BA (Hons) Music Production

UCAS CODE: J930 (Full-time) or J934 (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three or Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2023

Do you have a passion for music and sound? On this course, you’ll explore both the technical and creative aspects of sound, with plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the industry with real life briefs and masterclasses delivered by professionals.

Whether you see your future in studio and live production or within a record label, composing or performing, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills with expert guidance, making use of industry-standard technology to compose, perform, record and produce original music.

Coming into BNU, I was not all that sure of what to expect however, meeting my lecturers, they had the reassuring aura and approachable demeanour that made learning easy and fun. The lecturers really did a tremendous job of putting our minds at ease to help us deal with stress in this course. In the studios, it's been great fun to use the Dolby Atmos system. It gives an insight and room for creativity when experimenting 3D audio by panning the objects.
Danielle Ediale
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Open Days

We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.

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Application Guide

For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.   

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Students' Union

At BNU, we believe in putting our students first. That’s why we’re the only university in the UK to offer free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities through our SU – all to enrich your university experience. 

Pathways

Our Music Production programme gives you the opportunity to choose your specialism for your future career after your experience of the core curriculum in year one. Rather than having to make your big career decision before you join us, we introduce you to various specialisms and offer you the flexibility to choose the pathway which leads to your chosen career. 

Make your application to BA (Hons) Music Production. You'll then choose one of the below pathways after your first year and your final degree award will be the pathway you have chosen.

These pathways are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.

Audio and Music facilities suite
BA (Hons) Music Production

What will I study on this pathway?

Study both software and hardware in theory and practice to learn the best ways to record, mix and produce audio content for different systems. You'll work on real-life projects and collaborate with other students on and off campus on this very practical, detailed course. You'll also learn about the music and entertainment industries from experienced professionals.

You will graduate with BA (Hons) Music Production.

Audio recording
BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production

What will I study on this pathway?

On this JAMES accredited course, you’ll explore the ins and outs of industry as well as gaining technical knowledge. To reflect the real world, you’ll work as part of a production crew both on and off campus. You’ll collaborate with students from other courses, including Film & TV and Performing Arts on projects ranging from the screen to the stage. You'll also learn relevant business skills to help you tackle the challenges freelance technicians can face, including finance and legal guidance.

You will graduate with BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production.

Audio and Music facilities equipment
BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production

What will I study on this pathway?

This degree covers essential and advanced production and composition techniques. You'll explore new sound creation and manipulation methods using industry-standard software and hardware and bring your ideas to life, from demo to final output. Develop your skills in everything from arranging to producing, recording, sampling, and mixing audio. You'll also have the opportunity to experiment with DJ and live electronic performance technologies.

You will graduate with BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production.

Bucks music student standing next to a vocal recording microphone
BA (Hons) Music Production and Business

What will I study on this pathway?

Combine your love of music with sound business practice. You’ll develop relevant management skills and a firm understanding of the music business. You'll study the importance of intellectual property and develop a solid understanding of how to negotiate contracts, learn about the unique nature of dealing with recording artists and how to maximise the potential of compositions with a variety of recording techniques. You'll also spend time on a number of DIY approaches to the music business.

You will graduate with BA (Hons) Music Production and Business.

Why study this subject?

The Recorded Music sector offers a range of different roles in different environments for you to explore and opportunities in the UK music industry are plentiful.  A Music Production degree will help you develop your creativity, expand your skillset and learn key business tactics to graduate career-ready.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

BNU has been delivering courses in the music industry for over 25 years and 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.

At its core, our Music Production programme aims to produce creative graduates with the necessary technical, theoretical and professional skills for employment within the creative industries. You’ll gain comprehensive training in key elements of music and audio production: studio production, music performance and composition, immersive audio techniques, critical listening and analysis, sound design, and live audio production techniques.

By integrating studies in creative music practice, critical listening and audio production, the Music Production programme enables you to understand the connections between these activities and how they are linked into future careers in the music and audio industry. You’ll have the chance to develop different skill sets simultaneously and to an advanced degree. By the final stage of the programme, you can undertake original research in a range of critical areas, including production, performance and composition.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second 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.

Like the industry, we put collaboration at the centre of what we do. You will get the chance to work with students on other BNU courses, such as the Film and TV students. You’ll record sound and work on post-production which will give you experience of working with a wide variety of genres to help you perfect your production skills.

During your time with us you’ll learn hands-on practical skills to help you stand out to potential employers. You’ll get to grips with industry-standard equipment including in our Dolby Atmos certified sound lab, ensuring upon graduation you are prepared for your first role. Our 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.  

Source girl listening to music
two men looking at two screens in a music studio

All our music degrees at Buckinghamshire New University come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP). UK Music is the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. We represent all sectors of our industry – bringing them together to collaborate, campaign, and champion music. The members of UK Music are: AIM, BPI, FAC, The Ivors Academy, MMF, MPA, MPG, MU, PPL, PRS for Music. UK Music also has an informal association with LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment).

MAP is a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music, and is designed to maximise the relationship between the industry and educational institutions in order to inform the next generation of industry professionals.

MAP does this by nurturing collaborative projects, such as research and careers events, panel events, various education and skills work, policy work, and career opportunities. Fundamentally MAP provides extra opportunities to individuals who want to build careers out of their passion for music. This helps to future-proof the music industry by ensuring new entrants have the right mix of experience and skills.

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.

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.

Previous live-industry briefs 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.

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.

BA (Hons) Music Production Programme Specification

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)

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.

If you don't meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or if you don't feel feel fully prepared for a degree course, you can apply for a four-year programme which includes 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 both your first and second 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.

BA (Hons) Music Production Pathway
BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production Pathway
BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production Pathway
BA (Hons) Music Production and Business Pathway

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£15,000 per year

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

Contact our Enquiries Team:

0330 123 2023

advice@bnu.ac.uk

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our BA (Hons) Music Production course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities in areas such as:

  • Producers
  • performers
  • composers
  • researchers or educators
  • setting up your own production company
  • music production for music charts
  • production company management
  • artist management
  • performance
  • film advertising
  • studio and live production
  • sound design
  • music performance
  • music technology retail
  • music hardware and software support and more!

To help you prepare for your chosen career, we invite experts from industry to come and talk to you at our High Wycombe campus.

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course, such as MA Music Business or MA Music and Audio Production.

 

Course leader

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Dr Gerard Gormley
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Paul Fields
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Claire Rose
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Dave Cronen
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Sean J Vincent
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Brett Gordon
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Dr Christopher D. Lewis SFHEA
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BA (Hons) Music Production
BA (Hons) Music Production with Foundation Year