Sound Recording PhD

Key information

Full-time - 4 years

Start dates:
October 2023
January 2024
April 2024
July 2024

Part-time - 8 years

Start dates:
October 2023
January 2024
April 2024
July 2024

Why choose this programme

Since the Institute of Sound Recording (IoSR) was created in 1998, it has become known internationally as a leading centre for research in psychoacoustic engineering, with world-class facilities and significant funding from research councils and industry.  

Our single over-arching goal is simply this: to make sound better. We’re interested in human perceptions of audio quality, particularly of high-fidelity music signals. Our work combines elements of acoustics, digital signal processing, psychoacoustics (theoretical and experimental), psychology, sound synthesis, software engineering, statistical analysis and user-interface design, with an understanding of the aesthetics of sound and music. Our research aims to provide tools to assist in any area where assessment of the quality of audio as perceived by human listeners 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.

Postgraduate Research at Surrey

Frequently asked questions about doing a PhD

What you will study

Our Sound Recording PhD 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. You can also study for an MPhil with us; 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.

For a PhD, once you’ve completed a satisfactory progress report and viva examination, you’ll carry out the research plan defined in your progress report. This will lead to further literature-based and experimental research, conference (and possibly journal) publications, and your final PhD thesis (around 70,000 words), and a viva examination.

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Current IoSR research supervisors are as follows: 

Throughout the project, you’ll get regular guidance through meetings with your supervisor(s). Your progress will be reviewed formally twice a year, and you’ll benefit from internal seminars to share and discuss findings with other research students. Your training needs will be identified and met by the University's internal postgraduate research training, modules from the University's taught degree programmes, external courses or guided reading.

Postgraduate research students are strongly encouraged to work here at the University. We have shared office space for all our research students, and it can be very valuable to work alongside others with similar interests and complementary expertise. It’s also useful to be close to the Institute of Sound Recording’s academic staff, our technical facilities and the University's Library and other learning resources. Depending on the nature of your research project, however, it may be possible do much of it away from the University, as long as you stay in regular contact with your supervisor(s) and can come to the University for a few days in April-May and October-November for our research seminars and progress reviews, which happen twice a year.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes

IoSR research themes, within the field of psychoacoustic engineering, include: 

  • Acoustic and binaural modelling 
  • Algorithms to predict human auditory perception 
  • Object-based spatial audio 
  • Multichannel audio 
  • Perceptually optimized sound field control 
  • Timbral analysis & characterisation. 

Discover a full list of recent and current IoSR research projects  

Our academic staff

See a full list of all our academic staff within the Department of Music and Media. 

Research facilities

PhD students have access to office space, computers and a range of research tools and resources, from transcription equipment to data analysis software. Our facilities include three studios, edit rooms and a listening room.

The edit rooms are used for a wide range of audio post-production tasks and our ITU-R BS.1116 critical listening room and audio laboratory (designed and built by Munro Associates) are used by students and researchers to undertake experimental work involving audio measurement and subjective listening tests.

Our listening room is air conditioned to provide a comfortable working environment and is equipped with a flexible range of reproduction systems from stereo to multichannel including elevated loudspeakers. This enables listening tests on multichannel surround sound to be carried out effectively.

The room contains a loudspeaker mounting system that can be rigged with a large number of loudspeakers. It is usually configured for 22.2 reproduction, using 22 Genelec 8330A loudspeakers and two Genelec 7350A subwoofers. The system includes distributed bass management and built-in time alignment and equalisation of level and frequency response. The system is flexible enough to allow almost any multichannel loudspeaker arrangement, and additional loudspeakers can be added for any format (up to 72 Genelec 8020 loudspeakers).

There is also a pair of B&W 801 loudspeakers with a Chord amplifier for 2-channel stereo, and a set of five Genelec 1032A loudspeakers and a Genelec 1094A subwoofer for 5.1 surround sound.

The Institute of Sound Recording also has a wide range of test and measurement equipment that can be used in the listening room or around campus, including:

  • Prism DScope 3 audio test system 
  • Audio Precision 2700 audio test system 
  • MLSSA measurement equipment (running on PC) 
  • B&K 2033 real time audio analyser 
  • Neutrik Cortex MK2 binaural recording and measurement system 
  • B&K acoustic test equipment and microphones 
  • Neutrik Acoustilyzer acoustical analysis system 
  • Lindos MiniSonic MS20 audio test system 
  • A selection of scopes, oscillators, audio test sets. 

The Department of Music and Media is unique in owning a large range of professional quality microphones that can be used by our students. The extensive range covers all the major brands from classic valve microphones to the latest designs. As the choice of microphone is vital in recording, we pride ourselves on having a range of microphones which let our students achieve the highest possible professional standards.

Entry 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.

International entry requirements by country

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants meeting the expected entry requirements, assessment of application, successful interview and suitable references where required.

Fees

Start date: October 2023

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£18,600

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£9,300

Start date: January 2024

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£18,600

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£9,300

Start date: April 2024

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£18,600

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£9,300

Start date: July 2024

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£18,600

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£9,300

For fees payable in 2022/23, these will increase by 4 per cent, rounded up to the nearest £100 for subsequent years of study. Any start date other than October will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Overseas students applying for 2022 entry should note that annual fees will rise by 4% rounded up to the nearest £100.

View a complete list of all fees for our research programmes.

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey. Find out more.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

How to apply

If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, you should enter the details of the specific project that you wish to apply for rather than your own research proposal.

More information on the application process.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
 
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

Contact Admissions Team

Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH