Focusing on the creative applications of music and sound.
Discover the creative possibilities of sound and music while acquiring the technical skill and theoretical base to help you be adaptable to change in the constantly evolving creative industries. If you have a passion for sound, this degree will help you develop the in-depth understanding needed to produce engaging listening experiences.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
We want you to become a multi-skilled practitioner able to work in several areas of sound and music production. In this way, you can build a sustained career in the creative industries.
You will develop a broad understanding of production technology within the context of the creation, manipulation, and communication of music and sound in a range of contexts including film, TV, games, and animation. Taught by a team with extensive creative industries experience, you will learn and practice using industry-standard equipment in our studios, labs and performance spaces. The Creative Audio programme is also flexible, so you can personalise it to match your interests. We are committed to being relevant, practical and forward–thinking.
Using leading–edge tools and technologies, this course develops your skills in recorded sound, live sound and post-production. You will learn modern production and performance methods and techniques including: sequencing, sampling, synthesis, recording, composition and arranging, programming, electronics, processing, editing and post-production.
Collaboration is an important aspect of the creative industries. You will have the opportunity to extend your professional network by studying alongside Cinematic Arts, Game Design, Animation and Drama students – as well as other Music students. In parallel, you will also acquire transferable skills and practical strategies for producing and managing creative projects.
Graduates of the Creative Audio programme will be technologically literate and comfortable creating and communicating ideas within and beyond the audio domain. They will also understand music, sound and technology within the context of cultural developments and in collaboration with other arts fields, supporting work which engages with a range of cultural, community and creative industries opportunities.
The course is made up of workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, peer review/feedback, supervised studio sessions and independent study.
Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. It is expected that you will not only engage with the taught elements but also with independent learning in the studios and labs - it is here that your individual learning can be expanded through informal conversations with your fellow students and feedback from staff.
Content
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
- the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
- the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
- the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10- or 20-credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate course typically 15- or 30-credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. The part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures, you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment are standardised.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation, in this case, is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points, the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
The core staff for the Creative Audio programme are:
In addition to above, we work with a number of high-level industry practitioner enabling an essential bridge between industry and the programme.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Derry ~ Londonderry campus offers an intimate learning environment.
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to the production of audio within a modern computer based 'Digital Audio Workstation', commonly referred to as a DAW. Students will encounter key computer based production technologies and will explore these through the production of audio. This will allow students to establish creative and efficient practices in the use of digital music technologies.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides next steps into the sound design world with a particular emphasis on audio sampling and post production. Students will encounter field recording principles and key computer based production technologies and will explore these through the production of original audio material. This will allow students to establish creative and efficient practices in the use of field recording and digital music technologies.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This module provides introductory music theory and composition-production tuition for creative audio students, with a particular focus on accommodating those from technical or general backgrounds who have had limited exposure to music training, and will introduce topics including (1) organisational principles of music, (2) the theoretical context for these principles, (3) the practical application of these principles using music technologies, and (4) the creative application of these principles and critical reflection on creative work.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This module essentially provides students with the necessary capabilities for composing in a free contemporary style and to arranging for small ensemble
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to introduce students to the relationship between cultural and technological developments within sound and music in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. In doing so, it will seek to provide conceptual frameworks which will aid students in engaging critically across a range of creative practices, media, genres and technologies.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to introduce students to designing sound. Key aspects include theoretical analysis and approaches toward synthetically creating and/or manipulating sound for a particular application.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to the production of live music events. Students will encounter key professional audio production technologies and will explore these through the production of an event. This will allow students to establish creative and efficient practices relevant to the contemporary world of work.
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides an overview of the studio environment and of the techniques involved in the different stages of modern music production.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
Students will consider practical techniques to apply principles of audio recording, synthesis and production to immersive applications. This will include:
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides an advanced exploration of the studio environment and of the techniques involved in the different stages of modern music production.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module will introduce students to the key creative, practical, theoretical, and aesthetic strategies associated with contemporary composition and performance which utilises timbre as the central tool for compositional exploration.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module is designed for students who wish to develop their practice in interactive systems for live digital music or visual performance, application prototype and/or installation work.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module introduces students to auditory perception and cognition, along with associated academic writing skills around research/literature review, and written documentation and analysis strategies.
Year: 5
Status: C
This module involves students in designing a project and negotiation with an appointed member of staff suitable learning outcomes and assessment strategies. The practice-based project elements must be of a suitable potential scope to be public-facing either as a creative project or development of tool(s) for relevant creative technologies, appropriate to the theory/practice weightings. The project should also incorporate forms of learning undertaken in the previous two years.
Year: 5
Status: C
This module is designed to develop an understanding of professional business development and management issues, and roles and activities within creative projects. This module also assists students in the developing specific skills and awareness to maximise their ability to conceptualise, manage and market new and innovative ideas.
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
This module involved students in designing a project and in negotiated with an appointed member of staff suitable learning outcomes and assessment strategies, within the degree's remit of sound design, audiovisual media, prototype, interactive, audio production, electronic or electroacoustic music composition, and/or creative audio performance). The project should also incorporate forms of learning undertaken in the previous periods of degree study (or equivalent).
Status: O
Year: 5
This module is optional
This module provides students with a historical, theoretical, stylistic and aesthetic study of music and moving image and the opportunity to compose for the screen. The module focuses primarily on film music and its genres but also covers other screen media, in particular music video and music for television. The module is divided between theoretical and analytical work, including the discussion of selected case studies, and practical work composing and editing in the lab.
Year: 6
Status: C
This module involved students in designing a project and negotiation with an appointed member of staff suitable learning outcomes (including technologies, artistic output and presentational issues and contextual/theoretical development) and assessment strategies. The project's practice-based elements must be of a suitable scope to be public-facing either as a creative project or development of tool(s) for relevant creative technologies. The project should also incorporate forms of learning undertaken in the previous two years.
Status: O
Year: 6
This module is optional
This module is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study in interactive media systems for installation and/or performance applications.
Status: O
Year: 6
This module is optional
This module is designed for students who wish to pursue game audio at an advanced level.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
The A Level requirement for this course is grades BBC.
Applicants may satisfy the requirement for the final A level grade in the above grade profiles (C or B grade) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.
*** To note that only qualifications defined as “Applied General” will be accepted for entry onto any undergraduate course at Ulster University.***
BTEC Awards
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DDD
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of DMM
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (2016 Suite)
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade C
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Introductory Diploma (2012 Suite)
Award profile of Merit plus A Level Grades BB
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate (2016 Suite)
Award profile of Merit plus A Level Grades BB
Grade profiles (equating to the final A level grade stated in the standard 3A level offer profile - Grade C) may be substituted by a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.
112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
BBCCC
Applicants may satisfy the requirement for an element of the offer grade profiles (equating to the final A-level grade stated in the standard 3A level offer profile - Grade C) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.
CCD
Applicants may satisfy the requirement for an element of the offer grade profiles (equating to the final A-level grade stated in the standard 3A level offer profile - Grade C) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications to the same standard as defined by the University.
Overall International Baccalaureate profile is minimum 25 points (including 12 at higher level)
Overall profile of 63% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access course)
Overall profile of 15 credits at distinction and 30 credits at merit (60 credit Access course) (GB Access course)
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above English Language.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
HND - Overall Merit with distinctions in 45 Level 5 credits entry to Year 1.
HNC – Overall Distinction with distinctions in 75 Level 4 credits for entry to Year 1.
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met).
Foundation Degree - An overall mark of 50% in Level 5 modules for Year 1 entry.
APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning)
The University will consider applications on the basis of experiential learning for those who do not hold the normal entry qualifications.
Transfer from degree level study at other institutions
Those applicants seeking entry with advanced standing, (eg. Transfer from another institution or year 2 entry) will be considered on an individual basis.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
This programme has been developed to meet the emergent needs of the creative industries. Students acquire a broad range industry-focused skills including: collaboration and team work, adaptability, communication and self-expression, self-management, project management, interdisciplinarity, and most importantly, creativity and know-how with a range of leading edge technologies.
Those wishing to research and develop their own work to a higher level go on to pursue a Masters qualification either at the Ulster University or at other institutions in the UK and further afield. There is also the potential for entry onto a PhD.
Lastly, there are opportunities for those wishing to teach after the completion of a postgraduate teaching qualification (PgCE).
You have the option to spend a minimum of 25 weeks in industry. Here you are expected to work as part of the professional practice designed to acquaint you with alternative business cultures and protocols to enhance your personal and professional development.
Alternatively you can study in a wide range of approved institutions around the world.
Successful completion, obtaining a total mark of 40%, of the placement year leads to the award of the Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or (DPPI) International or a Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS) upon graduation. A mark of 70% and above will enable the award to be granted with commendation.
Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI Cost | GB Cost | International Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | £4,710 | £9,249.60 | £15,840 |
| 60 | £2,355 | £4,624.80 | £7,920 |
| 30 | £1,177.50 | £2,312.40 | £3,960 |
| 20 | £785 | £1,541.60 | £2,640 |
NB: A standard full-time undergraduate degree is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
*Please note our on campus part-time postgraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.
Scholarships, Awards and Prizes
Discounts for student from England, Scotland and Wales:
You have three discount options to choose from:
Terms and conditions apply.
International Undergraduate Scholarship:
Open to all new international (non-EU) entrants on the first year of a full-time undergraduate course delivered on one of our Northern Ireland campuses, commencing September 2018.
Value: £2,000 scholarship applied as discount to your annual tuition fee. More information here
Information on other scholarships available to international students.
Other awards and prizes:
A comprehensive range of financial scholarships, awards and prizes are available to undergraduate, postgraduate and research students.
Information provided is for guidance only as scholarship details are subject to change - please refer to the source website for up-to-date and accurate information.
Students purchase materials for their own coursework.
Field trips to museums, galleries and exhibitions may incur additional costs.
Tuition fees and costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges), and normal living are a part of university life.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses we make every effort to highlight them. These may include residential visits, field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering) inoculations, security checks, computer equipment, uniforms, professional memberships etc.
We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free wifi is also available on each of the campuses.
There will be some additional costs to being a student which cannot be itemised and these will be different for each student. You may choose to purchase your own textbooks and course materials or prefer your own computer and software. Printing and binding may also be required. There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines. Additional costs vary from course to course.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs as well as tuition fees.
Please contact the course team for more information.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
