Music studio with lighting and mixing deck

Music Technology BSc (Hons)

Explore the theory and practice of recording, production, composition, and music computing on this Music Technology Bachelor's degree.

University of Portsmouth Connected Degree - 3 year course with 4th year placement

Key information

UCAS code:

W370

Accreditation:

This course is Accredited

Typical offer:

112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Showing content for section Overview

Overview

Our BSc (Hons) Music Technology degree course will help you lay the groundwork for a rewarding career in the music industry as a creative or technical producer.

You’ll learn how to engineer and produce music and sound using professional studio hardware and software, experiment with innovative practices and emerging technologies – including artificial intelligence (AI) – and through collaboration and project work, you’ll develop transferable skills that can be applied beyond your degree.

In year 1, you’ll explore subjects relating to recording and production, composition, and music computing. You’ll then choose a pathway that focuses on your chosen specialisation, preparing you for your future career.

In years 2 and 3, you’ll specialise in a specific area of music technology by choosing specific modules.

Course highlights

  • Use our brand-new, high-end professional music studio complex – comprising three studios, two live rooms, vocal booth, and editing rooms
  • Familiarise yourself with industry-level studio equipment – including a Neve Genesys Black G96 mixing console in our flagship Studio 1, a SSL Matrix 2 mixing console in Studio 2, and a Dolby Atmos surround sound studio in Studio 3
  • Explore our growing range of hardware synthesisers (including Buchla System 7)
  • Demonstrate your expertise with industry-standard applications to professionals by earning Avid Pro Tools and Audiokinetic Wwise-110 certifications
  • Gain valuable industry experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement – either with a company or as self-employed
  • Develop original software tools for music and sound
  • Create live installations and performances using sensors and alternative controllers
  • Work on collaborative projects with students and staff across the Faculty
Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES) Accrediting Body

Accreditation

This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Services), a group of industry professionals and employers.

The JAMES accreditation lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work in the industry when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who didn’t do an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.

JAMES reviews our accreditation every three years to make sure the course content remains up-to-date with industry trends and developments. So you’ll always be learning skills relevant to your career.

Skills and qualities you'll need for this Music Technology degree course

To get the most out of this course, you'll need to have studied A levels or a BTEC National in Music Technology or Music Production. You can also demonstrate your music and/or music technology knowledge through a portfolio, if you lack qualifications in the area.

We're looking for enthusiastic, motivated and ambitious applicants, with backgrounds in the fundamentals of music recording, production, composition, creative computing and broader creative practice.

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements​

BSc (Hons) Music Technology

Typical offers

112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. (calculate your UCAS points)

  • A levels - BBB-BBC
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 25

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.

Selection process

A relevant qualification or experience in music/sound is required. Applicants without relevant qualifications will be asked to provide a portfolio to support their application.

For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our Music Technology portfolio guide.

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications.

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Your facilities

Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR)

Create stunning works for film, TV, music, gaming and immersive reality in the UK's first integrated facility of its kind.

AED - Feb 23
Discover the Centre

Music and Sound Recording Studios

Our high-end professional music studio complex houses three studios, two live rooms, editing rooms, and a vocal booth.

Freya Stafford - CCIXR facility
Explore studio

Featured student work

Cristian Munteanu – Cinematic Themes for Symphonic Orchestra

This majestic track is taken from our 2021 graduate Cristian's final-year project in Genre Studies. It's part of a selection of original multi-genre compositions exploring the nature of genre classification. You can listen to more of his work in our Music Technology Graduate Show 2021 showcase.

Immerse your ears and realise what you can achieve by studying Music Technology at Portsmouth.

External Audio

Careers and opportunities

Music technology’s a continually developing field that’s fundamental to many areas of the creative industries, including television, film, animation, computer games, and digital media.

The experience you get on this course means you'll be ready to use the latest technology and equipment available to employers, giving you a head start over others when it comes to applying for jobs.

You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Graduate areas

Areas you could work in include:

  • visual media
  • computer games
  • audio programming
  • music studio work
  • education

Graduate roles

Job roles you could work in include:

  • composer
  • sound designer
  • audio/software developer
  • musical technician
  • studio manager
  • studio engineer
  • music teacher/lecturer
  • game audio professional (composition and sound design)

Ongoing careers support

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Only to be used for CCI Promotion purposes

Throughout the course at university, I’ve grown exponentially, not only in the field of music but also as an individual.

Tranee Pope, BSc (Hons) Music and Sound Technology alumna

Placement year (optional)

After your second or third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.

You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.

Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.

Creative Careers

Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.

They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:

  • Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
  • Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
  • Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
  • Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route

The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.

Placement destinations

Previous students have done placements at places including:

  • Hot Vox Ltd – a music promotion and events company operating around London and beyond
  • Blackhill Studios – a professional recording studio in Southampton
  • Mayfield Studios – a Portsmouth based recording studio, record label and video production studio
  • University of Portsmouth Music Studios – our own music production facilities

Featured placement

Antti Liakka – Self-employed

Antti formed his own business, AudioAssets, as part of his placement year. Discover his journey, the benefits of being self-employed, and the highlights and challenges he's faced on the way.

Read Antti's placement story

Modules

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year (apart from your optional placement year), you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

What you'll study

Core modules

Creating a portfolio of inventive projects, you'll showcase skills in manipulating sound as well as applying music tech and composition techniques. With robust understanding guiding your creativity, you'll develop versatile talents.

You'll reflect on your compositional process and build a well-rounded skillset for today's multimedia landscape.

Grasping key concepts in digital audio, signal processing and synthesis, you'll learn about creative coding. You'll apply technical knowledge and utilise computing skills to produce engaging pieces.

Reflecting on processes and influences, you'll cement well-rounded talents spanning technology and creativity - essential for innovation in audio computing.

This module focuses on contemporary contextual issues and a variety of music genres, with a strong emphasis on the role and impact of technology in creative musical practices.

During this module, you will develop strong research and analytical skills by engaging in critical discourse and debate. The theoretical knowledge gained will be applied in a practical project, allowing for a hands-on experience in music creation and performance.

Applying recording techniques and theory, you'll capture compelling effects and ambiences. You'll manipulate audio to develop versatility in editing, layering, processing and synthesising. You'll learn to convey ideas and emotions through sound, and gain skills in unified mixing, balancing and spatialisation.

You'll evaluate and improve your abilities as you grow as a cutting-edge sound creator.

Comparing approaches critically, you'll select optimal mics and methods for audio outcomes. Creating quality recordings, you'll showcase your technical skills. Identifying and minimizing artefacts, you'll produce professional-grade pieces with polish.

This module cultivates core competencies for the recording studio and beyond.

This module takes you beyond the basics, focusing on a range of recording techniques developed through lectures and hands-on project work.

A significant component of this module involves evaluating and honing your recording, mixing, and production skills, culminating in the creation of a studio band recording. You'll also engage in contextual discussions and analyses, drawing connections between historical precedents and contemporary practices in Music Technology. Additionally, the module covers essential information about employment roles and career paths in the industry.

Core modules

Hands-on application of concepts and skills will deepen your grasp of music principles and practices while building out your portfolio. Place your work in context, evaluating and reflecting critically on achieving project goals.

You'll discuss research approaches and gain skills to strategise methods for independent study.

You'll formulate plans tailored to your goals, create research proposals and hone your scholarly writing. Investigating your chosen career path, you'll identify opportunities, appraising your skills and interests. This experience provides a robust foundation to initiate an impactful creative project aligned with your aspirations

Optional modules

You’ll get to spend a semester at one of our global partner universities, giving you a unique international spin on your learning. This experience is perfect for building professional skills and a global outlook, preparing you for work anywhere in the world. You’ll also get the chance to study and work on your own in a new setting, which will boost your personal growth and relate to your degree.

When you come back, you’ll be full of fresh ideas to energise your work.

This module gives you the chance to explore different approaches and build international networks in creative technologies.

This module is tailored for those who are keen to understand the theoretical principles and properties of sound and how they influence the recording and mixing spaces.

You'll engage in acoustic analysis and evaluation, not just of recorded material but also of various environmental locations and settings. This knowledge is crucial in the design of recording studio spaces and sound mixing environments, where understanding sound behaviour and material properties can significantly affect audio quality.

"Acoustics and Studio Design" is a perfect blend of theory and practical application, preparing you for advanced roles in studio engineering, sound design, and beyond, where acoustics play a pivotal role.

In this module, you’ll explore fresh sounds, instruments, and audio experiences. Design and code your own audio software project that shows off your technical and artistic skills. Learn how to programme and use digital signal processing and computational music from expert lecturers. You’ll also check your work against your project goals and improve your skills.

When you finish, you’ll have a portfolio piece that shows your programming artistry.

Find out how to create your own music without always using traditional sheet music. Dive into modern styles while you compose pieces for your own creative collection. Learn how to put together, record, and perfect your music. Improve your musical talent by practicing and performing what you’ve made. Study different compositions to get a better grasp of music, from theory to its background.

After finishing this module, you’ll have your own set of original music and recordings that show off your growing skills.

Let your creativity flow and discover your unique musical style as you enjoy making music.

You'll plan and manage studio projects, honing skills through lectures, workshops and hands-on assignments. Learning to operate in various studio environments, you'll develop proficiency in undertaking client-based recordings from start to finish. This includes post-production techniques to finalise professional recordings.

You'll reflect on processes used to evaluate and improve your technical and creative skills as a recording engineer and producer. This module provides invaluable real-world experience.

Join a team of creative students and do a project together. Try new things and see how they can help you.

You’ll also grasp how to use your skills with others. Sometimes you’ll be a leader, sometimes a helper. Talk about your ideas and learn from them. You’ll make something to show what you learned and share it with others.

This module helps you gain new skills and understand other fields. You’ll be a smart and creative person, ready to solve real-world problems.

You'll develop skills using various tools, and approaches to address the technological considerations of a musical performance. This immersive experience enables you to become a versatile performer adept at using technology creatively.

You’ll choose learning tasks that add up to 60 hours, like internships, volunteering, research, or remote study that match your career plans. Workshops will help you make meaningful goals and think about what you’ve accomplished. Through this, you’ll grow the knowledge, skills, and qualities you need to thrive in the workplace.

By looking at your growth through active participation and reading, you’ll become a perceptive, eager job-seeker who stands out.

You’ll pick up expert ways to make soundscapes and music that adapt to the player’s actions. Look at popular games to see what kind of sound they need, then create your own detailed sounds using recording, Foley, synthesis, and more. Compose catchy melodies and turn them into scores that adapt to the game. Get the right blend and finish for your sound and music to make them sound perfect. Bring your audio to life by putting it into game engines with middleware. Test and refine your work so it performs flawlessly.

By the end, you’ll have an impressive portfolio of interactive audio pieces, made using professional methods. Your creativity will shine as you master the latest techniques in game sound and music.

This module is an exciting chance to learn skills that are in huge demand for the future.

As a team, you will embark on a journey of entrepreneurship, starting with ideation and ending with the launch of your product or service. You will analyse complex factors influencing a successful launch, conduct thorough research to assess feasibility and gain valuable insights into marketing, manufacturing, and sales strategies.

Working together on pitch presentations, you will discover your strengths as an entrepreneur or team member. This module provides transferable skills essential to thrive in creative industries, whether you plan to launch your own company or seek employment with top organisations. You will develop the mindset and abilities to spot opportunities and act on them, which will benefit your career.

Core modules

Demonstrating project management and problem-solving skills, through critical analysis and experimentation, you'll produce a body of work that advances knowledge in your discipline.

Communicating scholarly outcomes with impact, you'll demonstrate your knowledge and abilities, drawing together your learning into a compelling self-directed showcase.

This is the culmination of your degree journey - proving your readiness for professional and academic challenges ahead.

Optional modules

The experience provides invaluable insight into industry demands, as you analyse technical processes and creative constraints.

This module offers a chance to build essential skills - critiquing your role, integrating feedback, delivering client goals - for a fulfilling career in music and sound design.

This module provides the freedom to innovate across diverse mediums and genres. You'll write original pieces for instruments and voices, honing advanced techniques like orchestration. Your critical listening will also expand through engaging diverse contemporary styles. By the end, you'll be able to realize your creative ideas as professional-quality scores and recordings. This module provides the space to find and refine your unique musical perspectives.

You’ll learn to use game data like player input, physics, and game states to design reactive soundscapes that adapt as you play. Explore how to create non-linear music and sounds that can be generated on the fly. Pick up industry skills in audio middleware to build systems that can mix and switch sounds dynamically.

Make and produce your own music and sound effects that work well with interactive elements. Use coding to create your own audio plugins. Show off your technical and artistic skills with an interactive audio project in a game engine.

This intense training in a specialised area will give you expertise that game studios really want.

The module also gives you valuable experience in managing projects as you turn your sound ideas into reality. Challenge what’s possible in game audio and let your creativity soar.

Building on your existing skills, you'll take charge of managing complex recording projects from start to finish. Evaluating technical resources and aesthetic choices, you'll produce professional recordings attentive to musical style and context.

This hands-on experience, informed by recording history, empowers you to plan, organise and execute music projects to a professional standard. Hone your expertise to thrive in real-world studio environments.

Analysing works by contemporary and historical practitioners, you'll conceive and create an original installation, composition, or multimedia production incorporating innovative sound techniques.

Presenting the finished project, you'll evaluate and contextualise your creative process and achievement.

This module enables you to create an ambitious sound project while honing your critical thinking.

You'll collaborate with students across creative disciplines, developing music and sound design for their projects using appropriate tools and techniques. With opportunities to work with external clients, you'll manage the end-to-end process like a professional.

Evaluating your creative choices and project management, you'll reflect on how broader contexts and aesthetics inform composition.

This module lets you gain real-world experience while showcasing your talents.

You'll develop complex sound setups using both hardware and software, showing off your high-level musical and technical skills. By thinking critically about your work, you'll see how your synthesis knowledge is improving. The key part of this module is that it helps you put together a collection of innovative audio pieces, proving your skill with modern sound tools.

This training gets you ready for professional roles where you need to use sound synthesis in creative ways.

You’ll apply theories, techniques and technologies enabling sound positioning and movement in space. Using this advanced knowledge, you’ll create aesthetically pleasing spatial audio pieces that transport listeners into vivid soundscapes.

Comparing creative approaches, you’ll hone an artistic appreciation for this medium. By reflecting on the relationship between aims and outcomes, you'll refine your ability to utilise sound spatialisation in achieving desired effects.

During this module, you'll spend 6 months working on your own business venture, then 3 months gaining industry experience. This opportunity allows you to apply what you've learned in a practical setting while exploring different career options. You'll also have the chance to develop professional relationships and expand your network.

Assess your personal strengths and weaknesses to set goals for the future. Throughout the module, you'll demonstrate increasing independence while still valuing the support of others. Gain a broader understanding of the world through real-world experiences and insights. Additionally, you'll earn valuable credits for your CV and enhance your skill set.

By the end of this module, you'll graduate with the practical experience that employers are seeking.

This experience lets you learn firsthand how to set up and run a small business. You’ll absorb professional practices and business situations that matter to your entrepreneurial goals. Make important connections while working independently within set rules. Think deeply about your strengths, weaknesses, criteria for success, and future plans.

This opportunity is useful for your career. It lets you use what you’ve learnt in your degree in the real world and helps you understand your capabilities.

After finishing this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get more credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable step in developing an entrepreneurial way of thinking.

You’ll spend 24–48 weeks at a chosen company, learning from professionals and helping out with actual projects. Gain confidence, knowledge, and skills by taking on more responsibility with gradually less help. As you progress, you’ll make professional connections and think about how you’re doing. Take in what you learn about how industries and businesses work.

This placement is an ideal chance to grow in your career. By using what you’ve learnt in a workplace, you’ll understand more about your own strengths, what you need to work on, and your plans after you graduate.

After this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get extra credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable part of your education.

Showcase specialised abilities by completing relevant assignments abroad. Then examine your global experience critically: how has immersion in foreign creative culture expanded your perspective? Identify new cross-cultural transferable skills to empower your continued educational and professional journey.

Evaluating international contexts, you'll critically connect on-site activities to your disciplinary knowledge, gaining global insights. Working independently overseas, you'll complete relevant assignments, honing skills transferable to future studies and careers.

Upon you'll reflect on new worldviews and cross-cultural competencies. This invaluable module provides an opportunity to broaden your creative and technical knowledge while developing adaptability as a global citizen.


Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through:

  • practical projects
  • working journals
  • academic and evaluative essays
  • performances
  • oral presentations
  • case studies

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • tutorials 

Teaching and support staff skills, professional experience and research interests include music computing, programming, game audio, composition, musicology, and engineering and production.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

Watch Sky Curtis, Seb Langdon and Jaye Wright's vlog about their Sound Application

Sound Application

Music Technology graduates Sky Curtis, Seb Langdon, and Jaye Wright created an interactive app highlighting the various soundscapes of areas around Portsmouth and Southsea based on the concepts of Acoustic Ecology from R. Murray Schafer’s World Soundscape Project.

Videos of the areas are presented in the app along with impressionistic music composed for the different areas.

Speaker 1 So the original idea for our project was to create an interactive application looking at multiple locations around Portsmouth, comparing the start of lockdown when there was practically no one out to now when things were starting to open up more and there's more people out on the streets. It was specifically be sort of a sound walk using sounds from within the videos and using sonification of the movement within the video. So as people walked past or cars went past, they would change the composition. The interactive application would work so that people would select a location within Portsmouth and it would then play one of the compositions, but they wouldn't know whether it was from the start of lockdown or now.

 

Speaker 2 Users would then have to selected which video was taken pre-COVID versus during COVID pandemic. Based on the fact that they heard.

 

Speaker 3 We thought it would be quite interesting. It is very topical at the minute, so it's something I think a lot of people are looking into and looking about. And some people who will have been locked away the whole time will have never been able to see both of them. So it would have been nice for them to have a comparative without being at risk so that they could look at how it was when there was very few people around and then the reopening of it afterwards, even when they're still too timid to go into places. Unfortunately, our project idea was very ambitious.

 

Speaker 2 Due to certain time constraints and just the volume of work in general.

 

Speaker 1 So we had to change and adapt our project from the original idea to something that we could manage within the time we had and with the people we had.

 

Speaker 3 I don't think we actually took into account how much time it would take. I think it's a project which would need quite a few years in the making to be able to do.

 

Speaker 1 So it's quite easy for us to say that we'll get videos or hands on of fire and we'll make compositions that change based on the movement within it. But to actually manage doing that within the time frame we had and with only the three of us is is very it's another thing completely.

 

Speaker 2 So instead we slightly modified our project to consist of just a sound walk. Of course, with locations, namely Control Road, go to Portsmouth Train Station and Canoe Lake.

 

Speaker 1 So then the idea was we would take videos at each of the locations, record the sounds that were interesting there, along with the background sounds we would record, sounds like the Guildhall Bell, the overhead voice on in the train station, things like that.

 

Speaker 2 Musical compositions would have them being added to these videos as well as the sound. So to create the final artefact, those videos and the compositions would of them being put into an application for the user to listen to and then select each location. My personal role within the portrait was to create the compositions that we used in this album, as well as for quality on location audio.

 

Speaker 3 My role within the project was to design and create an interface with which the audience would use to be able to see and look at our artefact.

 

Speaker 1 So my role within the project was to keep everyone organised, keep us all on track with the project, as well as supporting with the patching in Macs and then supporting CEP with the composition. To be as efficient as we could. We worked on the compositions along with the light interface for the application at the same time, which meant it was up to me to make sure everyone knew what they needed to be doing when it needed to be done by so we could get it together and make sure it all worked together with enough time. It also meant that I had to go with Sub to record the videos and capture any of the sounds we might need, and also helping him decide how the compositions were going to sound because that was a little bit more difficult. Now there wasn't the sonification aspect and it also meant sitting with Jay in a Discord call to help him with any of the patching, with the interface design, and just sort of gradually being there to support each other.

 

Speaker 3 So to be able to create the application itself, we opted to use Max as we've used it before. We have all made a basic app interface within it, so it seemed like the best option and I prefer to use it personally because I know what I'm doing within it. I know that I can put pictures in there and stuff like that. For a lot of the design work of it, I pretty much just went into Photoshop and did sketches, so I opted to put sketches of the landmarks for those particular areas. So Canoe Lake has got a swan paddle board and Commercial Road has got the fountain. And I literally just got a picture up and sketched over the top of them to make it a very simple sketch and placed it on a background. And then that is all put as a jpeg and placed into the app. The design is very simple and sketchy, almost like when you go around walking around a park sometimes you could almost like see these sketches like on a noticeboard as like little features on it to describe, you know, little parts of the area that you're walking around. So it doesn't distract, but it makes a nice little background. So it's kind of designed in that way to go along with a sound or a walk around a park.

 

Speaker 2 Scott and I went out together to record all the videos and all the audio use of the sound according to general environment and any other interesting sounds that we found, other locations that we thought would be useful to be used in the composition. I recorded all the audio using a MacBook and what you interface, and as some 57 walked around each environment to collect an A representation of the sounds that were present there. Looking back at this though, probably would have been a better idea to have used a Zoom recorder to provide high quality audio as well as being very easily transported around. However, I still must capture some good audio that was used in the final track. I then took these recordings into logic and use them in my compositions, both as a background track and also using individual recordings are made to be used as part of the composition. So I'm telling them, I mean, what an odd way to create interesting sounds. Set some time for me to figure out what's the direction I wanted to take the compositions as I was working on the videos as well as just working on the music, I eventually decided to create a more ambient sounding composition as I felt composing something that was too musically structured in terms of having a sort of verse, chorus, etc. and composing in a popular music genre wouldn't really fit to the project in the best way. Right.

 

Speaker 1 Ideally, we wanted to have it as a big installation, as is part of the project, as part of the unit normally. Obviously, this wasn't this wasn't achievable in the current situations with COVID. So instead we built it as an application and we sent it to our friends, to our family to see what people thought to get their responses. And then this is a few of the people who were kind enough to send us a video of what they thought.

 

Speaker 4 Overall, I really like the app. I like how like simplistic it is to go from the main screen onto each of the other screens to go and view the video, which has the composition. The composition is really nice. I like how calming they are, especially the train one, my personal favourite. Those are really like the use of colour and the like. Quirky but simple like drawings for each one so you don't actually have to read what the compositions are taking place. You can simply just look at like the little designs and you can see what you see. Yeah, I quite like it.

 

Speaker 5 Okay, here we go. Okay. I think that the compositions were generally very nice. The interface was very easy to use, although I think it would have been better if you'd had more places with a more fluid walkaround video rather than just a static if you had a flow through walk. I also thought that the composition of I would get very interested, but I don't think they quite always fit in with the actual videos.

 

Speaker 4 It's a nice application with a really good design class. It's easy to use, but it would be great to see more places. I found the application really easy to use and also very enjoyable. I also found the compositions were relaxing and helped me get into the zone whilst I was using the app.

 

Speaker 1 Overall, I think it's a pretty good project. I like the compositions. I like the idea. We have the design of the interface. The light sketchy feel is I think I really enjoy it. However, there are some points that I think the compositions you can sort of tell that we want the it's very subjective, but it was very much how the video made set feel, opposed to sort of a more objective way such as the sonification would have been. I do think it is really a shame that we couldn't do the sonification because I think that would have been such an interesting thing to see, to see the differences between. I think we've managed to make something that's actually pretty good and I quite enjoy it. I think it's fun to see and I like the design of it. Overall.

 

Speaker 3 I think our project is simple. Not horrible. I feel we could have done more with our time. We were very slow getting into the projects, so we were having plenty of meetings, but not a lot was happening with the meetings. I do feel that has been affected by not being able to be with one another in the same room as if we were in the same room. We feel more that we are wasting our time by not doing any of the project. Whereas more so, whenever we are on a video call meeting each other, it wasn't so much to do anything. It was to chat because we can't all see the screen. We were sharing each other's screens and things like that. You still felt quite isolated at home doing the project on your own. So myself and Skye would sit on a video chat while I did the interface so that she could help me with any problems that I came across. But we could brainstorm together how to get over something and to just make sure that we all working is very easy to not work. When you were set up, I was literally with me every week and a bit like a coffee morning in a in a silly way, because we wouldn't go ahead and be like, Right, let's get to work. It would be, you know, how have you been? Just every week meeting. We didn't have that constant contact like we have in our first or second year to be able to see each other every day anyway. And then when it came down to like this hour is for this particular unit, let's do this unit.

 

Speaker 2 I really enjoyed taking part in this project, being able to create compositions and record on location all year, project turned out quite well and the application is very well made and I really like to see all the illustrations used in the application. The application is simple, but it does work well and each video is ready to be viewed. Given more time, I would have liked to have made more compositions as well as made them longer and creates more original sounds. But I feel like I'm happy with the work that I made and I'm happy with how it sounds overall.

 

Speaker 3 Bye bye.

 

Speaker 1 Original. Ah, try that again and more hands on off. Hi. So I have a passion for Dragon.

 

Speaker 5 A dragon oh two to do.

 

Speaker 1 And then. And then? And then. How do I not know? I'll try that again this time. Or know the end of the sentence.

 

Speaker 2 This isn't even my bedroom. Who does come into my room? I've never. So I'm just reading what I wrote. Or you can do this for like, to sync audio and video. I think I'm a professional. I need to make a call on this topic. All right. Pretty much thing, huh? You can cop all of this. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. And it was too. I can't even remember.

 

Speaker 4 Someone's sky. There are so many dogs who don't go free.

 

Speaker 3 I think that's it.

 

Speaker 4 Sky, I deeply apologise for the camera work. Those are really pretty.

 

Speaker 3 Place they look at. Yeah.

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your BSc (Hons) Music Technology degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials for about 12 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting you

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.

You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques

If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.

Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to:

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

​Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

All fees may be subject to annual increase.

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,250 per year
  • EU students: £9,250 per year (including Transition Scholarship)
  • International students: £17,900 per year

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Costs breakdown

Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each modules.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – W370
  • our institution code – P80

 Apply now through UCAS

 

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students 
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

How to apply from outside the UK

See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section. 

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.