Music Production MA

Study level: Postgraduate
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This course 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

2024-25

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time
16-24 months (with professional experience)

Course code

AHT092

Start date

September 2024

How to apply
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Course overview

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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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2024

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. 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. 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.

Coventry Degree Show 2023

The Coventry Degree Show is an annual event to celebrate and showcase our graduating students’ work.

Explore the work of our talented students
Degree show 2023

What you'll study

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 your first semester on the course, you 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 and 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 and hyper-instruments.

    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

  • This module explores the changing world of work which Arts and Humanities students enter after study. New technology and the changing global economy mean that jobs and skills are changing and evolving quickly and will continue to do so. This is an exciting and new world, and this module is designed to empower you to realise your potential in it.

    This module provides tools for you to develop into changemakers, thrive in a changing world of work and participate in creating a better future for society. You’ll be guided through a process of reflection that explores four possible futures for the world of work and how to situate your own professional identity as the future of work changes through your careers. This module is designed in collaboration with The RSA (Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), and upon successful completion students will receive RSA digital badging.

    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 with the aim of enhancing your employability your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, which for 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2,666.67, and for 3 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.

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

Teaching contact hours

In a typical week you will have approximately eight 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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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. The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Applicants to this master’s degree should normally possess an 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.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants to this master’s degree should normally possess an 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

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience)   Not available
EU £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience) per year with EU support bursary**
£18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU support bursary**		 Not available
International £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience)   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 fees3 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 optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

  • 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 Performing Arts and in our Delia Derbyshire Arts and Humanities complex.

You will benefit from studying on our well-equipped, modern campus.

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities in a dedicated environment4.

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 Media Loan Shop 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

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • understand the 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
  • use the skills, processes and techniques required for the creation, realisation, presentation and management of work as a music producer, working within the digital age.

Upon 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 own creative practice 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.

Preparing our master's 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-school connections and collaborations, as well as placement and onward opportunities with the support of our Talent Team2.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, 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 unpaid and/or 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, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any 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 UK (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

    Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 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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