| TARIFF SCORE | 280 points |
| STUDY LOCATION | School of Digital Media Technology; Millennium Point |
| APPLICATION | UCAS code J930 |
| DURATION | 3 years FT | 4 years sandwich course |
| FACULTY | Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment |
Key Facts
One of the cornerstones of this degree programme's development is an understanding of the various technologies that are used in sound engineering. It is accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET). Successful completion meets the educational requirements for IEng status.
The course takes a technical approach, but focuses also on the importance of sonics and usability in all areas of sound engineering. By gaining a thorough understanding of the equipment used and using this knowledge to enhance the quality of creative work, the BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production offers its graduates a valuable set of skills that are pertinent to employment in this rapidly-changing environment.
The course offers innovative teaching and learning techniques, placing emphasis on active and participative education. There is a broad range of subject areas to study within the field of sound engineering that develops students both intellectually and creatively by combining technology with creative techniques and processes that are relevant to the audio industry.
As well as attaining skills that are necessary for lifelong learning, students will also gain an awareness of the legal and ethical issues relating to the music industries.
Students have access to some of the best facilities in the country. They include eight recording and mixing studios, which share five live spaces. Each of the spaces features different acoustic characteristics, allowing students to explore space and manipulation of that space to achieve a desired result.
One of the spaces, a semi-anechoic chamber also facilitates acoustic testing required in the final year Acoustics and Musical Instruments module and also used by many students in their final projects.
Course overview
The BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production has been designed to meet the exacting requirements found within the audio industry. There are five key themes running through the programme: industry and visual media, production and synthesis, digital audio and project, acoustics and audio electronics and live and recorded sound. This unique combination of subjects supports entrance into a range of career paths and further study opportunities.
It provides a dynamic study programme that focuses on modern popular and electronic music, concepts embedded in key multimedia and business principles and the inclusion of acoustics and live sound engineering.
Course structure
The industry and visual media component offers an introduction to the music industry. Students will gain an understanding of the industry from a technical, legal, organisational and ethical standpoint.
The visual media element of the course allows students to employ the various production techniques learnt through the degree across a range of related industries.
In the production and synthesis unit, students learn important techniques in sequencing, synthesis and in the use and creation of audio effects.
The digital audio and project section of the course provides students with detailed instruction in digital audio and DSP. For their project, students research and report on a topic of study that relates to their programme, and is further supported by the Media Production Management module, which is found within the industry and visual media component.
In the acoustics and audio electronics theme, students will gain an insight into audio electronics and apply their knowledge in the study of audio system design in the second year. The final year module in acoustics and musical instruments provides students with an understanding of acoustic principles as applied to both musical instrument design and to acoustic spaces.
Live and recorded sound offers students the chance to work in the live sound industry, providing technical knowledge and practical skills. In the second year, students are introduced to the studio and a range of techniques used in recording and mixing. These skills underpin the final year portfolio based module.
Learning Experience
Industry and Visual Media Theme |
Production and Synthesis Theme |
Digital Audio and Project Theme |
Acoustic and Audio Electronics Theme |
Live and Recorded Sound Theme |
YEAR 1 (Level 4) |
||||
| Music Industry |
Sound Production |
Digital Audio Technology |
Audio Electronics |
Live Sound Engineering |
| 15 Credits |
15 Credits |
30 Credits |
30 Credits |
30 Credits |
YEAR 2 (Level 5) |
||||
| Media Production Management |
Sound Synthesis and Sequencing |
Digital Music Processing |
Audio Systems |
Sound Recording |
| 15 Credits |
15 Credits |
30 Credits |
30 Credits |
30 Credits |
YEAR 3 (Level 6) |
||||
| Sound for Visual Media |
Digital Audio Effects |
Media Technology Project |
Acoustics and Musical Instruments |
Applications of Sound Systems |
| 15 Credits |
15 Credits |
30 Credits |
30 Credits |
30 Credits |
Entry requirements
- 280 points. Minimum of two 6-unit or one 12-unit A-Level (GCE or VCE)
- National Diploma with Merit Merit Distinction
- Advanced Diplomas are accepted
- AGNVQ overall Merit + GCSE Mathematics C
- GCSE Mathematics and English grade C or equivalent must be offered
Assessment
A range of assessment methods is used during the course. These include continuous assessment, in-class tests, examinations, laboratory exercises and project work. Using these methods, students' all-round ability will be appraised, which offers the best opportunity to excel.
Further study
The University has a range of either taught (MSc) or research (MPhil and PhD) postgraduate programmes, details can be found at www.bcu.ac.uk/research
Employability
This course is well-respected among the industry and graduates have found positions in a variety of sectors, including live and industry; film and visual media industries; broadcasting; audio product manufacturing; audio journalism; interactive music; digital signal processing; and education.
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