BA (Hons)
Undergraduate - Level 6

Top Up Year : Music Production & Sound Engineering

Online
Subject to validation
Close top of a mixing desk
SLL mixing desk
Student using a SLL Mixing Desk

If you have an Foundation degree or HND in any area of music production, from electronic music production to studio engineering, then we offer the opportunity to top up your qualification to a full BA (Hons) undergraduate degree with one further year of study in either Electronic Music Production or Music Production & Sound Engineering.

Key Information
  • Where can I study?
    Bristol
  • Start Date
    September 2024
  • Study Modes
    Full-Time
  • Course Length
    1 Year
  • UK/Home Fees (Per Year)
    £9,250
icon chevron Icon Information
Key Information
Key Information
Top Up Year : Music Production & Sound Engineering

Course Overview

Our Top Up Year pathway provides an excellent opportunity to turn your Foundation degree or HND into a full BA (Hons) undergraduate degree in either Music Production & Sound Engineering or Electronic Music Production. If you’ve enjoyed learning the foundations of music production and music technology, this Top Up Year allows you to focus on the area you are most interested in and develop those skills and knowledge to a professional level.

During this intense 1 year course, you will complete a creative dissertation as well as a large-scale practical project of your choice, utilising our industry-standard facilities and amazing teaching staff during your studies. By the time you graduate, you will have a body of professional-grade work and have mastered the techniques required to pursue a career in the music industry as a producer or sound engineer.

This pathway provides the perfect end to undergraduate studies for students who have a passion for making music in a variety of contexts.

This course is taught by the dBs Institute and awarded by Access Creative College

This course is taught by the dBs Institute and awarded by Falmouth University

Course Details

You will study a total of 6 modules, including a final major project.

A student sits at the Neve Genies mixing console in dBs Manchester

Year Overview

Year 1

Module Breakdown

While the modules remain the same for both the BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production and BA (Hons) Music Production and Sound Engineering pathways, you will have the opportunity to specialise what you produce based on your skill set and interests.

How You'll Learn

Building upon your existing knowledge, this Top Up Year will focus on enhancing your unique approach to music production and sound engineering. Through a combination of practical DAW-based and studio-based sessions, you'll broaden your skill set and apply it to your final major projects, where you can hone in on a niche area that you're passionate about. Through the Innovation module, you'll also be introduced to the world of experimental music and sound art; channelling these learnings into your own project that takes you out of your comfort zone.

You will learn through:

  • Lectures and practical workshops
  • Masterclasses and guest lectures
  • Group and 1-2-1 tutorials
  • Access to extensive studio facilities and bookable equipment
  • Use of library resources and study spaces
  • Access to our Virtual Learning Environment
  • Access to supporting online resources including videos, reading and interactive activities

Assessments are 100% coursework, submitted in an electronic format to our virtual learning environment, and designed to reflect professional practice.

On average you should allow for between 40 - 50 hours per week for your studies of which approximately 25% will be taught (c.10 hours) and 75% will be self-study.

Why Choose dBs

Here at dBs Institute, we pride ourselves on creating a learning environment that reflects the industry that you want to work in. Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure that you are working on professional-grade equipment; our course leaders have years of industry experience to draw from and we foster a community of students and staff that inspires and encourages collaboration. Throughout your studies and beyond, we will also provide you with career support and guidance to reach your future goals.

Facilities

Our 8.1 Spatial Audio Lab
Bristol
Our 8.1 Spatial Audio Lab
Inside our Dolby Atmos suite
Bristol
Inside our Dolby Atmos suite
Our Solid State Logic Duality Delta mixing desk
Bristol
Our Solid State Logic Duality Delta mixing desk
Mic'ing up drums in the Studio 6 live room
Bristol
Mic'ing up drums in the Studio 6 live room
Hands-on with our Trident 68 mixing desk
Manchester
Hands-on with our Trident 68 mixing desk
The live room for our Neve Genesys suite
Plymouth
The live room for our Neve Genesys suite
Our Neve Genesys mixing desk
Plymouth
Our Neve Genesys mixing desk
The live room for our Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Manchester
The live room for our Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Inside the Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Manchester
Inside the Neve Genesys Black pro suite
Students making music in the production suite
Bristol
Students making music in the production suite
Our SSL AWS924 Delta mixing console
Plymouth
Our SSL AWS924 Delta mixing console
Our API 1608 mixing console
Bristol
Our API 1608 mixing console
The live room for the Neve pro suite
Manchester
The live room for the Neve pro suite
arrow
arrow

    Why Choose a Online
    Degree at dBs

    Our online master's degrees offers a high-quality, immersive, and community-driven learning experience, led by industry experts who are passionate about their craft. With 24/7 access to course materials and resources, you can learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. Plus, our hands-on projects will equip you with practical skills necessary for a successful career in the music industry.
    A female student works on her laptop

    Flexible study

    Enjoy the freedom to fit your learning around you. For online students, course content – other than one-to-one sessions – will be available to access whenever suits you. Video materials that have been created for online students will also be made available to students that select to study on-site.

    dBs Online tutor kris burton sits in front of our API desk at dBs

    Learn from the pros

    You will learn from tutors whose expertise extends across production, composition, sound design, sound engineering, label management, marketing and promotion.

    You’ll also have access to our extensive guest lecture programme, giving you the chance to meet leading industry professionals – ranging from respected producers and performers to specialist technical staff from world-class audio companies.

    Student working on a project at dBs Pro

    Industry Connections

    As a student of this course, you will be encouraged to apply for placements and opportunities with dBs Pro, our in-house creative audio company.
    This will allow you to further your experience and apply the skills you have been honing, as well as showcase your skills to clients and develop your creative own links in the industry.

    What our students say

    Who better to tell you about our course than students already doing the course? In this video, some of our latest cohort talk about their experience of the dBs online masters degrees.

    Tutors

    Alex Wilkins

    Alex Wilkins

    BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering Course Leader
    Alex is a music composition and production specialist who never stops learning about sound. He may also be the only person to try producing electronic music using Pro Tools…
    Gill Sargent

    Gill Sargent

    Honours Project Module Leader
    Gill is an avid teacher and creator who has worked behind the mixing desk, organised stages at festivals around the UK, and taught Roni Size how to sample.
    arrow
    arrow

      Opportunities

      Engaging with our industry

      In our 20+ year history, we’ve built a strong network of contacts across the creative industries, that include AMS Neve, Solid State Logic, Avid and many more.

      Career support

      We strive to equip our students with the skills and opportunities to secure roles across the creative industries, and this goal underpins the student experience at dBs Institute.

      dBs Pro

      dBs Pro is a creative audio company with a difference - it’s dedicated to providing our students with real-world experience alongside their studies.

      Your Future Prospects

      There’s a lot in common between the Music Production & Sound Engineering and Electronic Music Production degrees, and this translates into the potential careers that are open to students after graduating.

      Regardless of which course students choose to top up to a full BA, these are just some of the roles you can progress into:

      Carreers

      Game Audio Implementers utilise creativity and logical thinking to design and manage the systems that bring sound to life and immerse the player.

      Carreers

      Meet the business-savvy, big picture thinkers who guide musical releases from early planning stages into the marketplace.

      Carreers

      Music Therapists combine compassion and creativity to help individuals overcome physical, emotional and social difficulties using music.

      Carreers

      Storytellers, thinkers and pioneers of social change, Sound Artists use non-conventional methods of composition to create thought-provoking art that often exists in the physical world alongside the sonic realm.

      Carreers

      Commanders of the control room, Studio Engineers help transform musical moments into timeless masterpieces by facilitating the production of music and sound.

      arrow
      arrow

        How to Apply

        Applying for this course is easy! Simply click the "Apply" button below to submit your application directly through our website.
        A member of our Admissions Team will then be in touch to discuss your suitability for the course, your interests and to arrange an interview.

        Applications for undergraduate degrees are made through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply online through the UCAS website.

        Please note that the UCAS 'on-time' application deadline for equal consideration is 31st January 2024.

        UCAS Codes
        Campus
        Course Code
        Campus Code
        Institution Code
        Bristol
        W360
        D
        F33

        If you would like to make an application for this course, fill in your details below and a member of our admissions team will be in touch to advise you through the application process.

        For detailed information on how to apply please take a look at our guide to making an application.

        Further Study

        Register your interest

        If you’d like to find out more about our postgraduate courses, please fill in the form below. Once submitted, a member of our admissions team will be in touch to discuss our postgraduate course offerings and the next steps of the application process.

        Please note, if you currently live outside of the UK and require a Tier 4 VISA to study in the United Kingdom, we are unable to accept your application for our on campus full-time or part-time postgraduate degree programmes. If this is the case, please apply for one of our online postgraduate courses instead.

        Stats