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Audio Software Engineering (3 year)

  • 1 Study option
  • Undergraduate
5 Campuses
Awarded by:
University of Hertfordshire
More about SAE Institute

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

If you’re keen to develop software with a particular focus on sound and audio, SAE’s BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Software Engineering is the course for you. This one-of-a-kind degree blends the technical with the creative, as you learn advanced skills in audio DSP, C++ programming and plugin development.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR AUDIO SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DEGREE
SAE’s BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Software Engineering sits at the crossroads of sound and code – a space where you can turn creative ideas into a technical reality. If you’re ready to explore programming through an audio lens, this software engineering and audio degree gives you a strong understanding of digital signal processing (DSP) and an excellent foundation in the disciplines of both audio and software development.
The global demand for audio software developers is growing. If you’re a musician who codes, developer who loves sound, or creative looking to drive the entertainment and tech industries forward, SAE will give you the space, knowledge and community to do just that. Mixing theory, industry engagement and self-directed practical projects, you’ll get a thorough overview of your areas of interest across 9 industry-leading modules.
With the perfect blend of programming and audio/music production embedded throughout the curriculum, this unique audio software engineering degree course manages to balance the technical with the creative – something not often achieved in UK audio software engineering degrees which can be too focused on either coding or music. Your learning will be supported by SAE’s expert tutors – renowned professionals with notable experience in audio development, DSP, software engineering and creative technologies.

Whether you’re dreaming of building the next big music app, audio plugin, game, interactive media project or DAW, this course teaches you to use the tools to make it happen, giving you the skills to code the future of sound. Across your time with us, you’ll explore the building blocks of audio software – coding, algorithms, synthesis, DSP and AI – turning ideas into real-world software applications. In the process you’ll become familiar with industry-standard programming languages and platforms such as C++, MATLAB, Max/MSP, Pure Data, JUCE, GitHub, JetBrains CLion and CMake.
As with all SAE degrees, collaboration is at the heart of the course. You’ll team up with musicians, music producers, game developers, filmmakers and animators from other SAE and ICMP programmes to bring your audio and software into vibrant new creative contexts – building an impressive portfolio in the process.
Towards the end of your software engineering and audio degree, you’ll complete a Major Project, delving deeply into a topic of your choosing. Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills, knowledge, contacts and confidence to launch your audio software engineering career – hitting the ground running across whichever exciting environment you end up in.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

At the end of your degree in audio software engineering, you’ll have:

• Built a solid technical foundation in software development, with a focus on audio-specific tools and environments.
• Explored principles of sound theory, psychoacoustics, synthesis and signal processing.
• Developed fluency in key programming languages including C++, MATLAB, Max/MSP and Pure Data.
• Collaborated with students from other SAE and ICMP disciplines to get hands on across real-world creative projects.
• Learned how to integrate AI and machine learning tools into audio workflows.
• Built a compelling, technically robust portfolio of projects that showcase your audio software engineering skills.
• Graduated career-ready, with practical and technical experience in the creative industries and a degree from a recognised institute.
• Audio software engineering degree courses begin in January and September.

Modules

Course Modules

Three year degree

Year 1:
Semester 1 - Principles of Audio, C++ Programming
Semester 2 - Designing Sound, Audio Signal Processing

Year 2:
Semester 3 - Creative Studio 1
Semester 4 - Creative Studio 2

Year 3:
Semester 5 - Advanced Specialised Project, Research and Development
Semester 6 - Audio Software Engineering Major Project

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • SAE Glasgow
  • SAE London
  • SAE Royal Leamington Spa
  • SAE Liverpool
  • SAE Leeds

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
S05

SAE Institute has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
S05

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*-D

To understand what combinations of grades you need to achieve 72 UCAS tariff points please visit ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 72

Scottish Higher
A-C

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 45 Merit: 42 Pass: 3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

All subjects required A*-C in English (4-9)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*D*D*-MMP

English language requirements

English Language Requirements All students are required to show proficiency in English. We recommend getting in touch with our team for advice and to confirm what evidence is accepted. If English is not your first language, do not worry, all you need is evidence that you meet the appropriate level of English proficiency for your level of study. Requirements vary depending on the level of study you are applying for (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate) and whether you require a student visa. If you require a student visa, please refer to the acceptable test information below. Equivalent qualifications can be accepted, where these qualifications have been verified by ENIC and are adopted widely within the UK Higher Education sector. If your qualification does not meet these requirements, we’ll ask for one of the following: IELTS (UKVI or Academic) – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall band score of 5.5 IELTS One Skill Retake – minimum score of 5.5 in skill retake IELTS Online – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall band score of 5.5 Pearson Test of English – 59 or above overall with a minimum of 59 in each component PSI Skills for English B2 SELT – Pass Trinity College London SELT– Pass with Merit Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – 169 overall with no less than 160 in each component minimum grade C Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – 169 overall with no less than 160 in each component minimum grade B TOEFL (IBT or IBT Home Edition online) – 72 overall with no less than Listening – 17 Writing – 17 Speaking – 20 Reading – 18 LanguageCert Academic – 60 pass with minimum score of 60 in each skill LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert – pass in all four components LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) – Pass with a minimum 33 in all components LanguageCert ESOL Integrated Skills in English II – pass in all components Duolingo English Test – Overall score of 100 with no less than 95 in Speaking, Writing and Listening. Minimum 100 in Reading. SAE accepts various high school level English Qualification, please contact our Admissions team at ukenquiries@sae.edu to discuss this. English language tests are valid for a maximum of two years.

International entry requirements

International Entry Requirements at SAE

SAE aims to ensure that all students have the necessary language skills to succeed in their academic studies and to easily integrate into the institution’s friendly community.

International students must demonstrate that their qualifications are equivalent to the standard entry requirement of 72 UCAS tariff points, as well as competency in English. For degree courses in Audio Production and Games Programming, an equivalent qualification to GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above is also required. https://www.sae.edu/gbr/international-entry-requirements/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland & EU£10050
International£16250

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

For all SAE UK campuses, applicants who are residents of the EU will be applicable for a bursary towards the cost of the tuition fees. The value of bursary is already represented in the tuition fees shown and is £4,000 per year for those on the 3-year degree.

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