MSc
Computational Sound
Develop specialist skills in audio production
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This course provides a new learning opportunity for those wishing to develop highly-focused skills in ‘creative computing’, specifically the design and application of digital music systems and software to create digital music content or musical-based artefacts.
It is project-based, allowing you to define the focus of your work, whilst we provide the expertise and support so you can develop your professional practice.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Design and develop software, hardware, networks for a project of your choice
- Use our fully equipped sound/music studios and multimedia labs providing access to our high-spec computing facilities
- Have the opportunity to engage in real-world, client-based research
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is ideal if you have a computing background and wish to develop specific skills that would enable you to enter a wide range of professional fields as an audio specialist.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- sound design
- sound editing
- multimedia application
- computer programming
- web development
The mobile laboratory is one of the best I've seen. The practicals are based on real-life scenarios which are great and we also benefit from speakers from top mobile companies.
Nkem Nzemeke, computing student 2013
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Entry
A good honours degree in a relevant subject including music, music technology, audio, creative computing, multimedia, computing or physics, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. A project proposal and portfolio should be submitted with an application.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 or equivalent with no component less than 6.0.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £5,000, part-time students: £3,330 in Year 1 and £1,670 plus inflation in Year 2
International full-time students: £11,000, part-time students: £7,330 in Year 1 and £3,670 plus inflation in Year 2
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- create.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2421 - Department
- School of Creative Technologies
Structure & Teaching
On this course we aim to emphasise the implementation, evaluation and reflection of subject-related issues, whilst building music and sound technological expertise. It provides you with the opportunity to research a unique aspect of the use of computation in the composition, generation or design of software for music.
Here are the units you will study:
- Professional, Academic and Research Development: This is a taught unit covering planning and managing development projects.
- Project Context and Definition: A unit of self-directed study that will help you specify your project’s scope and plan.
- Project Design and Development: This unit is a self-directed study covering a critical review of existing work.
- Project Evaluation and Resolution: This unit covers the development and evaluation of your project artefact, using Max/Msp/Jitter or similar.
Teaching and Assessment
The course is research based, focusing on your own chosen project. Taught units are limited to the first semester, although there is ample opportunity for contact with the staff through regular tutorials and workshops.
How are you assessed?
Assessment is solely based on your research-based project – its proposal, the artefact itself and your evaluation and technical report.
Facilities & Features
Sound and Music Studios
Compose your own high-quality music in our purpose-built sound studios
Specialist Software and Equipment
A wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computers equipped with the latest software
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Sound and Music Studios
We have purpose-built sound/music studios that give you the ability to compose your own high-quality music. We offer an impressive range of professional recording and mixing equipment including a Pro Tools studio, 24-track recording studio with AMEK desk and radar hard drive and a Studer A80 two inch tape machine for a retro-analogue experience, to name a few. All this equipment enables you to get loads of practical experience and ensures you are working to an industry-standard level.
Specialist Software and Equipment
You will have easy access to a wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computers equipped with the latest software. The Multimedia Labs contain iMac Dual i7 computers running Max/Msp/Jitter, Pure Data, Reaktor, Apple Development SDKs for OsX and iPhone, TUIO frameworks and web-based development environments from Adobe, computer vision frameworks and Logic Studio Pro. You’ll have available support from knowledgeable, enthusiastic and highly motivated staff who will be happy to lend a helping hand should any technical problems arise.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
On completing this course, you will possess specialist skills which are in high demand by the creative and media industries. With the mobile technology and games world booming, the leisure and entertainment sector has an increasing number of opportunities in the field of computational sound, not to mention film, radio and the internet. Other areas where you may find employment include education, health and business which rely on the skills of audio specialists for the development of audio systems, software and interfaces, installation and monitoring, to contextual acoustic research.
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.