Reasons to choose the programme

Develop the artistic and expressive range of your sound making.  
Produce creative work across the spectrum of sound-related activity.
Make contact with an international cohort of sound enthusiasts.
Gain the confidence and skills to cope in any audio-related environment upon graduation, and feel able to survive as a freelance business as your portfolio develops. 
Join a programme that has over 18 years experience teaching, learning and exploring the limits of sound design as a creative practice, academic discipline and career training.
Learn more about Edinburgh College of Art
Human Orchestra - Sound Replacement

"You will expand your appreciation of the potential for sound design across a range of musical and artistic practice. You’ll develop as a sonic artist, be challenged to rethink what sound design is and why it is central to a number of developments in the arts, the media, critical theory and even science."

Outline

If you've studied sound or music technology at university, been working in sound professionally, or if you've been experimenting with sound as a composer, sound artist or engineer and are looking for a way to develop your voice, this programme is for you.   

We offer an interdisciplinary taught Masters programme at the forefront of the University of Edinburgh’s rich expertise in the creative arts, music and digital media design.   

Uniquely, we balance challenging practical project work with theoretical study. This creates an inspiring and motivating work environment.   

Studying for an MSc in Sound Design will expand your appreciation of the potential for sound design across a range of musical and artistic practice. Crucially, you’ll develop as a sonic artist, be challenged to rethink what sound design is and why it is central to a number of developments in the arts, the media, critical theory and even science.   

Careers

Where will it take you?

Graduating with an MSc in Sound Design will open a range of employment opportunities.   

You will be qualified to join industries involving film and TV production, web design, advertising, composition and film sound, industrial audio, radio, theatre, computer games, software design, sound and music recording etc.   

Crucially, you’ll be empowered to operate as a freelance sound designer and develop the skills to confidently run your own business.   

You should be able to work effectively in almost any studio or location sound environment, and offer your collaborators and employers critical insights into the role sound plays in whichever media context you are in.

How to apply and entrance requirements

If you'd like to study on a postgraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through EUCLID, our online application system. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to:

  • see detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
  • get information on what to expect after you apply
  • find out about study modes, start dates and fees
  • find out if, and how, you need to submit a portfolio, showreel or research proposal
  • find out where to go for further advice and guidance

Take me to the University of Edinburgh website on how to apply for postgraduate study

Apply now

Alumni profiles

Marco Donnarumma

For Marco, enrolling on the Sound Design - MScR programme seemed the perfect opportunity to expand and refine his sound design skills. The part-time study option allowed Marco the flexibility to work in the industry alongside his research.

Ana Betancourt

Studying Sound Design at ECA allowed Ana to to explore the experimental side of sound design. Her curiosity was fuelled by her desire to always keep learning about new technologies emerging in the sound design industry.

Anne-Sophie Mongeau

After finishing her undergraduate degree in Musiques Numériques at the University of Montreal, Anne-Sophie wanted to continue her education, exploring and growing her practical skills. The Sound Design MSc at ECA offered Anne-Sophie the depth of research typical of a postgraduate degree, as well as practical creative work incorporated in the curriculum.

Varun Nair

Varun met Acoustics and Music Technology student, Abesh Thakur, through the Digital Media Studio Project at ECA and, together, they set up Two Big Ears in 2013. The company creates audio technology that “helps you see through your ears”.

Yann Seznec

Yann Seznec is a musician, sound designer, and artist living in Edinburgh. Yann studied at the University of Edinburgh, receiving an MSc in Sound Design in 2007.

Gaby Yánez

Gaby Yánez joined the MSc Sound Design in 2014. She was here on a state scholarship from the Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación. She collaborated in some of ECA's films and one of these collaborations led her to win a Scottish BAFTA New Talent Award for best sound for her work on the film 'Lemuria'.

Staff

Dr Martin Parker

Head of Subject Area - Music; Programme Director, MSc Sound Design, Music

Email: martin.parker@ed.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)131 650 2333

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Roderick Buchanan-Dunlop

Teaching Fellow in Sound Design

Email: roderick.buchanan-dunlop@ed.ac.uk

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Dr Chris Letcher

Lecturer in Sound for Media

Email: Chris.Letcher@ed.ac.uk

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Dr Tom Mudd

Lecturer in Creative Audio Programming and Computer Music Systems, Music

Programme Director - BSc (Hons) Acoustics & Music Technology

Email: tom.mudd@ed.ac.uk

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Dr Jules Rawlinson

Senior Lecturer, Digital Design

Email: Jules.Rawlinson@ed.ac.uk

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Dr Gareth Williams

Lecturer in Music

Programme Director - BMus Music

Email: gareth.williams@ed.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)131 650 2429

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Facilities and resources

Music studios

Our extensive range of music studio spaces, equipment, and software will allow you to see your audio projects all the way through from composition and recording, to mixing, mastering, and post-production.

Reid Concert Hall

A 218-seat Victorian venue built in 1859. Used for regular orchestral and choral rehearsals and performances.

St Cecilia's Hall - Concert Room and Music Museum

The oldest purpose-built concert hall in Scotland, home to one of the most important historic musical instrument collections in the world.

See all of the resources and facilities available to ECA students

Scholarships and bursaries

Andrew Grant Postgraduate Scholarships

  • Deadline: 1 March 2023
  • Value: £10,500
  • Eligibility: Scholarships available for one academic year of postgraduate Masters study at Edinburgh College of Art.

Jean Kennoway Howells Scholarship

  • Deadline: 13 March 2023
  • Value: £15,000
  • Eligibility: For applicants to full-time postgraduate taught Masters programmes in the Reid School of Music.
See all of our scholarships and bursaries

Visit us

Join ECA at the University-wide postgraduate Open Days

Contact

Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Admissions

Email: cahss.pgadmissions@ed.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)131 650 4086