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Music Production & Sound Design at dBs Institute - UCAS

dBs Institute

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: Falmouth University

Music Production & Sound Design

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

The BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Design course is for artists, technologists and creative producers who are interested in sound design, audio programming, and pushing the creative potential of technology. You’ll explore key areas of practice including synthesis and sound design, audio programming fundamentals, location recording, Foley and creative coding. From experimental sound art to immersive installations, the course supports a wide range of creative approaches. You’ll work on briefs that reflect real-world workflows, gaining experience in developing original tools, interactive sound systems and sound design for various media. Optional modules in years 2 and 3 allow you to specialise or diversify across areas such as immersive audio, hardware production, integrative performance technologies, post-production, and marketing and promotion. You’ll also collaborate with students from across our other specialist music degrees, including composers, producers, and technologists, building a network that reflects the creative industries. Whether you want to create immersive sound environments, develop interactive audio systems or push the boundaries of sonic creativity through coding and experimentation, this course gives you the skills, insight and flexibility to shape your own professional path. Why you'll love this course

  • Become Sound Design Specialist - Through your exploration of core skills in music production, location recording, Foley and creative coding, you will develop your creative identity and learn how to craft innovative sound work across a variety of media and performance contexts.
  • Shape your learning experience - Deepen or diversify your skill set with optional modules in commercial production, performance technologies, immersive audio, composition & arrangement and many more.
  • Connect with the industry - Forge connections with sound artists, audio programmers, creative technologists and industry professionals through guest lectures, workshops and live briefs.
Year 1 In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in music production, synthesis, sound design, and audio programming. You’ll explore essential skills in location recording and Foley, alongside modules focused on mixing and sound design. This year introduces key tools, workflows and concepts, supporting your development of a unique creative voice through practical projects and experimentation. Year 2 In year 2, you’ll deepen your skills in creative coding, sound design, and production, with core modules such as creative coding and sound design & middleware. You’ll begin to tailor your creative direction through optional modules in hardware production, immersive audio, advanced mixing and mastering, integrative performance technologies, and marketing and promotion. This year encourages creative independence while strengthening your technical confidence and collaboration skills. Year 3 Your final year focuses on creative independence, professional readiness and innovation. You’ll complete two major self-directed projects: one focused on building an industry-facing portfolio that showcases your strengths in sound design, coding and production; and another that explores new ideas or technologies in your chosen area of practice. You can further shape your experience through optional modules in music education, leadership, or collaborative creative practice. A research-led module in Sound Cultures supports critical reflection on your work and its wider social, cultural, and artistic contexts.

Modules

Year 1 - Core Modules

  • Industry Foundations
  • Music Production
  • Location Recording & Foley
  • Mixing
  • Synthesis & Sound Design
  • Audio Programming Fundamentals
Year 2 - Core Modules
  • Industry Practice
  • Creative Coding
  • Creative Research Practice
  • Sound Design & Middleware
Year 2 - Option Modules
  • Hardware Production
  • Advanced Music Production
  • Post Production
  • Integrative Performance Technologies
  • Advanced Mixing & Mastering
  • Marketing & Promotion
  • Immersive Audio
Year 3 - Core Modules
  • Innovation: Exploration
  • Industry Portfolio Development
  • Innovation: Realisation
  • Industry Portfolio Delivery
Year 3 - Option Modules
  • Music Education & Wellbeing Practice
  • Signature System Design
  • Management & Leadership in the Music Industry
  • Collaborative Creative Practice
  • Sound Cultures
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, exploratory and driven by real-world creative practice. You’ll work in professional recording studios, production suites and computer labs using industry-standard tools such as digital audio workstations, hardware synthesizers, modular gear, Dolby Atmos systems and coding environments. Your learning is supported by workshops, seminars, collaborative briefs and critique sessions. These are designed to develop your technical fluency, creative thinking and professional workflow as a sound designer and creative technologist. 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:
W474
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 curious, creative individuals who think beyond traditional music-making. This course is for the experimental tinkerers, the sound hackers, and the audio explorers. You might already be building synth patches, coding generative systems, experimenting with field recording, or creating abstract soundscapes. Whether you're coming from an art, music, or tech background, you’re driven by a desire to push sonic boundaries and explore sound as a creative, cultural, and technological medium.

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

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

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Portfolio

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.
Music Production & Sound Design at dBs Institute - UCAS