Skip navigation
Audio and Music Technology with Foundation Year at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

Looking for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art recording studios, with industry-standard equipment? What about a course that will help you develop a network of industry contacts before even starting your career? BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Technology provides a deep dive into the technical side of making music. You’ll work with industry experts and master the arts of producing music. You will have opportunities to use everything from our cutting-edge Dolby Atmos Studio to an array of traditional audio recording equipment. This course has an initial Foundation Year, which 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 your undergraduate degree. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? BNU has been delivering courses in the music industry for over 25 years. We have a wealth of expertise from within our network of lecturing staff, guest speakers, and alumni, all with a track record of success in a wide variety of roles in the music business internationally. The course lecturers have a massive amount of experience. They have millions of record sales between them as engineers. The entire music department at BNU has fantastic industry links with the likes of Harman/JBL, Focusrite and Dolby. Our Dolby Atmos studio is 2nd to none in the UK education sector. What will I study? In the Foundation Year of this four-year course, you’ll build essential academic study skills. This year will help you gain confidence in your abilities. You’ll also identify your strengths and areas for development. Together, these will prepare you for progression to the undergraduate degree. BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Technology will equip you with the technical, theoretical, and practical skills necessary for employment in the creative industries. The course covers various aspects of audio and music technology, including the science of sound, sound theory, studio production, creative coding, immersive audio techniques, critical listening, sound design, and live audio production. You'll also conduct original research in areas like sound design, audio production, and technology-based projects. This will allow you to hone your academic skills, through independent learning. We aim to help improve your entrepreneurial and networking skills and help you build a strong portfolio to kickstart your career. 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.

  • Studio 1 boasts a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 speaker system and an Avid S6 console. We are one of the first Universities in the UK to adopt Dolby Atmos into a music environment. Find out more about Studio 1 in this tour.
  • Studio 2 features an Audient ASP8024 Mixing desk, with outboard equipment by Neve, Universal Audio, Teletronix, Focusrite, Tegler, Maag, Manley and others. It also has monitoring by Genelec and Adam Audio.
  • Studio three and the Electronic Music Studio are based around Avid S3/S4 control surfaces and UAD Apollo x8 audio interfaces.
  • The edit booths are equipped with microphone preamps from Avid.
  • Our microphone stock includes Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Shure, Rode and Electrovoice.
  • Studio monitoring includes 5.1 systems by Genelec and stereo systems by KRK.
All studios feature a full range of plug-ins including RX3, Ozone6, Komplete and Speakerphone. We have other top-quality suppliers, including Midas, Focusrite, Novation and AC Lighting, so you can get your hands on the same tools as the best in the business. Visit this course on our website for full details of our studio equipment.

Modules

Foundation Year Modules Live Performance Practice Introduction to Popular Music Introduction to Composition Introduction to Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Review Final Project Year one Audio Production Technologies Recording & Mixing Techniques Computer Programming for Audio Applications Programming Concepts Acoustic Principles & Technologies Year two Core Modules Audio Electronics Object-Oriented Programming Research Methods Optional Modules Creative Audio Production Sound Design for Non-Linear Media Electronic Production Techniques Location Sound & Audio Post-Production Sound Design Projects Music Publishing Placement Year three Core Modules Dissertation/Independent Work Technologically Mediated Project Analogue & Digital Music Systems Optional Modules Immersive Audio Techniques Professional Production Project Game Audio: Theories and Practices Sound Design Final Portfolio Sound Design & Sonic Installation Podcasting: Creation & Production

Assessment method

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. We prioritise helping you develop strong industry connections. So we have modules working with real companies like Focusrite, allowing you to hone your skills and grow your industry connections in a real-life setting. 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.

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

Application codes

Course code:
ADM4
Institution code:
B94
Campus name:
High Wycombe Campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6We 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

https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
65%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
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

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

Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to: - Text books and supplementary reading materials - Specialised equipment or resources required for specific courses - Field trips, placements, or external activities - Printing, photocopying, and binding - Accommodation, travel, and living expenses Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies. For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding

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.

Audio and Music Technology with Foundation Year at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS