Music and Audio Production BSc (Hons)

Course overview

This course is ideal for those who have a passion for creative practices in both music and sound, and wish to explore the technical skill of those practices.

• On our course you’ll explore the principles of music and audio production including recording music in the studio, writing, arranging and producing music with technology, live sound, sound design, sound effect, synthesis and interactive sound design (e.g. computer game audio). We also cover the music business, careers and employability. You will also have access to 5 recording studios (including Audient, Yamaha Nuage, Neve and SSL mixing desks) many live rooms and performance spaces and an iMac music tech suite running Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Ableton Live, Max/ Msp, Sibelius and Dorico⁴.
• We are a certified Steinberg training centre¹. As part of the course you may have the opportunity to go to Rock Field Studio (where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody) for a week of master classes in recording and mastering².
• Upon completion of this course, you may have the opportunity to become music producers, sound engineers, composers; audio post- production and game audio technicians together with work in extensive related fields such as radio and television sound.

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

• Popular Music Performance and Songwriting BA (Hons)

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

In our course, we use an immersive learning path where you will study using a focused teaching method, focusing on one subject at a time for a few weeks before moving to the next study. We give free time and space for students to experiment.

You will be taught through lectures, workshops and tutorials, as well as through industry recognised artists and professionals (subject to availability). Previous examples of speakers have been music producers, composers, sound engineers, label, artists and tour managers².

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

• On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
• Group work
• Self-directed learning
• Work placement opportunities².

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 10-12 contact hours per week in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include:

• Practical or project work
• Coursework
• Tests
• Essays
• Presentations/posters.

Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

The course offers an international field trip to students² (subject to availability, application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs). Students in the past have been to Berlin to visit Ableton Labs and spent time in Hansa Studios where classic David Bowie and Depeche Mode albums were recorded. In addition, students recently went to Hong Kong where they took part in a pop-up show. You may also have the opportunity to go to Rock Field Studio for a week of master classes in recording and mastering.

Facilities

At Coventry, students benefit from superb facilities⁴ so they can build on their practical talent. Facilities include:

• Several recording studios (including SSL and Neve mixing desks)
• Various live rooms and performance spaces
• An iMac music tech suite plus further state-of-the-art recording studios running Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max and Sibelius on Apple macs.