BA (Hons) Sound and Music Production

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This specialist degree enables you to develop the required industry production skills for a career in audio postproduction (film, TV, and animation), radio and music. We have strong relationships with industry including a recent partnership with the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. You can participate in workshops with industry professionals at Abbey Road Studios which will form an integral part of your learning and development. Our industry partnerships have led to students securing audio positions with the BBC, Channel 4, Sky, The Church Studios, Pinewood Studios, Fonic, and Sweet Justice Sound, as well as freelance roles.

Underpinned by theory and research, this programme enables you to think critically and creatively about sound alongside gaining hands-on skills in order to prepare you for individual creative practice, further study, or careers in education and research. Previous students have pursued Master's degrees at institutions including the Berklee School of Music.

Teaching staff include a mix of industry-connected professionals and academic researchers who contribute their knowledge and experience to provide a comprehensive understanding of sound as it applies to music, radio, and postproduction industry and culture. You can also benefit from guest lectures and masterclasses delivered by industry experts. Previous guest lecturers include Andy Barlow (producer for U2), Tony Platt (recording engineer AC/DC), and Alannah Chance (producer BBC radio).

You'll be able to develop and hone your skills in our professional recording studio and radio studio, using industry-standard audio software such as Pro Tools, iZotope, Logic, Adobe Suite, and sound stage workflows and equipment. Each student receives their own copy of Avid Pro Tools for the duration of the course enabling them to work on or off campus to develop their skills and portfolio. There may be opportunities to learn official AVID courseware and have the option to become AVID certified through external examinations (subject to availability).

Opportunities are available to volunteer for Siren Radio, our on-campus community station which broadcasts daily to the city of Lincoln on 107.3 FM and globally online, as well as potentially secure experience and paid work in live sound through our on-campus performance venue, The Engine Shed.

"This information was correct at the time of publishing (July 2023)"

How You Study

On this course, students can develop their knowledge, theory, and practice of sound and music production. This culminates in their own independent projects (two advanced pieces of client-based practice work), along with an extended piece of academic work in the form of a dissertation.

In your first year, you will undertake a selection of core practical and theoretical modules to provide you with a solid foundation in sound as it applies to postproduction, radio, and music production. The Lincoln School of Film, Media and Journalism is an AVID Learning Partner, and you can benefit from access to Pro Tools, the industry-standard audio software, during your studies. There may be opportunities to learn official AVID courseware and have the option to become AVID certified through external examinations (subject to availability).

In your second year, you can focus on key areas of interest (post, radio, and/or music) through elective modules. There will be opportunities to book our recording spaces for collaboration with students from film production, animation, journalism, and music. Additionally, you will also prepare for your final-year dissertation through design of your major research project.

Your final year will enable you to bring together all of your previous creative, practical, and theoretical studies to produce two major client-based sound project portfolios, as well as complete your dissertation on your key area of interest.

For students who are interested in studying abroad, there may be the option to take part in an exchange programme in the USA. Please note that fees for the placement are included but travel, accommodation, and general living costs are the responsibility of the student.

First Year

• Electronic Music Production (Core)
• Key Concepts in Sound (Core)
• Multitrack Recording (Core)
• Practices of Recording (Core)
• Principles of Audio (Core)
• Radio and Podcasts (Core)
• Sound for Visual Media (Core)
• Understanding The Creative Industries (Core)

Second Year

• Auditory Culture (Core)
• Practices of Listening (Core)
• Research Methods and Practice (Core)
• Sound Branding (Core)
• Audio Post Production (Option)†
• Creative Sound Design (Option)†
• Location Sound (Option)†
• Music Mixing and Mastering (Option)†
• Music Production (Option)†
• Sound Craft and Radio Studio Production (Option)†

Third Year

• Community Impact and Engagement (Core)
• Project 1 (Core)
• Project 2 (Core)
• Sound and Music Industries Case Study (Core)
• Sound and Music Production Independent Study (Core)

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

How You Are Assessed

Assessment in this course is by a range of practical production projects both individually and within groups and includes presentations and essays, reports, and case studies. The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module.

The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.

This course aims to equip graduates for a wide range of roles in music production, radio, film, and TV, games, animation, mobile and web applications, audio engineering, and audio event management. Lincoln graduates have gone on to work for the BBC, Channel 4, The Church Studios, Fonic audio post production, Sweet Justice Game Audio, and Sky.