Music and Audio Production BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Student using recording studio

Have a passion for making and listening to music? This course covers skills needed to create, record and produce music and audio.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

W374

Start date

September 2024

Available through Clearing

We recognise a breadth of qualifications and relevant experience and may be able to consider your portfolio or other examples of your practice-based work even if you do not have the required points. Speak to one of our advisers today for more information. Your portfolio and/or practice-based work will be reviewed by the Course Director who will make a final decision.*
*Applicant offer decisions are final and there is no right of appeal.



Course overview

This course is ideal for those who have a passion for creative practices in both music and sound, and wish to explore the technical skill of those practices.

  • On our course you’ll explore the principles of music and audio production including recording music in the studio, writing, arranging and producing music with technology, live sound, sound design, sound effect, synthesis and interactive sound design (e.g. computer game audio). We also cover the music business, careers and employability. You will also have access to 5 recording studios (including Audient, Yamaha Nuage, Neve and SSL mixing desks) many live rooms and performance spaces and an iMac music tech suite running Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Ableton Live, Max/ Msp, Sibelius and Dorico4.
  • We are a certified Steinberg training centre1. As part of the course you may have the opportunity to go to Rock Field Studio (where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody) for a week of master classes in recording and mastering2.
  • Upon completion of this course, you may have the opportunity to become music producers, sound engineers, composers; audio post- production and game audio technicians together with work in extensive related fields such as radio and television sound.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

The course is designed to reflect the range of areas that make up the subject of music technology and the wide range of jobs that may be available to you once you have completed your studies. The course comes with the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Access to our fantastic facilities: 5 recording studios, large microphone stock, large venue PA systems and dedicated computer labs4.
  • A vibrant and creative environment, you may have access to professional practices, new research and graduate support.
  • Dedicated, experienced and qualified teaching staff with a mixture of commercial, academic and research related expertise at an international level (staff may be subject to change).
  • For successful graduates, a potential range of career opportunities as music producers, sound engineers, composers, and audio postproduction technicians.
  • We are a certified Steinberg training centre1. As part of the course you may have the opportunity to go to Rock Field Studio (where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody) for a week of master classes in recording and mastering2.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Steinberg certified training logo

Steinberg Certified Training Centre

Steinberg Certified Trainers and Training Centers help you get the most from Steinberg products. We use the latest Steinberg software and have extensive current product and systems knowledge.


AF Audio Fusion logo

AudioFusion

AudioFusion develops forward-thinking training tools for audio engineers and musicians to further their careers in the sound related arts. The first software, Soundcheck, is an AES Student Design Winner and is now used in courses across the globe. Since launching, AudioFusion has taken their pro audio simulations to different platforms such as 3D, Virtual Reality and continues to advocate the benefits of virtual simulations in education.


Music at Coventry University.

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What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Popular Music Performance and Songwriting BA (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen

You will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: sound design, mixing, and game audio, amongst others.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two.  Your studies could culminate in a dissertation, the production of a documentary film, or by launching a curated exhibition based on your independent research of an area of interest to you. 

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

In our course, we use an immersive learning path where you will study using a focused teaching method, focusing on one subject at a time for a few weeks before moving to the next study. We give free time and space for students to experiment.

You will be taught through lectures, workshops and tutorials, as well as through industry recognised artists and professionals (subject to availability). Previous examples of speakers have been music producers, composers, sound engineers, label, artists and tour managers2.

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 10-12 contact hours per week in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include:

  • Practical or project work
  • Coursework
  • Tests
  • Essays
  • Presentations/posters.

Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

The course offers an international field trip to students2 (subject to availability, application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs). Students in the past have been to Berlin to visit Ableton Labs and spent time in Hansa Studios where classic David Bowie and Depeche Mode albums were recorded. In addition, students recently went to Hong Kong where they took part in a pop-up show. You may also have the opportunity to go to Rock Field Studio for a week of master classes in recording and mastering.


Entry requirements

Clearing places available on this course

See if you have enough points (UCAS tariff 2024)

Don't know your points total? Work it out
Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

At Coventry, students benefit from superb facilities4 so they can build on their practical talent. Facilities include:

  • Several recording studios (including SSL and Neve mixing desks)
  • Various live rooms and performance spaces
  • An iMac music tech suite plus further state-of-the-art recording studios running Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max and Sibelius on Apple macs.
Recording studios

Recording studios

Some of our courses give access to recording studios, instrument storage, and an iMac music tech suite. We also have modern recording studios running Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max and Sibelius on Apple macs.
 

A drumkit in a studio

Performance spaces

Our Ellen Terry Building has a dance performance space, two dance studios and a theatre workshop. It also has dressing rooms and storage with around 3,500 costume items and 1,500 accessories.
 

Student playing trumpet on stage accompanied by a pianist.

Music seminar room

A great space for our budding musicians, our specialist music seminar room comes with a grand piano, PA, amplifiers, a drum kit and 5.1 surround sound system, all directly linked to a control room for recording.
 


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you should have knowledge of:

  • Concepts of professionalism within music technology (including composition, recording techniques and technology, Live sound, music production) and related disciplines and their relationship to music technology within a global context.
  • The skills, processes and techniques required for the creation, realisation, presentation and management of work as a music technologist, working within the digital age.

You should be equipped with the skills to:

  • Demonstrate technical skills relating to a range of recording, mastering, Music production, live sound and music composition.
  • Apply technological and music related skills creatively to a brief to a high standard of aptitude, demonstrating the appropriate breadth and depth of conceptual development.
  • Apply creative solutions to a brief, using technical means and appropriate application of materials, processes and technologies to develop a coherent body of work that reflects the particular characteristics of your own creative perspective.

There is a strong emphasis within the course on your future career, not only helping you to discover your potential chosen career path but also ensuring that you have the professional level of business skill and knowledge to thrive in this demanding industry.

Where our graduates work

Previous examples of employment include music producers, sound engineers, composers; audio post- production technicians together with work in extensive related fields such as radio and television sound.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with:

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

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