Chris Watts

Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control

Chris Watts graduated from Colchester Institute in 2007, with the Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control. Chris was working as a technical specialist at Xerox Ltd, with the responsibility of acoustics conformance testing of prototype office products. Therefore, he had hands on experience in the field of product noise testing. However, he lacked the formal qualification which could help him progress in this area.

Chris drove an hour each way from his home in Welwyn Garden City to study part-time at the College. He chose Colchester Institute because very few institutions near his home town offered the course and the College was recommended to him by his department head, who had studied for the same qualification around ten years ago.

On his time at Colchester Institute, Chris said, “Colchester Institute is a busy and diverse learning environment; however, it still manages to excel in specialist areas such as acoustics.”

Chris previously gained formal qualifications through the Open University, including BSc modules in Science, Design and Technology. However, he was pleased to work alongside classmates again. He said, “I enjoyed learning with others once again in a classroom environment; this provides stimulus and feedback immediately, something that distance learning courses can not deliver.”

Since graduating from Colchester Institute, Chris has become an AMIOA, Associate Member of the Institute of Acoustics and is working towards the MSc in Applied Acoustics with Derby University. From this he hopes to upgrade his status to a Member of the Institute of Acoustics and work towards achieving Chartered status.

Outside of work and study, Chris likes to find time to read thrillers, watch Formula One motor racing and likes learning to cook.