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Bronze Athena SWAN Award
We're committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.
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2ndin 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
The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) is a world renowned research centre with close to 40 staff dedicated to research, consultancy and education in all aspects of sound and vibration. We cover topics from fundamental theoretical research to many areas that directly impact on human health and wellbeing.
Our staff teach courses at all levels in acoustic engineering, audiology and closely related subjects. Our research informs our teaching.
Our researchers and students can use our facilities, including wind tunnels, large anechoic and reverberation chambers. Our students also benefit from our close links with the enterprise unit ISVR Consulting, which includes opportunities for mentoring and work experience.
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 share new knowledge by housing the editorial office for the Journal of Sound and Vibration.
The majority of our research is carried out by 3 research groups:
- Acoustics.
- Dynamics.
- Signal process, audio and hearing.
Acoustics
Our group explores the science and real-world application of acoustics, including underwater acoustics, aeroacoustics, and virtual acoustics.
Dynamics
We research a wide range of interests in the modelling, measurement and control of structural vibrations.
Signal process, audio and hearing
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.
We’ve been ranked first in England for our audiology courses by the Complete University Guide. Our acoustical engineering degrees are accredited by both the Institute of Acoustics and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Our courses are enriched by insights from the latest research, with many courses taught by staff who are also involved in groundbreaking research in sound and vibration. Students enjoy the dedicated facilities that our acoustics and audiology teaching labs offer.
We share our noise analysis expertise with professionals with experience of reducing noise on our advanced courses.
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Hear from an audiology student
Rabiat Garba shares her experience of studying audiology at Southampton in this 2-minute YouTube video.
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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.
Large anechoic chamber
One of the UK's largest rooms ‘without echoes’ for carrying out acoustical tests. Find out about the anechoic chamber.
The Anechoic Doak Laboratory
A lab to analyse jet and valve noise that is equipped with an air supply that can achieve up to 20bar pressure.
Audio Lab
A lab with an array of 40 loudspeakers that can be repositioned on a flexible grid structure. The acoustic is designed for multichannel listening.
AB Wood Underwater Test Tank
A lab with one large, 5m deep and several small tanks of fresh water and a suite of acoustic sources, sensors and underwater video cameras.
Human Factors Research Unit lab facilities
A range of facilities for experimental studies of human responses to whole-body vibration, hand-transmitted vibration, and low frequency oscillation. Find out about the facilities to study human responses.
Low noise open air wind tunnel
Our open jet wind tunnel allows for the self-noise of air foils and other objects to be measured under free field anechoic conditions.
Listening Room
The listening room is a general-purpose room for conducting experiments that includes a projector and curtains to modify the acoustics.
Reverberation chambers
We have a large and a small reverberation chamber for acoustic testing.
Our courses
Contribute to the fields of research in any area of acoustics or vibration by completing a PhD with us.
Research and enterprise
Learn about our partner consultancy’s work for clients and our School’s research across industries.
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Engineering research
Our research focuses on solutions to real-life problems across a range of industries. We aim to address some of the biggest challenges facing society, including noise and vibration.
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ISVR Consulting
We’re closely linked with ISVR Consulting, which offers a range of services to support our clients in modelling, measuring and assessing sound and vibration. This includes standards testing, design and product development, numerical modelling and more.
Our research groups
Find out about the research groups that conduct the ISVR’s research, including their projects, publications and impact.
People
ISVR has been at the forefront of sound and vibration research and education since its inception nearly 60 years ago.
At the ISVR, we take immense pride in extensively covering most major branches of acoustics, both in our research as well as in our teaching.
Work with us
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Jobs at Southampton
Check employment opportunities at the University of Southampton, including any current jobs at the Institute.
