If you would like to develop your sound production skills to produce for radio, film or computer games, then this course could be for you. With the explosion in digital media distribution there is an increasing demand for expertise in the sonic arts, and graduates who are equipped not only with the technical savvy, but also the creative vision to use sound and music as a creative tool will be well-equipped to service that demand. You will explore the use of sound and music in a variety of media including the use of sound effects and Foley in games, animation, films and radio as well as the use of sound and music for interactive media. What you study This course focuses strongly on the applications of sound and music to games and electronic entertainment, interactive music and audio, web and traditional broadcast media, film, TV, and animation sectors, and as such provides opportunities for students to apply their professional-level production skills to a range of different media contexts. In third year, students work on a variety of projects, including writing, casting and producing a radio drama; developing sound effects libraries for games; designing and implementing software synthesizers; working in production teams to deliver interactive audio content for an online marketing campaign and exploring how sound and music work alongside the moving image. Students also work as part of a larger production team with programmers and artists on a large-scale creative project working directly for an industry client. The fourth (Honours) year gives you the opportunity to undertake a significant and sustained individual development project which focuses on a current ‘hot-topic’ in the sound sector. Working with staff and other students, you will identify and develop a particular area of study and develop this into a full-scale project supported by a dissertation. How you learn and are assessed You will spend an average of 15 hours per week in lectures/studio-based activities. Lectures are used to present the key concepts, theories and techniques throughout the course. Studio-based activities increase your understanding of the subject and allow you to develop your competence and confidence in artistic and technical skills. During the course you will also be required to actively participate in discussion groups, lectures, practical tutorials and private study. All modules use project-based, creative, problem solving exercises that require detailed research, idea generation and concept development resulting in the creation of a digital sound piece.

Career prospects With the transition from analogue to digital broadcast in full swing, there have never been more opportunities for creative producers. New television and radio stations, online advertising and computer games and interactive entertainment are all crying out for high-quality digital sound content. On graduating, you will be well-placed to negotiate the fast-paced creative sector, with a wide range of communication and problem-solving skills to support high-level production skills. Previous students have gone on to work in a variety of roles, including lead audio production roles in the games industry, production and engineering roles in the entertainment sector and a number have set up their own successful studios and sound installation companies. The course also prepares you well for further study and a number of students have gone on to study at masters level in the UK and Europe.