Music Production (with a Foundation Year)

UCAS code: W38Q

Here's what University of Staffordshire says about its Music Production (with a Foundation Year) course.

Get into the music industry through our multidisciplinary degree that will teach you all you need to know to succeed as a producer. On our BA (Hons) in Music Production, you’ll learn how to compose, record, mix and master music for commercial release. There will also be plenty of scope to explore your own projects and specialise in the area you want to pursue for a career. And as the life of a music producer is so varied, it will prepare you for work across radio, TV, film, games and theatre too. Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by lecturers who work as songwriters, producers and live performers. In recent years, they’ve included high-profile figures like Nick McCabe, former lead guitarist in The Verve. We also have research-active staff with links to everything from hip-hop to electronic music. Some of the modules focus on the technical skills you’ll need for professional studio environments. Our top-spec facilities include five fully equipped recording studios, all with surround sound and consoles from SSL, Avid, Audient and API. There’s a 60-seater Mac music technology centre incorporating Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Native Instruments Komplete. You can gain official Pro Tools accreditation at a very low cost as well. Students can access the studio space anytime between 9am and midnight on weekdays and it’s also available for individual use at weekends. You can immerse yourself in more creative activities too, such as songwriting and experimental composition. It’s ideal for students who like performing alongside producing. A third of the year will be devoted to working on self-directed projects. This is where the flexibility really comes into play as you could choose anything from recording a local band through to composing accompanying music for a film. There’s the opportunity for students to collaborate with others on some of the practical work. The course has a business element as well, reflecting the freelance nature of much of the music industry. It includes learning about contracts and how they work. We also invite industry professionals to talk to students. Previous experts have included a Grammy award-winning producer. If you choose to undertake a placement, we have links with a number of companies. These include: Yellowfish Studios, Dovetail Games, SFL, Clair Global, London Symphony Orchestra, Whitby Studios and Swansea Bay TV. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Music Production

Foundation Year: Digital Skills in Music and Sound; Introduction to Music and Sound; Investigating Music and Sound; Music and Sound in Context; Music and Sound Project (Level 3) Year One Core: Creative Applications of Digital Audio Workstations; Introduction to Studio Practice; Music and Sound Project Level 4; Music and Sound Theory and Context; Music Business and Marketing Year Two Core: Editing and Mixing Audio; Music and Sound Project – Level 5; Studio Practice Year Two Optional: Acoustics; Digital Performance; Events Management; Experimental Music Composition; Experimental Software Tools; Multi-Channel Audio Production and Mastering; Music in Context; Song and Lyric Writing; Sound Design in Context; Sound Design in Visual Media; Synthesis and Sampling Year Three Core: Music and Sound Project (Level 6); Written Research Project Year Three Optional: Acoustics; Digital Performance; Events Management; Experimental Music Composition; Experimental Software Tools; Multi-Channel Audio Production and Mastering; Music in Context; Song and Lyric Writing; Sound Design in Context; Sound Design in Visual Media; Synthesis and Sampling