MPhil & PhD by Research
The Institute of Sound Recording offers a number of opportunities for students wishing to undertake research in psychoacoustic aspects of audio recording, signal processing, acoustic measurement and related fields. As the longest established centre of its kind in the UK, it can provide excellent technical and creative facilities as well as links with industry and other academic departments at Surrey. The University of Surrey has enrolled research students in sound recording since 1993. Since then the number of full- and part-time students has risen steadily, leading to a current community of approximately six, many of whom continue to work part time in the audio industry and a number of whom are sponsored by industry organisations. For more information about IoSR research areas, and details of specific research projects, please follow the relevant link from the list on the left.Research Structure and Training
The research in all Departments, by staff and by students, is co-ordinated by the Faculty Research Committee. This is chaired by the Director of Research and comprises all staff researchers and grant-holders, and a selection of representatives drawn from research students. It debates, promotes and develops research across the Faculty, plans an annual training programme, and makes recommendations about funding for attendance at conferences and pump-priming for new projects.Entry Requirements
A good first degree and preferably a Masters degree in a relevant discipline are normally required. Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.Required Elements
- Tutorials: regular meetings with research supervisors
- Research training: modules from courses offered by Schools within the University (as appropriate); customised research training events offered during the School Research Seminar Programme and at other times as appropriate
- Faculty Research Seminar Programme: all students are expected to attend the University for two periods of one week (September and April), for a programme of presentations by visiting lecturers, staff and students, and events relating to their subjects. The Institute of Sound Recording occasionally holds research seminars at other times, at which both students and staff present and discuss recent work.
- Examination by thesis: MPhil c.50,000 words, PhD c.70,000 words.
Collaboration with other disciplines and institutions
Students can register jointly with other schools in the University. In particular good working relationships have been established with Psychology (for those wishing to specialise in subjective perception) and with Electronic Engineering, Maths and Computing Science (for those wishing to undertake more engineering-orientated research). A research methods course in Psychology is possible for students jointly registering with that department. EPSRC studentships may be available for outstanding students. As part of the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, the Institute of Sound Recording is also well placed to take advantage of supervision expertise in the fields of Music and Dance. The Institute has a collaborative research link with the Sound Recording Department at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. Research student collaboration may be possible with this institution and exchanges or visits can be arranged where mutually beneficial. The Institute has very good contacts with the audio industry and has worked collaboratively with such organisations as: BBC Research and Development, UK; Bang & Olufsen, Denmark; Nokia Research Centre, Finland; Genelec, Finland; CRL, UK; NXT, UK; Sony Broadcast and Professional Europe.Resources on Campus
The Institute of Sound Recording has extensive facilities housed mainly in the purpose-built Performing Arts Technology Studios which were opened in 1988. Follow the relevant links from the list on the left for details. Additionally, the George Edwards Library is well stocked with reference material for the research student, including: AES Journal; AES Convention Preprints; AES International Conference Proceedings; AES UK Conference Proceedings; Computer Music Journal; Journal of the Acoustical Society of America; Acustica/Acta Acustica; SMPTE Journal and a wide range of advanced text books.Funding
The following funding possibilities exist in strictly limited supply, depending on merit and nature of project, covering part or all of the fees and/or maintenance:- University Research Scholarships
- Overseas Research Studentships
- AES Education Foundation Scholarships
- EPSRC studentships
- Industrial sponsorship
Other Sound Recording Courses at the University
- BMus (Hons) in Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister)
- MMus Applied Musicianship (Classical Studio Production module)
For Further Information
Dr Tim Brookesemail: t.brookes@surrey.ac.uk For application forms and for general information relating to duration, fees, accommodation, the prospectus, etc. please refer to the main University PG pages here.
