Course summary
Do you have a passion for music and sound? On this course, you’ll explore both the technical and creative aspects of sound, with plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the industry with real life briefs and masterclasses delivered by professionals. Whether you see your future in studio and live production or in a record label, composing or performing, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills with expert guidance, making use of industry-standard technology to compose, perform, record and produce original music. The music sector offers a range of different roles in different environments for you to explore and opportunities in the UK music industry are plentiful. An Audio and Music Production degree will help you develop your creativity, expand your skillset and learn key business tactics to graduate career-ready. This course has a shared first year across several specialisms. After first year, if you want to study a different specialism you can choose to change between: BA (Hons) Music Production; BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production; BA (Hons) Music Production and Business; and BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? BNU has been delivering courses in the music industry for over 25 years and we have a wealth of expertise in our network of lecturing staff, guest speakers, and alumni, all with a track record of success in a variety of roles in the music business internationally. You’ll get comprehensive training in key elements of music and audio production: studio production, music performance and composition, immersive audio techniques, critical listening and analysis, sound design, and live audio production techniques. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the ability to project manage yourself and a portfolio crammed with real life experience. All our music degrees at BNU come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP), a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music. What will I study? Study both software and hardware to learn the best ways to record, mix and produce audio content for different systems. You'll work on real-life projects and collaborate with students from other courses on projects ranging from the screen to the stage. You'll also learn relevant business skills to help you tackle the challenges freelancers can face, including finance and legal guidance. This is a very practical, detailed course, and you'll also learn about the music and entertainment industries from experienced professionals. Depending your chosen modules, you could also gain skills in performing, song composition, artist management, and create a substantial portfolio. This course is also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree. What facilities can I use? Our state-of-the-art recording studios and Dolby Atmos certified sound lab give you access to the space and technology you need. From individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools Ultimate studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths, we have it all to help you gain hands-on experience. Equipment across our studios includes: a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 speaker system, an Avid S6 console, an Avid D-Command control surface and 24 channels of Focusrite ISA828 microphone preamps, an Avid S3/S4 control surfaces and UAD Apollo x8 audio interfaces, Genelec studio monitoring and KRK stereo systems. Find out more about our equipment on our website.
Modules
Modules will vary depending on the pathway you choose. Year One Core Audio Production Technologies (20 credits); Live Audio (20 credits); Sound Design for Moving Image (20 credits); Recording & Mixing Techniques (20 credits); Entertainment Industry Framework (20 credits). Year Two Core Live Production Technology (20 credits); Creative Audio Production (20 credits); Research Methods (20 credits) Optional Choose modules to the total of 40 credits: Location Sound & Post-production (20 credits); Sound Design for Non-linear media (20 credits); Electronic Production Techniques (20 credits); Music Publishing (20 credits); Music Publishing (Placement) (20 credits). Year Three Core Creative Audio Project (20 credits); Professional Production Project (20 credits); Dissertation/Independent Work (40 credits) Optional Choose modules to the total of 40 credits: Immersive Audio Techniques (20 credits); Creative Performance Technology (20 credits); Sound Design & Sonic Installation (20 credits); Performance Application or Strategy (20 credits); A&R (20 credits)
Assessment method
Our teaching staff have a wealth of professional and academic experience, with many still actively working in the music industry. You’ll also engage with our dynamic programme of visiting lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities. Previous live-industry briefs have seen students work at Glastonbury, Dolby and Pinewood Studios. You'll also get the chance to work with up and coming music artists. Previous artists have included the Ting Tings, Jake Bugg, and Florence and the Machine. You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you be able to make friends for life, you’ll also make important connections that could last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working-world. A variety of assessment methods will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including essays, reports, portfolios of creative audio content, written evaluations, presentations, and some continuous assessment on practical tasks. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.
How to apply
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:
- J930
- Institution code:
- B94
- Campus name:
- High Wycombe Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 88 - 112 points
A level - BCC - CCD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM - MMP
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.
BNU English Language Requirements
Student Outcomes
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
England | £9250* | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250* | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
Provider information
Buckinghamshire New University
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ