Music Production

Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time
Study option:: Part-time; Choose another study option
Duration:: 13 Months
Duration:: 25 Months
Start date:: 16 September 2019; 16 September 2019

Come to an Open Event Enquire about this course Apply now

Make your mark in the music industry with Staffordshire University. With our Music Production MA, you will develop your creative and existing production skills and prepare for a career in music and sound production.

Music production not only involves being able to record, mix and edit music in a variety of different genres and situations. It also involves composition and arranging, an ability to work in different software environments, and an understanding of the relationships between music, sound and other media.

We aim to give you all the skills and knowledge you need to become employable after graduation, taught by experienced staff that are active in the music industry. You’ll have the chance to combine your creation of musical elements with practical industry skills and experience, and showcase them within the University.

Not only that, with us you’ll have the opportunity to create masterpieces using our world-class recording facilities. These include five interconnected recording studios with well-equipped live rooms, a Pro Tools HDX system and an SSL AWS 900 mixing desk. We also have two Mac labs and a mastering room.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Music Production

Work placements

A work placement module is offered as an option in both the first and second semester.

Course content

Our Music Production MA is full-time and is split into three semesters over 18 months.

In your first semester, you will take three core modules that will give you an advanced knowledge of music production: Modern Composition in Context, Audio-Visual Composition and Performance. In the third module you’ll have the chance to specialise in your chosen field of music technology in a supervised negotiated study, allowing you to tailor the subject of study to your own personal interest. Also, you’ll be able to specialise further with an optional module such as Sound Design for Mobile Devices and Mixing Techniques, or Mastering and Signal Processing in Music.

In semester two, we aim to fully prepare you for your future career. You will study three core modules: Research Methods for Music, Performance Practices and Creative Music Software Design. Also, you’ll hone your skills in an optional module such as Electronics for Musicians, Commercial Recording Management or Pro Tools for Music Production.

The final semester focuses on your final MA Project, which is supervised and negotiated with your lecturer. This can include practical as well as written assignments and is a chance to showcase your skills before you enter a career in music production.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Standard route

Year 0 compulsory modules
Audio Visual Composition And Performance	15 credits

Year 1 compulsory modules
Creative Music Software Design	15 credits
Ma Project: Music	60 credits
Modern Composition In Context	15 credits
Negotiated Study: Music	15 credits
Performance Practices	15 credits
Research Methods For Music	15 credits

Show 6 optional modules

Year 1 optional modules
Advanced Recording Techniques	15 credits
Applied Acoustics	15 credits
Electronics For Musicians	15 credits
Industry Placement For Music Technology	15 credits
Mastering And Signal Processing In Music	15 credits
Pro Tools For Music Production	15 credits

Show 6 compulsory modules

Entry requirements

UK qualifications

International qualifications

Normal requirements are at least a UK second class honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline

If you do not meet the above but have significant appropriate experience, your application will be considered, if you satisfy the University that you are capable of responding to the challenge of postgraduate work.

If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you are fluent enough to cope with the course. A minimum score of IELTS 6 or TOEFL 550 (213 computer-based) is normally required.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country

Facilities

Recording Studios

The Music & Sound recording studio complex is open seven days a week and features five control rooms and four live rooms, with an additional mastering facility. The rooms are fully interconnected (audio and video) and equipped with a range of industry-standard mixing consoles & outboard, surround monitoring, microphones, instruments and amplification. The rooms are also open in the evenings and at the weekend.

Careers

After completing the Music Production MA, you’ll be equipped to work in the following roles:

Record/music producer
Sound designer
Songwriter
Sound mixer
Recording studio manager
Composer

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed to study at PhD level.

Teaching and assessment

Overview

Study time

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So, not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, but we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you will:

Work with others on group work
Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These could include essays, class tests, presentations or portfolios.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

Reading journals, articles and books
Working on projects, alone or in a group
Researching in the library
Preparing coursework

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffs.

Fees

Overview

Additional costs

Financial support

For the course starting on 16 September 2019 the tuition fees are:

Study option
Full time

UK / EU / Channel Islands
£8,820 per course

International (Non-EU)
£12,750 per course

Study option
Part time

UK / EU / Channel Islands
£4,410 per year of study

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to a discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact Graduate Relations.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,609 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options - part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit postgraduate loans.

Bursaries and scholarships

As a postgraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location:

Award:

Study option:

Start date:

Apply link

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MA

Study option:

Full-time

Start date:

16 September 2019

Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Work placements

Course content

Cadman Studios Tour - Recording Studios & Live Rooms

Modules

Standard route

Entry requirements

What is the best thing about a Music and Sound degree at Staffordshire University?

Facilities

Recording Studios

Careers

Postgraduate Open Event

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Assessment

Learning support

Additional support

Feedback

Fees

Alumni discount

Alumni discount

Apply

Rules and regulations