Sound Design MSc
The University of Edinburgh
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.2)

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
3 options available
academic-cap
Qualification

MSc - Master of Science

location-pin
Location

Main Campus

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP

time
Duration

1 Year

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

MSc - Master of Science

Location

Main Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-26

Duration

1 Year

SELECT

Qualification

MSc - Master of Science

Location

Main Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP

Duration

1 Year

SELECTED

Qualification

MSc - Master of Science

Location

Main Campus

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP

Duration

2 Years

SELECT

Subjects

Select a subject


Exam type

Select a an exam type


Location

Select student location


Domestic
SELECTED

England
SELECT

Wales
SELECT

Northern Ireland
SELECT

EU
SELECT

Rest of World
SELECT

Course info

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 ...Read more

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

Key stats

  IDP Connect
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2026
18th

Modules

Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

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.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£14,100 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Standard single room - 9950 per year

£14,100 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

Standard single room - 9950 per year

£14,100 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

Standard single room - 9950 per year

£14,100 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

Standard single room - 9950 per year

£31,600 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

Standard single room - 9950 per year

£31,600 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

Standard single room - 9950 per year

IDP Connect

Uni info

The University of Edinburgh
Old College, South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9YL United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Edinburgh Waverley  0.2 miles away
Thinking of studying in Edinburgh?

Check out our

Edinburgh city guide

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate