About this course
This programme prepares students from varied backgrounds for work in the fields of forensic audio and audio restoration utilising state-of-the-art methods and technology.
- Whether you want to use your experience and skills to help fight crime in the digital age or preserve our media heritage for the future, this is the course for you
- The course will help you convert and apply your Audio/Science skills, qualifications and experience to enhance your employability in the new emerging industries of Audio Forensics and Media Restoration
- The course has been designed specifically to meet the needs of exacting standards of each industry
- On completion of the course you will emerge well prepared to develop a career in both areas of study
- The Audio Forensics and Restoration Masters is ideal for those who have a strong interest in: Audio archiving, Sound preservation and Restoration, Modern CSI techniques, Audio forensics with expert witness disciplines, Evidence analysis, Audio processing
The processes and techniques taught across the course are fully integrated and complementary. They are designed specifically to help you convert your current related qualifications and skills into high value specialisms that can serve the many industries requiring qualified, informed audio expertise.
The Audio Forensics modules will equip you for a career working with or for the police, supporting investigations as a modern digital forensic provider. Further skills gained from the Expert Witness module will open up additional opportunities in the emerging professional private investigative services. The ability to authenticate, analyse and enhance audio evidence to the exacting standards required by law is now one of the most sought after technical skills in the crime detection portfolio.
The restoration modules are designed specifically to build and broaden audio skills. They will equip you with the knowledge to confidently operate and support the exciting new areas in commercial media that are making 20th Century media accessible to a 21st Century audience. Preparing classic film soundtracks for re-release, preserving archive musical performances and restoring analogue recording for modern streaming distribution are just some of the exciting new careers emerging thanks to the digital tools you will be using on this course.
After completion of this course you will not only be suitably equipped to operate within the proposed ISO frameworks of Modern Digital Forensic Services but fully prepared to utilise your skills for enhanced employability in specialist areas of the modern media industry.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Audio Forensics Theory and Practice
30 credits
30 credits
This module will provide students with a thorough understanding of the relevant skills, processes and procedures pertinent to their potential role as an Audio Forensic Specialist. The focus will be on many common audio forensic real life situations although there may be scope to specialise in specific areas of the industry.
Audio Restoration Theory and Practice
30 credits
30 credits
This module will provide students with a thorough understanding of the relevant skills, processes and procedures pertinent to their potential role as an Audio Restoration Specialist. The focus will be on many common audio legacy formats although there may be scope to specialise in specific areas of the industry.
Enterprise and the Commercial Context
20 credits
20 credits
This module complements the technical and practical competencies of the other modules by creating an awareness of the current commercial, legal and regulatory environment of the industry and the agencies which comprise it. It is a vehicle for the exploration, debate and formulation of relevant principles and practice.
Legacy Media Formats
10 credits
10 credits
This module will explore various methods of storing and reproducing representations of media in a variety of legacy formats.
Law and Court Room Skills
20 credits
20 credits
This module discusses the criminal justice systems under which a Forensic Scientist may work and examines expert witness testimony. Aspects of regulation and quality assurance are touched upon.
Research Skills
10 credits
10 credits
The module will help prepare you to undertake your own research project and deliver the required skill set for successful completion of your investigations.
MSc Dissertation
60 credits
60 credits
This project module provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to drive your own deep/thorough investigation, undertake high quality academic research and demonstrate critical evaluation of your results.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Classroom contact is approximately 13 hours per week in Semester 1, and 11 hours per week in Semester 2. Self-study would bring the total study time to 60 hours per week.
Teaching methods
Teaching within modules normally involves delivering lectures to students in order to deliver core knowledge and underpinning theory which is reinforced by the use of tutorials and practice sessions. During the practice sessions a student-centred approach is normally taken, aimed at encouraging students to “learn by doing”.
Applied learning
Learning is heavily focused on applied learning related to audio restoration/forensics. The assessment philosophy is 'learn by doing'.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The specialist rooms include:
- Broadcast Studio (TV & Radio) (534)
- Studio Gallery (532)
- Media Computing Suite MAC computers (5.29a)
- Radio Room (5.29b)
- Recording Studio (5.29c)
- Sound Booth (512)
The department has a range of subject specific software for audio and video editing & production, including:
- Amped5
- Amped Authenticate
- Izotope RX
- Adobe Suite
- ProTools Premiere
- Pro Logic
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Colin Robinson
Programme Leader
The opportunity to work with people who will be using their training with us to make such a positive impact on our lives is always an exciting prospect. But knowing that the skills and disciplines being taught here will be helping support efficient and effective crime fighting is priceless.
The opportunity to work with people who will be using their training with us to make such a positive impact on our lives is always an exciting prospect. But knowing that the skills and disciplines being taught here will be helping support efficient and effective crime fighting is priceless.
Colin Robinson brings decades of professional audio and related media expertise, with 12 years hands-on teaching of Broadcasting, Acoustics, Audio Restoration and Audio and Video Forensics to his role as programme leader to this new one of a kind MSc. Always looking for new and exciting ways to develop materials and methods to enhance the learning process, he has built an impressive portfolio of student focused education initiatives, counting Sir David Attenborough, Sir Ken Robinson, Steve Backshall and The BBC Listening Project amongst his high-profile collaborators. He now devotes his time to research and educating with the new exciting digital tools and disciplines that support forensic investigations.
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Lecturer/Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Graduates might choose to pursue career as one of the following:
- Audio Forensic Specialist
- Audio Restoration Specialist
- Multimedia Restoration Specialist
- Digital CSI technician
- Academic research and education
- Private Audio forensic expert witness
- Corporate archivist
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
- Home fee:
- £10,415
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
- International fee:
- £18,250
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Early Bird Tuition Fee discount
We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.
To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- A 2.2 Honours degree or above in Audio Production, Audio Technology, Sound Technology, or a related audio discipline
or
- A 2.2 Honours degree or above in Forensic Science, Mathematics or a physical science, together with experience in a relevant field,
or
- A degree with industrial experience or relevant postgraduate experience,
or
- Other qualifications or relevant experience within the audio industry deemed to be equivalent to the above. In particular, mature students must provide evidence of adequate educational and/or industrial experience to assure a reasonable chance of success on the award programme. These applications will be considered by the Programme Leader and the Subject Head.
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS English language requirement: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Postgraduate life at LJMU
See the amazing support you will get from the university, the academic expertise of the staff here, the first-class learning environment, fabulous libraries, excellent career guidance and their ongoing love affair with the city of Liverpool.
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your campus
We’re very proud of our campuses. Not only because they provide a modern and inspiring learning space for all our students but also because they’re a place people really want to be.
Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Europe's most dynamic and cultured cities. Come find out why it's a great city to study in.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Talk to our students
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See what our students are saying
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News and views
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.