BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Technology
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2024
Looking for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art recording studios, with industry-standard equipment? What about a course that will help you develop a network of industry contacts before even starting your career?
BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Technology provides a deep dive into the technical side of making music. You’ll work with industry experts and master the arts of producing music. You will have opportunities to use everything from our cutting-edge Dolby Atmos Studio to an array of traditional audio recording equipment.
Why study this subject?
When many skills can be self-taught, why should you study audio and music technology at university?
Studying audio and music technology at university offers you a structured curriculum that covers a wide range of skills, from audio production to sound design and industry-required know-how. You'll gain a strong foundation in this rapidly evolving field.
Learning on the same equipment used in industry can help you stand out from the crowd when starting your career. Our experienced faculty will provide valuable insights and industry connections.
In addition to technical skills, you'll develop transferable skills like problem-solving and teamwork, valuable in any career.
A degree in audio and music technology can be personally rewarding, allowing you to explore your creative potential and gain a deep appreciation for the art and science of sound.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
BNU has been delivering courses in the music industry for over 25 years. We have a wealth of expertise from within our network of lecturing staff, guest speakers, and alumni, all with a track record of success in a wide variety of roles in the music business internationally.
The course lecturers have a massive amount of experience. They have millions of record sales between them as engineers.
The entire music department at BNU has fantastic industry links with the likes of Harman/JBL, Focusrite and Dolby. Our Dolby Atmos studio is 2nd to none in the UK education sector.
These connections allow you access to win awards and prizes sponsored by companies such as Harman and Focusrite.
industry advisory group, BIGMusic, regularly reviews our courses, which means we’re always teaching up to date skills and knowledge relevant for today’s industry demands. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the ability to project manage yourself and a portfolio crammed with real life experience. Our Careers and Employability team will also help to find you work placements in and around the area.
What facilities can I use?
Our state-of-the-art recording studios and Dolby Atmos certified sound lab, give you access to the space and technology you need. From individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools Ultimate studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths, we have it all to help you gain hands-on experience.
- Studio 1 boasts a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 speaker system and an Avid S6 console. We are one of the first Universities in the UK to adopt Dolby Atmos into a music environment. Find out more about Studio 1 in this tour.
- Studio 2 features an Audient ASP8024 Mixing desk, with outboard equipment by Neve, Universal Audio, Teletronix, Focusrite, Tegler, Maag, Manley and others. It also has monitoring by Genelec and Adam Audio.
- Studio three and the Electronic Music Studio are based around Avid S3/S4 control surfaces and UAD Apollo x8 audio interfaces.
- The edit booths are equipped with microphone preamps from Avid.
- Our microphone stock includes Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Shure, Rode and Electrovoice.
- Studio monitoring includes 5.1 systems by Genelec and stereo systems by KRK.
All studios feature a full range of plug-ins including RX3, Ozone6, Komplete and Speakerphone.
We have other top-quality suppliers, including Midas, Focusrite, Novation and AC Lighting, so you can get your hands on the same tools as the best in the business.
Whilst studying with us you will also use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a university owned PC or laptop, from any location.
What will I study?
BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Technology will equip you with the technical, theoretical, and practical skills necessary for employment in the creative industries.
The course covers various aspects of audio and music technology, including the science of sound, sound theory, studio production, creative coding, immersive audio techniques, critical listening, sound design, and live audio production.
You'll also conduct original research in areas like sound design, audio production, and technology-based projects. This will allow you to hone your academic skills, through independent learning.
We aim to help improve your entrepreneurial and networking skills and help you build a strong portfolio to kickstart your career.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Our teaching staff have a wealth of professional and academic experience, with many still actively working in the music industry. You’ll also engage with our dynamic programme of visiting lecturers and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Live-industry briefs on some of our courses have seen students work at Glastonbury, Dolby and Pinewood Studios. You'll also get the chance to work with up-and-coming music artists. Previous artists have included the Ting Tings, Jake Bugg, and Florence and the Machine.
You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you be able to make friends for life. You’ll also make important connections that could last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working world.
We prioritise helping you develop strong industry connections. So we have modules working with real companies like Focusrite, allowing you to hone your skills and grow your industry connections in a real-life setting.
A variety of assessment methods will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including essays, reports, portfolios of creative audio content, written evaluations, presentations, and some continuous assessment on practical tasks. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
This course has Opportunity modules.
Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in your first year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.
You must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 4 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £9,250 per year
International
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £15,150 per year
What are my career prospects?
During your journey with us, we're dedicated to guiding you toward your desired career. We'll assist you in nurturing essential skills, fostering entrepreneurship, employability, and leadership qualities. Furthermore, our post-graduation employment support is available to help you secure opportunities. Explore our Careers and Employability resources for additional details.
Our BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities in areas such as:
- Music Producer: Music producers work with artists to create and shape their sound. They are responsible for overseeing the recording, mixing, and mastering of music tracks. Producers can work in various genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, electronic, and classical music
- Sound Engineer: Sound engineers operate and maintain audio equipment during live performances, recording sessions, and post-production. They are responsible for achieving the desired sound quality and ensuring that audio equipment functions correctly
- Studio Technician: Studio technicians work in recording studios, radio stations, or post-production facilities, managing and maintaining audio equipment and studio spaces. They ensure that recording and mixing equipment is in good working condition
- Audio Post-Production Specialist: Audio post-production specialists work in film, television, and video game industries. They are responsible for enhancing and editing audio for multimedia projects, including dialogue editing, Foley, sound effects, and scoring
- Music Composer/Arranger: Music technology graduates with a strong musical background may pursue careers as composers or arrangers, creating original music for various media, including film, TV, video games, and commercials
- Sound Designer: Sound designers create soundscapes and audio elements for video games, virtual reality experiences, and interactive media. They work to immerse users in a realistic audio environment
- Audio Software Developer: Graduates with programming skills may work as audio software developers, designing and coding audio software and plugins used in the music and audio industries
- Freelance Musician/Producer: Many Music Technology graduates work as freelance musicians, producers, or audio engineers, offering their services on a project-by-project basis
- Sound Archivist/Restorer: Some graduates work in preserving and restoring historical audio recordings for archives, museums, or libraries
- Acoustic Consultant: Acoustic consultants specialize in designing and optimizing the sound quality of architectural spaces, including concert halls, recording studios, and theatres
- Audio Hardware Technician: Audio hardware technicians focus on the repair and maintenance of audio equipment, such as amplifiers, microphones, and speakers.
