Music Production MA

Study level: Postgraduate
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Music Production MA aims to develop the creative, critical, technical and culturally aware skills required to operate in the music industry as a versatile music producer and innovative interdisciplinary collaborator.

Year of entry

2023-24

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years, with professional experience

Course code

AHT092

Start date

September 2023

How to apply
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Course overview

Music Production MA aims to develop the creative, critical, technical and culturally aware skills required to operate in the music industry as a versatile music producer and innovative interdisciplinary collaborator.

This course welcomes creative music technologists keen to explore innovative and sustainable creative practice and to develop avenues of interdisciplinary and culturally aware collaborations that can challenge current approaches to music production.  

  • You should learn to operate confidently in a range of professional environments as a critically astute music producer applying established and innovative approaches
  • Excel in working both collaboratively and independently as a creative music technologist
  • A key aim for this course is for graduates to have developed key transferable skills that enable them to operate at the forefront of the emerging new music industries 
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

To open up opportunities to explore innovative and sustainable creative practice and to develop avenues of interdisciplinary and culturally aware collaborations that can challenge current approaches to music production;

  • Access to our fantastic facilities4: several state-of-the-art recording studios (including SSL and Neve desks), iMac music suite including Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max, Dorico, and Kyma Audio Unit; plus in the new Delia Derbyshire Building a Dolby Atmos/ambisonics studio and a VR/AR immersive studio.
  • As a graduate, you may seek employment in the composing, recording, production, games, and screen industries; as well as across wider areas of the new music and audio economy.
  • Dedicated, experienced and qualified teaching staff with a mixture of commercial, academic and research-related expertise at an international level (staff may be subject to change).
  • Strong emphasis on the course on applied practice within a contextual and critical framework.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course has been accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Steinberg Certified Training Centre

Steinberg Certified Training Centre

This course is accredited by Steinberg for the 2023/2024 intake. Steinberg Certified Trainers and Training Centres help you get the most from Steinberg products. We use the latest Steinberg software and have extensive current product and systems knowledge.

Audio Fusion

AudioFusion

This course is accredited by AudioFusion for the 2023/2024 intake. AudioFusion develops forward-thinking training tools for audio engineers and musicians to further their careers in the sound-related arts. The first software, Soundcheck, is an AES Student Design Winner and is now used in courses across the globe. Since launching, AudioFusion has taken its pro audio simulations to different platforms such as 3D, Virtual Reality and continues to advocate the benefits of virtual simulations in education.

What you'll study

MA Music Production is designed as a carousel with three points of entry in the academic year (January-May-September) where each semester has set modules that do not recur until the academic cycle is completed. 

Throughout this course, you should benefit from expert instruction, in addition to meaningful connectivity with research and practice-based expertise from across broader media, production and performance disciplines. You will have the opportunity to collaborate, across MA courses and/or externally, on project-oriented modules; which allow natural interdisciplinarity and promote a greater contextual understanding of your chosen specialism within the broader media and performing arts sectors.  

During their first semester on the course, students can apply for the extended route, which offers an opportunity to reflect upon and gain professional experience through three semesters of internship or placement with a host of different organisations2. 

Modules

  • This module explores the relationships between music technology and music production by creating original music using both the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and the recording studio. You should gain an understanding of the major theories, principles, and concepts inherent to the subject including the production of music using MIDI, audio recording and signal processing, arrangement, mixing, and mastering. 

    Compulsory

  • The module explores the creative and technological possibilities afforded by spatial audio formats such as ambisonics, 360° audio, VR and commercial surround sound formats. You should gain an understanding of the major theories, principles, and concepts inherent to spatial audio, such as: microphone placement for ambient recording; spatial audio formats; panning and mixing techniques for surround sound; audio encoding for specific formats; binaural processing. 

    Compulsory

  • This module explores the creative possibilities that different programming environments offer in different areas of practice that involve music, sound and visuals, such as generative music, algorithmic music, interactive music, visual music, hyperinstruments. 

    Compulsory

  • You should develop practical enterprise knowledge and skills in areas such as self-employment, social enterprise, collaborative and collective working, intellectual property and creative dissemination. 

    Compulsory

  • You will be encouraged to apply your creative practice to consider and respond to global cultural issues, such as local activism and community action. An integral part of the module is to reflect on the process and the issues raised. 

    Compulsory

  • Throughout the module, You will be invited to critically engage with contemporary issues in response to your creative practice.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with the theoretical, conceptual, investigative and practical tools needed to develop your own independent research and comprehend which methods may best support your creative practice. 

    Compulsory

  • To gain a deeper understanding of your practice you will identify an area of research related to your creative practice and contextualise it in an academic paper. 

    Compulsory

  • The module is based on your selection of a series of topics related to intercultural and transnational communication, professional development and management/leadership to provide you with both a theoretical and practical framework to help build key skills. 

    Compulsory

With professional experience option

The professional experience opportunity2 enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester one, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field to enhance your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, which for one semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for two semesters of professional experience is £2,666.67, and for three semesters of professional experience is £4,000. 

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option. 

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student.  Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. 

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. 

How you'll learn

You will engage with a series of different learning activities and resources which include:

  • Group critiques
  • Artist talks and lectures (subject to availability)
  • Masterclasses/performances (subject to availability)
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. 

Teaching contact hours

In a typical week you will have approximately 8 contact hours of teaching  comprising seminars, talks and lectures, as well as workshops,  project support and skills training.  
In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 300 hours of self-directed study each semester, e.g. working on course assignments, group project activities, independent and collaborative production-related activities, related practice and studying. You will be supported by skills sessions.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/24 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance.  Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety. 

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include practical projects and portfolios, artefacts and essays. 

Entry requirements

Applicants to this Master’s degree should normally possess a good honours degree (2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject. If the degree is in an unrelated subject, applicants need to demonstrate appropriate industry knowledge and experience in their application documentation.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Applicants to this Master’s degree should normally possess a good honours degree (2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject. If the degree is in an unrelated subject, applicants need to demonstrate appropriate industry knowledge and experience in their application documentation.

 

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. 

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £11,200 per year Request fee information
International £18,600 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Coventry University is home to superb production facilities4 both within the School of Media and Performance and in our brand-new Arts and Humanities building. This includes two brand new creative immersive studios; one for Dolby Atmos and ambisonics projects and the neighbouring studio for AR/VR projects.

Music seminar room

A great space for our budding musicians, our specialist music seminar room comes with a grand piano, PA, amps, drum kit and 5.1 surround sound, all directly linked to a control room for recording.

Recording studios

You can have access to five recording studios, instrument storage, and an iMac music tech suite. We also have state-of-the-art recording studios running Pro Tools, Logic, Live, Max and Sibelius on Apple macs. You could use these facilities throughout your course. 

The FAH Media Loan Shop (MLS) holds the peripheral equipment required for recording sessions, such as microphones, portable recording equipment, PA systems, etc.  The two computer labs are furnished with Apple computers.  

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course you will be able to:

Concepts of professionalism within music production (including Music and audio production, recording techniques and technology, Live sound, VR and immersive recording and performance) and related disciplines and their relationship to music production within a global context. The skills, processes and techniques required for the creation, realisation, presentation and management of work as a music producer, working in the digital age.

On successful completion, you should be equipped with the skills to:

  • Evidence a systematic understanding and critical awareness in the application of recording and audio production techniques to produce high-quality assets 
  • Work creatively, sustainably, and ethically within professional situations, both individually and in a team, employing a range of strategies and techniques
  • Problem solve complex audio and music production scenarios both systemically and creatively 
  • Justify and critically reflect upon the decisions made in the production of your creative practice by applying a range of methods
  • Individually and collaboratively produce a range of music and/or audio production outcomes/projects for identified and diverse audiences and contexts 

Following your studies, you could become music producers, sound engineers, composers, media and games audio/sound designers; audio post-production engineers. 

Preparing our Masters graduates for onward careers is central to our approach to learning and teaching on the course. This includes developing authentic assessment, collaborative opportunities, placements, and advice and guidance for onward study on PhD programmes here and internationally (subject to availability2).

Our three collaborative modules provide opportunities to work with students in popular music. You will be able to take advantage of cross-Faculty connections and collaborations, as well as placement and onward opportunities with the support of our Talent Team2.

Careers in music production are diverse and on successful completion of the course you could work in jobs such as:

  • Music and audio production
  • Games audio design
  • Sound design
  • Music and sound composer
  • Audio post-production engineers
  • Immersive technologies 

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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