Online the relevant degrees are Mathematics, Engineering, Architecture etc. As a recent Sound Design graduate, is this viewed as an equally relevant degree?
It’s best to message the supervisor you want to work with to get an answer. People with Sound Design degrees do Acoustics PhD but the topic needs to be carefully chosen to fit your background. By the way, in 2026 we plan to have an access route for people coming from Sound Engineering courses but this isn’t in place yet.
How about civil engineering? Do you need them? I have master in structure. Can I help and engage in the project?
Many people come into acoustics from different degrees. It’s best to message the supervisor you want to work with to get an answer.
I hold a 2.2 BSc(Hons) in Music Production. I have since completed an MSc in Applied Acoustics. As the MSc more closely matches the field of study, and is at a higher level than the BSc(Hons), I was wondering if I could potentially be able to apply?
Yes
Experience
Can you provide more information about specific knowledge or software required for the projects? are there any specialized skills, or technical qualifications such as expertise in wind turbine simulation for the wind turbine project, that would benefit these projects?
We’re looking for applicants who have shown the potential to learn the skills needed, rather than necessarily having experience of the exact methodology being used for the project. To give you an example, at Salford we tend to teach undergraduate students using MATLAB. If you do a machine learning PhD you’re likely to need to use Python. But having done MATLAB you’ve shown you’ve got some programme skills and can therefore pick up the Python you need as part of the PhD.
Key skills/training necessary for a specific PhD are usually listed in the advert. Also email the first supervisor with specific questions.
Projects
Do we know the project and project supervisor upon starting?
Yes. If you select a project from the list that has a named supervisor. If you submit your own project idea you are asked to name the supervisor.
One of the industry-driven projects gives the option of 2 different topics. Given that Q9 is limited to 4,000 characters, I assume that it’s best to write a research proposal for just 1 of those topics? If I am accepted to the CDT will there be the option to switch to the other topic if it becomes preferable to me, the industry sponsor and academic supervisors?
The exact research on a PhD often gets refined after application and morphs during the PhD. This is a discussion between yourself, supervisor and industry sponsor.
I would email the university supervisor now if you want reassurance on this.
Are there any Projects based on Bioacoustics and Eco-Acoustics?
See Southampton. Salford will probably have at least one in 2026.
Application forms
I am interested in applying for specific named projects and would like to know if it is necessary to submit a proposal as part of this application.
On the Microsoft Forms page with the tick boxes to select named projects there is a box “Proposed Research Area and interests.” You must answer this question after selecting your preferred projects. Please describe:
What particular skills and knowledge you want to develop during your research.
Your research interests. Link this to the project you’d most like to research as well as discussing your broader interests.
How they align with the CDT’s aim to create a more Sustainable Sound Future.
The subsequent Microsoft Forms page is if you want to suggest your own project idea. That is only used if you wish to suggest your own project.
My research proposal will cite previous research and normally I’d list those papers in the usual way at the end. However, in this application, they will use up valuable characters from the Microsoft Forms box limit. Can I use a very abbreviated way to list the references if necessary? Perhaps just the title of the paper? With lead author surname and publication year if the character limit allows.
Yes. use very short text for references
However, I would appreciate your guidance on where to upload my CV and transcripts to ensure my application is complete.
You don’t have to provide these at this stage. However you will be required to provide transcripts and proof of qualifications later.
PhD process once you join
Can this be totally distant learning?
Not totally. Attendance at cohort training events at the four universities is required. Incidentally, many PhD students study hybrid doing a mixture of working from home (WFH) and attending their host university. But only WFH increases isolation and lessens peer-support, which are important for PhD success.
Students that are part of research groups wihin our own universities will be able to get support from hose groups also?
Yes and we’d be very much encouraging that.
Can we use facilities at one of the other institutions that we are not primarily based at, if required?
Yes we will try and make this happen. There will be some restrictions as specialist facilities may have expensive charge-out fees. There can also be issues with getting time in heavily used facilities.
Industry/partners
The cohort training is a really attractive aspect, but with the industry-driven projects, which tend to have 1 industry sponsor can there still be an openness to collaborate with others in industry?
That would depend on the sponsor and also the project. There might be commercial reasons why collaboration isn’t possible. But in many cases it will.
I saw a great proportion of industry-based programmes. I’d just like to know, what would be the foreseeable levels of commitment to the academic side, versus the host company for such programmes?
Your applying to do a PhD with the university and so the supervision and support should be no different from a non-industrial PhDs. What might vary a bit is the input from industry, which will vary depending on the project and the supervisor.
Finance
Are students travel costs funded for CDT activities?
Yes.
Do you give funds for international students, too?
We can have up to 30% international students (funder restriction).
If you are offered a place as an international student, it will cover the full international fee.
Careers
What trajectory do you think the acoustics/audio/noise industry (particularly for research roles) is heading in? Do you see university Postdoc opportunities expanding or becoming rarer?
University research grant funding in Acoustics is increasing, and they nearly all need post-docs. Many of our project partners are involved because Acoustics is short of skilled PhD grads.