Buckinghamshire New University
UCAS Code: J930 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
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 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
UCAS Tariff
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 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
About this course
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 in 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.
**Why study Music Production at BNU?**
**Industry standard facilities**
At BNU, you'll have access to top-notch facilities, including a Dolby Atmos certified sound lab. This means you'll be working with the same equipment used by professionals, giving you a real edge in the industry. Our studios are equipped with the latest software and industry standard hardware, giving you a head start and ensuring you stay ahead of the curve. You'll also have access to a variety of recording spaces, from our Dolby Atmos certified sound lab to our full analogue recording studio. This range of equipment and spaces is ideal for helping you capture different sounds and styles.
**Hands-on learning**
Our course is designed to be practical and immersive. You'll get plenty of opportunities to work on real-life briefs and projects, helping you build a strong portfolio and gain valuable experience. From recording sessions to live sound setups, you'll be involved in every aspect of music production. This hands-on approach ensures you develop the technical skills and creative confidence needed to succeed.
**Collaboration opportunities**
You'll have the chance to collaborate with students from other courses, such as Film and TV. This interdisciplinary approach will broaden your experience and enhance your creative projects. Working with peers from different backgrounds will help you develop teamwork and communication skills. These collaborations often lead to exciting and innovative projects that stand out in your portfolio.
**Industry connections**
BNU has a huge amount of industry connections, thanks to over 25 years of delivering music courses. Our network of guest speakers and alumni can provide you with insights and opportunities in the music business. You'll have the chance to attend industry events, workshops, and networking sessions. These connections can open doors to internships, job placements, and collaborations with established artists and producers.
**Diverse Career Paths**
A degree in Music Production from BNU opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you see yourself in studio production, live sound, composing, or working within a record label, you'll be well-prepared to pursue your passion. Our graduates have gone on to work in various roles within the music industry, from sound engineers to music producers. The skills and knowledge you gain at BNU will equip you to adapt and thrive in this dynamic field.
**What will I study?**
Study both software and hardware 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 students from other courses on projects ranging from the screen to the stage. You'll also learn relevant business skills to help you tackle the challenges freelancers can face, including finance and legal guidance. This is a very practical, detailed course, and you'll also learn about the music and entertainment industries from experienced professionals. Depending your chosen modules, you could also gain skills in performing, song composition, artist management, and create a substantial portfolio.
This course is 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 degree.
Modules
Modules will vary depending on the pathway you choose.
**Year One**
**Core**
Audio Production Technologies (20 credits);
Live Audio (20 credits);
Sound Design for Moving Image (20 credits);
Recording & Mixing Techniques (20 credits);
Entertainment Industry Framework (20 credits).
**Year Two**
**Core**
Live Production Technology (20 credits);
Creative Audio Production (20 credits);
Research Methods (20 credits)
**Optional**
Choose modules to the total of 40 credits:
Location Sound & Post-production (20 credits);
Sound Design for Non-linear media (20 credits);
Electronic Production Techniques (20 credits);
Music Publishing (20 credits);
Music Publishing (Placement) (20 credits).
**Year Three**
**Core**
Creative Audio Project (20 credits);
Professional Production Project (20 credits);
Dissertation/Independent Work (40 credits)
**Optional**
Choose modules to the total of 40 credits:
Immersive Audio Techniques (20 credits);
Creative Performance Technology (20 credits);
Sound Design & Sonic Installation (20 credits);
Performance Application or Strategy (20 credits);
A&R (20 credits)
Assessment methods
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 lectures 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.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
The Uni
High Wycombe Campus
School of Creative and Digital Industries
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Music
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Others in technology
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Music
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Others in technology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Music
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£17k
£20k
£25k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Others in technology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£25k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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