significance of the work you will do.
You’ll begin your project with a thorough review of previously-published academic literature in relevant areas, which will lead to a critical/analytical report. The conclusions to this report will suggest an appropriate next step, which will normally be some sort of experimental study, designed to test a hypothesis you have formulated from your literature review.
Your study might involve, for example, software design, acoustic measurements and listening tests. The results of this study will be written up in another report (and possibly as a conference paper) which will include a discussion of their significance to your project. Your literature review and experimental study, perhaps together with some additional reading or experimentation, will lead to either:
- MPhil: A thesis (around 50,000 words) drawing appropriate conclusions, and a viva examination. Alternatively, it may be possible at this stage to transfer to PhD registration.
- PhD: A full progress report drawing appropriate conclusions, refining research questions and detailing a research plan to allow these questions to be answered, together with a viva examination.
Programme Structure
Research themes
- Acoustic and binaural modelling
- Algorithms to predict human auditory perception
- Object-based spatial audio
- Multichannel audio
- Perceptually optimized sound field control
- Timbral analysis & characterisation
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 48 months
- Part-time
- 96 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
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Language
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Delivered
Disciplines
Film Studies Music Software Engineering View 72 other PhDs in Film Studies in United KingdomAcademic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
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Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Surrey and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Other requirements
General requirements
- Applicants are expected to hold a high level of academic achievement in relevant science/engineering subject areas and a clear aptitude for research are required. Typically this will mean a first or high upper second-class Bachelors degree with a significant final-year project or dissertation, or a Masters degree achieving or approaching distinction, with a significant research project element.
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above.
Tuition Fee
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International
18600 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 18600 GBP per year during 48 months. -
National
4712 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 4712 GBP per year during 48 months.
Living costs for Guildford
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Sound Recording.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
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