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Live Sound at dBs Institute - UCAS

dBs Institute

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: Falmouth University

Live Sound

Course options

2026 - 2027
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This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Course summary

This course is designed for aspiring live sound professionals who want to take control of the technical side of gigs, concerts, and festivals. You’ll build advanced skills in audio engineering, system design, and front-of-house mixing while gaining real-world experience delivering shows and working directly with artists and event teams. You’ll explore the science and systems behind professional live audio, from signal flow, acoustics, and loudspeaker design to digital mixing, computer-based audio networks, and immersive sound formats. Alongside deep technical training, you’ll develop practical skills in stage planning, system setup, troubleshooting, and logistics. This blend of theory and hands-on experience prepares you for a wide range of roles across the live music industry. Optional modules in live recording & broadcast, festival production, and industry leadership let you specialise and develop your own professional direction. As part of a collaborative community with producers, performers, event managers, and technicians, you’ll work on real shows and build connections that reflect how live events happen in the industry. Whether you're aiming to tour with artists, run sound at major venues, or manage complex audio systems, this course gives you the technical precision and professional experience to succeed. Why you'll love this course

  • Learn from working pros - Your tutors aren’t just educators, they’re live engineers, tour techs and system specialists with years of live event experience. You’ll train with people who know exactly what the job demands, and how to prepare you for it.
  • Train in real venues - From the start of your course, you’ll be mixing shows, building rigs and solving problems in live environments. Whether it’s rehearsal spaces, venues or festivals, you’ll train where the work happens.
  • Shape your studies to your ambitions - Specialise in areas aligned to your goals, from immersive audio and loudspeaker system design to live recording and festival production. Option modules allow you to shape your skillset and align it with your career goals.
Year 1 In Year 1, you’ll build a strong foundation in live sound by exploring both the practical and scientific principles behind professional audio. You’ll learn how sound behaves in different environments through the study of acoustics, signal flow, and frequency response, while developing hands-on skills in front-of-house mixing, loudspeaker setup, and pre-production planning. This year equips you with the technical fluency and theoretical grounding needed to design, deliver, and troubleshoot live sound systems confidently. Year 2 In Year 2, you’ll advance your technical knowledge and creative fluency through core modules in immersive audio, digital systems, and audio networking. You’ll learn how to design and deliver exceptional sound across stereo, multichannel, and spatial formats, as well as manage the operational side of events with training in logistics, sustainability, and health and safety. Optional modules let you explore broadcast sound, advanced mixing, or integrative performance technologies, supporting both specialisation and versatility. Year 3 In Year 3, you’ll focus on innovation, leadership, and professional delivery. You’ll undertake two major self-directed projects: one that explores emerging approaches in live or immersive sound, and another that builds a professional portfolio aligned to your career goals. You can tailor your direction further with options in system design, festival production, or collaborative practice. By the end of the course, you’ll graduate with the creative insight, technical mastery, and real-world experience needed to succeed in today’s live sound industry.

Modules

Year 1 - Core Modules

  • Industry Foundations
  • Front of House & Signal Flow
  • Sound Fundamentals
  • Digital Mixing Techniques
  • Sound Reinforcement: Loudspeakers & Amplifiers
  • Live Sound Planning & Pre-Production
Year 2 - Core Modules
  • Industry Practice
  • Sound System Theory & Application
  • Computer Systems & Audio Networks
  • Creative Research Practice
  • Immersive Audio
Year 2 - Option Modules
  • Live Recording & Broadcast
  • Advanced Mixing Techniques
  • Marketing & Promotion
  • Integrative Performance Technologies
Year 3 - Core Modules
  • Innovation: Exploration
  • Industry Portfolio Development
  • Innovation: Realisation
  • Industry Portfolio Delivery
Year 3 - Option Modules
  • Music Education & Wellbeing Practice
  • Advanced System Design & Acoustics
  • Management & Leadership in the Music Industry
  • Collaborative Creative Practice
  • Sound Cultures
  • Festival Production: Sound, Staging and Technical Design
Please note. Option modules are subject to availability and may change, depending on factors such as demand, staffing and timetabling. As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.

Assessment method

Learning is hands-on, technically focused, and rooted in real-world live sound engineering. You’ll work in professional venues, audio labs, and studio environments using industry-standard tools such as digital desks, loudspeaker arrays, signal processors, and computer-based audio systems. Your development is supported through workshops, seminars, practical briefs, and live event projects. These experiences help you build confidence in front-of-house mixing, system optimisation, and production delivery. Assessment methods:

  • Assessments are 100% coursework
  • Portfolio development of live performance, creative, practical and/or technical work.‍
‍- Written assignments.
  • Presentations.

How to apply

14Jan

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:
W482
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

International applicants

We regret that this course is not available to international applicants who would require a Student Visa. At this time, we are currently unable to accept international students on our on-campus undergraduate degree programmes. Students who hold settled or pre-settled status may qualify, more detail can be found on our website.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Who's this course for? We’re looking for the technical backbone of the music world. The ones who’ve been behind the desk at local gigs, volunteered as tech crew, or spent hours learning how to get the perfect sound. You might not want the spotlight, but you care deeply about delivering exceptional audio for artists and audiences. You’re calm under pressure, obsessed with signal flow, and always thinking two steps ahead of the mix. This course is for those ready to turn their passion for live sound into a highly skilled, future-proof career in the audio industry.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/all-courses/ba-hons-live-sound#section-who-is-this-for

Additional entry requirements

Interview

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 £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 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.
Live Sound at dBs Institute - UCAS