Physics and music technology in degree courses
If you are interested in studying a degree course which combines your interest in physics and music tech, it is important to recognise the difference between the different university courses on offer.
Similar sounding audio engineering courses are actually very different
There are (broadly) two types of audio degree courses:
1. A science or engineering degree that enables you to design products (e.g. headphones, code audio software), advise architects (e.g. acoustics of concert halls and studios) or carry out research in audio. At University of Salford, the degree course is BEng Audio Acoustics following either the pathway in Audio Technology or Acoustic Engineering. To be able to do research and development you need to be good at physics and mathematics and you should study these at A-level (or equivalent).
2. A degree course that enables you to become a sound or recording engineer, or audio technician working in studios, for broadcast companies and in live venues. At University of Salford, the degree course is BSc PSVT. Such courses give you a good knowledge of technologies, but do not have sufficient mathematical and scientific content to allow you to get a job in research and development in the audio and acoustic industry. You will spend significant time learning how to produce sound.
Physics and music tech
When looking for degree courses to combine your interests in Physics and Music Technology, look very carefully at course content. We have a steady stream of enquiries from people who have completed a degree courses from category (2) at other Universities, and are now trying to find a way of getting into research and development in the audio and acoustic industry, but they just don't have the maths and physics skills needed.
Salford or Southampton?
The longest running acoustic degrees in England are in Salford and Southampton. The National Student Survey (NSS) allows the two courses to be compared. See Acoustics Salford or Southampton?