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BSc|Undergraduate

Audio Engineering

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
ABB
Duration
3 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
J930

The Audio Engineering programme is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering within the audio and digital media industries. Students will gain technical skills and knowledge relevant to the broader field of electrical and electronic engineering including electronics, embedded systems, computer programming and mathematics. Students will also gain practical experience of recording, editing, mixing and mastering music using professional studio facilities and designing new hardware/software musical instruments and interfaces.

This degree is co-taught with the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEECS)

Audio Engineering highlights

World Class Facilities

The School is one of the largest and best equipped institutions in the UK working in the field of music and sound. Students have access to state-of-the-art audio resources including two dedicated computer suites, ten sound studios an equipment loan store and the world’s first Sonic Laboratory – a unique performance space capable of three-dimensional sound projection, all housed in the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC).

Since its founding in 2001, the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) has become a globally recognised institute for music-based practice and research, broadly conceived. SARC brings together researchers in composition, performance, musicology, computing for musical applications, acoustics and perception, sound recording, interaction design, broadcast, critical improvisation studies, sound art, aesthetics and media theory. It is a purpose designed building with a state-of-the-art Sonic Laboratory and multichannel studios was opened by Karlheinz Stockhausen in 2004 during the Sonorities Festival, which is hosted biennially by SARC. SARC also includes associate members based in computer engineering, anthropology, psychology and architecture who are involved in research collaborations and co-supervision of PhD students, to form a research environment with over 60 academics and postgraduate students.
SARC regularly hosts visiting artists and scholars and has ongoing research collaborations with international institutions including Stanford University, University of São Paulo, IRCAM, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, McGill University, Bach-Archiv Leipzig, Stony Brook University, Orpheus Institute and University of Oxford. SARC also has formal professional partnerships with high profile local artists and ensembles including the Ulster Orchestra, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble and Duke Special, of which the latter two are currently employed as Industry Professionals. The link below is a student-led video tour of the SARC building.
http://go.qub.ac.uk/SARCtour

Industry Links

The School benefits from strong industry partnerships including BBC NI, Ulster Orchestra, Opera NI, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble, Cathedral Arts Festival, Moving on Music, Diatribe Records, DTS and Dolby.

Internationally Renowned Experts

Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of research. Additionally, the School employs a number of Industry Fellows – internationally renowned professionals in their fields of
composition, performance, songwriting, sound engineering and audio production. Each member of staff teaching on this course is listed on the next page with a link to their research profiles.

We also run a series of research seminars and lunchtime concerts with guest speakers/performers joining us each term.
http://go.qub.ac.uk/EventsListings

Professional Accreditations

The School is an Avid Learning Partner with certified instructors in both Media Composer video editing software and Pro Tools audio editing software. 
Undergraduates at the school have the opportunity to be certified in editing and notations software used in both the Film and Audio Industries as an additional qualification outside their course. The cost of these courses ranges from £20 to £90 per course. 
The school offers the following additional certifications:
MC101 | Media Composer Editing Essentials
MC110 | Media Composer Effects Essentials
PT101 | Pro Tools Fundamentals I
PT110 | Pro Tools Fundamentals II
PT130 | Pro Tools for Game Audio
PT201 | Pro Tools Production I
PT210M | Pro Tools Production II (Music Production)
SB101 | Sibelius Fundamentals I
SB110 | Sibelius Fundamentals II
https://www.avid.com/education/certification
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Discover/AvidTraining/

Global Opportunities

Students may opt to spend a semester or a year studying abroad. The School has links with a number of international institutions including Sibelius Academy (University of the Arts Helsinki), University of Groningen, Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo do Porto (Instituto Politecnico do Porto), Université Français Rabelais Tours, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Technological Educational Institute of Crete.
http://go.qub.ac.uk/Erasmus-StudyAbroad

Career Development

The Level 3 Work Placement module is an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world industry experience. Some of the organisations our students have completed placements with include DTS, Pi Communications, RTÉ, Production House, Start Together Studios, Redbox Recording, Smalltown America Studios, Blast Furnace Studios and Sonic Visuals.

Industry Links

Companies currently employing our graduates include Google, BBC, UTV, Apple, BT, Rapid 7, Sensum, Mogees Ltd, Storyful, Cased Dimensions, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Steven’s Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast.

Further Study Opportunities

Further study, including Master’s programmes, is also an option; see the School website for further information.

Student Experience

Download our new Music Programmes Brochure here!
http://go.qub.ac.uk/MusicBrochure

World Class Facilities

The Sonic Laboratory at the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) could best be thought of as a 'cinema for the ear' - a specialist acoustic space designed to provide a unique and immersive listening experience - the auditory equivalent of an IMAX cinema. Forty-eight loudspeakers, strategically located, project and move sounds throughout the 360 degrees of the space, including above and underneath the audience.  The Sonic Lab was designed with an acoustically transparent, modular grid floor suspended 4m above the basement level.  No other auditorium for sonic art performance and experimentation currently exists with this revolutionary feature. The provision of this facility gives Northern Ireland a unique and pioneering role in a rapidly developing field.

The Sonic Lab is a flexible space used for teaching, public concerts, screenings, installations and for developing and implementing cutting edge research linked to the emerging creative industries.  As an engineering research facility, the Sonic Laboratory provides unique opportunities to develop and test new ideas relating to virtual reality / augmented reality, immersive media, Dolby Atmos, loudspeaker design, music perception, musical interactions, new instrument design and sound engineering.

Specifications
AUDIO
• 48 loudspeakers across 4 levels: Basement (10), ground (12), mid-height (18) and over-head (8) consisting of Meyer and Genelec loudspeakers.
• Studer Vista 5 mixing console located at the rear of the lab - 72 mic/line inputs, 56 line outputs.
• DANTE audio connection to the Broadcast Studio in SARC.
• Adjacent Control Room equipped with AMS-NEVE DMC mixing console with PMC loudspeaker monitoring and Pro Tools HDX multitrack playback and recording system.

ACOUSTICS
48 acoustic absorbers which can be raised and lowered to alter the reverberation time of the space between 0.4 – 2.3 seconds.  This allows the space to be configured to suit different performances,
recording situations, and testing environments.

VISUAL
Large 7 meter-wide retractable acoustically-permeable screen with high definition video projection.

LIGHTING
LED powered lighting system - Avolites Titan Mobile console controlling 6 x moving head lights, and 28 x LED Par fixtures.
http://go.qub.ac.uk/Sonic-Lab

Student Experience

Northern Ireland has an exceptional track record for producing outstanding musical talent and has a unique identity within the global music industry. Belfast is the creative hub of the Northern Irish music industry and students on this programme will contribute to the vibrant musical life of both the University and the wider city.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Living-in-Northern-Ireland/Life-in-Belfast/nightlife-and-music/

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

BSc Audio Engineering Presentation

To view a presentation on this course please go to
http://go.qub.ac.uk/AudioEngineeringtalk

Level 1

Level 1 of the programme consists of six compulsory modules which introduce students to core technical skills and engineering fundamentals including electronics, embedded systems, computer programming and mathematics. Students also gain thorough grounding in sound recording principles and practical experience of audio mixing.

Level 2

Level 2 consists of five compulsory modules. These modules further develop students’ understanding of electronics, embedded systems and computer programming with the latter topic focusing more specifically on the development of audio software applications. Audio engineering practice is facilitated through collaborative music recordings with student ensembles and the design of new musical instruments and musical interfaces.

Level 3

Level 3 introduces students to the principles of auditory perception and the architecture of digital audio effects. Students can also opt to take modules in spatial audio mixing, further sound recording practice, musical interaction design or work placement. The programme concludes with the completion of a double weighted technical project focusing on the design of new hardware and/or software tools for audio applications.

N.B.

This is not an exclusive list and these options are subject to staff availability.

For further information, course related queries or to arrange to visit our facilities please contact our Music Student Recruitment Officer, Krista Gallagher at k.gallagher@qub.ac.uk

Work Based Learning

Level 3 module AEL3001 Work Based Learning is an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world industry experience. Some of the organisations our students have completed placements with include DTS, Pi Communications, RTÉ, Production House, Start Together Studios, Redbox Recording, Smalltown America Studios, Blast Furnace Studios and Sonic Visuals.

Contact Teaching Hours

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

2 (hours maximum)
hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week

Personal Study

24 (hours maximum)
22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including guided study, composition, performance rehearsal, online activities, etc.

Large Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
hours of lectures

Medium Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

Learning and Teaching

Examples of the opportunities for learning on this course are:

  • E-Learning technologies

    Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; on-line assessment; opportunities to use software applications associated with design in practicals and project-based work etc.

  • Lectures

    Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

  • Personal Tutor

    Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Stages 1 and 2 who meets with them regularly during the year to support their academic development.

  • Practicals

    Provide opportunities for the development of technical skills and the application of theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.

  • Self-directed study

    This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, performance practice, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback and assignment research and preparation is carried out.

  • Supervised projects

    In final year, all students take a ‘Professional Practice’ module which provides the opportunity to develop a body of artistic work in a professional context. Each individual or group will be assigned a member of staff to act as a mentor. Mentors and students will meet fortnightly to review work in progress and to discuss practical concerns.

  • Work placements

    Students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in Stage 3. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. The BSc Audio Engineering programme is co-taught between the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Arts, English and Languages. Many of the modules taught from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Science are assessed through final examination in addition to practicals, projects and continuous assessment. Many of the modules taught from the School of Arts, English and Languages are assessed solely through practical project work, continuous assessment or written assignments. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Module Outline Document which is provided to all students at the beginning of each teaching semester.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

  • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
  • Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
  • Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Facilities

The School is one of the largest and best-equipped institutions in the UK working in the field of music and sound. Students have access to state-of-the-art audio resources including:

The Sonic Lab: a unique performance space with variable acoustics, an acoustically transparent grid floor and 48 studio quality loudspeakers to facilitate three dimensional sound projection. The Sonic Lab is capable of projecting multichannel audio in a range of spatial formats including ambisonics and Dolby Atmos.

Studios: The School has 10 studio spaces used for recording, mixing, sound design, composition, foley recording, audio post production and spatialisation. The studios feature a range of active monitoring from Genelec, PMC, ATC, Dynaudio and the larger studio spaces use large format digital mixing consoles from Studer, AMS-Neve and Avid. The School also has an extensive microphone collection including a range of popular models from Soundfield, Neumann, DPA, Schoeps, AKG, Sennheiser and Shure.

Additionally, there are a range of study spaces, rehearsal spaces and teaching rooms distributed across the two buildings.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Discover/facilities/soniclab/SonicLabSpecs

Currently there are 48 loudspeakers in use in the lab. The house configuration is arranged in 4 layers:

HIGH
8 x Meyer UPM-1P
Dolby Atmos configuration, arranged in two rows front to back. The loudspeakers hang from six of the nine overhead adjustable ceiling panels.

MID HEIGHT
15 x Meyer UPJ-1P
3 x Meyer UMS-1P subwoofer
Dolby Atmos configuration. The loudspeakers are suspended from the technical gantry approximately 7m above the ground floor.

GROUND
4 x Genelec 1038B
4 x Genelec 1037B
2 x Meyer UPJ-1P + Meyer UMS-1P sub
The Genelecs are in an octophonic configuration plus two Meyer UPJ-1P/UMS-1P front centre and rear centre.

BASEMENT
8 x Meyer UPM-1P
2 x Meyer X-800 subwoofer
At lower ground level (4m below the grid floor).

The loudspeaker system is managed using a QSC QSYS system (2 x Core 510i) with Dante input and 48 analogue outputs.

A Studer Vista 5 console is located at the rear of the lab. The console is fitted with 3 I/O racks - one at the stage, one in the centre of the lab beside the console, and one at the basement level of the lab. The stage rack provides 32 mic/line analogue inputs and 8 analogue outputs; the centre rack provide 40 line analogue inputs and 8 analogue outputs; the basement rack provide 48 analogue outputs. Also attached to the Studer console is an Apple Mac Pro hosting a ProTools HD system. Connectivity is via an SSL Delta Link MADI interface for ProTools and an RME HDSPe MADI card.
https://youtu.be/CAcyXUGdQJA

The Ashby building, which has undergone a major recent refurbishment, houses several lab spaces for practical work in the modules delivered by EEECS. In addition, students benefit from a computer lab with 400+ PCs, providing them with access to a range of engineering software, including Matlab, NI Labview, and Multisim. It is envisaged that students’ projects could also benefit from using project spaces, industrial placement units, and specialist research labs in the brand-new Computer Science Building.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/eeecs/

The SARC building contains seven purpose-built studio spaces designed and acoustically treated by ARUP acoustics
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ael/Discover/facilities/studios/

Situated in the Main Site Tower basement are a suite of four band rooms - three performance and one control room for recording. All the rooms are linked together to allow studio quality audio recordings. Check out the link for a full list of equipment provided in these rooms.
The school also has facilities for organists and pianists, including an extensive range of early keyboard instruments, orchestral instruments and percussion instruments.
https://www.qub.ac. uk/schools/ael/Discover/facilities/PracticeRoomsandinst ruments/

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Embedded Systems (20 credits)
    Audio Mixing I (20 credits)
    Mathematics 1 (20 credits)
  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Audio Programming (20 credits)
    Signals and Control (20 credits)
    Embedded Systems 2 (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

  • Year 3

    Core Modules

    Auditory Perception (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

    Work-based Learning (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

A level requirements

ABB including Mathematics and at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Digital Technology, Electronics, Further Mathematics, ICT [not Applied ICT], Physics, Software Systems Development, Technology and Design or Double Award Life & Health Sciences.

In all cases where Physics is not offered at A-level, candidates must have a minimum of grade C/4 in GCSE Physics or grades CC/4,4 in Double Award Science.

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Mathematics and a Science subject (see list under A-level requirements) + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O4 in Physics.

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with 80% in each module.

Must be a relevant Access Course including two modules in Mathematics (Level 3) and two modules in Physics/Chemistry (Level 3).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

33 points overall, including 6,5,5 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and a relevant Science

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades D*DD, with Distinctions required in four specified units (40 credits), including Mathematics for Technicians and Further Mathematics for Technicians.

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades D*DD, with Distinctions required in four specified units, including Engineering Principles and Further Engineering Mathematics.

Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma must be relevant

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirement is also met

Note

Applicants not offering Physics at A-level should have a minimum of a grade C/4 in GCSE Physics or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC/4,4.

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Arts, English and Languages. Once your application has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

Applicants for this BSc programme offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have, or be able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better, to include English Language and Mathematics. However, this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. Candidates not offering Physics at A-level require GCSE Physics/Double Award Science at grade C/4 or above. Selectors will also check that any specific entry requirements in terms of A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry applicants for this degree must have had, a minimum of 5 IJC grades C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS are also considered. Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as BTEC Extended/National Extended Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas, will also be considered.

The same GCSE profile is usually expected of those candidates taking a BTEC Extended/National Extended Diploma and must include both GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Physics/Double Award Science at grade C/4 or better.

Applicants offering a Higher National Certificate (HNC) will require an appropriate GCSE profile, which must include grade C/4 or better in GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Physics/Double Award Science . A relevant HNC in Engineering is required, including Engineering Mathematics. Where offers are made for Stage 1 entry, these are currently conditional on successful completion of this HNC with 2 Distinctions and remainder Merits, including Merits in three specified units, including Engineering Mathematics.

For those offering a Higher National Diploma (HND), some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile, but this must include grade C/4 or better in GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Physics/Double Award Science. To be eligible for an offer, the grades obtained in the first year of the HND must allow the overall offer to be achievable. A relevant HND in Engineering is required for admission to this degree and offers for Stage 1 entry are currently conditional on successful completion of this HND with 2 Distinctions, 10 Merits and 4 Passes overall, with Merits required in three specified units, including Engineering Mathematics. Applicants with sufficiently high grades in the first year of a relevant HND in Engineering may be considered for entry to Stage 2 and, where offers are made, these are currently conditional on successful completion of this HND with 3 Distinctions and 13 Merits overall, with Merits required in four specified units, including Engineering Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not normally considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held during the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice; the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

The Stage 3 Work Based Learning module is an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world industry experience. Some of the organisations our students have completed placements with include: DTS, Pi Communications, RTE, Production House, Start Together Studios, Redbox Recording, Smalltown America Studios, Blast Furnace Studios, Sonic Visuals.

The programme prepares students for a wide range of possible career paths including studio and venue audio engineering, broadcasting, audiology, acoustic consultancy, artist management, concert-venue management, audio system support, education and other areas of the music and audio industries. Companies currently employing our graduates include Google, BBC, UTV, Apple, BT, Rapid 7, Sensum, Mogees Ltd, Storyful, Cased Dimensions, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Steven’s Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.

Further study, including Masters programmes, is also an option; see the School website for further information.

Employment after the Course

The BSc Audio Engineering commenced in September 2017.

Graduates of related programmes at Queen’s have found employment in areas such as software and hardware engineering, studio and venue audio engineering, broadcasting, audiology, acoustic consultancy, artist management, concert-venue management, audio system support, education and other areas of the music and audio industries.

On average, employment success rates for graduates from ELE and SESE programmes in EEECS are greater than 85% within six months. Good employment prospects are therefore envisaged for the BSc Audio engineering students.

Employment Links

Companies currently employing our graduates include Google, BBC, UTV, Apple, BT, Rapid 7, Sensum, Mogees Ltd, Storyful, Cased Dimensions, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Steven’s Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.

Our graduates are likely to be employable also outside the audio domain. The ELE and SESE graduates have excellent well-paid career prospects across a wide spectrum: design, research, development, production, marketing and sales in employment areas such as avionics and space, telecommunications and broadcasting, connected health and medical electronics, consumer electronics and gaming, computing and software, embedded systems and electronic security.

Alumni Success

The BSc Audio Engineering is a new degree programme which commenced in September 2017. Graduates of related programmes at Queen’s have been very successful in the area of audio engineering and include:

Nicholas Gillian, Engineer and Creative Technologist, Google
Mark McKeague, Creative Technologist, New York Times
Daniel Drayne, Product Owner, Spotify
Niamh O’Meara, Technical Sales Engineer, Polytec
Nicholas Crowe, Product Manager, Opticon
Irene Kelly, Audiologist, Beacon Audiology
Conor Barry, Product Manager, Mogees, London
John King, Interactive Designer, Sensum
Fiona McDermott, Interaction Design Centre

Prizes and Awards

Queen's is a lead UK university in tackling the unequal representation of women in science and engineering. Queen's holds 15 SWAN departmental awards, including two Gold, as well as an institutional Silver Award.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £4,750
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £4,750
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £25,300
International £25,300

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

The tuition fees quoted above are for the 2024/25 academic year and are a guide only. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

The School is an Avid Learning Partner and optional courses providing Avid certification in the use of ProTools are available as part of the programme. The cost of these courses ranges from £20 to £90 per course.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2025 from early September 2024.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

  1. Applying through UCAS
    Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.
  2. Applying direct
    The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
  3. Applying through agents and partners
    The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

Download Undergraduate Prospectus