BEng Acoustical Engineering
About this course
Bachelor of Engineering in Acoustical Engineering, a physics degree focused on the science of sound and vibration. Core topics include Systems Design, Signal Processing, Control Systems, Mathematical Modelling, Accounting, Engineering Design, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete practical lab work and projects to design, build, and test components and systems. The first year covers fundamental principles through An Introduction to Acoustical Engineering, An Introduction to Engineering Design, Electrical and Electronics Systems, and Mechanics, Structures and Materials. The second year progresses to Audio and Signal Processing, Electronics and Control, Physical Acoustics, and Systems Design and Computing, alongside management and fluid mechanics topics. The final year includes an Individual Project, Acoustical Engineering Design, Human Responses to Sound and Vibration, and Noise Control Engineering. Optional modules allow students to explore areas such as Aeroacoustics, Architectural and Building Acoustics, Electroacoustics, and Introduction to Machine Learning.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB including mathematics and another accepted science subject IB: Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including a minimum of 5 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) or 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), and a minimum of 5 at Higher Level in another accepted science subject.
See the highest paying Physics & Chemistry degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 77 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 135 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 88%
- Left higher education: 12%
What graduates do next
Based on about 37 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 54%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 20%
- Engineering professionals: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Other Health Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 115 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 22%
- South East: 45%
- South West: 13%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 92%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Foundation course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UKSPEC. The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- An Introduction to Acoustical Engineering
- An Introduction to Engineering Design
- Electrical and Electronics Systems
- Mathematics for Engineering and the Environment
- Mechanics, Structures and Materials
- ThermoFluids
- Audio and Signal Processing
- Electronics and Control
- Engineering Management and Law
- Fluid Mechanics
- Mathematics for Engineering and the Environment Part II
- Mechanics, Machines and Vibration
- Physical Acoustics
- Systems Design and Computing
- Acoustical Engineering Design
- Human Responses to Sound and Vibration
- Individual Project
- Noise Control Engineering
- Active Control of Sound and Vibration
- Aeroacoustics
- Architectural and Building Acoustics
- Automotive Chassis and Powertrain
- Biomedical Application of Signal and Image Processing
- Control and Instrumentation
- Electroacoustics
- Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics
- Human Factors in Engineering
- Introduction to Machine Learning
- Ocean Acoustics & Biomedical Ultrasound
- Signal Processing
- Theoretical and Computational Acoustics
- Theoretical and Computational Acoustics
- Vibration Engineering Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BEng Acoustical Engineering at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £32,000 after 15 months, £32,000 after 3 years, £38,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £50,500. The £38,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Physics.
What do graduates of BEng Acoustical Engineering at University of Southampton do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BEng Acoustical Engineering at University of Southampton?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BEng Acoustical Engineering at University of Southampton?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 155 UCAS points.
Is BEng Acoustical Engineering at University of Southampton accredited?
Yes. The accredited BEng (Hons) will meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer and Students will need to complete an approved format of further learning pursuant to the requirements of UKSPEC. The accredited BEng (Hons) will also automatically meet in full, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
How many students continue on BEng Acoustical Engineering at University of Southampton?
88% of students continued into their second year, and 12% left higher education.