Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Sound Design

This degree will provide you with the theoretical knowledge, craft skills and practical experience to enter a number of diverse careers in sound design.

It offers an exciting combination of subjects covering sound generation, recording, mixing, processing and reproduction for a broad spectrum of creative industries. You will learn how to apply your knowledge across fields as diverse as radio, television and film production, music recording, sound for animation and computer games, sound installations and theatrical sound. Your acquisition of these skills will be reinforced by a comprehensive grounding in media theory, sound theory and technology.

You will learn in a unique simulated professional environment that will mirror your future workplace. Facilities include a comprehensive range of purpose-built sound recording, production and post-production facilities, audio workstations and computer suites with industry-standard software packages.

You will focus on collaborative projects and hone specific skills including pitching for work, marketing yourself and developing project plans from a very early stage.

This course offers an exciting combination of creative practice, business know-how, theoretical and contextual learning to help develop you as a reflective practitioner able to succeed in sound design. You will share some units and collaborate on projects with students from the BA (Hons) Music Production for Media course.

Level 1

Develops your understanding of the principles – both conceptual and technical – of working with sound. Your learning will focus on the basic skills needed to work with sound for radio and screen, alongside business and contextual studies.

Topics include Sound Theory; Recording Studio Techniques; Sound and Music for Television; Radio Production and Laptop Musicianship.

Level 2

Applies your skills and knowledge across a variety of forms and media, including interactive media, theatre and film. You will also develop entrepreneurial acumen, critical analysis skills through Contextual Studies and engage with some of the more esoteric ideas and approaches of Sound Art. Topics include Sound and Music for Live Performance; Sound and Music for Film and Sound Art.

Level 3

Provides the opportunity to study a specific area of interest in-depth and apply compositional skills through a self-initiated individual project and collaborative work.

You will also be effectively prepared to emerge into a highly competitive marketplace as an able and flexible sound design professional. Topics include Environmental Sound Sound Design for Interactive Media, plus an Individual Project and Portfolio work.

In addition, each Level contains units in Contextual Studies, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and Personal and Professional Development to give you a rounded education that prepares you for professional life.

Assessment

You will be assessed through the completion of practical and written work including essays and a range of individual or group artefacts, presentations and project reports that focus on practical and business skills. There will also be critical self and peer-evaluation to allow you to reflect on your development, and support to give you feedback and help you succeed.

Learning and Support

The course’s learning and support methods aim to develop you both technically and professionally.

You will learn through tutorials, masterclasses focusing on specific creative and technical skills, workshops, work experience and a mix of group and individual projects. Learning is facilitated by a well qualified permanent teaching staff, sessional staff and visiting guest speakers who bring an important industry perspective to the course.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can expect to find employment in a wide range of sound design roles in radio, film, television, theatre, video games, animation or web production. Other roles include sound engineering, sound recording, audio post production, sound composition, installation and sonic arts.

To find out more on jobs in this field visit I can.

Progression

Successful completion of this course can lead to the MA/MSc Broadcast Futures.

Download the full course programme specifications (PDF).

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