Your Career Gateway to the Exciting World of Acoustics & Noise Control
The Institute of Acoustics' Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control has been offered as a qualification since 1975.
Introduction
It’s aim – is to provide sufficient academic training and specialism to satisfy the educational requirements for Membership of the Institute of Acoustics.
Since that time – more than 2500 candidates have gained the Diploma and most of these have then gone on to gain the 3 or more years of professional experience necessary to become corporate members of the Institute.
Over the years – the 1-Year accredited acoustics course has become well established as providing high level training in real-world practical acoustics.
As a result – the Diploma is widely recognised as the leading specialist qualification for the professional practitioner in acoustics.
"You get guest lectures from IOA HQ once a month, they’re brilliant. They help you consolidate all the learning from the subject modules. "
Karl Roberts
how to apply Learn about preparation, eligibility and how to apply.
Back to topCourse structure
To obtain the Diploma – requires a Pass mark in 3 compulsory Modules:
• General Principles of Acoustics
• Laboratory
• Project
Plus 2 x Specialist Modules chosen from:
- Building Acoustics
- Environmental Noise
- Noise and Vibration
- Control Engineering
- Regulation & Assessment of Noise
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"What impressed me the most, was to explain the basics and fundamentals of acoustics in a manner I could actually understand."
Glen Plunkett
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How to apply
Eligibility
The entry requirement to the IOA Diploma is usually a relevant degree, however the IOA is keen for the Diploma to be as accessible as possible and accepts entrants with basic GCSE-equivalent mathematics and physics, supported by relevant professional experience.
Relevant Degrees include:
• Science
• Engineering
• Construction
Non graduate entry
The IOA Diploma has been designed to be as accessible as possible, so applications from entrants with basic GCSE-equivalent mathematics and physics, supported by relevant professional experience, may be accepted.
Preparation
Before beginning the Diploma, it is important that you check your background in Mathematics and Science to get yourself reacquainted with the basic ideas, theories and concepts.
You need to be familiar with the use of Brackets, Powers, Indices, and Manipulation of Formulae.
You need a basic grounding in Physics and also reasonable Computer Literacy. You need to be able to understand and manipulate relevant formulae. But many useful formulae are on a Formula Sheet provided for the examinations, so you are not required to be able to remember them.
Examples of formulae and types of equations you will need to be able to read, understand and manipulate can be found in the Resource Centre.
2024-2025 Diploma Course Start Date
The Diploma course commences in September/October and study of the Modules extends until June the following year for completion of exams. (Except for the Project – the submission deadline for this is October of the following year).
Diploma Course Application Deadline
Registrations for the distance learning course commencing in October 2024 are required by 16 September 2024.
Distance Learning Fees
Approach Accredited Centres directly for their Diploma Fees.
Distance Learning Fees are based on attending one of four regional Hubs in Bristol, Trinity College Dublin, Napier University Edinburgh or Milton Keynes and your preferred lab school.
| DL Hub with University of Liverpool Lab School | £5000 |
| DL Hub with Trinity College Dublin Lab School | £5000 |
| DL Hub with Dubai Acoustics Research Laboratory (DARL) | £5500 |
Please note that all Diploma fees are payable in GBP and are subject to revision annually.
For further information on distance learning fees please contact education
ioa [dot] org [dot] uk.
Schedule and dates
Understand the timeline for application, payments, exams and coursework. Learn more about the Diploma dates.
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Pass Rate Success
is at least 70% of those who register obtain the Diploma!
Completing The Diploma
There are two ways you can study and complete your Diploma:
- Centre-Based
- Tutor-Assisted Distance Learning (DL) - being assigned to one of four regional hubs.
Learn more about the study options
Centre-Based
Four accredited centres will be running the IOA Diploma in 2024-25. These require regular attendance at the Centre. Learn more about the centres
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Tutor-Assisted Distance Learning (DL)
This option for studying the IOA Diploma is ideal for those in the UK living in regions where there isn’t a convenient Centre, and those living overseas. Rather than a purely online delivery, most teaching and learning for the Tutor-assisted distance learning version of the Diploma is delivered via in person tutorials. However the possibility of attending the tutorials online is available through the IOA headquarters at Milton Keynes.
Learn more about Tutor-Assisted Distance Learning
How to apply
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Accredited Centre Apply to one of four centres directly.
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Distance Learning Complete the online process.
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Information and queries For the Distance Learning option and the Institute's other educational programmes please contact education |
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Modules overview
It is the very nature and content of the IOA Diploma Modules that have consistently proven to be an exciting draw for students seeking a career in Acoustics.
Just glancing through the following module course content and structures will show you why the IOA Diploma is so unique and been a popular and well-received career-choice Diploma for thousands of students since 1975.
General Principles of Acoustics Module
The General Principles of Acoustics Module (GPA) lasts the longest since it introduces all of the ideas, definitions and concepts that are needed for subsequent course work. Read more about the module
Laboratory Module
The experiments for the Laboratory Module depend on the facilities at your chosen Centre, enabling hands-on experience. Read more about the module
Building Acoustics Module
The Specialist Module on Building Acoustics has 9 sections. Read more about the module
Environment Noise Module
This Specialist Module on Environmental Noise has 11 sections. Read more about the module
Noise & Vibration Control Engineering Module
This Specialist Module on Noise and Vibration Control Engineering has 11 sections. Read more about the module
Regulation & Assessment of Noise Module The specialist Module on Regulation and Assessment of Noise has 9 sections. Read more about the module
"This learning programme enables you to learn from the best acousticians in the world."
Uchita Jhaveri
how to apply Learn about preparation, eligibility and how to apply
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Assignments and assessments overview
2 x Coursework Assignments
There are two coursework assignments. One is more numerical in focus, the other more informal and conversational. The deadlines for these are in December and the following March. Read more about the assignment
Aim of The Assignments
The assignments test your ability to carry out relevant calculations to an extent that would not be reasonable under exam conditions and to encourage reading outside of the course material. Whenever possible they explore areas that of topical interest. Read more about the assignment
Written Exam
There is a 3-hour written examination for the Grade Point Average (GPA) in early June 2025. Read more about the written exam
Specialist Module Assessment
Each Specialist Module has a single coursework assignment which contributes 40% of the final mark for the Module. Read more about Specialist Module Assessment
"The IOA course notes are of very high quality and an essential reference."
Luis Gomez Agustina
how to apply Learn about preparation, eligibility and how to apply
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Completing the course overview
1 Year (12 months)
Completion within a Diploma year is preferred. However it may be possible to arrange taking the Diploma over more than a year. Note, however, to ensure the value of the Diploma as an up-to-date professional qualification, the Diploma should be completed within five years from initial registration of the course.
Laboratory School Sessions
Attendance at lab-school sessions is compulsory. Learn more about Laboratory School Sessions
Distance Learning Lab Schools For Distance Learning students, the laboratory module is delivered onsite at three centres. Learn more Accredited Laboratory Centres
Credit & QCF Rating
The IOA Diploma is regarded as a postgraduate qualification since usually the entry requirement is a relevant degree. However it does not itself entitle the holder to use post nominals. Learn more about credits
"Course tutors were brilliant, the cannot do enough to help."
Karl Roberts
how to apply Learn about preparation, eligibility and how to apply
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Careers overview
Range of fascinating fields
Become a Professional Acoustician through our IOA accredited acoustics course and a huge variety of attractive career opportunities open up to you in such fascinating fields. Learn more about the range of fields
Furthering Professional Development & Qualification
The IOA Diploma is only the start of what can become an immensely rewarding and satisfying career in Acoustics. Those who attain the IOA Diploma can go on to study Acoustics at Masters level. Learn more about professional development
Career Advancement
Once you have successfully completed your IOA Diploma, you will find many consultancies require new members of staff without previous experience to undertake the IOA Diploma and eventually to seek corporate membership of the IOA. Learn more about career advancement
IOA Membership
Successful Diploma candidates are given the opportunity to apply immediately for Associate Membership of the Institute. Learn more about IOA Membership
Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
Diploma graduates who obtain three Merits (including a Merit on the General Principles of Acoustics module (GPA)) may be considered to have met the M-level educational requirements for achieving Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through the IOA. Learn more about Chartered Engineer status
"It strengthened my position at the company and enabled me to progress."
Witold Mazur
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FAQs
But what exactly is Acoustics?
Acoustics is concerned with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound.
It comes from the Greek akoustos, meaning “heard.”
As a scientific discipline, Acoustics deals with the study of all mechanical waves in:
• Gases
• Liquids
• Solids
It includes:
• Vibration
• Sound
• Ultrasound
• Infrasound
Acoustics is all around us impacting the lives, health and wellbeing of people, animals, insects, and even the planet, no matter what time of day or night.
The effect of Acoustics can range from the ecstatic, joyous, life-affirming – to the irreparably damaging and detrimental, physically and emotionally.
Using the science of acoustics, therefore, is all about improving the quality of our lives and making a positive difference to people in many different social and natural environments.
The Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, started it all back in the 6th Century BC with his experiments on the properties of vibrating strings being produced by musical instruments.
That science has continued ever since, in all areas of society the world over.
There are many exciting and rewarding ways you too can contribute when starting your career in Acoustics through our unique sound design diploma.
"I wouldn’t have my acoustics job if I didn’t have the IOA diploma."
Karl Roberts
how to apply Learn about preparation, eligibility and how to apply
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