Sound Engineering and Production

Successful performances often depend on the sound output. Build theoretical and practical skills to create a better sounding experience with our BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production degree.

Sound engineers are essential to how we perceive live and recorded sound. As digital listening experiences expand, and more new listeners engage on different devices, sound quality and delivery is paramount. By studying the fascinating field of sound, audio and acoustics, you can open up exciting career opportunities where you can create, shape and manage sound and audio.

Learn to create a better sound experience
Co-located at our MediaCity and Peel park campuses, minutes away from buzzing central Manchester, our Sound Engineering and Production degree will guide you through this creative blend of science and engineering. We use small-group teaching to deliver carefully-designed modules that embed theoretical knowledge and creative application, and help you to build technical and transferable skills for to build a career in audio and media industries.

Initially, you will explores a variety of practical applications including radio, TV, music recording and live sound. You will study audio systems, music technology, live sound connection and studio production. As you progress, you will look at advanced audio production, audio installation and sound design. With your future in focus, you can also choose specialist modules in audio for gaming and virtual reality or audio forensics.

This pathway is designed to include an optional industry placement between years two and three. On successful completion of a placement, you can add 'with professional experience' to your final degree award.

Build skills using world-class facilities
At the forefront of audio and acoustics teaching and research for over 60 years, we are home to some ground-breaking, world-class facilities. During your studies, you will develop your hands-on skills in laboratories and studios used for industry testing and research. This includes an anechoic chamber and two semi-anechoic chambers, a transmission suite, reverberation chambers, an ITU standard listening room, a 3D Ambisonic listening booth and audiometric test facilities. At our MediaCity campus, you can enjoy access to multi-million pound Pro Tools enabled studios, 3D animation suites, TV and video suites, and digital media performance labs.

Get closer to industry
With the legendary Manchester music scene on our doorstep, you will have plenty of opportunities to hear sound and audio in action. Along with a network of major media companies surrounding our MediaCity campus, you will be in the right place to add some practical industry experience to your studies too.

Features
• Develop your knowledge of the recording process, enhanced by scientific and technical aspects
• Acquire production knowledge of a variety of practical applications including radio, TV, music recording and live sound
• Learn how to use typical software tools for the generation, control, processing and audio reproduction
• Understand the relationships between sound and the environment, wherever it is being produced
• Explore audio game design, acoustic modelling, and the techniques behind augmented reality
• Gain professional-level knowledge and skills by including a placement year where you can apply your knowledge and develop further transferable skills

Year One:

• Analogue Electronics
• Acoustics Lab
• Studio Production
• Live Sound Connections
• Music Technology Systems
• Signal Chain Theory

Year Two:

• Industrial Studies and Career Management
• Group Design Project
• Audio Production for TV and Radio
• Audio Installation
• Advanced Audio Production
• Sound Design

Year Three:

• Audio Programming Project
• Audio Forensics and Restoration
• Audio for Games and VR
• Major Project
• Spatial Audio

You will be assessed through a combination of formats:

• Examinations will assess your immediate response to a set of unseen problems
• Assignments will assess your response to in-depth problems and challenges
• Practical tests in acoustics laboratories will assess your problem-solving rationale
• Projects will assess your ability to create, deliver and evaluate a plan for an identified solution