Music Production and Business BA (Hons)

Buckinghamshire New University

If you see yourself as a record producer, production company manager, studio engineer, sound designer, or even a recording artist, this course could be the right one for you. Substantial time will be spent in the studio where you’ll learn about audio applications and explore a number of processing techniques. You’ll develop relevant management skills and a firm understanding of the music business, helping you to leave BNU ready to hit the ground running in this competitive, exciting and rewarding industry.

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) Electronic Music Production and BA (Hons) Music Production and Business.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

All our music degrees at BNU come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP).

UK Music is the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. MAP is a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music, and is designed to maximise the relationship between the industry and educational institutions in order to inform the next generation of industry professionals. Fundamentally MAP provides extra opportunities to individuals who want to build careers out of their passion for music. This helps to future-proof the music industry by ensuring new entrants have the right mix of experience and skills.

What facilities can I use?

Our state-of-the-art recording studios and Sennheiser Sound Lab, which has been fully equipped by our partners, Sennheiser, a world leading production supplier, give you access to the space and technology you need. From individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools HD studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths, we have it all to help you gain hands-on experience.

We have other top-quality suppliers, including Midas, Focusrite, Novation and AC Lighting, so you can get your hands on the same tools as the best in the business.

What will I study?

During this course you’ll learn about the importance of intellectual property (the ownership of an idea) and develop a solid understanding of how to negotiate contracts. This will ensure you know how a real living can be made upon graduation. You’ll learn about the unique nature of dealing with recording artists and how to maximise the potential of compositions with a variety of recording techniques. Additionally, we'll also spend time focusing on a number of DIY approaches to the music business.

In the studio we’ll teach you how to use Pro Tools professionally and look at how music is evolving through advanced technologies. You’ll develop an understanding of studio hardware, microphone characteristics, sound capture and mixing. We’ll also look at stereo effects, ambient techniques, composition and structure. The growing area of sound design and music for film, animation, games and other media forms is also addressed.

This course aims to harness and develop entrepreneurship, a key aspect in the music business. You’ll learn creative strategies, how to follow market trends and seek opportunities within them.

How will I be taught and assessed?

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.

A variety of assessment vehicles will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including assignments carried out in your own time, in-class assignments, workshops and presentations. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.