Julez Redding is one of our newest team members. Here Julez updates us on his studies over the last year…
AJA: What have you been up to since becoming part of the AJA team?
Julez: When I joined AJA last July, I was encouraged to enrol on the Institute of Acoustics‘ post-graduate diploma as an ideal way to refresh my knowledge of acoustics fundamentals and expand my understanding of other aspects of acoustics relevant to my work. The wide range of topics covered in the diploma made it an obvious choice for me.
AJA: Can you describe what the course entails and what sets it apart from other programmes?
Julez: In the UK, this postgraduate Acoustics course is unique. It goes beyond just academic theory by focusing on real-world scenarios applicable to consultants or those in acoustics-related fields, such as local planning authorities. The course includes teaching modules (involving monthly full-day tutorials, and coursework assignments), two trips to the University of Liverpool’s Acoustics Research Unit in the Laboratory module, and an extensive research Project.
Julez: As well as the fundamentals, the teaching modules allow students to choose two specialist subjects (I chose Building Acoustics and Environmental Noise) that focus more closely on areas of personal or professional interest.
Julez: The Diploma Project is similar to an undergraduate dissertation, allowing students to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice within the field of acoustics. It involves a literature review, an experiment, a short presentation, and a written report.
AJA: How long is the course and what are the time commitments?
Julez: One year – my course started in October 2022 with exams in June 2023, and my final Project deadline is in October 2023. Outside of the contact time, I found that dedicating 5-10 hours per tutorial to reading in advance was beneficial. The coursework assignments and lab reports needed about 10-12 hours each for completion, and the Project demands about 60-100 hours of work over the course of the year.
AJA: How many students are in your cohort?
Julez: The Milton Keynes/International cohort consists of about 40 students, mostly from the UK but with a significant number of international students hailing from Australia, Tanzania, Malaysia, India and from across the Middle East, to name a few.
AJA: What have been the highlights of the course?
Julez: The lab sessions in Liverpool were undoubtedly my personal highlights. They offered practical, firsthand learning experiences and provided opportunities to meet fellow students from around the world, with diverse professional backgrounds. These overnight trips allowed for socialising after-hours, including a guided tour of the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts.
AJA: Would you recommend the course for aspiring acoustics professionals?
Julez: The content of the course is top quality, and as someone new to the industry, it has given me great opportunities to meet other professional peers from across the UK and the world. It’s a big commitment of time and effort, but yes, I would recommend it.
For more information about the IoA diploma, visit the IoA website here or view the syllabus here.