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Apply for a range of membership grades at the IOA
There are several grades within the Institute and eligibility depends upon the qualifications and experience of the applicant. In general the following requirements will be acceptable: Recognised educational qualifications at a sufficient level from a wide variety of relevant disciplines. Evidence that the candidate has been applying his or her knowledge to some branch of acoustics. A period of relevant work experience in addition to the academic requirements.
Let's start with choosing your grade. There's a range of grades available, each has a set of specific requirements.
We'll quickly work through a few questions to ensure your selection is the best fit.
It's in your interests to answer each question accurately and truthfully.
Firstly, have you reviewed the membership grade types and have a good understanding?
The IOA accepts individuals from a wide-range of backgrounds. Please email education@ioa.org.uk with your specific situation for us to help you with next best steps.
Please choose from the following grades
Great. Let's run through a couple of checks to ensure that, selected grade is the best grade for you.
Does this description sound like a good fit for you: Those with Education in Acoustics working in the industry on a more peripheral way, such as department technicians.
Next, education. Are you educated in Acoustics Certificate of Competence or equivalent?
Have you gained 12 months experience post suitable education?
And finally, do you have a Corporate Proposer (HonFellow/Fellow/Member) at the IOA?
Great, you meet all the requirements for Technician grade. Let's move on to completing your personal details.
The Institute of Acoustics is committed to equality of opportunity, to tackling barriers to participation in its activities, and to creating an inclusive culture that values people’s differences and supports all to reach their full potential. By completing this form, you will help us understand the current diversity of the IOA’s membership and develop actions to enhance inclusivity and equality of opportunity across our membership.
The information you supply on this form will be kept confidential and will be used only as part of anonymous analyses of the diversity of our membership, to inform EDI actions and monitor effectiveness of actions undertaken.
Under the Equality Act 2010, a person is considered to be disabled 'if they have a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on [their] ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
In Northern Ireland, Disability is defined in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
There's three parts to details: personal information, contact and diversity, equality and inclusivity.
Next, your contact details. It’s mandatory to add work and personal contact details in case you move jobs or change email accounts.
Last in details, complete the equal opportunity questions. We take DEI seriously at IOA.
The IOA recognise the following qualification as automatic acceptance. If your education is not listed, please provide information on the acoustic content and number of acoustic related credits.
Edinburgh Acoustics and Music Technology BSc (Hons) Acoustics and Music Technology MSc
Salford Acoustical and Audio Engineering BEng (Hons) Acoustical and Audio Engineering MEng (Hons) MSc/PgDip Audio Acoustics
ISVR Acoustics with Music BSc (Hons) Acoustical Engineering BEng (Hons) Acoustical Engineering MEng (Hons)
Derby Applied Acoustics MSc
LSBU Environmental and Architectural Acoustics MSc Technician Apprenticeship in Acoustics
Leeds Beckett MSc Acoustics (Top-Up)
Courses meeting Criteria if project includes Acoustics
Surrey Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) BMus(Hons) / BSc(Hons)
Salford Sound Engineering and Production BEng (Hons)
Derby MSc Audio Engineering
York MSc Audio and Music Technology
Birmingham City: Sound Engineering and Production BSc (Hons)
List, in chronological order, educational/academic establishments attended.
Give dates of attendance and course(s) completed with title and grade of award.
Enclose photocopies of all relevant further education (post 'A' level) certificates/awards with the completed application form.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, pdf, doc, docx, webp
Next add membership of other professional organisations.
Finally add any other relevant information to support your application.
Please select if your are registered with the Engineering Council.
This should be completed in chronological order giving appropriate dates and durations. Applicants should indicate clearly the nature of the work undertaken (not merely state the job title) and should also make clear the level of responsibility attached to their work in acoustics. Failure to provide sufficient detail is likely to cause delay in processing or even outright refusal of the application. Only experience relevant to this application should be included.
Professional development
Under the Code and Rules of Conduct, members undertake to upgrade their professional knowledge and skill and to maintain awareness of developments in their field. Applicants are invited to provide evidence of their professional development, if available, over the preceding year in support of their application. Such evidence may include:
List each item of your experience
Next, add any items of professional development
I, the undersigned, having applied for membership of the Institute of Acoustics, hereby declare that if elected I will be governed by the Articles, By-laws, Rules and Regulations of the Institute from time to time in force; and that whilst a member of the Institute, I will advance the aims and objects of the Institute as far as shall be in my power; I also undertake that I will forthwith cease to exercise any of the privileges of membership on receipt of a notice from the Honorary Secretary that in accordance with some one or more of the Articles I have been declared to be no longer a member of the Institute and I will forthwith, upon ceasing to be a member return any books, papers or other property belonging to the Institute, or for which the Institute is responsible, in my possession or entrusted to me. AS WITNESS my hand
Next search your proposer from the IOA directory. They will be able to personally validate your application.
Firstly read the declaration and sign to declare the application, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and correct in every particular.
Thank you for your application.
Your application has been sent to your sponsor for review and approval.
Once they have completed their endorsement it will await review by the membership commitee. Should they require any further evidence or any to a query, you will hear via email.
Until your reviewer undertakes their review, you can revise your application answers by selecting the appropriate stage in the application journey, available in Your Account, once logged in.