BSc (Hons)
Music and Sound Technology
Combining creativity and technical ability
Course Overview
Why take this course?
This course understands the needs of people who are interested in sound and music and wish to develop and apply their skills in the modern workplace.
Its strong music technology theme will help you develop technical skills aimed at producing musical artefacts for use in multimedia or digital media products.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Use our fully equipped sound/music studios and multimedia labs to enhance your learning experience
- Get creative – compose and perform your own musical masterpieces
- Opt to do a salaried placement year
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course is geared towards producing graduates with experience in developing music within digital media products. It is expected, therefore, that you will find a range of employment opportunities within the creative industries.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- sound design
- composition
- performance
- film and video production
- multimedia application
There hasn't been anything I haven't enjoyed on this course – teaching music is hopefully going to be my destination after I graduate.
Ken Wharton-Emms, BSc (Hons) Music and Sound Technology student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- GJ49
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
240-300 points to include a minimum of 240 points from A Levels, or equivalent. A qualification or experience in music production is required.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,000 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- create.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2421 - Department
- School of Creative Technologies
Subject:
Computing and Creative Technologies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on, practical work and real-life learning, which is transferable to future careers
- Modern facilities and access to the latest technology including numerous computer labs, TV studios and a motion capture suite
- Approachable lecturers who have experience and contacts in the industry
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In this first year, you will get to grips with the software you’ll be using throughout the course, specific recording techniques and the theory, history and analysis of music.
Core units in this year include:
- Electroacoustic Music Composition
- Introduction to Studio Techniques
- Popular Music in Context
- Sound for Moving Image
- Sound: Practice and Theory
- EPortfolio
Year two
During your second year you can take a deeper look at the recording, production and performance aspects of music. Also, gain more technically advanced skills in composition by creating your own soundtrack, plus get the chance to perform in the University’s orchestra, big band, wind band or choir.
Core units in this year include:
- Digital Sound
- Laptop Music Performance
- Recording and Production Techniques
- Project initiation and Career Management
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Composing Music
- Creative Industries Project Management
- Music Business Practice
- Music: Practice, Performance and Research
- Professional Experience
- Soundtrack Creation
- Student Enterprise
Year three*
Your final year focuses on your preparation for work. A major feature of this year is project work. You’ll undertake an individual project, as well as a group project where you’ll be working together to produce a multimedia artefact.
Core units in this year include:
- Performing Experimental Music
- Sound Application
- Final Year Project
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Performing Experimental Music
- Sound Application
- Final Year Project
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
You will experience a variety of teaching through lectures, seminars and hands-on workshops.
We aim to conduct the practical elements of the course in smaller classes to aid personal professional development. You’ll also benefit from our staff’s wide variety of expertise including sonic art, digital and analogue recording, popular music performance, composition and songwriting.
How are you assessed?
Due to the practical nature of this course, assessment is extremely varied and includes:
- practical projects
- working journals
- academic and evaluative essays
- performances
- oral presentations
- examinations
- case studies
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Sound and Music Multi-Studios
Compose your own high-quality music in our purpose-built sound/music studios
Specialist Software and Equipment
A wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computers equipped with the latest software
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Sound and Music Studios
You will have access to four purpose-built multi-studios that will enable you to compose your own high-quality music and specialise in your chosen area. You will use an impressive range of professional recording and mixing equipment including a Pro Tools studio, 24-track recording studio with AMEK desk and radar hard drive and a Studer A80 two-inch tape machine for a retro-analogue experience, to name a few. All this equipment enables you to gets loads of practical experience and ensures you are working to an industry-standard level.
Specialist Software and Equipment
You will have easy access to a wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computers equipped with the latest software. The Mac Labs contain iMac Dual i7 computers running: Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton Live 9 software, MaxMsp, Reaktor, Pure Data, and Sibelius. Though these may seem daunting at first – you’ll have day-to-day contact with knowledgeable, enthusiastic and highly-motivated staff who will be happy to lend a helping hand. There are also practice rooms for project work and recording activities.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Sound and music are key aspects of media production, whether it’s film and video production or audio for websites. The entertainment industry also relies heavily on sound design and development. Blockbuster films, computer games, children’s shows, live musical theatre, festivals – the list goes on. Whichever route you wish to take, this course ensures you are fully prepared with all the industry-standard skills to secure yourself a career in this versatile job market.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- computer games animator
- web designer
- music teacher
- audio developer
- musical technician
Work experience
There are plenty of opportunities to do significant pieces of practical work by getting involved with our TV channel, radio station or other extra-curricular activities within the local community.
However, the best way to boost your CV is by doing an industry placement. This is a great opportunity to put your developing skills into practice in an industrial or commercial setting - and be paid for it! Taking a year in industry is extremely effective way to increase your employability for when you finish the course. You may even find that your placement employer hires you once you graduate.
Our team at the placements office ensures you have access to a range of volunteering and work experience opportunities. We also offer support during your year-long industrial placements, and provide support for the different types of application processes.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more