Vocal Artistry & Music Production

The BA (Hons) Vocal Artistry & Music Production course supports artists to develop a distinctive vocal identity and gain the technical skills to take creative control of their sound. Whether you're focused on live performance, studio work, vocal arranging, or genre-blending experimentation, you'll grow as a confident, self-sufficient artist.

You’ll receive tailored one-to-one vocal tuition that reflects your style, from electronic and experimental music to pop, rock, and rap. The course flexes to suit both focused and hybrid creative directions. You’ll explore the full spectrum of production, from DIY workflows to high-end studio sessions and collaborations with producers and engineers. Technical fluency leads to creative autonomy, enabling you to shape, produce, and release your own work or collaborate on others’ projects.

You can deepen your focus or broaden your skills by exploring songwriting, commercial and experimental practices, performance technologies, or immersive audio. You’ll also have the chance to explore teaching, wellbeing, or music industry management. The course supports specialism and versatility, preparing you for a dynamic and evolving music career.

Why you'll love this course

• Personalised vocal training and artistic development - Master your vocal performance with one-to-one coaching, exploring genre, style and technique while building confidence as a live performer.

• Performance meets production - Combine live performance with hands-on music production, learning to create, arrange, and record your music.

• Experience and collaboration - Work alongside producers, songwriters, DJs and sound specialists on creative projects, with opportunities for live gigs, industry masterclasses and tailored optional modules.

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in music production, vocal technique, and contemporary performance. You’ll learn essential skills in studio work, mixing, and stage presence while beginning to define your own artistic style. One-to-one vocal tuition supports your technical development, while modules in studio craft and performance help you bridge the gap between live and recorded expression.

Year 2
In Year 2, you’ll explore more advanced production tools, develop your vocal artistry, and begin to define your creative identity and brand. You’ll refine your technical skills and broaden your stylistic palette through optional modules in advanced production, songwriting, and performance technologies. Collaboration and research become central as you prepare for independent work in your final year.

Year 3
Your final year is all about realising your artistic vision and preparing for life after graduation. You’ll undertake two major self-directed projects: one focused on developing an industry-ready portfolio that showcases your skills, professionalism, and creative identity, and another that explores an area of innovative practice, allowing you to push boundaries, test new ideas, or experiment with emerging technologies.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore optional modules in areas such as education and wellbeing, music industry management, or collaborative practice. Throughout the year, you’ll refine advanced creative, technical, and entrepreneurial skills, positioning yourself as a multi-skilled, forward-thinking music professional ready to enter and influence the industry. A research-led module in sound cultures encourages deeper reflection on the social, cultural, or political context of your work and its place in the wider music landscape. Optional modules are subject to availability.

Course Modules

Year 1 - Core Modules

• Industry Foundations
• Music Production
• Vocal Fundamentals
• Mixing
• Creative Performance Techniques
• Studio Craft for Musicians

Year 2 - Core Modules

• Industry Practice
• Creative Technical Development
• Creative Research Practice
• Performance, Persona & Stagecraft

Year 2 - Option Modules

• Advanced Music Production
• Composition & Arrangement
• Hardware Production
• Integrative Performance Technologies
• Commercial Music Creation
• Marketing & Promotion
• Immersive Audio

Year 3 - Core Modules

• Innovation: Exploration
• Industry Portfolio Development
• Innovation: Realisation
• Industry Portfolio Delivery
• Sound Cultures

Year 3 - Option Modules

• Integrative Performance Technologies
• Commercial Music Creation
• Marketing & Promotion
• Immersive Audio
• Music Education & Wellbeing Practice
• Signature System Design
• Management & Leadership in the Music Industry
• Collaborative Creative Practice

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.

https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/all-courses/ba-hons-vocal-artistry-music-production

Learning is hands-on and experience-led. You’ll spend time in studios, rehearsal rooms, and performance spaces, developing your skills through practical workshops, production sessions, and one-to-one tutorials. Instrumental tuition is central to your experience, offering personalised support to help you grow as a vocalist and creative artist. This is complemented by group sessions in musicianship, vocal technique, performance skills, and production workflows, helping you build confidence, versatility, and technical fluency.

Assessment Methods:

Assessments are 100% coursework.
Written assignments.
Presentations.
Portfolio development of creative, practical and/or technical work.