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MSc - Master of Science
Main Campus
Full Time
SEP
1 Year
Select a course option
MSc - Master of Science
Main Campus
Full Time
SEP-26
1 Year
MSc - Master of Science
Main Campus
Full Time
SEP
1 Year
MSc - Master of Science
Main Campus
Part Time
SEP
2 Years
Select a subject
Select a an exam type
If you’ve studied sound or music technology at university, been working in sound professionally, or if you’ve been experimenting with sound as a composer, designer, sound artist or engineer and are looking for a way to develop your voice, this programme may be for you. We offer an interdisciplinary taught masters programme at the forefront of the University of Edinburgh’s rich expertise in the creative arts, music and digital media design. This programme will provide you with knowledge, skill and understanding to enable you to thrive in a range of sound design situations, both commercial and experimental. Our programme assumes you have some aptitude for and experience of working with sound in creative ways and are prepared to advance quickly. Our students are curious, open-minded, adaptable and highly creative individuals who are keen to acquire new skills and consolidate their existing knowledge across all areas of sound design. You may have experience of sound production for film and want to unlock those skills for game sound design, or you might be making music through creative coding and want to explore more acoustic and physical aspects of sound. This programme will help you learn a great deal more about the craft of sound design and to expand your potential as a creative sound professional. We balance challenging practical project work with theoretical study which creates an inspiring, lively and motivating work environment. Studying for an MSc in Sound Design will expand your appreciation of opportunities for sound design across a range of musical and artistic practices. Crucially, you’ll develop as a sonic artist, be challenged to rethink what sound design is, and why it is central to a number of developments in the arts, the media, critical theory and even science. Our programme is practice-led and strongly interdisciplinary and you will learn to create innovative and expressive sound media including the study of: Film sound Interactive game-audio design Sound installation and sonic art Sound software design Creative music and compositional practices
Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject such as music, sound design, sonic arts, media arts, sound engineering, acoustics, film, animation or art/design, accompanied by a portfolio introducing us to some recent work that you are proud of.
You should also submit a portfolio introducing us to some recent work that you are proud of. Your portfolio should include at least three pieces of work and can include a range of items such as a small collection of sound design examples covering films, games and animations, an essay on sound or sound recordings and other documentation of sound-based projects such as an installation or creative work with sound software development.
Your portfolio can include examples of music compositions, but as the programme focus is on sound design, its desirable for portfolio examples to reflect a commitment to work in this area, e.g., by including examples of creative work using experimental sound processing. Applicants who have primarily more music composition experience may be more suitable for our MMus in Composition.
Whatever you include, it should be your own work. A short explanation of your role in collaborative projects is required. Your portfolio is best uploaded with the application as a PDF file with explanations about the projects and links to the work hosted on a reliable space online.
When we review portfolio examples, we consider how the work samples demonstrate existing skill, imagination, curiosity and aptitude for working with sound in terms of competency, creativity, originality and ambition, and how the programme may be able to help develop further your knowledge and experience.
If you do not meet the academic entry requirements or if you do not have a sound-related degree, we may still consider your application if you have significant professional sound-related experience supported by a substantial portfolio.
Students living in
Domestic
£14,100 per year
Students from Domestic
Standard single room - 9950 per year
£14,100 per year
Students from England
Standard single room - 9950 per year
£14,100 per year
Students from Wales
Standard single room - 9950 per year
£14,100 per year
Students from Northern Ireland
Standard single room - 9950 per year
£31,600 per year
Students from EU
Standard single room - 9950 per year
£31,600 per year
Students from International
Standard single room - 9950 per year
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