8Jun
UndergraduateCourse summary
OVERVIEW The BSc Music Technology provides students with the knowledge and practical experience to work in a range of areas within the creative music, audio and media sectors. The course will teach you to produce and process music and audio ready for distribution for applications including web and multimedia, film, animation, and computer games. You will also be involved in studio recording and production, location recording and audio post-production, electronic music composition and sound design. The Paisley Campus facilities include three professional industry-standard recording studios, two specialist iMac audio labs and students also have access to a live music venue This course offers areas of study that focus on developing high-calibre graduates ready for a successful career in the music and media industry. PRACTICAL FOCUS Throughout this course you will provide you the knowledge and practical experience needed to work in the creative music, audio and media sectors. You’ll develop a wide range of industry-relevant technical skills related to music and audio production. Teaching is delivered between two dedicated computer labs complete with two recording studios and a surround post-production suite which runs ProTools and Logic with a selection of outboard processing hardware catering for up to 24-channels of recording. You’ll also have access to industry standard software and hardware. Our Macs are equipped with the latest versions of Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro X, Final Cut X and Max for Live. In addition to having access to industry-standard facilities and eqiupment, you will also have regular input from guest speakers. Recent industry guest speakers include Derek Richards FSRA; Andrew Britton of BBC Scotland; Alan McEwan, Studio Manager Brick Lane Studios; and Ross Cooney of Street Jazz Music Group. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) and is an Avid Learning Partner (offering you the opportunity to gain ProTools certification). CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs Music Technology graduates have the technical skills, business awareness and networking abilities to secure roles in industries including: audio post-production; acoustics and live sound; broadcast audio; education; immersive game audio; music mixing & mastering; and video and media production. Career paths in the following areas include: acoustics (graduate trainee acoustician), audio post production (sound editor/dubbing engineer), music composition (composer, electronic musician), music production (studio recording/mixing/mastering engineer); live sound or broadcast (engineer); sound systems design and installation (engineer/consultant), sound design (audio for film, animation and games), theatre-sound (technical engineer), video post-production (editor/ADR), technical sales and management, and within further and higher education. Many graduates work as freelancers while some set up their own business. Further Study Many graduates have advanced their studies to master's degrees in music technology, audio technology and sound procduction.
Modules
In Year 1, you will be introduced to modern audio/music recording and production techniques through creating podcasts, studio recording projects with Apple Logic and Avid Pro Tools systems and creating computer based music. Within live sound and acoustics you will work with digital consoles, networked audio and small PA systems. You will also develop your appreciation of the scope of the music and media industry. In Year 2, studio recording and production techniques are further developed with a deeper focus on industry technical standards. You will study electronic music and understand MIDI control through composition and sound design in Ableton. Audio post production work enhances your skills in synchronisation, editing and processing techniques for deliverable media. Practical impulse response capture and room acoustics theory provides you with contextualised learning in reverberation, room design and acoustic analysis. Continuing studies in sound reinforcement theory and systems will culminate with group work and the technical production of a live music event. Year 3 will see you will work in small production teams with musicians and artists producing professional multi-song recordings (EP's), video and web content for promotional purposes for the artist. This will be used to showcase your employable skills within a portfolio context. Music and media industry business and legal aspects are studied in terms of employment and entrepreneurship. Audio processing is introduced through the creation of a suite of effects developed in Max For Live for Ableton Live. You will have an opportunity to participate in an optional music industry placement in the UK or abroad in a partner institution, such as the Harris Institute in Canada. The final year of studies, the honours year features an extensive individual project culminating in the production of a dissertation and portfolio assets. You can customise your topic to enable you to develop specialised knowledge and skills towards your area of interest for future employment. You will be required to raise the quality of your work to implement professional and European standards for the delivery of audio in stereo and surround formats. Using current industry relevant mastering plug-in software and applying your professional listening skills, you will finalise selected tracks and format them for distribution. You will produce and synchronise all the audio assets required to complete a sound track for an animated short film. Year 4 will also see you apply the principles of signal processing in the development of software synthesisers and generative MIDI sequencing devices using Max For Live in Ableton Live. Finally, you will further develop your sound design and audio post-production skills within a non-linear audio environment for the specific requirements of computer games.
Assessment method
This is a very practical-focused and assessed course. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and production workshops.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Joint Audio Media Education Services
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
25Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W350
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 114 points
A level - BBC
Scottish Higher - ABBB
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Year 1 entry with SWAP (BBB) Access to STEM.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 108 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
Additional entry requirements
Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £17250* | Year 1 |
| International | £17250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE