Professional Music (Production) with Integrated Foundation Year

The BA (Hons) Integrated Foundation Year (4-year) degree courses at WaterBear incorporate an introductory year to help you build the core and specialist skills you’ll need for degree-level study on one of our specialist BA (Hons) Professional Music courses. The courses focus on the development of relevant and sustainable skills required by today’s musicians and entrepreneurs.

If you are taking on a subject that you are yet to study in depth, have been out of education for a while, or just need some extra time and support before studying at a higher level, then one of the Integrated Foundation Year courses could be for you. You will have the chance to explore your creativity, expand professional skills, improve study skills, and develop a deeper knowledge of the area you want to study.

A music production degree for those serious about making great music

The BA (Hons) Professional Music (Production) at WaterBear is for audio producers, sound engineers, multi-instrumentalists, and music creators ready to turn ideas into commercially viable releases. You’ll develop technical skills across recording, mixing, mastering, and composition whilst building confidence in creative production, sound design, and collaborative workflow.

Within small classes (typically 8-12) and structured 1-1 mentoring each term, you’ll get personalised support from industry-active tutors who understand today’s production landscape. You’ll study audio production techniques, recording and capture, mixing & mastering, live sound engineering, composition with technology, and sonic innovation. The course blends hands-on studio time, live sound engineering, and music business strategy, preparing you to produce outstanding music, manage your own projects, and forge a sustainable career. You’ll have free bookable access to professional recording studios, plus WaterBear-owned and partner live music venues for real-world sound engineering experience.

Whether your goal is to become an independent artist, professional producer, entrepreneur, or build a diverse portfolio career, you’ll engage in a comprehensive and flexible learning experience designed to support your strengths, interests, and your professional, artistic, and academic development.

You’ll have free, bookable access to professional recording studios alongside free bookable rehearsal spaces. The Sheffield campus offers Mac suites, live rooms, vintage and modern recording gear, and partnerships with high-end partner studios including Brighton Electric, Small Pond Studios, Tecna Studios, and Hybrid3.

You’ll showcase your original productions regularly at live music venues and professional recording studios across Brighton and Sheffield. Students also access masterclasses, A&R panels, studio sessions, work experience placements, networking events, industry development weeks, conferences, production camps, sync opportunities, and collaborative projects. Last year we secured 500 performance and work experience opportunities, attended over 20 festivals and organised over 45 industry masterclasses and industry guest events. These opportunities connect you directly with producers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, studio owners, and the local music scene, helping you build the industry contacts essential for a sustainable production career.

This course is designed for audio producers, sound engineers, sound designers, composers, and multi-instrumentalists looking to produce high-quality music for commercial markets. Whether you’re creating your own artist projects, producing for others, or building a portfolio career across recording, mixing, and live sound, you’ll find a supportive environment to experiment and grow. WaterBear provides personalised mentoring and a tailored career plan to support your individual goals.

This course is taught at WaterBear in Sheffield, and awarded by Falmouth University.

Course Modules

The Integrated Foundation Year courses have been designed specifically for anyone with a passion for music who wants to study on one of our BA (Hons) Professional Music courses but may need some extra support prior to degree-level study, or hasn’t achieved their conditions of enrolment for the 3-year course.

Integrated Foundation Year degree courses contain a broad range of subjects that really matter in music and the music industry. Each week in classes you’ll study areas of music such as performance and production techniques, instrumental development, recording skills, market analysis, management techniques, branding, innovation, industry trends and project management – all whilst continually progressing towards your personal goals. And you’ll learn all you need to know from our team of top-level industry tutors and mentors about the realities of being a professional operator in today’s music industry. There are also regular networking events, masterclasses, collaboration and work opportunities so you can build your all-important contacts list.

Success as an audio producer starts with developing the technical skills required to unlock creative potential. It’s also about working collaboratively and developing the confidence and ability to communicate what’s in your head. On the BA (Hons) Professional Music (Production) course you’ll develop technical skills across audio production, sound engineering, composition, and DAW workflow, working weekly in Mac labs and professional recording studios.

The course covers recording and capture techniques, mixing and mastering, live sound engineering, composition with technology, production tools, and sonic innovation. Business classes teach you the realities of being a professional producer in today’s music industry, including project management, strategy, and navigating commercial markets. You’ll showcase your work live on stage in real venues or in the studio, and access regular networking events, masterclasses, and work opportunities.

Every person who studies at WaterBear has their own story to tell and their own path to follow. We provide a supportive, safe environment for you to experiment and create. You’ll also develop a tailored career plan to support your personal goals and ambitions.

Integrated Foundation Year Modules:

Production Know-How
What Makes Music Great
Music Performance
Creative Production Workshop
Music Promotion
Showcase

Your degree is structured across three levels, guiding you from foundational production skills through to advanced innovation and a final professional portfolio. Each module balances creative ambition with real-world technique, and you’ll have the freedom to shape your learning around your own musical direction.

Level 4 Modules:

Your Music Production
Navigating the Music Industry
Creative Music Production
Your Strategy

Level 5 Modules:

Your Sound
Your Events
Innovation in Music Production
Enterprise in the Music Industry

Level 6 Modules:

Your Professional Development
Specialist Report
Professional Project

We regularly review course and module content to ensure our students receive a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be changes made to the curriculum which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Optional modules may be updated to maintain the best experience. Any students or applicants affected will be informed of approved changes directly.

https://waterbear.org.uk/courses/ba-hons-integrated-foundation-year/