BSc (Hons) Music Technology
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £17,000/year: international students
Scholarships
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Introduction
Our BSc (Hons) Music Technology degree course will help you lay the groundwork for a rewarding career in the music industry in creative or technical areas.
You'll learn how to create, produce, and engineer music technology projects in our exciting new Music and Sound Studios (opened Summer 2022). You’ll also be able to compose music and sound with professional studio hardware and software, experiment with emerging technologies and practices through collaboration and project work, and develop transferable skills that can be applied beyond your degree.
Exit awards
Depending on the modules you choose in your second and third years, you’ll get one of the following exit awards upon completing the course.
Award type
- BSc (Hons) Music Technology (Recording and Production)
- BSc (Hons) Music Technology (Composition)
- BSc (Hons) Music Technology (Computing)
Course highlights
- Use our brand-new, high-end professional music studio complex – comprising three studios, two live rooms, a vocal booth, and editing rooms
- Familiarise yourself with industry-level studio equipment – including a Neve Genesys Black G96 mixing console in our flagship Studio 1, an SSL Matrix 2 mixing console in Studio 2, and a Dolby Atmos surround sound studio in Studio 3
- Explore our growing range of hardware synthesisers (including Buchla System 7)
- Demonstrate your expertise with industry-standard applications to professionals by earning Avid Pro Tools and Audiokinetic Wwise-110 certifications
- Gain valuable industry experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement – either with a company or as self-employed
- Develop original software tools for music and sound
- Create live installations and performances using sensors and alternative controllers
- Work on collaborative projects with students and staff across the Faculty
Accreditation
This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Services), a group of industry professionals and employers.
The JAMES accreditation lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work in the industry when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who didn’t do an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.
JAMES reviews our accreditation every three years to make sure the course content remains up-to-date with industry trends and developments. So you’ll always be learning skills relevant to your career.
Gallery
Ideal Students
To get the most out of this course, you'll need to have studied A levels or a BTEC National in Music Technology or Music Production. You can also demonstrate your music and/or music technology knowledge through a portfolio, if you lack qualifications in the area.
We're looking for enthusiastic, motivated and ambitious applicants, with backgrounds in the fundamentals of music recording, production, composition, creative computing and broader creative practice.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Studio Theory and Practice – 40 credits
- Creative Music Technology – 40 credits
- Creative Computing for Music and Sound – 40 credits
There are no optional modules this year.
Year 2
Core modules
- Recording and production pathway
- Creative and Critical Research Design – 20 credits
- Recording and Production Techniques – 20 credits
- Sound Design and Music for Games – 20 credits
- Acoustics: Studio Design and Live Sound – 20 credits
- Composition pathway
- Creative and Critical Research Design – 20 credits
- Creativity and Resilience – 20 credits
- Composition Portfolio – 20 credits
- Sound Design and Music and Games – 20 credits
- Computing pathway
- Creative and Critical Research Design – 20 credits
- Advanced Creative Computing for Music and Sound – 20 credits
- Applied Music Technology Project – 20 credits
- Audio Programming – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Recording and production pathway
- Music Technology in Performance – 20 credits
- Composition Portfolio – 20 credits
- Music Enterprise and Career Development – 20 credits
- Institution Wide Language Programme – 20 credits
- Creative Technologies Study Exchange – 60 credits
- Applied Music Technology Project – 20 credits
- Composition pathway
- Music Technology in Performance – 20 credits
- Recording and Production Techniques – 20 credits
- Music Enterprise and Career Development – 20 credits
- Institution Wide Language Programme – 20 credits
- Creative Technologies Study Exchange – 60 credits
- Applied Music Technology Project – 20 credits
- Computing pathway
- Creativity and Resilience – 20 credits
- Music Technology in Performance – 20 credits
- Sound Design for Music and Games – 20 credits
- Electroacoustic Composition – 20 credits
- Institution Wide Language Programme – 20 credits
- Creative Technologies Study Exchange – 60 credits
Placement year (optional)
In this course, you can do an optional work placement year between your 2nd and 3rd years to get valuable experience working in the industry.
We'll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Year 3
Core modules
- Recording and production pathway
- Final Year Project – 40 credits
- Professional Studio Practice – 20 credits
- Composition pathway
- Final Year Project – 40 credits
- Free Composition – 20 credits
- Computing pathway
- Final Year Project – 40 credits
- Audio Programming/Sound and Music Programming – 20 credits
Optional modules
- Recording and production pathway
- Specialist Studio Project – 20 credits
- Emerging Music Technologies – 20 credits
- Flexible Client Project – 20 credits
- Collaborative Sound Project – 20 credits
- Music and Sound Synthesis – 20 credits
- Composition pathway
- Composition for Visual Media – 20 credits
- Emerging Music Technologies – 20 credits
- Implementing Game Audio – 20 credits
- Collaborative Sound Project – 20 credits
- Music and Sound Synthesis – 20 credits
- Computing pathway
- Foundations of AI – 20 credits
- Emerging Music Technologies – 20 credits
- Implementing Game Audio – 20 credits
- Collaborative Sound Project – 20 credits
- Music and Sound Synthesis – 20 credits
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry, and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Placement year (optional)
Between your second and third years, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Placement destinations
Previous students have done placements at places including:
- Hot Vox Ltd – a music promotion and events company operating around London and beyond
- Blackhill Studios – a professional recording studio in Southampton
- Mayfield Studios – a Portsmouth based recording studio, record label and video production studio
- University of Portsmouth Music Studios – our own music production facilities
Career Opportunities
Music technology’s a continually developing field that’s fundamental to many areas of the creative industries, including television, film, animation, computer games, and digital media.
The experience you get on this course means you'll be ready to use the latest technology and equipment available to employers, giving you a head start over others when it comes to applying for jobs.
You can also continue your studies at the postgraduate level.
Graduate areas
Areas you could work in include:
- visual media
- computer games
- audio programming
- music studio work
- education
Graduate roles
Job roles you could work in include:
- composer
- sound designer
- audio/software developer
- musical technician
- studio manager
- studio engineer
- music teacher/lecturer
- game audio professional (composition and sound design)
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Facilities
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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