Overview
Have a passion for making and listening to music? This course covers skills needed to create, record and produce music and audio.
This course will give you the skills, knowledge and techniques you need to become involved in the creation and recording of music and audio. Working in outstanding facilities you will have the opportunity to work with professional performers, composers and producers.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 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.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating 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.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited sand recognised by the following bodies:
JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support)
JAMES is a consortium of music, entertainment and media industry organisations collaborating in the support of education and promotion of excellence. Assessed by industry professionals, JAMES engage with education primarily through their Course Accreditation process which is designed to endorse relevance, quality and continuing innovation throughout the student curriculum. This not only equips you for a rapidly changing industry, but also ensures that many years of industry experience are not lost to future generations. JAMES continues to promote supportive links between industry and education. JAMES is a recognised PSRB (Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body) for undergraduate higher education courses.
Steinberg Certified Training Centre
Steinberg Certified Trainers and Training Centers help you get the most from Steinberg products. We use the latest Steinberg software and have extensive current product and systems knowledge.
This course is currently accredited by JAMES Joint Audio Media Education Support and Steinberg Certified Training for the 2021/22 entry. If there are any changes to the accreditation of this course, we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Steinberg Education Center
The Music technology course became a Steinberg Education Center in 2019.
Related Links
Building Redevelopment
We are currently in the process of a major redevelopment of our Faculty of Arts and Humanities buildings. The building will be open to the public as well as students, and will feature an expansive gallery space.
Creative Community Hub
We hope that you are all staying safe in these uncertain times. Creative activities can really help fill the days, while we are spending more time at home and we have some ideas to keep you busy.
Virtual experience
Visit our online degree show where we have brought together the work of over 500 students.
What our students say...
The BSc Music Technology course at Coventry University has given me a great start in the world of audio. The course is hands-on, focusing a lot on group projects and use of professional audio equipment and software. After the course was finished, I have not only accumulated a significant body of work to present to potential employers, but a range of highly-sought out skills in the field of music production and recording, sound design, and acoustics.
Course information
The Music Technology BSc course is for you if you have a passion for creative practices in both music and sound and wish to explore the technical realisation of those practices.
You are likely to have an interest and background in music as well as in science and technology. The course caters to those who want to explore the principles of sound and acoustics including musical instrument acoustics, music composition and production in mainstream and experimental contexts, recording equipment and other music and audio software/hardware, and the music business, careers and employability.
The course is inspired by innovation in the technologies and practices of the music industry, encompassing both experimental areas and cutting edge industry practices. This is a practical course that gives you the space to explore their personal creative interests and innovations while allowing you to develop a solid base of skills and knowledge to further their career aspirations.
87%
of students agree that our staff are good at explaining things
NSS, 2016
Course specification
Download PDF
Modules
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.
Coventry University is ranked 15th in the United Kingdom Guardian University Guide 2020
In more detail...
The course is designed to reflect the range of areas that make up the subject of music technology and the wide range of jobs that may be available to you once you have completed your studies. Throughout your time here you will be taught the principles of sound and acoustics, musical instrument acoustics, music composition and production, recording equipment through to software/ hardware and the current business environment.
- Small class sizes so you will have plenty of access to our fantastic facilities.
- A vibrant and creative environment, offering you access to professional practices, new research and outstanding graduate support.
- Dedicated, experienced and qualified teaching staff with a mixture of commercial, academic and research related expertise at an international level.
- For successful graduates, a potential range of career opportunities as music producers, sound engineers, composers, and audio postproduction technicians.
- A course accredited by JAMES, a music industry body that acts on behalf of the association of Professional Recording Services, the Music Producers Guild and the UK Screen Association.*
- *This course is currently accredited by JAMES Joint Audio Media Education Support for the 2021/22 entry. If there are any changes to the accreditation of this course, we would notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Facilities include several recording studios (including one based around an SSL mixing desk), various live rooms and performance spaces and Mac-based labs.
You will be taught the fundamentals of sound, signals and acoustics – to help you understand the basis of sound in terms of creation, capturing and distribution. You will also be taught about the tools and techniques commonly used in music technology. Examples include: synthesis and sampling, multimedia programming, recording techniques and recording and mastering technology.
The course has a strong sense of its position within the music business environment and you will study organisations within the music industry. This will give you a greater understanding of the business context for music technology and will help you to manage your career more effectively.
Your course will be based on a series of lectures, with associated lab and studio sessions. In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice. You will be taught in state-of-the-art sound facilities.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include practical or project work, coursework, tests, essays and presentations/posters.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Assessments may include exams, individual assignments or group work elements.
On successful completion, you should have knowledge of:
- Concepts of professionalism within music technology (including composition, recording techniques an technology, Live sound, music production) and related disciplines and their relationship to music technology within a global context.
- The skills, processes and techniques required for the creation, realisation, presentation and management of work as a music technologist, working within the digital age.
On successful completion, you should be equipped with the skills to:
- Demonstrate technical skills relating to a wide range of recording, mastering, Music production, live sound and music composition for the screen.
- Apply technological and music related skills creatively to a brief to a high standard of aptitude, demonstrating the appropriate breadth and depth of conceptual development.
- Apply creative solutions to a brief, using technical means and appropriate application of materials, processes and technologies to develop a coherent body of work that reflects the particular characteristics of your own creative perspective.
- Conduct research in the field of Music technology and its related applications and contexts through a process of creative experimentation, conceptual rigour and critical analysis.
- Apply critically informed knowledge of professional practice in music technology, and the wider music and media related fields.
- Effectively organise and manage independent and collaborative projects and apply entrepreneurial skills in dealing with audiences, clients, consumers, finances, markets, sources and/or users.
- Work to deadlines, both individually and in groups.
In a typical week you will have approximately 14 contact hours of teaching which will include tutorials, and small and medium group teaching. Class sizes on this course are such that most teaching is in medium or small sized groups.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
Additionally, you will be expected to complete 20 hours each week studying and revising in your own time.
The course offers an international field trip to students (subject to availability, application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs). Students in the past have been to Berlin to visit Ableton Labs and spent time in Hansa Studios where classic David Bowie and Depeche Mode albums were recorded. In addition, students recently went to Hong Kong where they took part in a pop-up show. You will also go to Rock Field Studio for a week of master classes in recording and mastering (subject to availability and additional costs).
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we provided a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our students say...
The Music Technology course at Coventry University was highly valuable to me. The strong emphasis on practical work ensures regular use of the available high-end equipment. The tutors are always eager to help and are both knowledgeable and passionate about their area of expertise. The professional methods taught in the course are applicable for anyone looking to start a career in the world of audio.
If you haven't met the entry requirements, you may still be able to progress onto a degree by studying a foundation course.
What our students say...
I chose this course because of the variety of different subjects offered within the course. From acoustics, to mixing and mastering songs we’ve recorded ourselves, this course really gave me the platform to learn new skills, as well as refine and perfect those I already had.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Reduced course fees for EU students
The UK Government has confirmed that EU students who are starting their course in September 2021 and onwards will be classified as an international student. To support our EU community who are affected by this change, Coventry University are providing an EU Member State Transition Bursary.
Students ordinarily domiciled in an EU Member State who prior to the 2021/22 academic intake qualified for UK fees (home fee status), are eligible for the EU Member State Transition Bursary. This will bring fee levels for those students across the Group into line with those of UK students for courses starting in the 2021/22 academic year.
Review more details on our EU Member State Transition Award/Bursary page.
What our students say...
I chose this course because of the variety of different subjects offered within the course. From acoustics, to mixing and mastering songs we’ve recorded ourselves, this course really gave me the platform to learn new skills, as well as refine and perfect those I already had.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
There is a strong emphasis within the course on your future career, not only helping you to discover your potential chosen career path but also ensuring that you have the professional level of business skill and knowledge to thrive in this demanding industry.
Where our graduates work
Previous examples of employment include music producers, sound engineers, composers; audio post- production technicians together with work in extensive related fields such as radio and television sound.
What our students say...
The BSc Music Technology course at Coventry University has given me a great start in the world of audio. The course is hands-on, focusing a lot on group projects and use of professional audio equipment and software. After the course was finished, I have not only accumulated a significant body of work to present to potential employers, but a range of highly-sought out skills in the field of music production and recording, sound design, and acoustics.
Disclaimer
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 2021/22 Contract can be found here. 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.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
