Music Production BA (Hons)

Our Music Production degree will ensure you keep up-to-date with current processes and standards in the industry. From developing compositions to recording, editing, mixing, and mastering, music production covers the full range of production activities such as film and television, music and radio, etc.

Overview
About the course
Structure
Fees
Entry requirements
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From developing compositions to recording, editing, mixing, and mastering, music production covers the full range of production activities such as film and television, music and radio, etc. Reinforced with a rigorous academic strand, this ensures the practical skills are complemented with a critical ear and an understanding of the theories which underpin music production.

The College is an Apple Certified Training Centre for Education (AATCe) and as part of the programme you will have the opportunity to undertake an industry-recognised qualification in the shape of Apple’s Logic 101.

The course is designed to work directly alongside the BA (Hons) Music Performance, Production and Composition programme. This is a significant advantage to students on both courses because it allows them to pool their knowledge and share their skills.

Why should I do this course?

Studying Music Production at South Essex College will allow you to keep pace with the current up to date processes and standards within the industry. The College is an Apple Certified Training Centre for Education and as part of your academic qualification you will have the opportunity to undertake an industry recognised qualification in the shape of the Logic 101 qualification.

What's covered?

Subjects you will study on this course include:

Year 1

composition and production arrangement
recording studio operation and studio management
sequencing systems
acoustics
cultural studies in music
music law and ethics
music theory and theorists
production analysis (contextual listening)

Year 2

practical subjects and skills
audio recording
live sound
post-production
sound and music for film and television
synthesis and sampling practice
academic/theoretical subjects and skills
business practice
creative industry practitioners
dissertation preparation

Year 3

practical subjects and skills
advanced location recording
collaborative production project composition
final year practical project
industry preparation
academic/theoretical subjects and skills
dissertation

What can I do after this?

Recent graduates have gone into music education, technical support for musicians, running music workshops, or composing music for corporate media products, while others have gone on to postgraduate study at Master’s level.

Careers

Performing arts, broadcast and media

Year 1: The first year of the programme will provide you with a practical and theoretical foundation in music production covering sequencing, recording, music and composition, which are skills you will build on through more specialist study in years two and three. You will also focuson key practical skills and the basis of core academic inquiry in music production.

Areas of study: Include composition and production arrangement, recording studio operation and studio management, sequencing systems, acoustics, cultural studies in music, music law and ethics, music theory and theorists, production analysis (contextual listening).

Year 2: Year two expands significantly on the technical areas, particularly in recording and post-production techniques as wellas developing critical lines of inquiry, and introducing you to new ways of thinking and to creative practitioners outside your field of experience. There is a significant focus in the second year on moving you forward in your studies and encouraging you to work in a more independent and self-directed way. In this year you will undertake Apple’s Logic 101 end user certification programme as part of yourstudies, as well as a challenging and exciting practical examination.

Areas of study: Include practical subjects and skills, audio recording, live sound, post-production, sound and music for film and television, synthesis and sampling practice, academic/theoretical subjects andskills, business practice, creative industry practitioners, dissertation preparation.

Year 3: The final year of the programme is the most challenging, requiring you to study independently, utilising the skills and knowledge gained in years one and two. In addition to the larger project-based modules, there are modules which deal with specialisation as well as personal development to support you in making the transition to employment. You will also take part in a collaborative production project using the time management and workflow skills you learnt as part of audio postproduction in year two.

Areas of study: Include practical subjects and skills, advanced location recording, collaborative production project composition, final year practical project, industry preparation, academic/theoretical subjects and skills, dissertation.

Low-cost higher education

Our fees are well below the national average and are among the lowest in the region, so studying with us is great value for money!

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Entry requirements

160 UCAS points
GCSE English at grade C or above (or equivalent)

Full-time courses

Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), quoting institution code S43 and the UCAS code for your chosen course.

Part-time courses

Applications for all part-time Honours Degree, Foundation Degree, Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education courses at South Essex College should be made directly to the College using the online application form or by completing a paper application form and mailing it to our freepost address:

HE Admissions
South Essex College
Freepost SMU 110
Luker Road
Southend on Sea
Essex
SS1 1BR

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