Lead the next generation of audio engineers
Year of entry: 2025/26
H666
Y50
4 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
AAA (full entry requirements)
September 2025 (semester dates)
Prepare for a career as a leader in engineering future groundbreaking audio and music technology.
With access to the latest computer design labs, multi-speaker surround sound systems, multimedia studios and an anechoic chamber you’ll be able to explore synthesiser technology, MIDI, audio recording, sampling and digital audio signal processing. You’ll not just learn how this technology is applied in making and recording music, but also use your engineering expertise to design and build the next generation of audio technology.
The MEng is a fully accredited engineering course which combines professional electronics with audio and music technology.
This course will consolidate your knowledge of fundamental principles and introduce you to more advanced concepts. You'll experience a large team software engineering multimedia project, as well as managing a substantial individual project, allowing you to develop the knowledge and skills required to become a leader in the industry. With an increased choice of advanced option modules, you'll have the opportunity to work with our latest innovative technology and engage with world-class researchers from the AudioLab.
This course is identical to our MEng Electronic Engineering with Music Technology Systems. You can choose which title you graduate with, based on your own career interests.
All of our courses are available with a year in industry, which gives you the opportunity to gain vital experience in the workplace and find out more about your career options. The year in industry is generally taken in the year prior to your final year of study.
The School will help you to find a suitable placement. You will be fully supported by an academic member of staff who will visit you in the workplace and meet you regularly to discuss your placement work.
This course is fully accredited by the IET and fulfils the training requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Our courses have been continually accredited for 25 years.
York was the only place I found that offered the perfect mix between an Electronic Engineering course and the specialisation of Music Technology SystemsCrispin, BEng Electronic Engineering with Music Technology Systems
You may be able to change course, add a year in industry or change between MEng and BEng. Just ask us for more details.
On the MEng you'll be able to chose from more advanced option modules in your final year which are geared to meet the rigorous needs of the electronics industry. You'll also complete a large team software engineering project where you’ll work with other students as part of a small ‘company’ to produce a major software application for desktop or Android. You’ll take on a major role in this, use professional software tools and present your work to ‘sell’ your product. Through this project you'll gain essential project management, communication and leadership skills.
You'll study the principles and practicalities of electronic engineering, as well as honing essential skills in mathematics and computer programming. As you progress, you'll cover topics such as acoustics, electronic hardware design, software programming, signal processing and analysis, microprocessor interfacing, engineering construction and design, feedback and computer control. Alongside electronic engineering, you will study specialist music technology modules from your very first week in areas such as audio programming, recording studio techniques and acoustics.
In your final year, you'll choose option modules which will allow you to specialise according to your interests, and you'll work on a much larger and more ambitious final-year individual project. The project will give you invaluable skills for your future career.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In Year 1, you will gain fluency in a wide range of engineering skills fundamental for a career in music and audio technology, as well as the wider engineering world, giving you flexibility in your career path. This includes programming, analogue and digital electronics, engineering principles, and maths. In addition, you will be introduced to the music technology facilities and studios and will work in a team to design and produce an audio gaming product using all the above techniques and audio synthesis software. At the end of the year, you will be grounded in the fundamentals of audio systems, engineering, electronics, and computing.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In Year 2, you will experience a deep dive into the tools, techniques, and practicalities associated with audio and music technology. You will work in the studio to learn the art and science of recording and will learn all about how sound travels (acoustics) and is perceived (psychoacoustics). You will learn about audio and visual synthesis and undertake several practical exercises, including a team/company-based research and development project to create a novel synthesiser, building everything from first principles. In addition, you will continue to deepen your engineering skills by learning the maths and science associated with signals, sensors, and software design. At the end of the year, you will have significant experience in the theory and practical applications of music and audio technology and will have broadened your knowledge and skills in teamwork, solo research and design, and industrial applications.
In Year 3, you will learn about multimedia systems and work on a group project to engineer and create a complete soundtrack for a film or game. You'll learn how to produce and market your own audiovisual apps for mobile devices and continue learning about modern communication systems. You have the choice to broaden your experience by studying an optional module, and you will work in a large team acting as a small company to gain experience in designing, building, and testing a large multimedia system. At this point, many students take a year in industry, which takes advantage of your three years of study and gives you invaluable practical experience in the workplace.
You will study one option module. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
In Year 4, you will work on cutting-edge research, with modules helping you to analyse musical signals and do advanced synthesis and audio modelling, often in conjunction with our many industry partners. You also have the choice to broaden your experience by studying an optional module. Throughout Semester 1, you will meet with your project supervisor to learn the background and previous work on your chosen topic in audio technology. The whole second semester is dedicated to the design and development of your solo research project. At the end of this year, you have everything you need to enter the workplace, possibly as a chartered engineer, specialising in music and audio technology or branching out to mainstream computing, electronics, or engineering work. Alternatively, you may choose to continue in further research at the PhD level.
You will study three option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We will help you to become an employment-ready, motivated graduate, with skills in the latest developments in engineering such as robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and immersive technology.
Our programme involves group work to allow you to experience the management, coordination and decision-making processes required by engineers. We structure this throughout the programme so that you develop key transferable and managerial skills.
We offer all students free membership of the York Engineering Society (our student engineering society) and student membership of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) while you are at York.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £31,100 |
Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
There is no compulsory purchase of equipment or books necessary for this course. Lecture notes will be provided by staff, and you will be given a generous printing allowance.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
We have a range of subject-specific funding open to all Year 1 students, including “Academic Excellence”, “Widening Participation”, “Engaging in Engineering” and “International Academic Excellence” scholarships.
You'll be automatically considered for a scholarship if York is your firm choice. £500 is paid during Autumn Term and the other £500 is paid at the end of Summer Term, providing you successfully progress to Year 2.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Our courses are highly intensive. Your timetabled activities each week will include:
You'll also be expected to spend time studying independently. As you progress through the course you'll take on more independent study, guiding your own learning and developing your project management skills.
An academic member of staff will help guide you through your final-year individual project, ensuring that you are able to combine the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout the course to successfully undertake an engineering project tailored to your interests and career goals.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 10-11 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 2 hours per week |
| Practicals | 10-11 hours per week |
| Optional activities | 0-2 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You can find detailed descriptions of our facilities on our website, including laboratory space, recording studios, clean room and computing classrooms.
You will be based in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology, on Campus West.
Most of your contact hours will be in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology, with some additional teaching on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Your assignments will be designed not just to test you but for you to creatively apply what you've learned, and to stretch you to supply novel solutions. We use a variety of assessment styles, including exams, coursework and practical engineering tasks. You'll encounter all of them during your course, but the exact balance will depend on the modules you choose:
You'll receive written feedback on work you hand in to help you understand your grade and develop your skills. For your individual project you'll produce a written report, have a viva (a presentation and question/answer session) and also show your project on our demo day, which our external advisory board attend.
The growth of the electronics industry means demand for new engineers is always high. Our students enter a wide range of jobs, not just in electronic engineering, but in a variety of related fields such as software programming and hardware development
For those wishing to take different career paths, the transferable skills you'll develop are highly valuable. Mathematics, programming, team working and technical management are sought after in a huge range of sectors, from media to financial services. Recent employers have included Jaguar Land Rover, IBM, Qinetiq, ARM, BBC, BT and Network Rail. Find out more about our graduate destinations and graduate profiles.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAA including Maths. |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD from the BTEC National Extended Diploma in any subject plus A level Maths grade A DD from BTEC National Diploma in any subject plus A level Maths grade A. If you are studying a different combination of A levels and BTEC qualifications please contact us for advice. |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, D3 including Mathematics |
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points overall with grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation or 6 in Higher Level or Standard Level Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches. |
| T levels | We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics has been taken. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Advanced Highers - A in Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - BBBB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other qualifications | We consider a wide range of academic and vocational qualifications as long as Maths is obtained at A level or equivalent. We are happy to talk to you about your individual qualifications profile. We also offer a Foundation Year BEng Music Technology Systems with a Foundation Year for those not taking Maths A level which, following successful completion, allows you to progress onto one of our BEng or MEng courses depending on your Foundation Year average marks. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
For our Music Technology courses, you should be able to demonstrate a motivation towards making or recording music. You can tell us about your musical interests in your UCAS personal statement. If you are based in the UK and are invited to interview, we will discuss your musical interests and motivation as part of the interview process.
Some examples of how you could demonstrate this would be:
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | 169, with a minimum of 162 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 6, with a minimum of 5 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 126, with a minimum of 116 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 105, minimum 95 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 25/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 444 Main Flight score with 410 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component |
| PTE Academic | 55, with a minimum of 51 in each component |
| TOEFL | 79 overall, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing |
| Trinity ISE III | Pass in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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