Buckinghamshire New University
Audio and Music Production with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
Buckinghamshire New University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Audio and Music Production with Foundation Year BA (Hons) and other courses in others in technology at Buckinghamshire New University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in others in technology.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Performing Arts

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of others in technology at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21000 £22500 £25000
25-75 percentile range £18500 - £25500 £17500 - £25500 £19000 - £30000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Performing Arts

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21801 £19411 £23181
25-75 percentile range £18253 - £25466 £14340 - £24328 £17441 - £29439

Course Description

Do you have a passion for music and sound? On this course, you’ll explore both the technical and creative aspects of sound, with plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the industry with real life briefs and masterclasses delivered by professionals.

Whether you see your future in studio and live production or in a record label, composing or performing, you’ll have the chance to develop your skills with expert guidance, making use of industry-standard technology to compose, perform, record and produce original music. The music sector offers a range of different roles in different environments for you to explore and opportunities in the UK music industry are plentiful.

The initial Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.

After your Foundation Year, this course has a shared first year across multiple specialisms. After your first year, if you want to study a different specialism you can choose to change between: BA (Hons) Music Production; BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production; BA (Hons) Music Production and Business; and BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

BNU has been delivering courses in the music industry for over 25 years and we have a wealth of expertise in our network of lecturing staff, guest speakers, and alumni, all with a track record of success in a variety of roles in the music business internationally.

You’ll get comprehensive training in key elements of music and audio production: studio production, music performance and composition, immersive audio techniques, critical listening and analysis, sound design, and live audio production techniques. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the ability to project manage yourself and a portfolio crammed with real life experience.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

All our music degrees at BNU come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP), a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music.

What will I study?

Study both software and hardware to learn the best ways to record, mix and produce audio content for different systems. You'll work on real-life projects and collaborate with students from other courses on projects ranging from the screen to the stage. You'll also learn relevant business skills to help you tackle the challenges freelancers can face, including finance and legal guidance. This is a very practical, detailed course, and you'll also learn about the music and entertainment industries from experienced professionals. Depending on the modules you choose, you could also gain skills in performing, song composition, artist management, and create a substantial portfolio.

What facilities can I use?

Our state-of-the-art recording studios and Dolby Atmos certified sound lab give you access to the space and technology you need. From individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools Ultimate studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths, we have it all to help you gain hands-on experience.

Equipment across our studios includes: a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 speaker system, an Avid S6 console, an Avid D-Command control surface and 24 channels of Focusrite ISA828 microphone preamps, an Avid S3/S4 control surfaces and UAD Apollo x8 audio interfaces, Genelec studio monitoring and KRK stereo systems. Find out more about our equipment on our website.

Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Audio and Music Production with Foundation Year BA (Hons) at Buckinghamshire New University

30% Sales occupations
20% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Design occupations
5% Administrative occupations
5% Web and Multimedia Design Professionals
5% Quality and Regulatory Professionals
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

Our teaching staff have a wealth of professional and academic experience, with many still actively working in the music industry. You’ll also engage with our dynamic programme of visiting lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities. Previous live-industry briefs have seen students work at Glastonbury, Dolby and Pinewood Studios. You'll also get the chance to work with up and coming music artists. Previous artists have included the Ting Tings, Jake Bugg, and Florence and the Machine. You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you be able to make friends for life, you’ll also make important connections that could last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working-world. A variety of assessment methods will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including essays, reports, portfolios of creative audio content, written evaluations, presentations, and some continuous assessment on practical tasks. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for others in technology

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees

For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international

Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Audio and Music Production with Foundation Year, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Audio and Music Production with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £15000 year 1
International £15000 year 1

Additional fee information

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • Foundation

University Rankings

Positions of Buckinghamshire New University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 6 university rankings of Buckinghamshire New University

About Buckinghamshire New University

Buckinghamshire New University, also known as Bucks, was founded in 1893, in the town of High Wycombe, South East England. This university has chosen to divide its academic offerings into seven separate schools, which is reflected in that learning resources such as libraries are located in their relevant areas to reduce crowding and also increase the ease of looking for the materials the student needs. Bucks has been the recipient of numerous awards, among which we can find the Silver Award from TEF.

List of 191 Bachelor and Master Courses from Buckinghamshire New University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Buckinghamshire New University

undergraduates:
16465
postgraduates:
860
Total:
17325
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Where is this programme taught

Buckinghamshire New University
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