MSc in Sound and Vibration

Sound and vibrations represent some of our key sources of information from our surroundings. Their properties are critical for the quality of vehicles such as trains and passenger cars, outdoor, indoor, and virtual environments, communication systems, and more.

A lack of quality and forethought in these areas can lead to serious health effects, sleep disturbance, and stress, impacting people's well-being and public health. This master's program exists, therefore, to educate engineers who want to create a better acoustic world. The program is unique in Sweden, and its breadth within acoustics engineering places it in rare companies in Europe and worldwide. You will receive a broad education in the interdisciplinary field of acoustics, incorporating subjects as diverse as physics, mechanics, physiology, signal processing, psychology, and electrical engineering.

The program structure allows for specializations in different areas such as noise control engineering, architectural acoustics, environmental acoustics, and audio technology. Cooperation with other master's programs within Chalmers, as well as at other Scandinavian and European universities, enables the range of specializations to be extended further still.

The program places a strong emphasis on links between theory and practical application, with a focus on identifying and solving problems through experimental investigations, physical reasoning, analytical models, and numerical methods. This is done through project work in small groups guided by expert teachers, as well as access to experimental facilities specifically tailored to this purpose.

The subjects of acoustics, noise control, and audio technology are fundamental areas in the program. Other courses available handle topics such as technical acoustics, sound planning, musical acoustics, vehicle acoustics, and building acoustics.

After graduation, you will have great opportunities to work in many different sectors as a specialist in sound and vibration, from the vehicle industry to audio technology and much more.

Career opportunities

The educational profile in the Sound and vibration master's at Chalmers enables you to find professional opportunities as a specialist all over the world, especially in Europe where there is a strong need for specialists in the field. Typical examples of career opportunities as a specialist in sound and vibration can be found in:

• Acoustic consultancies working with product development, environmental noise, architectural acoustics, or building acoustics. Traditionally, the building industry does not have its own specialists in the area but relies on consultants.
• The automotive industry has its own departments dealing with sound and vibration properties.
• The communication industry, where sound is important for the quality of products and services.
• Audio equipment manufacturers deliver both software and hardware for consumers and for professional customers.
• Public organizations concerned with environmental issues, housing, traffic planning, and health.

Graduates from the program can be found at companies such as Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, Sony Ericsson, WSP, AFRY, SWECO, Brekke & Strand, Cochlear, Sigma Connectivity, and Zound Industries.

General entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Technology, or Architecture

To fulfill the general entry requirement for a Master's program at Chalmers (at advanced level/the second cycle), the prospective student must hold a degree that is equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years, 180 Swedish higher education credits) in either Science, Engineering, Technology or Architecture.

• All applicants must document their formal academic qualifications to prove their eligibility. Only documentation from internationally recognized universities will be approved by the Swedish Council for Higher Education which manages the website universityadmissions.se.
• If an applicant is also a holder of a second degree such as a Master's degree, that may be to fulfill specific (course) requirements, it cannot be used to fulfill the general entry requirement on its own.

In your final year of Bachelor's Studies

Students in their last year of studies who don't yet have documentation of their soon-to-be-completed degree can be accepted.

Restrictions

Degrees that are constructed on one another cannot consist of the same course

Applicants who fulfill the general entry requirements for the second cycle (master’s level) programs and eventually specific entry requirements can be admitted to a master’s program. Applicants cannot be evaluated as unqualified in the qualifying academic merits which include courses from the program’s plan in those programs that they have applied for if that occurs.

Courses included in an earned first cycle degree (bachelor’s level) or professional qualification of at least 180 cr. (180hp) or the equivalent foreign qualification that are prerequisites for master’s qualifications may not be included in the higher qualifications. This also applies to prerequisite courses for master’s programs, regardless of whether they are included in the underlying qualification. *

*) Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology - first and second cycle qualifications.

Restrictions for Citizens from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Chalmers cannot admit applicants with citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea only to any program or course, due to the Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 of 30 August 2017 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and repealing Regulation (EC) 329/2007.

For applicants with double citizenship of which one is of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the other of another country, the citizenship of the other country has precedence in this respect.​

Study the Swedish way at Chalmers University of Technology

Providing a comprehensive education in science, engineering, technology and architecture, Chalmers University of Technology is one of Scandinavia’s most respected universities, and consistently ranks highly among the world’s best. Chalmers is a household name in Sweden, regarded as the most reputable and well-known University in the country.

When you study at Chalmers University of Technology, you become part of a rich and diverse culture stretching back to 1829. Alongside the world-class facilities and faculty, the student life is full of fun and adventure, with hundreds of clubs and societies offering everything from ballooning, robotics and jazz to theatrical and sports clubs. This side of student life is deeply embedded in the Chalmers spirit, with more than half of our students involved in the cultural life of the University in this way.

And when it comes to the education and research at Chalmers, you will find that you are right at the cutting edge of your field. With over two centuries’ worth of excellence brought thoroughly up to date with modern infrastructure and teaching methods, here you will encounter a very particular way of doing things. When you study at Chalmers, you learn to think independently, using engineering methods in innovative ways to tackle the biggest challenges facing society, from climate change to the digital revolution. We encourage your creativity, and believe in the importance of free thinking. To facilitate openness and cooperation between students and teachers, we pursue a classically Scandinavian atmosphere, one that is truly informal and non-hierarchical – the Swedish way.

And alongside a world-class education, when you study at Chalmers, you will also get the chance to live in one of the most stunning and distinct cities in all of Europe. Our campus is situated right in the heart of Gothenburg, on Sweden’s beautiful west coast – one of the world’s greenest cities, built around forests, lakes, islands and rivers. But Gothenburg is also celebrated for its unique social atmosphere — a perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city energy. Consistently ranked as the friendliest and most sociable city in Sweden, Gothenburg has a spontaneous and relaxed atmosphere that sets it apart from many other university towns in Scandinavia and Europe.

Sustainability, entrepreneurship and equality are essential aspects of everything we do at Chalmers. Through project-based assignments, we provide hands-on, collaborative experience, focusing on applying theoretical knowledge to solve current and future problems. We have excellent connections with many relevant industrial and social partners, including local giants such as Volvo, SKF, and AstraZeneca, ensuring that our research and education is always closely aligned to real-world challenges and applications. Our global focus attracts students and staff from around 70 countries, and we offer around 40 master’s programmes taught entirely in English — preparing you for a truly international career.

Chalmers University of Technology is an exciting and dynamic university, in a beautiful and unique city. Our motto today remains the same as it was in 1829: Avancez — forward.