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Sound Engineering and Music Production BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full time
4 years including placement year

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BCC

BTEC - DMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

40

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Future proof - expand your network of contacts, who knows who you might meet that could impact your future career path.  
  2. This course is accredited by the Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES), which means it has been acknowledged by industry professionals to meet the industry needs. 
  3. Enhance your employability - you'll study in industry-standard facilities, with access to recording and mixing studios, a mastering studio and more, so when you enter the world of work, you already know how to use the kit.

If you are planning a career in sound engineering and music production, this course has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge to help you succeed in this exciting and evolving industry.

The course has a clear focus on music production and combines a broad mix of modules from technical to creative. The topics you'll cover aim to give you skills in advanced music and live sound production, mixing and mastering techniques, immersive audio skills, critical listening and production analyses, game audio, and sound for film and media.

Why study Sound Engineering and Music Production BSc(Hons) at Huddersfield?

You will gain hands-on experience using professional software and equipment, including:

  • Five fully equipped Pro Tools recording and mixing studios,
  • Four SSL mixing and recording consoles and a 48-channel analogue Audient console,
  • Industry standard outboard compressors and equalizers,
  • Plugins from UAD, Plugin Alliance and FabFilter,
  • Seven additional Pro Tools studios, including an immersive audio mixing studio and a mastering studio,
  • Live sound facilities including Avid and Midas consoles featuring Dante audio networking.

We supplement our teaching with guest lectures and masterclasses from professional music producers, equipment designers and media producers. In recent years, we have welcomed producer Tony Platt (AC/CD, Bob Marley, Iron Maiden, Paul McCartney) and live sound engineer Jon Burton (The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, Radiohead) to campus, among many others. We awarded an Honorary Degree to award-winning mix engineer Andrew Scheps, who is also a visiting professor at our department.

During your studies, you will be supported by tutors, many of whom are experienced industry professionals. Our Music Technology department is active in research, helping to ensure you'll learn from academics at the forefront of their specialist area. Many of the academic staff are members of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and are researching into areas such as perceptual audio, automated mixing techniques, music production, new interfaces for music and other related disciplines. Core members of the teaching team are part of the Music and Audio Production (MAP) research group, whose membership includes high profile music producers and academics from other areas of the world.

Graduates from our music production courses have gone on to work in studios such as Angel Studios and The Chairworks, and been nominated for Grammy awards for their work on productions by pop stars such as Adele.

Course detail

Core modules:

Desktop Music Production 1

This module will introduce you to relevant techniques and technologies for computer-based music production, including sequencing, sampling, arrangement, and a variety of other sound processing techniques. A range of practical work - both technical and creative - will develop your critical listening and production skills, and seminars will support you in applying these techniques to your own creative work.

Studio Engineering and Mixing Essentials

You will be introduced to the core concepts, theory and practical principles involved in producing, engineering and mixing popular music. You will gain practical experience in an analogue/digital recording studio, developing your ability to record and overdub a variety of sources. For the mix stage of the production process, you will then review the fundamental approaches and techniques involved in effectively processing these signals.

Audio Technology

This module aims to provide you with an overview of the technologies found in a modern audio recording environment. The module will introduce you to audio principles such as signals, acoustics, hearing, basic electronics and digital audio. These principles will be used to develop an understanding of audio technologies found in music production, such as studio spaces, microphones, mixing desks, amplifiers, audio processors and speaker systems.

Live Music Production

This module introduces you to the live music production industry. You will learn how to use a wide range of equipment and practical use of a wide range of equipment and practical skills for live sound reinforcement. Practical experience of live music production will be gained in a purpose-built environment using analogue mixing consoles, a Public Address (PA) system and range of outboard equipment. You will develop the ability to engineer live music events individually and as part of a team. You will also develop an awareness of the legislation surrounding, and professional practices involved in, live music production.

Professional Skills and Research Awareness

This module focuses on broadening your horizons by exploring cutting edge research and career opportunities in the context of Music Technology / Production and Audio Engineering whilst developing core transferrable skills that prepare you for gainful employment and entrepreneurship. The first half of the module focuses on developing your skills in the research and communication of ideas both verbally and in written form. It also raises awareness of current research interests and the state of the art in Music Technology/Production and Audio Engineering. The second half of the module explores professional and personal development in the music industry via a group business simulation project.

Radio Production

This module explores radio programme making, broadcasting technologies, communication theory, and the legal frameworks surrounding the production of broadcast material. Working both individually and in teams, you will plan, produce, present, and evaluate a range of audio content that has been created for a specific target audience and purpose.

Entry requirements

BBB-BCCat A Level .

120-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level.

DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Entry is also possible from the Engineering Foundation Year. To progress onto this course from the Foundation Year you must pass all modules and achieve an average mark of 40% or above.

In addition you must have GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.

Practical and theory music grades are not accepted in the total points.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Music Technology at Huddersfield


The music industry needs engineering, musicians, technicians and producers who have the talent and the know-how to keep things evolving. If you're interested in Music Technology, we can give you the skills to take up the challenge and drive innovation in an inspiring industry.

Placements


This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

Our Placement Unit will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities, through timetabled and drop-in sessions as well as by appointment. They will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

The Placement Unit team are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previously companies such as Audioserv Ltd, Robannas Studios, Fraunhofer and Vibrations Studios have provided our students with placements. You can find more information on placements here.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. Find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year.

I completed my placement year at Fraunhofer IIS in Germany. Working here allowed me to meet some great people within the industry to expand my professional network. Throughout the placement my work ethic also improved allowing my to really achieve my best in final year. 

Matt Jefferson

Matt Jefferson, Fraunhofer IIS

Our students

Your career


Previous graduates from this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as Freelance Music Producer, Commercial Manager for the UK & Europe , Senior Broadcast Engineer, QA Tech Lead , Technical Operations Manager and Senior Product Test Engineer in organisations including Solid State Logic, BBC, Warner Music Group, iTV, Amazon,  Sky and Calrec Audio Ltd.**

*Percentage of undergraduate graduates from the School of Computing and Engineering who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduation. (HESA Graduate Outcomes 20/21, UK domiciled).

**Source: LinkedIn

85.9%* Graduates employed

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Computing and Engineering, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Guidance Office: Students can book an appointment with a Guidance Adviser at any time during their studies; we are here to help with navigating any challenges they may face while studying. Our Advisers are skilled in providing advice and guidance to students on a range of issues including personal circumstances and academic issues and can help students to understand University regulations. The Guidance Team also offer study skills appointments to support with developing academic skills, such as; research and project planning, referencing and paraphrasing, essay writing, critical thinking, understanding assessments and to develop Maths skills. The team also encourage students to develop effective study habits such as good time management to meet deadlines by supporting with planning and organising work schedules.

Personal Academic Tutor (PAT): You will be allocated a PAT who will be an academic based in the School of Computing and Engineering. You will be offered the opportunity to meet with your PAT at various points throughout the year. PATs are there to help you get the most out of your time at University, to discuss academic progress so that you can achieve your best and to direct you towards appropriate support services such as wellbeing and finance.

Student Support Office: A one stop shop for students studying within the School. The team deal with every aspect of student life from enrolment, module queries, timetabling, exams, assessments, course-related committees and graduation. They are the first place to go with any query, and they can also signpost to other support networks.

Technical Support: Technicians support our students across each department. Based in our labs with different specialisms and knowledge they are on hand to provide support, guide and advise where students can access our technician’s expertise/knowledge during lectures and seminars as well as during self-study. An IT Support Helpdesk is also available to all students within the School of Computing and Engineering to help troubleshoot any computer issues/problems or to loan hardware and software.

Research excellence

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, and contribute to society, which means you develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant to industry. For more information, find out more about our Research institutes and centres

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.