BSc (Hons) Music Technology with Foundation Year

Why study this subject?

Music technology is a fast-moving field, integral to many areas in the creative industries, and covers a whole range of careers from audio engineers and mixers, to studio managers and technicians, sound designers and even experimental composers.

A degree in music technology means that you will have a blend of creative ability and practical skills in music production, plus strong business and technical skills.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

BNU pioneered music business and management degrees over 20 years ago. Having studied at BNU, you’ll be associated with our highly regarded teaching programmes and benefit from a leading team of lecturers.

Whilst studying with us you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with students from other courses, for example musicians, engineers, music producers, film and TV producers, video games designers, graphic artists, actors and dancers just to name a few. This will all help to grow your network; essential for success in the creative industries. You will also have free access to the XTC collaborations platform, so finding a collaborator for your projects from any field has never been easier.

We also have partnerships with Focusrite, Sennheiser, Watford Football Club and more. As a BNU student, you will have the opportunity to connect with our partners, for example through guest lectures, demonstrations, product testing, industry trips and work experience.

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 High Wycombe Campus is home to our multi-million pound Sennheiser Sound Lab, fully equipped by world leading production suppliers and partners, so you can get your hands on the same tools as the best in the business. Our suppliers include Sennheiser, Midas, Focusrite, Novation, University Audio, Native Instruments, and AC Lighting.

There are a wide range of creative facilities to explore, from our music rehearsal space, to our TV studios and green-screen room. You can also access live event venues such as the Students’ Union, Wycombe Swan Theatre and Wycombe Town Hall.

What will I study?

During the course, you’ll learn about software engineering, electronics engineering, and recording studio engineering – learning the science behind audio hardware and software. This knowledge may allow you to develop your own technology software or hardware products. You’ll also cover acoustics and psychoacoustics, learning about the psychology behind the perception of sound, and the physiological effects it can have.

Other topics covered on the course include sound design, sonic art, experimental music composition, post production audio, and mixing and mastering for different media applications.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course is offered as a four-year programme, 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 degree.

You will be taught by tutors who have worked in the music industry in areas such as studio-based music production, live sound engineering and production, sound design, location recording and audio post production for TV, film and other media.

A variety of assessment vehicles will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including assignments carried out in your own time, in-class assignments, workshops and presentations. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.

Placements Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.