Sound Design MSc



This masters degree is for audio professionals who wish to enhance their experience with industry relevant theory and practices

Overview

The MSc Sound Design degree is composed of two main components: taught classes and a research project. Each element is designed to apply theory and advanced practice to enhance current approaches to sound design for both linear and interactive media.

The full-time MSc Sound Design is delivered over 12 months, with part-time options available over 27 or 39 months. All modules are available either face-to-face or online for distance learners.

Throughout the programme, you will develop a deep understanding of how to assess and influence audience perceptions of linear and interactive media through sound design. Additionally, you will gain skills in audio programming and the application of AI within audio and sound design. Emphasis is placed on adhering to professional standards for the production and documentation of sound designs, and becoming familiar with a comprehensive set of methods for assessing listening experiences.

You can start your studies with us in September or January.  

Find out more at: https://blogs.napier.ac.uk/sounddesign

 
Sound board

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

 

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

JanSep

Course details

A variety of teaching and learning methods are used in this programme and you will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning with support from academic staff. The emphasis is on developing an online learning community where students and staff learn together in informal networks.

You will receive a solid grounding in the research skills needed at master’s level. The teaching approach varies according to the module. Some have online lectures and tutorials, whereas others involve one to one meetings using communication technology.

International experts contribute pre-recorded and live interactive online lectures. Recent examples can be seen on the Sound Design blog. This will be further supported by module teams with online material and discussion forums using a variety of communication technologies such as Moodle (the university’s current Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)), and video conferencing tools such as Teams. 

The programme has an emphasis on meeting real-world challenges so that practice is underpinned by a solid understanding of relevant theory and evidence-based knowledge. A variety of both formative and summative assessment methods are used in the programme. Each module is assessed on whether you have met its learning outcomes.

Formative feedback is provided to provide you with information on how you are progressing and to provide you with constructive guidance to inform your development. Assessment methods include the use of essays, reports, reflective journals and projects. Peer critique is an important facet, and you will receive guidance on how to give and take criticism at a professional level, and consistent with the norms for academic publishing.

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    How you’ll be taught

    At the start of the Programme, you will have access to a dedicated programme site on Moodle which enables you to engage and interact with a variety of learning support materials containing all the information you need to know about your programme, the School of Computing, Engineering and Building Environment, and studying at the University more generally) as well as programme-level activities. You will also be given a student email account and access to our student-focused online information service myNapier.

    When you arrive the induction programme will give you the opportunity to meet with your programme leader, personal development tutor and other students on your programme and to learn more about your programme and the University. During your studies, you will have access to student support services such as academic skills which offers a range of workshops and online courses and materials to help you develop skills you need to tackle University assessment effectively.

    Our careers service, Student Futures, will support you with all your career and development needs such as exploring career options and finding jobs, setting up placements and work experience, writing CVs and making applications.

    You will be allocated a Personal Development Tutor who will guide you through the induction process and offer advice and support as needed during the duration of your course. You will meet with your PDT each term to review your progress and development.

    Subject specific support for Students Additional support with software development is provided through Programming Surgeries, which are available to all students. These surgeries are run by fellow students and are a supportive environment to ask for additional technical advice and support.

    During your studies, the primary mechanism of academic support is the module team.

    You will undertake a dissertation, supervised by a member of staff. Your supervisor will provide you with academic advice and support. Additionally, your supervisor can provide guidance on planning and managing your work so that your dissertation is completed on time.

    Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association The Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association works in partnership with the University to help to ensure that you have access to an excellent, personalised student experience and to encourage all students to engage actively as members of the University community. The Association manages the student representation scheme and supports a variety of extra-curricular activities such as sports societies and volunteering. Participation in such activities can help to develop your employability skills and broaden your graduate profile.

     

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Advanced AI for Audio and Sound Design ( IMD11122 )

You will learn how to use the latest artificial intelligence technologies for audio and sound design. This module will introduce students to the concepts and the skills and knowledge to understand and use these new tools effectively in their ongoing practice. Students will learn how these technologies are developed using python, as well as how to choose and use deep learning models for audio and sound design related tasks. They will integrate these technologies into creative workflows and learning how to adjust and train for bespoke tasks and evaluate their effectiveness.

Further information

Introduction to Audio Programming ( IMD11124 )

This module offers you an in-depth examination of audio effects and processing techniques, essential for advanced studies in sound design and audio production. Through a structured curriculum, you will engage with critical concepts, integrating both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, equipping you with the skills necessary to innovate within the field of audio engineering and sound design. Assessments are designed to encourage analytical and creative abilities, requiring you to conceptualise and develop original VST plugins, including user interfaces, thereby demonstrating their technical expertise and design proficiency.

Further information

Listening ( IMD11116 )

You will study the properties of sound, which are also known as acoustics. This includes vibration, waves and transmission. You will then progress to psychoacoustics, which relates to hearing, and includes: anatomy, mechanisms and processes. Listening is then addressed in terms of: objects, music and language. Soundscapes, or the unique listening experience of a place, identity and memory are explored. Finally different approaches of Perceptual Audio Evaluation are considered, specifically: design, procedure and analysis.

Further information

Masters Dissertation ( SOC11101 )

The work for this module comprises the completion of an individual research project. Each student is assigned a personal Supervisor, and an Internal Examiner who monitors progress and feedback, inputs advice, examines the dissertation and takes the lead at the viva. There are two preliminary deliverables prior to the submission of the final dissertation: (1) Project proposal (2) Initial Report including time plan and dissertation outline

Further information

Sound Design for Interactive Media ( IMD11118 )

You will begin by considering different types of interactive media, such as Auditory Displays, Video Games, and Sound Art, and their evolution and patterns of use over recent decades. Interactive media production methods are then surveyed, which include: requirements gathering, dialogue editing, dialogue recording, location recording, foley, sound editing, sampling and synthesis, programming and testing. Strategies for planning are examined, incorporating: event mapping, actions (triggers, cues, events), emotions, duration, variation and interactivity. Finally approaches to implementing sound design are reviewed, which comprises: palette, mix, elements, parameters, memory/stream management, geometry, and environments.

Further information

Sound Design for Linear Media ( IMD11117 )

This module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of sound design for theatre, radio, audiobooks, film, television, and animation, equipping you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. You will explore production methods such as location recording, Foley, dialogue editing, ADR, re-recording, sound editing, sampling, and synthesis, alongside script analysis strategies focusing on explicit sounds, environments, emotions, transitions, and sound maps. The module also covers field recording, sound library management, mixing, and re-recording techniques, including spatialisation, predubbing, and final mix workflows. Specialised topics in theatrical sound, radio production, and animation introduce cueing systems, voice processing, acoustic considerations, and sound-image relationships. Throughout, you will examine how sound influences audience perception, exploring techniques such as sound imagery, listening modes, emotional expression, and spatial positioning to enhance engagement. By the end of the module, you will have the critical and practical skills needed to create expressive and impactful audio for linear media.

Further information

Soundscapes ( IMD11123 )

You will engage in an advanced exploration of the fundamental properties of sound, beginning with acoustics, examining vibration, waveforms, and transmission, before progressing to psychoacoustics, which critically analyses hearing mechanisms, auditory processing, and cognitive influences on sound perception. The module interrogates listening processes, evaluating how individuals interpret language, spatial perception, and auditory scenes, alongside the role of soundscapes in shaping place, identity, and memory. You will critically examine environmental sound, spatialisation, and aural architecture, as well as the implications of hearing disorders and impairments, including noise-induced hearing loss and presbycusis, on sound design and audience perception. A key focus is on sound mapping and classification methodologies, developing the ability to evaluate and document listening experiences using repertory grid techniques, listener evaluations, and qualitative analysis. Throughout, you will apply these principles to a sound design project within your chosen form of media, integrating psychoacoustic research and listener feedback to inform creative and technical decision-making. This module synthesises theoretical frameworks, research-led inquiry, and advanced practical application, ensuring a rigorous and reflective approach to contemporary sound design.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Sound Design based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2025/26 2026/27
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,650 £tba
Overseas and EU £21,430 £tba
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Completing this MSc in Sound Design offers graduates a multitude of employment and further study opportunities. In the realm of employment, graduates can delve into the thriving game development industry, assuming roles such as Audio Designer, where they craft sound effects and music for video games, or as Audio Programmers, developing audio-related software. Opportunities also abound in the film and television sector, with roles like Foley Artist or Sound Designer.

The expanding field of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) presents avenues for specialization as VR/AR Sound Designers, creating immersive auditory experiences.

Beyond entertainment, roles in interactive media and experiences, educational game development, and e-learning content creation offer diverse career paths.

For those considering further study, a PhD in audio or a related field provides opportunities for advanced research, pushing the boundaries of technology and methodology.

Entrepreneurial options include establishing a studio focused on interactive audio or freelancing to offer services across various projects. Networking through industry events and collaboration on projects with peers further enhances prospects. Graduates can also explore cross-disciplinary applications, adapting their interactive audio skills to fields like healthcare or emerging technologies. Continuous skill development, staying updated on industry trends, and maintaining a solid professional network are essential for a successful and dynamic career in interactive audio.

 
Students using sound board