Music Production

Study options

Full-time

Part-time

Award

Key facts

Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time
Study option:: Part-time
Duration:: 13 Months
Duration:: 25 Months
Start date:: 26 September 2022
School:: School of Digital, Technologies and Arts

Flexible Learning

Tailor your learning to match your interests

World Class facilities

Five studios, four live rooms and two state-of-the-art Mac Labs

REF Excellence

Be a part of our internationally excellent and dynamic research environment.

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. Our course team are all passionate about music and sound. We are all either actively involved in the music industry or engaging in world class research, as evidenced by our recent REF excellence and our internationally excellent research. You will benefit from being a part of our dynamic research culture.

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.

Cadman Studios Tour - Recording Studios & Live Rooms

Video

Join Alex for a behind-the-scenes tour of our recording studios and live rooms in our Cadman Studios.

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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.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Audio Visual Composition And Performance	15 credits
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 5 optional modules

Year 1 compulsory 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
Pro Tools For Music Production	15 credits

Show 7 compulsory modules

Entry requirements

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.

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

Video

Discover what our students have to say about our Music and Sound degrees.

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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

Cadman Music Studios

The recording studio complex features six control rooms containing a variety of analogue, digital and hybrid mixing consoles as well as a Foley pit, and four live rooms hosting a selection of industry-standard amplifiers, microphones and instruments.

Video

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.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Postgraduate Open Event

Wednesday 3 August 2022

Join us on campus and online to chat with lecturers from your postgraduate subject area of interest.

Book now

Teaching and assessment

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 and 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 Student Inclusion 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.

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience.

Dr Marc Estibeiro

Associate Professor

Marc is the Course Leader for MA Music Production and teaches computer sound, advanced Pro Tools techniques, modern composition and music software design.

Marc's profile

Dr Dave Payling

Associate Professor

Dave teaches audiovisual composition, audio mastering, sound synthesis and music software design. He has a PhD in visual music composition and produces a variety of electronic music.

Dave's profile

Dave Hickman

Senior Lecturer

Dave teaches studio design, acoustics, studio production and electronics. An active member of the Institute of Acoustics, he is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dave's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 26 September 2022 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MA-Full-time
Study option	UK / Channel Islands	International
Full-time	£9,545 per course	£15,000 per course

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've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study. Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module. The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice. Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance. The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies. Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course. The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice. Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.

Accommodation and living costs
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 £11,570 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 masters loan.

Apply

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus	MA	Full-time	26 September 2022	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.