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The University of Sydney (UniSyd)

Camperdown , New South Wales ,Australia

Master of Architectural Science (Audio and Acoustics) (Illumination Design)

Build a deep foundation in the design, measurement and theory of audio and acoustics with an added specialisation in illumination design. You will understand how sound shapes our experience of communication, entertainment and spatial awareness, opening up a diversity of career paths including audio production, system design and acoustic consulting with a perspective of lighting design.

With extensive experience analysing and controlling the physical phenomena affecting buildings, practitioners of Architectural Science have a profound impact on the function, aesthetics and efficiency of architectural spaces. Architectural Science courses can be taken as single or double streams. In the double stream program, the core units from the secondary degree are taken as the electives in the primary degree. The double stream program is completed as 96 credit points over two years, allowing you to draw expertise from an aligned Architectural Science stream and prepare to pursue or develop your career within a wide range of areas in the built environment.

PRIMARY STREAM

The Audio and Acoustics program is unique in Australia and one of only a few comparable programs in the world. The program offers a balance of studio-based production subjects and theoretical and investigative subjects in acoustics and technical audio. It will suit candidates with an academic and/or professional track record in audio and related areas who wish to extend the breadth and depth of their expertise"this includes audio engineers, architects, interior designers, sustainable designers and musicians. The program is supported by two audio studios and one of Australia's best acoustics facilities. The Acoustics Research Laboratory houses an anechoic room and reverberant room, and contains extensive state-of-the-art equipment for measurement and analysis including the only indoor environmental quality laboratory in the southern hemisphere. The audio studios consist of a recording studio and a 5.1 channel production studio. You will also be exposed to world-class research activity and have the opportunity to do research projects on your own.

SECONDARY STREAM

The Illumination Design program offers strong technical education in human visual perception, methods for quantifying light, lighting techniques and issues of sustainability. The course is suited to program architects, interior designers, engineers, ergonomists and related professionals looking to expand and deepen their knowledge in this area. This program is one of only a few in the world, with an emphasis on producing qualified lighting designers through focus on the multidisciplinary background of lighting knowledge. It will develop your understanding of the relationship between lighting and allied-build environment disciplines as well as the interaction of optics, psychology and physiology. You will be given the preparation you need to adapt to technological changes and lead future breakthroughs.

Commonwealth Supported Places

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)* are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.

Campus Information

Camperdown/Darlington

Our biggest campus is 72 hectares of state-of-the-art teaching and learning technology, including six libraries, art galleries, historical museums, perfectly manicured lawns, and the following faculties and schools:

Intakes

  • Feb
  • Aug Deadline: Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Application Process

COE Process
5 Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Our Careers and Employability Office, dedicated to business students, offers a range of opportunities to explore your career options, plan your career, develop your skills, and network with recruiters and employers.

Our Careers and Employability Office offers a specialised career service to students across all of our degree programs. We are committed to helping you achieve your career aspirations and equipping you with the skills to thrive in your career.

Our career services will help you:

plan your career
develop your career decision making skills
tailor your resume and job applications
engage in experiential recruitment activities such as mock interviews and assessment centres
connect with top graduate recruiters and corporate partners through our programs.
We also offer the award-winning free Job Smart program, which enables international students to gain the skills and professional experience to gain employment when they graduate.

Business School students who engage early with career exploration, professional skill development and industry connections are best equipped to make their mark in today's complex and changing professional world.

Getting career ready with the Careers and Employability Office
Students explain how the Careers and Employability Office can help you get career ready throughout your studies.

Start planning your career now
We recommend that you begin your career-planning journey before you enrol and start your degree. Visit the below resources to discover your career options and help you choose the right subjects. 

Graduate Careers Australia provide detailed careers information and profiles across most areas including accounting, consultancy, government, human resources, IT, marketing, and international relations.
MyFuture assists school leavers with exploring career opportunities and different industries. Visit MyFuture to help you narrow down which majors you wish to study at the Business School.
Visit the Careers and Employabilty Office once you enrol. We’re located in the Careers and Student Experience Lounge, Basement Level, Abercrombie Building.

Career Pathways
You will graduate with a specialist education in audio and acoustics which could lead to a number of vocational opportunities. Graduates work in fields including audio production, sound design, audio systems design, acoustical consulting, and research and development of audio and acoustics products. Some graduates have used the degree as the foundation for a research degree in audio and acoustics. The secondary stream will prepare you to work as an independent lighting designer or lighting specialist, or to work with electrical products manufacturing, lighting management services or an energy services company.

PSW Opportunity

  • 2 year Post Study Work Visa Opportunity

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

A successful applicant for admission to the Master in Architectural Science will have a bachelor's degree or possess experience which is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake the course. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate with a WAM of 70 or higher are able to apply to continue into the Master in Architectural Science in the same course stream. Please see the Faculty Handbook for enrolment advice for secondary stream structure. Masters students may also opt to graduate with a lower level of certification once the required units are complete. Please note that students may commence studies in Semester 2, however some courses are only available in part-time capacity due to the units on offer.

TOEFL - IBT score - A minimum result of 96 overall including a minimum result of 23 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 25 in Writing

IELTS score - A minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 7.0 in each band

TOEFL - PBT score - A minimum result of 592 overall including a minimum result of 4.5 in Writing

Pearsons Test of English - A minimum result of 68 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band