Music Production & Sound Design

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.

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.

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.