Music Production BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The Music Production degree at the University of Northampton 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 our music producing degree 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 which will help you develop the necessary analytical and creative skills, to aid you when evaluating and implementing real-life practice.

  Take a guided tour of our music facilities:

  Culture of Music

  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.

  List of modules

  • Stage 1
    • MUS1141 Music Production Analysis (20 Credits)
    • MUS1142 Creative Music Production (20 Credits)
    • MUS1150 Computer Music Techniques (20 Credits)
    • MUS1151 The Recording Studio (20 Credits)
    • MUS1155 Professional Music Studies (20 Credits)
    • MUS1156 Recording Techniques (20 Credits)

    All modules in Year 1 are compulsory.

  • Stage 2
    • MED2128 Sound for Screen (20 Credits)
    • MUS2140 How Music Works (20 Credits)
    • MUS2141 The Creative Practitioner (20 Credits)
    • MUS2149 Sound Design for Games and Apps (20 Credits)
    • MUS2158 Recording and Mixing Techniques (20 Credits)
    • MUS2159 Synthesis and Sampling (20 Credits)

    All modules in Year 2 are compulsory.

  • Stage 3
    • MUS4121 Professional Project (40 Credits) (Optional)
    • MUS4125 Popular Music Dissertation (40 Credits) (Optional)
    • MUS3127 Music and Sound Design for Media (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • MUS3140 Innovative and Immersive Music Production (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • MUS3148 Critical Listening and Mastering (20 Credits) (Compulsory)
    • MUS3149 Professional Briefs for Games and Apps (20 Credits) (Compulsory)

     

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• Student Perks

  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 music producing 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 to 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 perks visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  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 for the Music Production BA degree, 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, in order 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.

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• FAQs

  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.

  How will I be assessed on the Music Production course?

  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 to do a Music Production degree?

  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 good quality external hard drive for your work, and a pair of good headphones.

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