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Acoustics and Music Technology

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Central area campus

Course summary

If you're fascinated by the interplay of science, technology and music, BSc Acoustics and Music Technology is for you.

Equipping you to invent the future of acoustics, audio and music technology, our interdisciplinary programme brings together:

  • maths

  • physics

  • music

Our acoustics and music technology programme supports you in designing the music tools, spaces and software of tomorrow, developing your scientific skills and creative mindset.

Throughout the programme, you will explore how modern technologies are driving a revolution in the way that sound is:

  • created

  • manipulated

  • transmitted

Acoustics and music technology has an expanding range of creative applications, including:

  • music production

  • the design of concert halls

  • the emerging field of immersive virtual reality

You learn how innovation in the sector is allowing for rapid development in next generation methods for:

  • sound synthesis

  • transformation in the way we design and experience the built environment

  • the emergence of wholly new forms of media

Programme benefits

  • You will gain a thorough understanding of acoustics and music technology.

  • This degree places you in a very strong position for a high-level career in acoustics, audio, music technology, or game sound.

  • You will also be equipped for a career in science and technology or computer science more generally.

  • We offer a unique blend of science and music, producing scholars who are able to bring scientific and technical insights into music, and musical insights into science and technology.

  • You will have a fun and practical engagement with physics and mathematics, which you will be able to apply to your music studies.

  • You will join a rich community of practising musicians in the Reid School of Music and of creative artists, designers, filmmakers, animators and many more in the wider Edinburgh College of Art.

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • EU has vacancies
  • has vacancies
  • has vacancies
  • International has vacancies
  • Scotland does not have vacancies
  • Northern Ireland has vacancies
  • Republic of Ireland has vacancies

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W380
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

ABB. Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at A. Physics is recommended. GCSEs: English at C or 4.

Scottish Higher - ABBB

ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at A or Advanced Higher Mathematics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. Physics is recommended. National 5s: English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: Mathematics at 6. Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5.

You must have a demonstrable commitment to music.

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

-

A level - ABB

ABB. Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at A. Physics is recommended. GCSEs: English at C or 4.

Scottish Higher - ABBB

ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at A or Advanced Higher Mathematics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. Physics is recommended. National 5s: English at C.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: Mathematics at 6. Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Other
You must have a demonstrable commitment to music.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.
You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.

Learn more on the The University of Edinburgh website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
Scotland£1820Year 1
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
EU£38900Year 1
International£38900Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2026, the tuition fees will be £9,790. This is subject to Parliamentary approval and is an increase of £255 on the fee rate for academic year 2025-2026.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme

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