12Oct
UndergraduateCourse summary
Ready to turn up the volume? Dive into the exciting world of live sound and events with our Live Sound degree. This isn't your average course, it's your backstage pass to the heart of the music and events industry. Whether you live for a festival packed summer, geek out over sound systems, or dream of engineering sold-out arena shows, this three-year degree in Live Sound will give you the skills to make it. This cutting-edge, industry-focused course has been designed to shape the next generation of live sound engineers, combining rigorous technical training with hands-on experience. Over the three years you’ll become confident in areas such as Front of House (FOH) mixing, digital audio networking, advanced system optimisation, and audio console operations. But we're not just about pushing faders, you'll dive deep into the science of sound, acoustics, and sound systems design. As you progress, you'll gain experience in a wide range of live events, from club gigs, theatre productions, commercial events to festival stages. By your final year, you'll be planning and delivering major live productions and thanks to our industry connections, you'll have opportunities to work at real festivals, shadow pros at live events, and build a network that'll kickstart your career before you graduate. What really makes this course special - all practical elements take place in our specially designed teaching and performance spaces, in Bristol this is our Live Sound Hall and in Manchester this includes the 1,300 capacity working venue New Century. Why Choose This Course?
- Professional Grade Equipment: You'll be using professional-grade equipment from respected manufacturers such as LÁcousitcs, Allen & Heath, Martin Audio, Midas, Avid, Yamaha and d&b Audiotechnik.
- Industry Connections: You’ll gain extensive practical experience and build your network through our strong links with production companies, venues, events and festivals. This is real-world experience that will make you stand out as a live sound specialist.
- Thriving Industry: The UK Events Industry is a global leader, reaching a value of £34.3bn in 2023 and this degree will see you develop a versatile skillset from live music, theatre, commercial events to immersive audio experiences and installations that will open doors across the entire industry.
- Front of House & Signal Flow
- Applied Acoustics
- Loudspeaker Design
- Sound Culture
- Digital Mixing Techniques
- Live Sound & Pre-Production
- Digital Audio Fundamentals
- Sound System Theory & Application
- Audio Networking
- Digital Production Implementation
- Advanced Mixing Techniques
- Research Practice
- Investigation
- Live Sound Production: Planning
- Live sound Production: Delivery
- Advanced System Design & Optimisation
- Monitoring
- Research Project
Assessment method
Learning in both dBs' purpose-built spaces and public venues, you will become adept in live sound engineering; growing your skills in live sound production, system design, acoustics and more. You’ll get hands-on with a multitude of mixing consoles, working with some of the best speaker systems in the industry. In addition, your learning will be supported by practical workshops, lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and tutor and peer feedback on your work. Assessment Methods Assessments are 100% coursework. Written assignments. Presentations. Portfolio development of creative, practical and/or technical work.
How to apply
29Jan
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:
- W393
- Institution code:
- D16
- Campus name:
- DBS Institute Manchester
- Campus code:
- J
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We welcome applications from students wishing to transfer from their current course or to top up an FdA, HND or similar qualification. Year 2 Entry: 120 Credits Year 3 Entry: 240 Credits
International applicants
We regret that this course is not available to international applicants who would require a Student Visa. If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/all-courses/bsc-hons-live-sound#Section-how-to-apply
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, we accept a variety of English language tests. Where an offer of a place is conditional on you meeting our English language requirement, you will need to meet that condition before your offer is made unconditional and you can begin studying. We can only accept tests that have been completed within the last two years.
You can find full information of accepted qualification on our validating partner's website.
https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit 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 |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
dBs Institute
2 Mitchell Lane
Bristol
BS1 6BU