Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Music Production
Develop your practice in specialist music studios and learn the skills to work in creative industries such as music, film, TV and games audio production.
Course Overview
-
WJ3X -
L27 -
Headingley Campus Beckett Park -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
20 Sep 2021
Develop your abilities to become a highly skilled music and audio producer.
As part of your course you’ll:
- Hone your skills in the creative, technical and compositional aspects of music production
- Gain a solid academic and practical base from which to develop your craft further
- Apply your knowledge to a variety of creative and industry-focused briefs and scenarios
- Understand the professional environment and how it will inform your practice
- Learn through lectures, tutorials and seminars delivered by academic staff and industry professionals
- Have the opportunity to work with other students in production teams, further enhancing your team working and project management abilities and employability opportunities
You’ll have access to software such as Logic Pro, Cubase, Adobe Audition, MAX MSP and Synthmaker. Your specialist modules might require you to use Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Unreal and other industry standard software.
This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) which encourages the delivery of workshops and lectures from industry professionals. A placement option and your final year project will provide you with opportunities to work with industry partners. You can view the work of previous students on our 2020 End of Year Festival website.
Artist in Residence Programme
The Artist in Residence programme gives our students an opportunity to work with professional artists and gives them a taste of what is it like to work on a professional music project. We have welcomed artists Chris T-T, Ian Prowse, I Monster, Tom Williams and Utah Saints.
Why study Music Production at Leeds Beckett University...
- 97.8% of students from BA (Hons) Music Production in work or further study 15 months after graduating*
- Accredited by JAMES - we were the first university in England to become a JAMES Integrated Learning Centre
- Taught by music industry professionals
- Opportunity to gain invaluable work experience through a placement year in industry and work with external clients in your final year
- Study within Leeds School of Arts - one of the largest university arts communities in the north, with 3000 students spread across over 40 courses
- In the new Leeds School of Arts building you will have access to dedicated music studios; Foley studios; dubbing and music recording studios; acoustic labs and a host of post-production suites
* Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020
BA (Hons) Music Production | Student insights Student Ross talks about his time studying music production at Leeds School of Arts
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs:
GCSE English Language at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma:
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.Scottish Awards:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.Level 6 Entry:
Applicants should have a HND, Foundation degree or equivalent award in the cognate subjects of Music.Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Mature Applicants:
Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable..
All applicants are required to meet our standard English language and Maths requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, for example we accept some Functional Skills Tests.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.
We were awarded silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflecting our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.
As well as learning from expert tutors, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support. Our subject-specific librarians will also direct you to the specialist learning and study-skills resources that will underpin your studies.
As well as learning from expert tutors, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support. Our subject-specific librarians will also direct you to the specialist learning and study-skills resources that will underpin your studies.
Teaching & Learning
Become a highly skilled producer of musical and audio artefacts, by studying the creative, technical and compositional aspects of music production. You will be given the opportunity to develop and apply your academic and practical expertise within the areas of recording, production and composition through the completion of a variety of creative and industry focused briefs.
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study - the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.
Gain the technical and academic skills that are central to music production and provide a sound basis for you to develop your practice and understanding for future study. You will also work on your creative practice portfolio across the year, which will showcase the technical and academic expertise you have developed during your studies.
What you'll learn
Develop the knowledge and skills you will to undertake research and practical projects at the level required for Higher Education. Working in teams, you will choose an area related to the local music industry and present your research findings and then engage in some practical enquiry in response to those findings.
Learn to listen critically to acoustic spaces, audio equipment and audio material. You will explore acoustic principles and the human auditory system and build on your learning through workshops and tutorials.
Focus on approaches to developing, writing down and communicating your musical ideas and intentions to others. You will practically apply these skills through composing, notating and presenting these ideas in formats which musicians and music producers could then extend and develop in a studio or live performance setting.
This module will introduce the technologies and principles that underpin analogue and digital music signals and systems. Through workshops and tutorials you will develop knowledge and skills required in the creative audio industries.
Explore a range of perspectives, approaches and techniques relevant to computer-based music composition and performance.
Study contemporary musical genres, histories and associated music subcultures to deepen your understanding of what political, economic, sociological, technological, ethical and legal factors impact upon the music being produced and the industries that support it.
The first in a series of studio recording modules, this module will introduce you to and develop your fundamental, practical audio production skills. You will also learn about the hardware and software systems used in audio recording and establish good working practices for audio projects.
Subject-specific modules will build upon your knowledge and technical skills acquired in Year One, and introduces you to more specialised techniques and concepts in the area of music production. You will also specialise by selecting a range of optional modules that are aligned to your preferred career pathway - these include game audio, electronic music, songwriting, live sound and composition skills.
What you'll learn
Organise and manage a studio project through the stages of production, demonstrating your understanding of recording and production techniques. You will evaluate the project throughout all stages of production.
Explore the background to and historical context of the music industry. You will examine its current health, and consider the implications of this for the people working in the industry.
Develops your ability to analyse a variety of production types and techniques and develop an understanding of the historical, cultural and technical influences on music production.
Choose from a range of project briefs which you will respond to over the course of the module. You will develop your knowledge and skills in your subject area as well as enhancing your ability to propose, plan and manage a project, to work as part of a team and to reflect on your own practice.
Option modules may include
Investigate the ways in which sound can both influence and underpin the narrative in film and television. You will gain the skills needed to record, manipulate and mix post-production sound for film and television.
Build your knowledge of the various techniques, concepts and skills associated with the setting up and operation of a live sound system.
Gain an understanding of the concepts and challenges of producing audio for interactive games. You will evaluate examples of game audio and produce your own interactive audio that demonstrates the principles you have learned.
Covering a range of genres, you will explore compositional approaches and production techniques to help you build a portfolio of work and develop your skill set in the area of electronic music production.
Enhance your songwriting skills. This intensive, hands-on module will enhance your existing skills and by the end of the module you will have written and recorded a collaborative songwriting portfolio.
Develop your capacity to experiment and create via a number of compositional tasks. You will gain skills that can be applied in a range of areas, including composing for the moving image, music production and sound and music for interactive environments.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
Embark on a major project to create a significant piece of work in line with your career ambitions. You will have the opportunity to design, build and evaluate a product to a professional standard, ideally from a client-led brief. You will also pursue more specialised areas of interest to expand your practice and understanding, while The Professional Development Portfolio module will allow you to consider your future direction and develop industry appropriate content in preparation your future career.
What you'll learn
Plan and propose your major project. Lectures and tutorials will cover techniques and concepts that will support you in the research and preparation stages and project supervisor meetings will guide you through each stage of the project process.
Undertake the project planned during the Project Proposal module. To help you progress, you will have regular contact with a project supervisor and learning set meetings led by a specialist in the subject area. You will also keep an online journal where you can evidence, discuss and evaluate your work.
Develop and demonstrate your professional industry skills and understanding through the creation of a portfolio of work related to your chosen area of the industry.
Option modules may include
Examine the technical, social and cultural factors that influence the production and consumption of contemporary music.
Develop the arranging skills essential for the contemporary arranger, producer, songwriter or performer.
Designed to equip you with the skills to produce music for film and television, this module will introduce you to some key composers to examine the historical function of film music and look at the approaches to synchronisation and instrumentation required to produce contemporary film and TV scores.
Improve your songwriting abilities. This intensive, hands-on module will enhance your existing skills and by the end of the module you will have written and recorded a collaborative songwriting portfolio.
Work on pre-existing recordings to develop your skills in mastering a collection of musical tracks.
Explore the historical context of community music and investigate the application of music across the broad spectrum of community arts. You will develop the skills necessary to plan, monitor and evaluate community music activities and be encouraged to contribute to a real-life community project.
Study the key concepts of electro-acoustic composition and the application of these concepts both creatively and technically.
Develop your ability to record high-quality location sound in rural and urban environments for potential use in radio, television, music, games, and installations or in other artefacts.
A combination of experimentation, critical listening and contextual discourse, this module will help you develop the essential skills and processes used in modern studio productions.
Gain an understanding of the key technologies and innovations in audio manipulation for sound design. You will produce an original portfolio of work in response to a given brief demonstrating a range of sound design techniques.
Build on your understanding of the functionality of the music industry and develop an ability to identify and analyse new business models, technological development and new revenue streams related to these.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee.Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Professional-standard music studios and equipment.
Optional Costs
- Headphones (£60).
- Passport hard drive (£50)
- Headphones (£50).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
The tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Professional-standard music studios and equipment.
Optional Costs
- Headphones (£60).
- Passport hard drive (£50)
- Headphones (£50).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
BA (Hons) Music Production | Course insights Course Director, Tom Bowers taks about the BA (Hons) Music Production course at Leeds School of Arts
Our placement has been invaluable and we're confident it will take our careers to the next level. It has provided a brilliant insight into all aspects of the industry and the world of work, and it's great being part of a business and a team where we can put our learning into practice.
Kevin Cowley & Jake Harding
Placement students Samplephonics
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
97.8%
of students from BA (Hons) Music Production in work or further study 15 months after graduating.
The skills and understanding I gained helped me to achieve big things. I never thought I'd work at Radio 2, but I'm now proud to be part of the BBC thanks to the support and encouragement I received at University.
Graham Albans
Assistant Producer BBC Radio 2
Career Prospects
You could work within a range of creative industries, including music, television, radio, film and games production. Some of our graduates are now working in post-production, live sound and television and film and as no.1 selling artists while others work for community and voluntary organisations in education or in technical support roles. You could widen your experience by progressing on to one of our postgraduate courses, such as MA Music Production, MA Songwriting & Production or MA Sound Design.
- Record Producer
- Sound Engineer
- Theatre Composer
- TV or Film Sound Technician
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that the opportunity to experience an education here at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us to study for your undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary.
Bursaries are usually awarded depending on household income, whilst scholarships are available for a number of areas, and are based on sporting or academic excellence. For more information visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
Beckett Careers Team
Our Beckett Careers Team will support you with all aspects of your career planning, throughout university and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or want to gain experience alongside your studies, need help preparing an application or exploring graduate job options, we can provide expert support every step of the way!
Throughout your university journey and up to five years after you graduate you'll have access to a broad range of support and tools to help you with:
- Getting ready to apply for jobs
- Working on your CV
- Preparing for an interview
- Applying for a graduate vacancies or placements
- Connecting with employers and organisations
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
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