BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production

AI Creative Practice

This module introduces you to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within contemporary creative practice. It is designed to develop awareness, confidence, and a basic critical understanding of how AI is used across creative disciplines. 

You will be introduced to the ways AI intersects with areas such as writing, media production, performance, audio, and visual design. Early teaching provides an accessible overview of key ideas including authorship, originality, bias, and ethical considerations. 

Following this, you will undertake an individual exploration into the use of AI within a chosen creative context or area of practice. This exploration may involve practical experimentation, comparison of outputs, or a combination of both. 

The emphasis of the module is on exploration rather than technical mastery. You will be encouraged to try out AI tools, observe their effects, and begin to recognise your own judgement in relation to the outputs you produce. 

Foundations of Screen Story 

This module introduces you to the fundamental principles of narrative design for the screen. Lectures and screenings deconstruct how stories are built, sustained, and resolved across a wide range of screen narratives and forms.  

You will learn the core underpinnings of screen story – character, structure, conflict, theme, and genre – while appreciating how different disciplines (production, directing, writing, audio, VFX, production design, editing, cinematography, etc.) contribute to and shape narrative meaning. Core focuses concern the nature and importance of creative collaboration, artistic vision and voice, and ‘influencers’ from the past and historical contexts. 

The module is not practice-based in production terms, but analytical and creative, encouraging a critical eye and a passionate engagement. It prepares you to write better scripts, shoot more purposeful coverage, design more expressive sound and visuals, and critique media more intelligently.

Sound Engineering Fundamentals

This module introduces you to the core principles and practices of studio engineering within contemporary audio production environments.

You will develop a foundational understanding of signal flow, microphone techniques, gain staging, and studio workflows, enabling you to capture and manage high-quality recordings. 

The module emphasises practical, hands-on experience in a professional studio setting, supporting the development of essential technical skills alongside an awareness of how audio functions across music, screen, and digital media contexts. 

You will also explore the role of the engineer in both music production and screen-based workflows, including recording dialogue, acoustic sources, and small ensembles.

The module establishes a technical and conceptual foundation that underpins further study in studio production, post-production, and sound for moving image. 
 
During this module, you will be introduced to studio access procedures and, with appropriate guidance, you will be able to book and use designated recording spaces to support independent practice and development.

Post Production 1

This module introduces you to the fundamental principles and practices of post-production, providing a foundation in key technical and creative workflows.

You will explore core post-production specialisms: editing, sound design and mixing (including ADR and Foley), colour grading, visual effects, and delivery workflows, developing an understanding of how these processes contribute to the creation of a completed screen-based artefact.

Through a combination of theoretical study and practical application, the module builds essential knowledge and skills in post-production processes, enabling you to produce a portfolio of post-production work. 

Music for the Moving Image

This module introduces the creation of music and sound for moving image, focusing on how audio functions in relation to visual material. It develops understanding of timing, structure, and sonic choices in shaping meaning, mood, and narrative. 

The module is accessible to students from both audio and film backgrounds and requires no prior music production experience. 

You will work with MIDI sequencing and basic audio editing to create structured material. A genre-neutral approach is taken. You will explore both composed and sourced music approaches to moving image. 

This module develops your awareness of sound in relation to picture, including cue points, hit points, and spotting. The relationship between musical time and screen time is introduced at a foundational level. 

You are also introduced to analysis of film sound through selected examples. The focus is on how sound supports narrative, pacing, and audience perception. 

During this module, you will work with a range of sound sources, including self-generated material, basic foley where appropriate, and sample libraries, combining these within a single project. 

The module emphasises clear workflows and simple, effective responses to moving image. 

Pro Tools

This module introduces you to the operational principles of Pro Tools as an industry-standard digital audio workstation used across music production, film, television, and digital media. 

You will develop a working knowledge of session creation, audio editing, navigation, and mixing workflows. The module emphasises structured, hands-on learning to build confidence in managing audio sessions and preparing material for both music and screen-based contexts. 

Alongside core Pro Tools fundamentals, you will be introduced to extended workflows, including basic automation, session organisation, and working with larger track counts. This supports progression from foundational operation towards more flexible and efficient use of the software. 

You will develop an understanding of how technical decisions within a DAW environment support creative outcomes and will apply appropriate methods across a range of audio materials, including music and spoken-word content. 

You will also be supported in developing independent working practices and will be able to access designated Mac suites and software environments outside of timetabled sessions to reinforce your learning.

Projects

The module provides a structured framework within which you will undertake a suite of specialist projects appropriate to your degree programme, developing independent working practices.

You will be expected to respond to multiple project briefs (typically 2-4) across two semesters, managing time, resources, and creative or research-based workflows. 

The projects support the development of discipline-specific technical, creative, and analytical skills to a standard appropriate for progression to major projects and career preparation. Most projects will require team/group work and collaboration, sometimes between degree pathways, reflecting industry practice wherever possible. 

You should engage with non-practical forms of inquiry (e.g., essays, reports, case studies, critical analyses) alongside practical production, fostering critical reflection and research literacy. 

The module prepares you to evaluate your own work against professional, academic, or audience-facing criteria, articulating strengths, weaknesses, and lessons for future practice. This will in most cases involve team/group work on the projects themselves, and working to fixed delivery deadlines across both semesters. 

Alongside the project(s) outcomes, be that written or practical, students document and critically reflect upon their research, creative influences, production processes, and final outcomes through a structured individual portfolio. 

All productions/projects should be analysed using the BFI Albert Sustainable Production Framework.

Sound Engineering and Music Production

This practical double module develops and extends the studio and recording techniques you developed in previous modules and explores the more advanced creative skills and technical processes required to prepare, engineer and produce recorded music to a commercially viable standard. In your assessment you will record an ensemble session and submit your tracks.

Sound for Moving Image

The module aims to elucidate the technical and creative processes that help to create great sonic storytelling in film and moving-image production.

Building on experiences that you have had with sound during the course, the module introduces further techniques required for capturing and generating sound.

Recording skills on set and on location are taught and practised, covering the use of portable recording equipment, boom operation, wireless mics and timecode synchronisation techniques. You will also further your understanding of Sound Design and Audio post-production techniques, building on what you have covered during the first year. 

Marketing and PR in the Music Industry

This module aims to develop your understanding of marketing and public relations within the contemporary music industry.

It explores how artists and music products are promoted across a range of platforms, with a focus on audience engagement, branding, and campaign development.

You will also be introduced to the role of media and journalism in music promotion, including the function of the music press, online media, reviews, and interviews in shaping artist visibility and public perception.

You will consider how marketing, PR and media coverage work together within wider industry contexts. 

Synthesis and Sampling 

This module develops advanced practical and technical understanding of sound creation through synthesis and sampling, with a focus on intentional sound design for contemporary music production contexts. 

 
You will build on prior knowledge to explore multiple synthesis approaches and advanced sampling techniques. Emphasis is placed on intentional sound design, where parameters are controlled to achieve specific sonic outcomes. 

 
The module adopts a practice-led approach, combining software and hardware workflows. You will work with Logic Pro, Native Instruments Komplete, and analogue synthesisers including the Arturia MatrixBrute and Sequential Prophet Rev2 to design and manipulate sound. 

 
You will also develop an understanding of synthesis architectures, modulation, and signal flow, applying these concepts through hands-on programming. Sampling is explored as both a technical and creative process, including recording, editing, mapping, and transformation of audio. 

 
The module introduces sound design in wider audio contexts, including contemporary electronic production and digital instrument design. Hybrid workflows combining synthesis and sampling are explored, alongside creative resampling and transformation techniques. 

The emphasis is on developing control, workflow, and the ability to design and transform sound for a defined purpose. The module reflects current industry practices in electronic music production, sound design, and digital instrument creation. 

Immersive Mixing

This module introduces you to the creative and technical principles of immersive mixing using Dolby Atmos and object-based workflows within music and screen-related contexts. Building on prior study in recording, production, and critical listening, you will explore how object-based mixing can be used to shape depth, width, movement, and perspective in ways that extend beyond conventional stereo practice. 
 
The module is centred on the practical application of Dolby Atmos mixing workflows within contemporary production environments. You will work with material drawn from music, spoken-word, and screen-related contexts, considering how object-based approaches can support musical presentation, spatial realism, emotional impact, and narrative intention. 
 
You will develop practical skills in session preparation, routing, object assignment, spatial placement, automation, and Atmos mix management, while also evaluating how immersive mixes translate through binaural render modes and conventional stereo playback.

The module is delivered exclusively in the Atmos suite, allowing you to work within a specialist monitoring environment that reflects current and emerging professional practice. 
 
As a forward-looking module, Immersive Mixing prepares you for developments in music production, film and television post-production, streaming delivery, and wider spatial audio practice. It is designed to support future-facing technical and creative skills, helping you engage with workflows that are increasingly relevant across contemporary audio industries. 

Post Production 2

This module develops your creative and technical engagement with post-production processes, advancing your skills across key specialisms including editing, sound design, ADR, Foley and Immersive Mixing, colour grading, visual effects, and delivery workflows.

Through practice-based activities and theoretical study, you will explore how post-production decisions shape meaning, style, and narrative in screen-based work.

The module supports increasing independence in workflow management and technical decision-making, culminating in the production of a portfolio of post-production artefacts that demonstrate applied creative and technical post-production practice within specified constraints. 

Dissertation

You will undertake a substantial, self-directed project (group or individual) that represents the culmination of your undergraduate study.

It will require you to synthesise, where applicable, technical skills, theoretical knowledge, creative vision, and professional practices to produce a substantial piece of original work (group or individual) accompanied by an individual portfolio exploring research methodologies and underpinned by critical reflection. 

The dissertation is defined not by a single format, but by its significance, ambition, and rigour. You will propose and execute a project that aligns with your discipline while demonstrating an understanding of its context within the broader screen arts landscape. Unlike traditional written dissertations, this module accepts diverse outputs—from films and screenplays to audio dramas, sports documentaries, essays, media campaign analyses, or technical portfolios—as long as they are underpinned by systematic research and critical reflection. 

All productions/projects should be analysed using the BFI Albert Sustainable Production Framework.

Audio for Games

The impact of sound design and music in video games is profound, helping to generate exciting and immersive game playing experiences.

The module provides an introduction to the non-linear audio techniques required for games and other interactive digital media forms.

The unique challenges presented to sound designers in creating an interactive product are considered and you will be introduced to industry standard audio solutions such as Audiokinetic Wwise audio middleware.

The skills gained will serve as an introduction to this large and growing industry area. 

Audio Story

This module explores storytelling through sound within a collaborative production environment, requiring students to develop and realise an original audio drama. 

You will work across disciplines to conceive, write, perform, and produce a fully realised audio narrative. The module focuses on how character, narrative, and meaning are communicated without visual elements, emphasising dialogue, pacing, and the expressive use of sound. 

Narrative development remains central to the process, evolving through rehearsal, sound exploration and, where appropriate, performance.

You will engage in an iterative development process in which scripts are tested, refined, and realised through production, reflecting industry practices in audio storytelling. 

Creative Portfolio

This module supports you in developing a professional creative portfolio that clearly communicates your skills, identity and ambitions within the creative industries. It builds on work produced across earlier modules and focuses on curation, presentation and strategy, rather than volume of output. 

You will be encouraged to create either a simple online portfolio website using an appropriate portfolio‑building platform, or a professionally designed PDF portfolio for those who prefer an offline alternative. You will also be invited to explore show reels as a critical component of some creative portfolios. Overall, the emphasis is on clarity, selection and intent, ensuring that work is framed appropriately for its intended audience. 

Alongside portfolio creation, the module introduces key principles of personal branding, creative entrepreneurship and career sustainability. You will develop a forward‑looking plan that outlines your intended career direction over the next five years, how your portfolio will support this trajectory, how you will maintain engagement with the industry, and how you intend to adapt your practice in a changing creative landscape. 

The module is highly independent and student‑led, encouraging you to take ownership of your creative identity, reflect on prior learning, and articulate purposeful next steps beyond graduation.