Digital Music and Sound Arts BA (Hons)

• A-levels: For those applying with A-levels only, grades BBC are expected, supported by a strong portfolio.
• BTEC: DMM.
• International Baccalaureate: 28 points.
• Access to HE Diploma: pass with 60 credits overall. Art and design diploma preferred. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at merit or above.
• GCSE (minimum grade C): at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.
• Foundation degree/HND: may enable you to start the course in year 2.
• Interview:
  • to present a portfolio of their own compositions or sound works. This should be presented as a showreel of five minutes maximum (on a CD or DVD) containing a selection of works.
  • to demonstrate a good knowledge of musicianship, affinity for experimentation, awareness of related art forms, and an experience of working with sound/music related technologies.
  • to bring two samples of academic writing.

Year 1 - In the first year you will study creative studio techniques together with the physical properties of sound which will inform other work on the course. You will be working on creative projects, aimed at opening up new possibilities through an engagement with new audio technologies to develop creative strategies as used in contemporary music and sound art practices. In addition to industry standard production software like Logic Pro, Protools and Ableton Live, we emphasise creative work with musical programming environments such as Pure Data, SuperCollider and Processing in order to enable the design of musical interfaces, installations, or systems based on individual creative projects.

The first year covers a wide field: from sound synthesis and acoustics, perception of sound and music analysis, to musical composition and instrument design. Various project assignments will encourage you to reflect upon your own practice and develop creative projects that you will present to your fellow students. You will also write an essay on a topic of your choice related to the course profile areas. Embedded in the course curriculum are tasks and methods that provide you with transferable skills, such as project development, management and presentation skills, and academic writing.

Year 2 - In the second year you develop skills and knowledge in three key areas:

• Composition/Sound Design for the Moving Image
• Sound Art
• New Media.

Theoretical modules support practical work where you will do sound design for films or other screen-based forms and sound art in its various manifestations. Students typically work on composition and sound design for the moving image and new media (film, TV, video, internet, games), radio, multi-channel sound, audio programming, digital instrument design, interactive sound installations and other sound arts practices.

You will take a module called Extension Studies, where you choose from a range of subject areas such as photography, moving image, creative writing, architecture, design or various others. In the second semester of this year you will start one-to-one tutorials with your dedicated tutor, supporting you in the first stages of your final research essay, which links strongly to the final practice-based project in the third year.

Year 3 - In your final year, you will work more independently than in previous years. This year consists of the following three elements:

• a research essay written in the first semester
• a practical project in the second semester
• a professional practice module.

The practical project is an intensive process where all the professional skills (practical, intellectual, organisational and production management) gained during the course of studies are condensed into one well developed, documented and presented final project, that will be publicly exhibited during the degree show in June. Your final year will involve one-to-one tutorials, study groups, seminars, lectures and professional practice sessions run by external specialists. All years attend the Creative Studio Techniques’ and Audio Seminar sessions and benefit from ongoing technical workshops.