Digital Music and Sound Art

Digital Music and Sound Arts focuses on sonic design and composition in the diverse field of contemporary sound arts. It addresses contemporary sound works across a spectrum of musical and sonic styles, while looking at studio techniques, audio production, post-production techniques, composition/sonic design for the moving image, interactive and interdisciplinary sound practices, sound sculpting, spatialisation and installation at real and virtual sites.

Course structure

You will be involved in an exploratory process, driven by your own interests and supported by lectures, seminars, workshops and class discussions. Lecturers are specialists with an academic and/or practical background in various fields (music, film, theatre, sound arts, radio, new media, programming, studio work, music industry). You will have access to four modern digital studios equipped with digital mixing desks enabling automated mixing and many synthesisers and effects, mastering units and software. We also have two recording booths for sound isolation and facilities for software training.

You can choose to take a three-year BA(Hons) degree or a four-year MFA integrated masters-level qualification. Choosing to take the MFA course means that you will advance your understanding of professional digital music and sound art practice and research in year 4.

Areas of study

Sonic Design (organisation of sound) includes compositional skills, studio techniques, sound manipulation and processing.

Musical Composition and Sound for the Moving Image includes screen-based sound work on film, video, TV, new media.

Sound Art includes sound in conjunction with other art media in diverse combinations: installations, sculpture, public and architectural space, interaction, environment and radio.

Career and progression opportunities

Graduates work in the wide-ranging field of the arts and creative industries, radio, television, film/video, internet, new media, live performing arts, games industry and the wide ranging area of sound arts.

Requirements

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary

A-levels:
BCC (typically translates to 260-280 points in the UCAS tariff with additional qualifications). Applicants with only 2 full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis. General studies will count towards the tariff score.

ND/C (Level 3):
MMM.

International Baccalaureate:
individual assessment.

QAA-approved access course:
individual assessment.

GCSE (minimum grade C):
a good profile.

Foundation degree/HND
Direct entry to year 3 requires a foundation degree or DipHE in related subjects, or practical or professional experience. Direct entry to year 4 requires an honours degree or equivalent in related subject, and prior work or creative practical experience. You must demonstrate ability to work at postgraduate level.

For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, 6.0 in writing.

Other:
ABRSM grade 7.

Mode of Attendance : Full - Time