BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
Study Audio Production to develop and support your creativity in audio across music production, live sound, film, games, audio drama, animation, immersive audio and programming. Work in dedicated high-quality recording and post-production suites, and use the latest software including Pro Tools, Ableton, FMOD and Unreal/Unity.
Campuses
Glasgow,
Liverpool,
London,
Leamington Spa
Fees
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
Domestic Fees
London
£9,000 per year
The annual tuition fee is fully funded via Student Finance England for eligible home-fee students.
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £11,100 per year.
Glasgow
£7,500 per year
Partial funding is available for eligible home fee applicants who are residents of Scotland via the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £9,000 per year.
Liverpool
£9,000 per year
The annual tuition fee is fully funded via Student Finance England for eligible home-fee students.
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £11,100 per year.
Leamington Spa
£9,000 per year
The annual tuition fee is fully funded via Student Finance England for eligible home-fee students.
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £11,100 per year.
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
International Fees
London
£13,000 per year
(*Student visa required)
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £15,000 per year.
Glasgow
£11,500 per year
(*Student visa required)
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £13,000 per year.
Liverpool
£13,000 per year
(Student visa required)
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £15,000 per year.
Leamington Spa
£13,000 per year
(Student visa required)
For UK/Irish students commencing their studies from January 2024, the following fees will apply: £15,000 per year.
Duration(s)
2 years full-time
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
Course Durations
2 years full-time
Start Date(s)
September
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
Start Dates
Glasgow
September
Liverpool
September
London
September
Leamington Spa
September
Entry Requirements
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
Domestic Entry Requirements
Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:
Degree entry
Offers will be made to applicants who are expected to meet, or exceed the entry requirements below, in addition to supplying a personal statement:
72 UCAS points
GCSE level A* - C in English
9 - 4 (or equivalent).
For students studying in Scotland this is equivalent to National 5, C grade
Personal statement
Non-standard entry routes
SAE Institute will accept non-standard entry applications, which do not meet the 72 UCAS points or equivalent, and/or maths/English at level 2 or equivalent as required:
Portfolio of related work -
This could include recordings, films, sketch books, a blog or any suitable medium that gives you the best opportunity to show us your creative potential.
Successful pass mark achieved via the SAE UK Maths test
Academic Essay
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Degree
International Entry Requirements
Non-UK Applicants
English language requirements
Students whose first language is not English will need a qualification that demonstrates competence in English, equivalent to UK GCSE (Level 2) grade 4 (c) or above.
Equivalent qualifications can be accepted, where these qualifications have been verified by ENIC and are adopted widely within the UK Higher Education sector, including:
IELTS (UKVI or Academic) (minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall score of 6.0)
Pearson Test of English (minimum 51 in all subscores)
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (minimum grade C)
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (minimum grade B)
Cambridge English: Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (B2 First) – minimum grade C
TOEFL (IBT or IBT Home Edition online) 72 overall with the following component scores:
Listening – 17
Writing – 17
Speaking – 20
Reading – 18
LanguageCert ESOL examinations:
- International ESOL C1 Expert – pass in all four components
- International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) – minimum 33 in all components
- ESOL Integrated Skills in English II – pass in all components
• IELTS Indicator* (online) – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall score of 6.0
*Accepted on exceptional basis for the applicants whose local test centres are affected by closures due to Covid-19
*Accepted on exceptional basis for the applicants whose local test centres are affected by closures due to Covid-19
YOUR CAREER IN AUDIO BEGINS NOW
Master your craft on small and large format consoles and record the music genres you're interested in.
Get practical experience in live sound, electronic music, and audio post-production.
Enter the workplace with an impressive portfolio of real-world projects.
Learn in industry relevant studio environments
Neve, SSL, Audient consoles and Pro Tools, Logic Pro
Practical, immersive training
Practical skills are vital. Our learning approach is a blend of vocational and academic from day one.
Creative collaboration
Work on projects with songwriters, designers, game developers, filmmakers and animators.
Expand your career
Graduate with a portfolio, work experience, employability and entrepreneurial skills and a network of fellow creatives.
Tools & Software
Audio Engineering & Sound Production course covers:
Recording Studio Techniques
Collaborating with Artists
Mixing and Mastering
Electronic Music Production
Live Sound
Audio Post-Production
Game Audio
Programming Environments
Audio Production degree Course Structure
The Bachelor of Audio is broken up into three distinct stages, each designed to develop different skills.
Trimester 1
Develop the essential technical audio skills and the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.
Principles of Audio will introduce you to the concept of sound as a physical phenomenon and will enable you to predict its behaviour in different situations.
You will also be introduced to the fundamental concepts of audio production, including the use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for recording and editing scenarios. Woven into this you will develop a core understanding of key maths and physics concepts which will support your learning throughout the course. You will be given the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the concepts of signal routing and with the basic applications of microphones and loudspeakers, including the setup of sound reinforcement systems.
Topics include:
You will also be introduced to the fundamental concepts of audio production, including the use of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for recording and editing scenarios. Woven into this you will develop a core understanding of key maths and physics concepts which will support your learning throughout the course. You will be given the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the concepts of signal routing and with the basic applications of microphones and loudspeakers, including the setup of sound reinforcement systems.
Topics include:
- Sound Theory
- Decibels
- Acoustics
- Equalisation (EQ), Effects, and Dynamic Range Processors
- Basic Audio Signal Routing and Wiring
- Electronics
- Microphones and Loudspeakers
- Introduction to DAW and Sequencing Environments
In ‘Desktop Music Production,’ you will learn to design sounds with synthesis and sampling techniques within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). You will compile and arrange music productions, taking into account a basic understanding of music theory and of intellectual property. You will also apply EQ and Dynamics processing to a creative production, work with effects in-the-box, apply DAW-based mixing techniques to your productions, and effectively present your work.
Topics include:
Topics include:
- Digital Audio Workstations
- Synthesis and Sampling
- Sequencing
- MIDI
- Basic Sound Design
- Effects Processing
- Dynamics Processing
- Mixing
- Intro to Music Theory
- Presentation Techniques
- Intellectual Property & copyright
Trimester 2
Throughout the second teaching term, you will broaden your scope to work on more complex multidisciplinary projects in accordance with industry-standard practises.
Recording Techniques introduces you to a studio-based recording environment, within our very own recording studios. You will build the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are necessary to operate modern professional studio environments and demonstrate this through arranging and engineering recording sessions.
Topics include:
Topics include:
- Signal Flow Principles
- Signal Flow Diagrams
- Signal Flow Applications
- Recording Procedures and Techniques
- Mixing Procedures and Techniques
- Digital Audio Workstations
- Audio Editing
- Principles of Signal Processing Equalisation, Dynamics, and Effects
- Time and Pitch Correction
‘Audio Production Industries’ focuses on production workflows and techniques that are common across various audio fields, such as music and multimedia. You will be introduced to the music and multimedia industries and explore the roles within them. You can enhance your skill set in audio editing by investigating sound restoration, pitch & time correction and multitrack drum editing. You will also look at mixing techniques for both multimedia and music applications, within a studio environment. Finally, you will research and write about a relevant area of the audio industries.
Topics include:
Topics include:
- Console Types and Differences
- Components of Consoles
- Workflows: Analogue, Digital, Hybrid
- Integrating Hardware & DAWs
- Care and Maintenance
- Production Planning
- The Recording Process
- The Mixing Process
- Audio Editing Techniques
- Finalising
- Sound Restoration
- Aesthetics and Musical Context
Trimester 3
Trimester 3 introduces you to a professional working environment where you will undertake a number of project briefs using a project based ‘creative studio’ approach. Creative Studios provide a practically focussed approach to your education, through the engagement with authentic assessment activities that reflect industry practises.
During creative studio 1 you will develop your professional practice and focus on the supportive role that audio practitioners play for other media disciplines, including Film, TV, Games and Animation. You will study sound design and post-production techniques for a range of media, and complete practical sound to media projects in these areas. You will also work on individual projects within a range of audio fields, such as the live sound and events industries, the music and electronic music industry and audio applications and programming.
Topics you may draw upon in Creative Studio 1 include:
Topics you may draw upon in Creative Studio 1 include:
- Sound for Media (Film/TV, Games, Animation, Podcast/Radio)
- Sound Design & Editing
- Foley Recording
- Music & Electronic Music Composition
- Immersive Audio
- Object-Based Programming
Trimester 4
The second Creative Studio term focuses on collaborative audio and music production. You will take on production roles and plan artist productions from pre-production through to final mixing, mastering and distribution.
Creative Studio 2 focuses on collaborative music production. You will take on production roles and plan artist productions from pre-production through to final mixing, mastering and distribution. You will operate large-format consoles and conduct complex recording sessions, learning more advanced microphone and multi-microphone techniques for sources such as drums. You may conduct live or location recording sessions of complex ensembles, with or without a live audience.
Production techniques including the advanced use of editing, effects and pitch correction will be incorporated. Mixing techniques previously taught on the course will be expanded to incorporate hybrid and analogue console and outboard equipment workflows. Mastering will be introduced, with consideration of the final delivery format.
Where feasible, you can collaborate with students from other disciplines to create additional artefacts with your artist. For example, music videos, websites, graphic design and artwork.
This will be complemented by fundamental business, marketing and finance concepts as you relate to audio and music productions and freelance work. An insight into health and safety, the legalities of the music industry including copyright, ownership, contracts alongside the various bodies such as PRS, PPL.
Topics you may draw upon in Creative Studio 2 include:
Production techniques including the advanced use of editing, effects and pitch correction will be incorporated. Mixing techniques previously taught on the course will be expanded to incorporate hybrid and analogue console and outboard equipment workflows. Mastering will be introduced, with consideration of the final delivery format.
Where feasible, you can collaborate with students from other disciplines to create additional artefacts with your artist. For example, music videos, websites, graphic design and artwork.
This will be complemented by fundamental business, marketing and finance concepts as you relate to audio and music productions and freelance work. An insight into health and safety, the legalities of the music industry including copyright, ownership, contracts alongside the various bodies such as PRS, PPL.
Topics you may draw upon in Creative Studio 2 include:
- Advanced Music Production Tools & Techniques
- Large Format Consoles
- Advanced Recording Techniques
- Location Music Recording
- Live Sound
- Mixing on a Large Format Console
- Hybrid Workflows
- Mastering
- Business, legal issues, marketing and finance
Trimester 5
As you enter your penultimate study period, you will begin to specialise your skills within your chosen area of the audio industries.
This third ‘Creative Studio’ module provides you with an opportunity to identify your area of professional interest and develop a deep and sound knowledge in this field.
You may choose to undertake structured industry-based activities through the form of ‘live projects’ or to pursue a research project in your field of specialisation. This module will build a thorough awareness of professional practice and provide you with an opportunity to direct your professional development in a way that aligns with your future career plans.
Audio-specific specialisms will include negotiated and live industry projects, designed in collaboration with lecturers and industry. These could be in fields including Programming Environments, Electroacoustic Music, Electronic Composition, Game Audio, Film Sound
and Immersive Audio.
Using evidence-based decision making and your mastery in creative media practice, you will also work to develop a proposal for your final Major Project, where you will be supported to identify methodologies and outcomes appropriate for a Major Project either within the realm of the Arts or the Sciences.
You may choose to undertake structured industry-based activities through the form of ‘live projects’ or to pursue a research project in your field of specialisation. This module will build a thorough awareness of professional practice and provide you with an opportunity to direct your professional development in a way that aligns with your future career plans.
Audio-specific specialisms will include negotiated and live industry projects, designed in collaboration with lecturers and industry. These could be in fields including Programming Environments, Electroacoustic Music, Electronic Composition, Game Audio, Film Sound
and Immersive Audio.
Using evidence-based decision making and your mastery in creative media practice, you will also work to develop a proposal for your final Major Project, where you will be supported to identify methodologies and outcomes appropriate for a Major Project either within the realm of the Arts or the Sciences.
Trimester 6
This final module enables students pursuing the Audio Production award to demonstrate their skills in a large scale, advanced level project.
During your final trimester you will work to the completion of your final Major Project, which will have been designed, scoped and approved through the preceding term. This project gives you the opportunity to focus and advance your knowledge and skills in your chosen specialism within your field, and serves as the culmination of your learning journey with us.
Previously, students have used the Major Project as a springboard into industry, creating award winning projects, establishing their own businesses or making connections with industry professionals that have led to employment.
Previously, students have used the Major Project as a springboard into industry, creating award winning projects, establishing their own businesses or making connections with industry professionals that have led to employment.
UCAS Course Codes
BA Audio Production
W616
University of Hertfordshire
Level 6
This program was developed and is delivered and assessed by SAE Institute, awarded by and quality assured by University of Hertfordshire.
What jobs will this course lead me into?
Studio Engineer
Music Producer
Game Audio Specialist
Sound Editor
Staging Crew
Audio/Visual Technician
Sound Designer
Live Sound Engineer/Operator
Radio Broadcasting
Student Spotlight
Course FAQs
Yes, there is an SAE Student Store with discounts available to students who have fully enrolled.
No, this is not required. Students have access to our campus computer labs for assessment work.
You will only be required to submit a portfolio if you have not met our Level 3 entry requirements for the course, 72 UCAS points or above. One of the National Course Advising team would be happy guide you on how to produce a portfolio if needed.
Audio students get the chance to collaborate with other disciplines, there are many opportunities and requirements to collaborate with students from other degrees throughout the course.
YOUR DREAM CAREER BEGINS NOW
With our industry connections, specialised teachers and personalised education in world-class facilities, you can unleash your creative future with confidence.
Apply now
