In our nearly 60 year history, we’ve delivered high impact research, client focussed consultancy and high ranking acoustical engineering and audiology degrees. We offer a vibrant environment with nationally leading facilities.
Bronze Athena SWAN Award
We're committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.
2nd
in the UK for audiology
We've been ranked second in the UK for our audiology courses, and first in England. Source: Complete University Guide
Accredited degree in acoustical engineering
Our acoustical engineering degree has both Institute of Acoustics and Institute of Mechanical Engineers accreditation.
Overview
About the Institute
Since its inauguration in 1963, the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) has become a world renowned centre for research, education and enterprise activities in sound, vibration and audiology. Our research spans fundamental scientific discoveries, innovative solutions to societal and engineering problems, and commercialisation of ideas through spin-out companies and knowledge exchange with industry.
Central to our mission is training the next generation of acoustics and audiology experts through our undergraduate, Masters and PhD programmes. Our graduates are highly regarded for their career readiness and are employed in a wide range of industrial and public sectors throughout the world.
We currently comprise about 35 academic staff and 70 researchers, and have state-of-the-art experimental facilities including acoustic chambers, motion simulators and an audiology skills lab. We work closely with colleagues in ISVR Consulting, the university’s Auditory Implant Service and the wider School of Engineering.
A researcher takes acoustic measurements in our large anechoic chamber.
Our research culture
The Institute offers a supportive, inclusive environment for interdisciplinary research.
Our staff have developed an extensive and strong network for collaboration with other faculties at the University, other academic institutions and with industry. Our School leads initiatives to remove obstacles for women and people with caring responsibilities.
We research the processing, perception and control of complex signals.
Our teaching
The Institute was one of the first UK institutions to offer degrees in acoustical engineering and audiology. We offer undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research degrees in both subjects.
Our acoustical engineering degrees are accredited by both the Institute of Acoustics and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Our Audiology degrees include options for clinical placements that can lead to registration: The MSc in Audiology with clinical placement is accredited by the Academy of Healthcare Science. The undergraduate Audiology degree is accredited by the Academy of Healthcare Science, The Health and Care Professions Council and the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, giving lots of flexibility for employment options. Employability in both Audiology and Acoustics is very strong, leading to good career progression both nationally and internationally.
Our courses are enriched by insights from the latest research, with courses taught by staff who are also involved in ground-breaking research in sound and vibration. Students enjoy the dedicated facilities that our acoustics and audiology teaching labs offer. We are also unique in UK universities in having a clinical audiology centre in house as well as being located next to the University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service.
We share our noise analysis expertise with professionals with experience of reducing noise on our advanced courses.
Hear from an audiology student
Rabiat Garba shares her experience of studying audiology at Southampton in this 2-minute YouTube video.
Discover our MSc in Acoustical and Vibration Engineering
Hear from graduates and staff about our master's course in Acoustical and Vibration Engineering in this 3-minute YouTube video.
Facilities
The Institute has invested in a range of advanced research and testing facilities to make its researchers’ work possible and, in some cases, to enable specialised services to industry partners.
The Journal of Sound and Vibration was founded to meet the need for a high-quality publication dedicated to the study of sound and vibration. It aims to disseminate papers of a high technical standard across various subdisciplines, fostering interdisciplinary awareness and promoting the exchange of techniques and discoveries that may have broader applications.
