With Spring courses concluded our Autumn courses are filling up quickly.
To avoid disappointment and to secure a place on your chosen course, please do not hesitate to contact your preferred centre for further details.
by Helen Davies, IOA Education
Forthcoming IOA Certificate Courses in 2025
Subject to recruitment, the IOA will be offering the following Certificate Courses between September and November 2025. In addition to long-established courses (Workplace Noise Risk Assessment, Environmental Noise Measurement, Building Acoustic Measurements) we will be running three additional courses:
- an Advanced Course in Report Evaluation;
- a Certificate Course in Soundscape Assessment; and
- a Certificate of Competence in Technical Report Writing.
Details about each of the existing courses are given in the following sections. Unless indicated otherwise each certificate course lasts for five days and examinations take place on the last day.
Advanced Certificate of Competence in Report Evaluation (ACCRE):
This three-day course provides the skills required to critically read and evaluate technical reports in acoustics. While the course is appropriate to a wide audience it is aimed primarily at those people responsible for signing off on reports for quality control as well as those reviewing reports for compliance purposes such as senior positions in pollution control, environmental health practice or planning, and anywhere else that technical reporting is important.
Examination Date Scotland: Thursday 25 September 2025
Examination Date Southampton: Friday 24 October 2025
Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment (CCWNRA):
The course aims to provide the education and training needed to carry out workplace noise assessments in a competent manner, as required by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Demand for competent noise exposure assessments is increasing and this course provides the latest information and training to meet the demands of the legislation, including a background of basic acoustics combined with 'hands on' practical experience of industrial noise measurements and associated assessment of workplace noise exposure.
Examination Date: Friday 26 September 2025
Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement (CCENM):
This course seeks to provide a basic knowledge of the methodology of environmental noise measurement, including the use and accuracy requirements of sound level meters and analysers and to enable them to be aware of the significance of measurement data against the framework of standards and legislation for environmental noise.
Examination Date: Friday 10 October 2025
Certificate of Competence in Building Acoustics Measurement (CCBAM):
The course provides a basic knowledge of the methodology for measuring and reporting sound insulation and aspects of room acoustics, together with relevant provisions of key standards and guidance.
Examination Date: Friday 31 October 2025
Certificate Course in Soundscape Assessment (CCSA):
This course will enable attendees to understand the concepts of soundscape and undertake the assessment and data analysis required for a soundscape assessment.
Examination Date: Friday 7 November 2025
Certificate of Competence in Technical Report Writing (CCTRW):
The aim of this three-day course is to provide guidance on effective communication through good technical report writing. The course will cover various approaches to structuring reports and provide a detailed overview of what the relevant sections would normally contain. It will emphasise the importance of presentation skills. The course should be useful particularly for early career employees in acoustics and in science and anywhere that technical reporting both within and for outside organisations is important.
Examination Date: Friday 14 November 2025
New Course Under Development
Certificate Course in Environmental Vibration Measurements (CCEVM):
This course provides a knowledge of the methodology of environmental vibration measurement including correct selection of vibration transducer and analyser, mounting and positioning of transducers and an appreciation of the role of measurement data within the framework of appropriate standards and legislation. The course is under development with delivery intended for Spring 2026.
Holders of certificate courses may apply for Tech IOA membership (further details are available from membership
ioa [dot] org [dot] uk).
Information on accredited centres and the IOA Certificate and Diploma courses they are delivering is at https://www.ioa.org. uk/education-training
Please contact your preferred centre directly for information on course dates, delivery methods, course fees and to register for the course. For any other enquiries contact educationioa [dot] org [dot] uk
IOA Diploma 2025-26
The IOA Diploma continues to be the gold educational standard on the route to achieving MIOA. Applications for the 25/26 IOA Diploma are open.
Accredited Diploma centres include London South Bank University (LSBU), the University of Derby and KP Acoustics Research Labs who will offer the Diploma in Southampton and Manchester (Salford University).
Please enquire directly for more information on course dates, delivery, course fees and registration.
For tutored distance learning, please direct enquiries to educationioa [dot] org [dot] uk (education[at]ioa[dot]org[dot]uk)
Please note: if you missed the ‘Diploma Discovery Session’ held on 26 June 2025 explaining all you need to know about the IOA Diploma, you can request access to the recording by contacting educationioa [dot] org [dot] uk (education[at]ioa[dot]org[dot]uk)
Calling Acoustics Employers
Please help us improve the IOA Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control.
As we review our Education portfolio at the IOA, it’s important that we focus on what our employer population requires and values. We are seeking your feedback on the changes you would like to see. There are a few baseline questions about you and your organisation and a few for you to ‘have your say’ with opportunities for you to share your ideas and experiences. It should take less than eight minutes to complete. We are grateful for your generosity in taking the time to contribute to shaping the future at the IOA.
Start the survey by clicking on: https://qrco.de/employersurv
This information is also available as a PDF. Download it here: https://www.ioa.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-09/Acoustics%20Bulletin%20July%20-%20August%202025%20%281%29.pdf
