Music Production

Get into the music industry through our multidisciplinary degree that will teach you all you need to know to succeed as a producer.

On our BA (Hons) in Music Production, you’ll learn how to compose, record, mix and master music for commercial release. There will also be plenty of scope to explore your own projects and specialise in the area you want to pursue for a career.

And as the life of a music producer is so varied, it will prepare you for work across radio, TV, film, games and theatre too.

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by lecturers who work as songwriters, producers and live performers. In recent years, they’ve included high-profile figures like Nick McCabe, former lead guitarist in The Verve. We also have research-active staff with links to everything from hip-hop to electronic music.

Some of the modules focus on the technical skills you’ll need for professional studio environments. Our top-spec facilities include five fully equipped recording studios, all with surround sound and consoles from SSL, Avid, Audient and API.

There’s a 60-seater Mac music technology centre incorporating Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Native Instruments Komplete. You can gain official Pro Tools accreditation at a very low cost as well.

Students can access the studio space anytime between 9am and midnight on weekdays and it’s also available for individual use at weekends.

You can immerse yourself in more creative activities too, such as songwriting and experimental composition. It’s ideal for students who like performing alongside producing.

A third of the year will be devoted to working on self-directed projects. This is where the flexibility really comes into play as you could choose anything from recording a local band through to composing accompanying music for a film. There’s the opportunity for students to collaborate with others on some of the practical work.

The course has a business element as well, reflecting the freelance nature of much of the music industry. It includes learning about contracts and how they work.

We also invite industry professionals to talk to students. Previous experts have included a Grammy award-winning producer.

If you choose to undertake a placement, we have links with a number of companies. These include: Yellowfish Studios, Dovetail Games, SFL, Clair Global, London Symphony Orchestra, Whitby Studios and Swansea Bay TV.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Music Production

Year One: Establishing Music and Sound Practices, Developing Music and Sound Practice, Creative Cultures: Making, Research & Reflection; Sustainability, Society and Impact
Year Two: Exploring Music and Sound Production Practices, Music Production Specialisms, Collaborative Creative Industries Project
Year Two Optional: Art Trail; Colour + Surface: Print, Texture & Material Exploration; Creative Heritage; Digital Journeys: UX & UI Design; Experimental Formats; Experimental Music and Sound Art; Marketing, Branding and Cultural Production; Still Life Through the Lens; Surround Sound and Multichannel Audio; Visual Effects & Motion Graphics; Hybrid Production Methods
Year Three Core: Final Major Project of Illustration; Contextual and Critical Investigation; Professional Practice

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.