Mark Thursby
Senior Lecturer in Music
level:UG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:true;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Development Hub (Waterside)
Music Production BA (Hons)
Key Facts
-
UCAS Code
BA: W374
BA with Foundation: W375 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 years
Full Time with Foundation: 4 years
Part Time: 4 years
-
BBC at A-Level or,
DMM at BTEC -
Full Time: £9,535
Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits)
Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
Updated 26/11/2025
Updated 26/11/2025
The University of Northampton’s BA Music Production degree is intended to prepare you for a growing and ever-evolving industry that contributed £1.26 billion to the economy in 2021. The course is specifically designed to prepare you for a range of potential avenues of music creation and beyond. For example, working in the video game industry or in the world of live music, or even or working as a music educator/tutor.
You will develop a breadth of skills within the digital domain, the studio environment, and perhaps most importantly, academically, enabling you to become a fully-fledged self-producing artist.
For overall student positivity in the National Student Survey 2025.
For satisfied with feedback in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
*Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score across all NSS questions for this subject area across all modes and levels at UK Universities.
**Data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide Music Subject table, filtered by Satisfied with Feedback.
Accreditation
This Music Production course is Industry Accredited by JAMES representing APRS, MPG and associate industry bodies. Accreditation of a course by relevant industry bodies provides assurance to students and employers of its potential and value.
Highlights
- Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES)
- Opportunities to work in real-world situations across Northampton
- Extra-curricular masterclasses in music production
- Interaction with partner degree in Popular Music
- Industry expertise from experienced muisc team with published academic research
- Contemporary specialisms in many areas of EDM
- Industry software and hardware: Ableton 12, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FMOD, Audient, Oberheim
- Field Trips to events such as BBC Music Introducing Live, and visits to professional recording studios
- Chance to specialise in areas including music production, composition, live sound and sound design for media and the games industry
- Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise*.
- HP Laptop and software included with this Music Production course. Terms and Conditions apply
Three students working at a large audio mixing console in a recording studio, adjusting controls and handling cables
Close-up of a person’s hands playing a Steinway & Sons piano, with the keys and the glossy surface of the instrument in focus.
Two students seated at a professional audio mixing console in a recording studio, facing a large monitor displaying digital audio editing software with multiple tracks and waveforms. The setup includes speakers on both sides and two small lamps in the background.
Two students kneeling on the floor in a recording studio, adjusting microphones and cables in front of a large Marshall amplifier stack. Both are focused on setting up the audio equipment, with wooden acoustic panels in the background.
Two students working at a professional audio mixing console in a recording studio, adjusting controls and monitoring equipment
Top-down view of two students operating an audio mixing desk, with one person adjusting multiple knobs and sliders while the other points to illuminated buttons on a digital control panel. The console is covered with colourful controls, cables, and a computer keyboard.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer for a Music Production course with us is:
- BBC at A-Level or,
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Merit at T Level
You may also be invited to attend an audition and chat with us.
All qualified applicants will be invited for interview. We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
The University of Northampton now offers on a range of our courses an alternative route to study; the integrated foundation year (IFY). Admission to this foundation programme is normally:
- DEE at A-Level or,
- MPP at BTEC or,
- Pass (D or E) at T Level
However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the programme you wish to study.
Once your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to attend a chat with us.
Prior to your interview, you will be required to send in a video of yourself, which will serve as your audition. The video should be footage of you making music in a DAW of your choice. For example, Logic Pro, Ableton. Alternatively, you could send footage of you DJing, making live music using software etc. We’ll review your video during your interview.
Your chat will include a discussion with a member from the programme team, a chance to interact with some of the technology and a tour of the music facilities.
The chat is in a group setting with other applicants, and you should expect to be with us for 1-2 hours.
We’d love to see you face-to-face for our chat, but if you need a virtual option instead, this can be arranged.
All International and EU students applying for a Music Production course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
For information on how to apply to study with us as an International student, please see our How to apply for International Study page.
What You'll Learn
The Music degree is split into three stages. In the first stage, you’ll develop proficiencies across all areas of the music production domain.
The first year of the course focuses on fundamental principles across all areas, including sequencing in the DAW, audio and MIDI, acoustics and psychoacoustics, studio engineering, hardware implementation, synthesis, critical listening skills, and reasoning, writing and debating.
In the second and third years, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise; choosing from a range of areas, including music production, composition, live sound and sound design for media and the games industry, and mastering.
The music production course modules are informed by staff actively researching, composing, performing and publishing in their specialist areas within the music industry. These modules introduce you to music principles and techniques that will help you develop the necessary analytical and creative skills, to aid you when evaluating and implementing real-life practice.
Compulsory Modules
Music Production Analysis
20 Credits
Code: MUS1141
20 Credits
Creative Music Production Techniques
20 Credits
Code: MUS1142
20 Credits
Computer Music Techniques
20 Credits
Code: MUS1150
20 Credits
The Recording Studio
20 Credits
Code: MUS1151
20 Credits
Professional Music Studies
20 Credits
Code: MUS1155
20 Credits
Recording Techniques
20 Credits
Code: MUS1156
20 Credits
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join this full time degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your Music Production course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of student perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year music production course which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
How will I learn on the Music Production BA degree?
The Music Production degree is significantly practical. You will spend lots of time using our studios and equipment to hone your skills. We offer significant amounts of time outside of lectures to further explore and refine your skills. All this learning is underpinned by an academic ethos – you will improve your reasoning skills and explore the ideologies of culture and further improve your critical thinking.
Music’s role in culture is critically and philosophically examined throughout our music production course. Using musical examples, you will learn to engage with esoteric and difficult concepts around inter alia genre, gender, race, politics, capitalism, culture, power, evolution, and science.
How will I be assessed?
The taught modules are assignment-based which means that projects are worked on throughout each semester, culminating in finished products that are submitted for assessment. For example, you will be required to demonstrate your skills within our recording studio by recording a band and then mixing the audio. Elsewhere, you will be required to demonstrate your skills and creativity within the DAW, by making tracks that demonstrate industry focused trends.
What equipment do I need?
None as such because we have Mac Suites and recording studios that are available outside of lecture time. That said, students often have their own laptops. We run Logic Pro (Mac only), Ableton and Pro Tools, and a breadth of well-known plugins. You will need a quality external hard drive for your work, and a pair of good headphones.
Is a music degree worth it in the UK?
Studying music at degree level will enhance your knowledge on theory, composition, and performance. You will have the chance to combine and develop your technical skills with artistic expression.
This subject area also contains many valuable and transferable skills, including critical thinking, project management, team collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. All of these skill sets will improve your future employability.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- International Full Time: £15,700
- International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
- 1TB portable hard drive (approximately £50)
- A good pair of closed back headphones (approximately £60-100)
- core texts for first year modules: Bennett et al. The Popular Music Studies Reader – £28.99
John Storey, Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction – £27.99 - Consumables for individual instruments (jack leads, capos, plectrums, drum skins, drum sticks, reeds, strings etc.)
- USB Flash drives (data sticks) for submitting coursework (£10-20 for two)
- £50 towards travel costs across three years
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
- UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
- International – Full Time: £15,200
- International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200
Staff
Yoshe Watson
Lecturer in Music
Stace Constantinou
Senior Lecturer in Music
Tony Platt
Associate Lecturer (Music)
Michael Bell
Lecturer in Music
Careers and Employability
There are a myriad of career opportunities available to a Music Production graduate. For example:
- Sound designer in the Games industry (huge sector growing year by year)
- Media/content creator in the media/online industry
- Teaching/lecturing in schools and colleges
- Self-employed/freelance work
- Live sound engineering
- Sound in theatre and dance
- Mixing and mastering services
- Composer for film, TV, media, apps
- Music therapy
- Writer, academic, critic or social commentary
On this course, you will be taught essential skills that focus on entrepreneurialism, freelancing, self-employment, and social media use to ensure you receive the skills required to succeed in your desired area of work.
You will also have the opportunity to progress on to further study should you wish to do so. Check out our list of postgraduate courses to get an idea of the options available to you if this is a pathway you are interested in.
Facilities
This degree is taught at Waterside Campus, specifically the newly renovated Development Hub.
Specialist facilities for Music Production students include:
- Two Mac Suites: running Logic Pro, Ableton 12, Native Instruments Komplete 12, Pro Tools, iZotope, FabFilter
- Two recording studios: running Pro Tools and Audient 8024 mixing console, Neve 1073LB preamps, SSL VHD preamps, Apollo 8P, Apollo Satellite Octo, Rupert Neve Designs 5043, SoundToys bundle, Arturia V studio, Universal Audio Ultimate, Spitfire Audio Hybrid, Steven Slate Drums
- Microphones: U87 condensers, AKG414s, Telefunken FET M60s, AKG 451s, Radial DI boxes, Radial SGI and re-amp boxes, and a full range of other industry mics
- Hardware synthesisers:Oberheim OB6, Arturia DrumBrute, Novation Circuits, Roland TB303, Behringer Deepmind 12, Roland Juno DS, Novation Bass Stations, Ableton controllers – Launchkey 49s, Launcontrol XLs, Launchpad Mark 1 and Mark 2
- Three fully kitted rehearsal rooms
- Live performance hardware: Vox amps, Marshall MG 4×12 amps, Orange Crush Pro amps, Peavey Amps, Ampeg PF500 Bass amplifiers, Yamaha Stage Custom kits, Gretsch Drum Kit, Studio AAX, full PA, three rehearsal rooms
- Two grand pianos: Bechstein Boudoir Grand, Steinway Studio B, two Yamaha upright pianos
Special course features include
- Introducing you to a critical engagement with popular music
- Fostering musicianship and studio craft
- Research and academic reasoning skills
- Exploring the music industry in the digital age
- Fully equipped recording studios
- Full access to a range of instruments and free tuition on an instrument you don’t play
