Creative Music Technology BA (Hons)

Creative Music Technology is a distinctive course that focuses on composition and production and explores the extraordinary musical possibilities offered by new technologies. It is ideal for forward thinking and imaginative individuals whose passion is to create exceptional music and forge a unique voice within the arts and creative industries.

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

Overview

Reasons to study Creative Music Technology at De Montfort University (DMU):

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]
Be part of our international research
Students have the unique opportunity to take part in events, undertake creative research, work with professional artists and lead workshops as part of an international research project about audience development, focused on sound-based creativity including DIY approaches, and funded by the EU’S Creative Europe Programme
Develop your practical skills in our multi-million pound facilities
Our Creative Technology Studios feature a host of audio and radio production suites, and two fully equipped recording studios; allowing you to explore spatialisation, musical computing, sound recording and video
Study a flexible, broad-ranging curriculum
Focused on developing your unique and powerful artistic vision, independence and technical mastery that will set you apart in the music industry upon graduation
Highly skilled, committed and recognised staff
Our academic team are at the forefront of music technology innovation, artistic practice, and global research; spanning from the UK, USA, Canada, Holland, France, Germany and beyond
Benefit from guest lectures from music industry specialists
Previous guest speakers include Merzbow, Mira Calix, Tim Exile, DJ Sniff, Scanner, Pauline Oliveros, Brian Duffy, GRM, Leafcutter John, Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle), Keith Rowe and Evan Parker
Study in a dynamic musical community
With frequent concerts and workshops, the Dirty Electronics ensemble and university ensembles and student groups; many music technology students also participate – or even launch careers – in the thriving music scene in Leicester
Participate in international exchanges and boost your global employability
Offering opportunities for an extraordinary experience studying abroad; partners include Université de Paris (Sorbonne), Université de Montreal, the Royal College of Music, Stockholm, and Ionian University, Corfu
Become part of an award winning student group, Demon Media
Gain valuable, industry-relevant experience by contributing to the Demon Media group, including; The Demon magazine, Demon FM radio station, Demon TV and The Demon website
Enjoy an international experience with DMU Global
We offer all students the opportunity to take part in a DMU Global experience, which can enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons. Previous DMU Global trips have included New York, Berlin, Hong Kong, China, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Russia and Italy to name a few.

You will explore an extensive range of approaches to creating and performing, such as multi-track recording and production, sound synthesis theory and practice, music and sound for film, site-specific and installation work, computer coding for the creative artist, and advanced surround sound and diffusion.

You will also study digital and post-digital history and aesthetics to inspire your creative vision and link your music meaningfully to the world. Based on your goals, you will choose specific compositional, technical and theoretical topics to research more deeply, particularly as you enter our highly flexible third year of study.

“I would definitely recommend this course to others - if you are looking to progress in your musical abilities whilst also learning how to grow creatively in an innovative environment, then this is the course for you. I have zero regrets in doing this degree, and I can’t speak highly enough of the lecturers who supported me not only to develop myself, but also gave me strength during the difficult times and made sure they saw me through to graduate and become a better person.”

Nat Powers, Graduate

Wait, before you continue...

Why don’t you check out some work from some of our students at our dmu.ac.uk/jukebox site?

More courses like this:

Audio and Recording Technology BSc (Hons)

Music Technology Foundation Degree FdSc

Music, Technology and Performance BA (Hons)

Digital Music Technology BSc (Hons)

Music Technology BASc (Hons)

UK/EU
International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: J932

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

Fees and funding:

2021/22 tuition fees for UK students will be £9,250

2021/22 tuition fees for EU students: TBC - Learn more

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: J932

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

Fees and funding: For 2021/22 tuition fees will be £14,750

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 and Maths or equivalent, plus one of the following:
Normally 104 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent, with Music or Music Technology at grade C or above or
Music or Music Technology BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM or
Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE Music or Music Technology course with at least 15 credits in Music or Music Technology at merit. English and Maths 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 with Music or Music Technology at higher level grade 5

Portfolio Required: No

Interview Required: No

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

UCAS Tariff changes

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

English language

If English is not your first language then an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent) is essential.

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.

Structure and assessment

Year one modules

Introduction to Studio Techniques (core)
Sound Analysis and Perception (core)
Introduction to Music and Sonic Art (core)
Foundations of Music (core)
Creating with Technology (core)
Digital Music Creativity: Sequencing (core)
Academic Fundamentals (core)
Ideas in Music and Sonic Art 1 (core)

Year two modules

Ideas in Music and Sonic Arts 2 (core)
Composing with Technology (core)
Studio Production Techniques (optional)
Sounds and Images (optional)
Creative Coding (optional)
Electronic Instrument Building (optional)
Sound Diffusion (optional)
Live Sound and Location Recording (optional)
Studio Signal Processing (optional)
Sound for Screen (optional)
Digital Audio Electronics: Sensors and Interfaces (optional)
Spatial Composition (optional)
Ensemble Recording (optional)
Negotiated Project (optional)

Year three modules

MAT Research Project (core)
Music, Media and Community Arts (optional)
MAT Personal Practice (optional)
Sound Design (optional)
Composing for Dance (optional)
Sound Installations and Environments (optional)
Music Industry Management 1 (optional)
Music Industry Management 2 (optional)

Click here for more detailed module information.

Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars, practical workshops and rehearsals and you will have extensive individual contact. Assessment is primarily through musical, practical and written coursework.

Your precise timetable will depend on the optional modules you choose to take, however, you will normally attend around 8-12 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and tutorials) each week, and we expect you to undertake at least 32 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.

Facilities and features

Facilities

Creative Music Technology students have access to digitally equipped performance and teaching spaces that support a vast range of music and sound creation, exploration, performance and production.

Performance, including a multi-million pound Performance Arts Centre for Excellence building.

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.

Find out more...

Campus Centre

The home of  De Montfort Students' Union, (DSU) our Campus Centre offers a welcoming and lively hub for student life. Conveniently located at the heart of campus, it includes a convenience store, a Subway and a Starbucks. Here you can find the DSU-owned charitable accommodation service Sulets and DSU’s shop, SUpplies, selling art supplies, stationery and clothing, and printing and binding services. The building is also home to the DSU officer team.

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

The creative industries are a huge economic growth area and digital music and audio are central to contemporary media. Recent graduates are now composers, sound designers, performing and recording artists and session musicians, recording engineers, producers, and audio technicians.

They also work in music management, theatre, radio content and production, television, music retail, music and internet publishing, software development, and music education at all levels. Graduates have found employment with large companies such as the BBC (radio and television), ITV, Sony Music, Sony Computer Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Ableton and Babel Media (Toronto).

Smaller genre based labels have included Ninja Tune and K7, as well as wide range of content and postproduction companies. Graduates have also worked for prestigious recording studios, including Abbey Road, Great Linford Manor, Townhouse Studios and Metropolis Studios.

They also have a very strong record in entrepreneurship, with success stories in both freelance and new company start ups, in music creation and production, recording, sound design, music for media, music technology equipment supply and technical support, acoustics consultancy and studio design, along with online forms of distribution and sales. Some of our students make waves in the music industry even while they are still on the course.

#DMUglobal

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global 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-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

While overseas DMU Global opportunities are not currently possible, DMU will continue to review government advice and if travel is permitted, we hope to offer a small number of extra-curricular opportunities in the summer of 2021.

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.