Audio and Recording Technology BSc (Hons)

This industry focused course is ideal if you have a passion for music and audio production and want to develop a highly attractive portfolio of technical and creative skills that will help you pursue a successful career in the music and related industries.

Overview
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
More about your DMU
Contact us

Overview

Reasons to study Audio and Recording Technology at De Montfort University (DMU):

You will develop skills in audio mixing and mastering, learn the principles of electronics and acoustics, study the measurement and design of recording and audio production environments and produce sound for digital media, including radio, video, multimedia and online.

You will build an attractive portfolio of skills and develop the ability to pursue careers in areas such as studio recording, audio and post production, sound system installation, management and sound for film and TV.

DMU has achieved Gold, the highest ranking possible under the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Indicating the outstanding learning and teaching on offer at DMU. [Office for Students, 2017]
100% of Audio and Recording Technology graduates from summer 2017 are in work or further study after graduating
According to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2016-17 report
Audio and Recording Technology was awarded 92% Overall Student Satisfaction
In the National Student Survey 2018
Industry accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support)
On behalf of the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS), the Music Producers Guild (MPG), and the UK Screen Association. This recognised qualification endorses the quality of our teaching
Work placement opportunities
Enhance your employability and gain industry experience by undertaking an optional work placement. Recent placements include experience at Dean Street Studio
Multi-million pound facilities
Develop your practical skills in our Creative Technology Studios, featuring a host of video, audio and radio production suites, and two fully equipped recording studios with analogue and digital recording systems, as well as surround sound monitoring
Award winning student group, Demon Media
Gain valuable, industry-relevant experience by contributing to the Demon Media group, which includes The Demon magazine, Demon FM radio station, Demon TV and The Demon website
Enjoy an international experience with #DMUglobal
We offer all students the opportunity to take part in a #DMUglobal experience, which can enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons. Previous #DMUglobal trips have included New York, Berlin, Hong Kong, China, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Russia and Italy to name a few.

Graduate success and news

Musician whose sounds were shot into space heads up international DMU music event

Music students score big on #DMUglobal trip

DMU students hoping to hit the right notes at Christmas

More courses like this:

Creative Music Technology BA (Hons)

Creative Sound Technology FdSc

Digital Music Technology BSc (Hons)

Music, Technology and Performance BA (Hons)

UK/EU
International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: J930

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding: For 2020/21 tuition fees will be £9,250

Find out more about tuition fees and available funding.

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Key facts for international students

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: J930

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding: For 2020/21 tuition fees will be £14,250

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or equivalent, plus one of the following:

Normally 104 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent or

BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM or

Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE. English GCSE required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course or

International Baccalaureate: 24+ points

Portfolio Required : No

Interview Required: No

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications

English language – If English is not your first language we require an English language level of IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each component or equivalent

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning , is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

UCAS Tariff changes

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff. Find out more.

Structure and assessment

First year

Introduction to Studio Techniques (core)
Sound analysis and perception (core)
Audio Engineering Fundamentals (core)
Digital Music Creativity: Synthesis (core)
Studio Recording Essentials (core)
Academic Fundamentals (core)
Audio Electronics Fundamentals (core)
Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing (core)

Second year

Studio Production Techniques (core)
Further Audio Electronics (core)
Live Sound and Location Recording (optional)
Further Digital Signal Processing (optional)
Procedural Programming for Music (optional)
Digital Music Creativity: Advanced Synthesis (optional)
Studio Signal Processing (core)
Acoustics Fundamentals (core)
Negotiated Project (optional)
Digital Audio Electronics: Sensors and Interfaces (optional)
Ensemble Recording (optional)
Studio Radio Production (optional)

Final year

MAT Research Project (core)
Critical Listening and Audio Analysis (core)
Audio Recording and Production for Film and TV (optional)
Acoustics Applications (optional)
Advanced Digital Signal Processing (optional)
Audio Mastering and Application (core)
Spatial Audio Production (optional)
Broadcast Technologies (optional)
Advanced Musical Electronics (optional)
Sound Design (optional)
Location Radio Production (optional)

Click here for more detailed module information.

Course modules are taught using a variety of methods, including lectures, tutorials, seminars and work based exercises enabling you to share knowledge, information and demonstrate practical techniques.

Project based learning is also used to develop your research, presentation and communication skills. Assessment includes exams, practical projects and assignments.

You will normally attend around 12-16 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and are expected to undertake at least 24 further hours of directed independent study and assignments as required.

This course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) on behalf of the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS), the Music Producers Guild (MPG) and the UK Screen Association.

JAMES is made up of dedicated audio industry professionals and academics, and their role is to create and maintain supportive links between education and the media industries including accreditation, industry support and student careers advice.

Facilities and features

Creative Technology Studios

Our multi-million pound Creative Technology Studios feature a host of industry standard video, audio and radio production suites and two fully equipped recording studios featuring analogue and digital recording systems and surround sound monitoring.

The studios provide facilities for the acquisition, editing and distribution of video, audio and computer-generated materials and files can be shared throughout the studios via a fast computer network, enabling a seamless mixed-media workflow.

Specifically, the facilities include:

Industry-standard video, audio and radio production suites
A suite of over 20 video workstations, using the very latest industry-standard editing software
Television studios with high-definition video cameras, green-screen and virtual-studio capabilities
Two fully-equipped recording studios, featuring analogue and digital recording systems and surround sound monitoring
Broadcast-standard radio production studios with professional playout and management systems
Audio and video laboratories with high specification test equipment for signal analysis
Fused-media and motion-capture studios for the teaching and research of 3D image capture, modelling and display
A high-speed, high-definition, data backbone, enabling the integration of audio, video and computer-generated media projects Hybrid technologies, using the best of current analogue and digital media.

The film studios located in the Queens building makes available multi-camera, blue screen and green screen studios for all students on our media courses. The green screen and blue screen facilities enable students to create videos that take advantage of colour keying to merge video with computer graphics, stock video and still images.

The multi-camera studio replicates the most common setup for TV studios and enables students to practice techniques covering all of the areas of studio work including presenting, camera work, direction, lighting and sound. The film studios also includes a full lighting setup and a viewing gallery so that cameras and presenters can receive direction from the students taking the role of a producer. Using live graphic overlays students can successfully replicate news, shopping channel and chat show environments.

Campus Centre

The current home of De Montfort Students' Union (DSU), Campus Centre, has been completely refurbished to create a state-of-the-art environment for DSU improving the student experience.

The new-look Campus Centre is the hub for student life, on the ground floor is a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. There is also the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and SUpplies, DSU’s shop, selling art supplies stationary and clothing, and offering printing and binding services.

A staircase in the centre of the building leads up to the first floor, where the DSU officer team has new offices.

Your campus, your DMU

Want to find out where you would study and spend time?

We've got you covered, take a look at our Virtual Open Day to see the list of our campus buildings and student facilities.

Opportunities and careers

Graduate Careers

Recent graduates are now pursuing careers as freelance audio engineers, music producers, studio engineers and technical operators and work for companies including Bauer Media, Spotify and Future Publishing.

#DMUglobal

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Placements

Work-based placements are one of the best ways to boost your skills and experience, and can often lead to your first graduate role.

They are the perfect means of discovering how your studies relate to the real world, and provide an opportunity to improve your confidence and make contacts to help you get ahead in the job market.

DMU’s dedicated Placements Teams can help you by providing access to hundreds of opportunities, giving one-to-one CV advice and interview preparation, and offering training sessions and support from a dedicated tutor.